Maia
Huddersfield, England, United Kingdom | INDIE
Music
Press
According to their PR these guys are fresh out of college, though the accompanying photo would seem to indicate that they’re about to enter the lower sixth; in either case there’s no way they should be this talented.
A four-piece who between them play guitar, ukulele, piano, trumpet, banjo, mandolin, drums, cajon and percussion, Maia perform the songs of Tom Clegg, who shares vocal duties with Simon Robinson, in a style unlike that of any other band of my recent acquaintance. They cite a love of folk, Talking Heads, Love and David Bowie as the basis for this debut album, and many other influences are also apparent.
In some of the vocals and chord progressions there’s more than a hint of Jeff Buckley, the odd vocal chorus sounds remarkably like a mix of Fleet Foxes/Midlake tinged with late ‘60s/early ‘70s Moody Blues, and on occasion I thought I detected a faint echo of David Sylvian— post-Japan of course.
Dead Centre begins with flamenco percussion and has some beautiful mariachi trumpet; Melons, for some reason I can’t quite put my finger on, put me in mind of Kurt Weill, and Windmill begins with a North African style hammered dulcimer over a sitar drone—it’s amazing what you can accomplish with a full effects suite.
Musicianship, production values etc etc are of a very high standard throughout and the sheer breadth of the band’s vision is breathtaking.
Highly recommended.
Ian Spafford
- Stirrings Magazine
This four piece starts the record out with a few songs that perfectly blend of the modern free folk style made popular by Devandra Banhart and others along with a more traditional folk. As the record moves on, the songs become even a bit more daring. They are all very easy on the ear, but the daring part is their ability to mix genres and defy categorization. And even if that makes my task more difficult, it makes for a more exciting listening experience. I hear different African and South American touches in rhythms and use of brass. There is some Americana evident at times, but in other songs their English roots show through. The vocals seemingly come from another dimension in a less demonstrative Antony (and the Johnsons) Heggarty style. This has enough elements of folk for genre fans but covers an awful lot of ground and is one of the more compelling listens I have had in a while.
David Hintz
- World Folk Reveiw
Discography
Debut Album Maia Released on Vandal
So far recieved plays on BBC 6music
and regional BBC specialist shows
Photos
Bio
Once in a while a band will come along who sound way beyond their years, think Fleet Foxes or Mumford & Sons. Fresh out of college, Maia are a band that fall into that esteemed category.
They bestow a sound and vision that is remarkably mature, combined with a sense of adventure that reflects their youthful spirit. Based around a love of folk, Talking Heads, Love and David Bowie, their debut album encompasses an eclectic mix of styles and song structures, with the element to emote and surprise in equal measure. Although the songs are underpinned with traditional folk guitar, many of them are embellished with a lively brass section.
The boys decided to form a band during a night out in Huddersfield and quickly went on to record their first album under the supervision of producer Choque Hosein.
Performing in clubs around the north and south of England the band has already built up a considerable reputation. With dates and a residency in London for the New Year expect to hear much more from Maia.
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