Today we’d like to introduce you to Maia Kelly.
Hi Maia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Thank you for having me! So, I’m a songwriter and violinist. My mom is an incredible pianist and always encouraged my love of music. I started playing violin when I was 3, and earned two degrees in violin performance. Like I said, I’m also a songwriter! Since moving to Nashville in 2020, I’ve grown so much, co-writing with incredible artists here in town and elsewhere, (Catt McCreary and Ashley McKinley, Juli Strawbridge, Sammy Kay and Black Polish to name a few) and writing with a bunch of people who I’ve been really blessed to meet. I’m half-Japanese and spent a lot of my childhood moving around the world. It sounds corny, but I think music became such a huge part of my life because it was always there, no matter where we were.
I’m also really lucky that my partner of 6 years, Pio Molina, is an unbelievable producer and violinist. He’s a huge part of my story. We met as violin performance majors in college, and we’ve been together through so many seasons of our lives. We decided to move to Nashville together and that wasn’t an easy process by any means, but we’ve grown together and we’ve struggled together and we’re better for it. Or at least I know I am. We’re both pursuing these creative careers that are so hard, and I’m just so grateful to have him to lean on.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I don’t know if there is such a thing as a smooth road. There’s definitely been struggles. But I’ve also been incredibly blessed in that I have a great support system, and I know that I’ve lived a privileged life. Even getting to study music at a university was such a privilege and I don’t take any of that for granted.
But that doesn’t mean it’s always been easy. Life is hard for everyone in different ways.
In this industry, we all deal with a lot of rejection. I have anxiety disorders that I struggle with everyday. Constant imposter syndrome. I also work 9-5 in PR, so it’s like I have 2 full-time careers and sometimes I’m so overwhelmed it feels impossible. But again, I’m really fortunate to have people to struggle through life with and I wouldn’t change anything. Except that…I’d eventually like to have only ONE full-time career as a songwriter! I know that’ll come, but in the meantime I need to pay rent. And I’m also fortunate that I do really like my job, and the things I’ve learned as a public relations and marketing professional are transferable skills that I can apply to my career as a musician.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m definitely really focused on and excited about where my songwriting is going. I’d say at this point, I predominantly write pop music and some more folk-inspired indie pop songs, but since collaborating with some really cool artists I feel like I’ve definitely expanded my repertoire which is really exciting. I never thought I’d be able to write rock music, but recently I’ve written a few songs that definitely have that vibe, and it’s been really fun!
I’m really proud of some of the music that is coming out in the coming months. I don’t want to say too much, but like I said, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some fantastic people and I can’t wait for those projects to be out in the world.
I have this extensive background as a classical musician, and I think that definitely helps me to bring different ideas to the table when it comes to writing. It’s hard to say what sets me apart, because I’m still learning so much about myself as a human and as a writer, but I like to think that I have a unique perspective and voice.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Success is a really weird word to me, because some days I feel like I should be proud of the things I’ve accomplished, but other days I feel like I’ve done absolutely nothing with my life.
I think that patience is really important. Patience, but not complacency. I am not known to be that patient of a person in my day to day life – I can definitely be high-strung and very ‘go-go-go.’ But when it comes to setting goals and career moves, especially in an industry as competitive and weird and complicated as the entertainment industry, I think you do need to be patient. Be patient with yourself, patient with others, patient with the process. There’s no guarantees in life and I think this idea of ‘if you work hard you will get it!!!’ can be idealistic, but there is something to be said about trusting in your process and staying the course.
Pricing:
- I do session work as a violinist, but pricing varies. Email me.
Contact Info:
- Email: officialmaiakelly@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maia_kelly/?hl=en
