Maya Solovéy

Artist Information

Biography

"Here's a rarity: An original voice who really is original! Drawing inspiration from all over the map, Maya Solovey has developed a deep, enchanting sound that's unlike anything else out there right now." -- Tom Moon, on air critic for NPR, journalist for Rolling Stone, Spin Magazine


Her appearance may be at once celestial and disarming, yet Maya Solovey’s music is decidedly sure-footed and grounded. Although her compositions are unique and often unexpected, there is a palpable coherence and confidence to Maya’s music which allows her listeners to recognize the mark of a young musician who seeks perfection. As a result, Maya’s audience is always afforded the pleasure of feeling safe in her music. This is not to insinuate that her music is tamed, subdued, or simple--for it is anything but.
Raised in the Berkshire Hills and schooled in Massachusetts, Ecuador and Spain, Maya began composing and recording songs at fifteen, and released her first album at seventeen. Now, at age 26 Maya has merged the acoustic/folk songwriting tradition into the territories of pop, bossa nova, and even the high drama of cinematic scoring. Her music is a surprising, yet rational marriage between all these cultures--she sings in Portuguese, Spanish and her native English tongue. As a trilingual songwriter, Maya has trained herself in the art of honesty. She recognizes that certain emotions travel through lyrics that could only work sincerely in Spanish, Portuguese, or English because they fit into the languages’ cultural continuum and poetic tradition. Remarkably, Maya is able to successfully guide her different cultural influences and musical perspectives into a refined and studied genre of her own making.
For the past six years Maya has called New York City her home, earning her degree in music composition from SUNY Purchase, founding her own record label Womb Room Music, on which she has released two albums and an EP. Her 2005 EP “Dissolving” garnered much acclaim, including wins and nominations in The John Lennon Songwriting Contest, The Great American Song Contest, The Billboard Song Contest, The Independent Music Awards, and Singer Universe Magazine. She is currently enjoying the completion of her debut album Maya Solovey. With 11 original new songs, and a guest song by fellow composer Eric Maltz, the album truly showcases her ability to translate the complexity of her compositions into clear, polished, and accessible songs. The track “Eu Vi” from this album was featured on the Ralph Lauren campaign for their winter 2010 runway show, her song “Como Yo Lloro Por Ti” was featured a FIFA World Cup compilation, while a song she sang on was recently featured in a campaign for Target. She continually licenses her music and voice to various films, documentaries, and commercials.
Maya currently works alongside her co-producer “Bassy” Bob Brockman, a grammy award winning producer and mixer, whose production and mixes have been nominated for over 20 grammys, including albums by Bob Dylan, Herbie Hancock, and Christina Aguilera, including 2 wins. From the beginning and throughout her two-year stint in the studio creating her 'double-EP' self titled album, Ms. Solovéy continuously plays all throughout New York City, the Northeast, at venues such as like Mercury Lounge, Union Hall, and the Colony Theater in Woodstock NY. She has also graced the stages of US festivals and consistently tours throughout Europe, playing in such notable venues like Le Baron and Europe1 radio station in Paris, music halls, clubs, cafes, and even private concerts for the Czech royal family. Recently she toured with renowned artist, producer, and DJ Talvin Singh in his European tour, and has just finished producing a debut record for the fresh new artist Page Foster. She looks forward to the release of her album in Portugal and Europe in the Fall, with tours to support the release in 2011 and 2012.


Maya lives in New york City and plays for people both locally and internationally.

Awards and Mentions for her 2005 released four-song EP “Dissolving” include:


* John Lennon Songwriting Contest, one of three finalists in the Pop category, for her song “I Stand Alone”

* Winner of the Pop/Adult Contemporary category in The Great American Song Contest, for her song “Linger”

* Billboard Song Contest, Honorable Mentions for “I Stand Alone”, “Dissolving”, and “In Time”

* Independent Music Awards, finalist in the Folk/Singer-songwriter category, for “In Time”

* Named one of the Top Five Vocalists of the month by SingerUniverse Magazine

Instrumentation

Taylor Cannizzaro - Cello, voice
Adam Cote - Upright Bass, Electric and Double Bass
Dan McGuinness - Drums
Naren Rauch - Guitar
Bassy Bob Brockmann - Electric Bass

Discography

-July 2010- LP "Maya Solovey"

-Dissolving- EP - July 2005
-The Age of Scorpio- LP, March 2004
-Spiritual Fruit- LP, December 2002

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Bandcamp-- Album Download
• Facebook Fan Page

Audio

• Ring Ring Ring
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• A Escultura
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• Dreamgirls
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• Touch
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• Eu Vi
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• The Most
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• Como Yo Lloro Por Ti
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• Tonight
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• American Song
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• A Vida
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Lyrics

• Dreamgirls
• Touch
• The Most
• Tonight
• American Song
• A Escultura
• Eu Vi
• Como Yo Lloro Por Ti
• A Vida

Video

Ring Ring Ring_FINAL_3491kbps

Maya.Dreamgirls.YouTubeHD.mp4

Photo Gallery

Press

• Independent artist Maya Solovéy is a multicultural musical threat [+ Show ]
  

  MAKING TRACKS: Maya Solovéy Written by Seth Rogovoy Independent artist Maya Solovéy is a multicu...MAKING TRACKS: Maya Solovéy
  Written by
  Seth Rogovoy
  Independent artist Maya Solovéy is a multicultural musical threat
  
  
  Since she was a teenager, Berkshire native Maya Solovéy has been performing and recording music. After having earned a degree in music composition from SUNY Purchase, traveled throughout the world, and established her home base in New York City, Solovéy is a multicultural musical threat, singing in three languages (Spanish and Portuguese in addition to English) and drawing upon the musical traditions of those and other nationalities.
  
  Her newest recording, the eponymous Maya Solovéy, co-produced by Grammy Award-winner Bob Brockman, presents the work of a mature twenty-five-year-old artist with a clear sense of herself and her place in the world on numbers that are alternately jazzy, folky, and cinematic, veering from bossa nova to flamenco to chamber-folk. Solovéy wields her voice like a clarinet—it can soar and trill like a bird or sing a dark, soulful tune in deep, sultry tones—and her melodies are set against tasteful, minimalist accompaniment provided by some of Brooklyn’s top musical talents, including cellists Jane Scarpantoni and Erik Friedlander, violinist Tracy Bonham, bassist Todd Sickafoose, and reedman Paul Shapiro. Like many independent artists, Solovéy makes her album available for download on her website on a pay-what-you-want basis. [OCTOBER 2010]
  
  THE GOODS
  
  Maya Solovéy
  Maya Solovéy
  Womb Room Music

• Tom Moon quote [+ Show ]
  

  "Here's a rarity: An original voice who really is original! Drawing inspiration from all over the ma..."Here's a rarity: An original voice who really is original! Drawing inspiration from all over the map, Maya Solovéy has developed a deep, enchanting sound that's unlike anything else out there right now." -- Tom Moon, on air critic for NPR, journalist for Rolling Stone, Spin Magazine

• Bassy Bob Brockmann quote [+ Show ]
  

  "Maya Solovéy is an exceptional songwriter, possessed of a voice that is haunting, soothing, and ero..."Maya Solovéy is an exceptional songwriter, possessed of a voice that is haunting, soothing, and erotic all at the same time. Her music, I'm sure , will change the world."
  --Bassy Bob Brockmann, Multiple Grammy winning producer/mixer

• Stark Magazine review, from opening slot for The Duke and the King [+ Show ]
  

  Also a MAJOR heads up for Maya Solovey. I went to the show early based on her Myspace page and not o...Also a MAJOR heads up for Maya Solovey. I went to the show early based on her Myspace page and not only was she impressive vocally (beautifully haunting and refreshing) but she dresses fabulously, wears glitter, and is one of few genuinely sweet people I’ve ever met. She’s sort of an early Regina Spektor with a guitar, has the brains to learn (and then write and sing in) new languages and the guts to cover Johnny Cash. She’s (as she said) “music for the folks”. Maya has tons of free music available at her Website, and has two EPs coming in the fall.

• Review from Live Show, Aug 2009 [+ Show ]
  

  Maya Solovey is one of those rare artists who both makes sweet music and engages the audience in an ...Maya Solovey is one of those rare artists who both makes sweet music and engages the audience in an intimate way. From the first note, her sultry voice tickles you under the chin and urges you to listen more attentively to the lyrics. It’s one of those voices one immediately enjoys listening to, whether she is singing, or talking. The experience is much like walking past a field of beautiful wildflowers, you are compelled to stop and stare (or listen) a while.
  
  Her writing is superb, issues of the heart are dealt with in an intelligent, sensitive and frank manner. As you listen, you can almost hear what the audience is seeing, a catch of the eye, a secret half smile, as everything Maya is pulls you in and immerses you in the story she is telling.
  
  Maya plays the guitar as an extension of herself as she tells the story, again, every part of the performance works together to transport one into the story. One moment fingering, the next strumming, the next hammering as she weaves her auditory spell and paints a deliciously rich canvas of sound that envelops you and then whispers softly in your ear.
  
  She is a fantastic artist and I am very glad to have had a chance to hear her play and see her perform. I hope to see more and more soul-poetry from Maya.

• The Skint Daily NYC Blog [+ Show ]
  

  "We'd love for folkie Maya Solovéy to sing us to sleep. Under the stars. But we'll settle for being ..."We'd love for folkie Maya Solovéy to sing us to sleep. Under the stars. But we'll settle for being wide awake at rockwood music hall."

• Take this Bread Blog
  

  "Possibly the sexiest voice since Eartha Kitt."

• 1st Place for Pop/Contemporary category ("Linger") [+ Show ]
  

  Linger" just won 1st place in the Pop/Adult Contemporary category in the 2005 Great American Song ...Linger" just won 1st place in the Pop/Adult Contemporary category
  in the 2005 Great American Song Contest!
  It was also put into the Contest's Hall of Fame.
  This makes a win or mention of some sort of all the four songs on the "Dissolving

• Finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest [+ Show ]
  

  Maya has just been selected as a finalist for session I of the John Lennon Songwriting contest, for ...Maya has just been selected as a finalist for session I of the John Lennon Songwriting contest, for her song, "I Stand Alone". She was one of three for the pop category. Over 10,000 people submit to the contest from around the world, and it is open to amateurs and professionals alike.

• OnlineRock Review [+ Show ]
  

  On her EP, Dissolving, Maya Solovey’s sensual singing shines on four well crafted, radio-accessible ...On her EP, Dissolving, Maya Solovey’s sensual singing shines on four well crafted, radio-accessible tunes. The production is impressive and lush, enhancing Solovey’s vocal inflections as well as her vocal range.
  
  The first track, I Stand Alone, is a sexy, solid dance number, while those that follow, including the title track, are more conventional piano-driven pop. Solovey has written each of these tunes. They’re catchy musically and lyrically smart, and show that she’s not only blessed with a smooth and sultry voice but a talent for songwriting as well.
  
  Favorite Track: Track 3, “Linger”

• Named one of the top five vocalists in SingerUniverse Magazine's "Best Vocalist of the month" competition [+ Show ]
  

  Maya has just been named one of the Top Five Vocalists in the "Best Vocalist of the Month" competiti...Maya has just been named one of the Top Five Vocalists in the "Best Vocalist of the Month" competition, by SingerUniverse magazine. Results will be officially posted June 8th.
  
  www.singeruniverse.com

• UK International Songwriting Contest [+ Show ]
  

  All four of the EP's songs have made it to the UK's International Songwriting Contest Semifinals. Mo...All four of the EP's songs have made it to the UK's International Songwriting Contest Semifinals. Most thousands and thousands of single songs don't make it nearly as far. Let alone four from one artist.

• Brain and Braun Compilation [+ Show ]
  

  The title song off of the new EP 'Dissolving' has been selected to be on a compilation run by Braun ...The title song off of the new EP 'Dissolving' has been selected to be on a compilation run by Braun and Brains Music, out of Vancouver. Pressing should be going by September, and little buzzes here and thereafter.

• 3 honorable mentions in the Billbord Song Contest [+ Show ]
  

  "I Stand Alone", "Dissolving", and "In Time" all received Honorable Mentions in the 13th Billboard S..."I Stand Alone", "Dissolving", and "In Time" all received Honorable Mentions in the 13th Billboard Song Contest

• Finalist in the Independent Music Awards [+ Show ]
  

  Maya's song "In Time" has just been named one of the 4 finalists in the Folk/Singer-Songwriter categ...Maya's song "In Time" has just been named one of the 4 finalists in the Folk/Singer-Songwriter category, in the 2005 Independent Music Awards!

Setlist

Varies from gig to gig, depending on the circumstances. We can play anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours.

Basic Requirements

Calendar