Maya Solovéy

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 - Berkshire Living Magazine

"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 - Bassy Bob Brockmann

"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 - Tom Moon

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 - Great American Song Contest

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

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! - Independent Music Awards

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 - SingerUniverse Magazine

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. - Stark Magazine

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. - Chris Paris

"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." - The Skint Daily NYC Blog

"Possibly the sexiest voice since Eartha Kitt." - Take this Bread Blog

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. - Braun and Brains Music

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. - John Lennon Songwriting Contest

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” - OnlineRock, Roland Goity (author)

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. - UK International Songwriting Contest