Page 157 - TA Magazine Winter 2022

NO TES ON HEALING

Sophia Scott If there’s something there that I like, I’ll take it to a producer thing as too much material to work with. Or at least that’s
How has music helped with your own healing journey? start on my own with a concept or lyric on the piano or guitar. an unfiltered stream of whatever’s on my mind. There’s no such

MAEJOR: and/or another writer to see how we can really bring it to life. what I tell myself to justify the extensive amount of notebooks
“White Fence” always leaves us feeling empowered. Working with Renee and Iggy was such a blast. I loved blend- on the shelves in my home studio. Or the 1,530 voice memos
I believe music can help our bodies return to their natural state Did writing and releasing the song change something in you? ing genres and creating a fresh sound. Collaborating always on my phone. It’s so worth it.
of health and well-being where we can heal. Music has given And has getting engaged (congrats!) changed takes me out of my comfort zone and challenges a new side of
me a second life. I’m a cancer survivor. Creating music at a the way you now view that song? me. I can’t wait to do more collabs. Many of your lyrics are confessional, like a midnight
healing frequency of 432 Hz has allowed me to enhance my conversation with a friend. Is it difficult baring
health in ways I’m very grateful for. It’s given me a suspended Thank you! I have always been independent and gone a little How has music been healing for you? your soul through music? Do you find strength in being
sense of gratitude. against the grain. When I wrote this song I wanted to express vulnerable?
that independence in a way that could hopefully empower In pretty much every way I can think of. The wonderful thing
KINGSLEY “RICH AFRIK AN”: others to feel the same. I still about music is that there’s something for everyone and a song It’s a strange and beautiful concept to have a passion fueled by
hate that we live in a society for pretty much any mood. Whether it’s writing, performing, me sharing my deepest truths. My thoughts, secrets, memo-
In many ways, but I’ll start with how music is currently helping that puts so much pressure on or listening to someone else, music connects in a way nothing ries, heartaches, and dreams have been creative currency since
my healing. I’m a first-generation Nigerian-American and I no people, particularly women, else can. I grew up listening to songs and artists that made me I started writing around age 13. I don’t mind it, though. Ten
longer have my parents with me in the physical form. I recently to “find someone” in order to feel less alone, and now sharing my own songs with people years of intense introspection has gifted me extreme self-aware-
lost my father to Covid. I’m always finding ways to connect be happy or fit in. I wanted who are relating in a similar way feels incredibly special and ness and mindfulness. Also, there’s an undeniable thrill that
with parents through activities and locations as part of my to give a big middle finger to therapeutic. I also always say that singing at the top of your coincides with baring your soul at the risk of anyone listening.
healing. I’m creating more Afrobeats music to allow me to feel those constructs because I’m a lungs is the best emotional release, 10/10 recommend.
closer to my roots and parents who are longer here. I’ve always firm believer in being good on I find strength in my vulnerability when it extends to others
had a fear of losing the connection I have with my homeland your own. That said, falling in and makes them feel seen. That connection with my listeners
22 in Nigeria since I wasn’t born and raised there. Music helps me love and finding someone you Haley Jonay is the ultimate symbiosis. We validate each other’s feelings and 22
Y ANDERSON WINTER 20 while dealing with my father’s transition … The message [of song, because I think it’s also songwriting process? Is there a part of your process that so much more genuine and Y ANDERSON WINTER 20
experiences through mutual
want to spend your life with is
feel closer to my parents and roots.
understanding. I never write
a beautiful thing—I just don’t
which makes every moment of
ment. Getting engaged hasn’t
project Vol 1: Frequency was released the same week my fa-
changed the way I view the
interconnection with my fans
146 Also, transparently, Maejor’s song “Thank You” from his think it should be a require- SOPHIA SCOTT As a multi-instrumentalist, how do you approach the to be intentionally relatable, 147
ther transitioned. I listened to this song and project endlessly
would surprise people?
special. It’s my favorite part of
the song] is the same message that my father gave to me when
important to keep your independence within a relationship as
what I do. It’s an honor to be
It might surprise people that I write, record, perform, and pro-
my mother transitioned: gratitude.
well. My now-fiancé and I work hard on ourselves first so that
many lives.
ically, “White Fence” is his favorite song so that’s gotta say
pendent, 23-year-old female singer-songwriter, there’s nothing
more gratifying than being able to directly translate what I hear
something!
C we can try to be the best version for the other person. Iron- duce my music 100% by myself at my home studio. As an inde- a part of the soundtrack of so C
TRA in my mind to what plays through the speakers. The weight of How has music been healing TRA
You blend different genres in your music, from pop and doing it all myself can be heavy at times, but it’s completely for you?
indie to country and grunge. How would you describe your overshadowed by the pride I feel when I hear my songs. Cre-
music to someone who has never heard it? ative control and ownership of my work is an invaluable rarity Music has been a lifelong source
that I’m so lucky to possess. of informal therapy and lim-
It’s funny you said country and grunge because lately I’ve been itless self expression. I know HALEY JONAY
referring to it as “gruntry” or “southern pop.” I grew up heav- Do you begin composing with a specific instrument, firsthand how healing it is to
ily inspired by soul and R&B singers. When it comes to my or does it depend on the song? listen to a song that matches
lyrics, I am very much a storyteller and love digging into that your energy, and my biggest dream is to extend that experience
aspect of country music. When you connect those two elements No two songs have the same creation story. They each have to anyone who connects with my music. As a writer, hearing my
with some raspy angst, that’s more or less how I would de- a unique energy and history. Piano and guitar are two of my own songs is less like looking into a mirror and more like look-
scribe it. Especially the new stuff that’s coming. favorite collaborators, but often a song is born through a spon- ing through a window straight into my unfiltered consciousness.
taneous lyrical or melodic idea. You can never predict when a It often cuts right to the core of my truth, and leaves me stunned
You recently collaborated with Iggy Azalea and Renee Blair clever hook or catchy melody is going to be born, so when it by the fact that certain combinations of words can unlock a
on your new single, “Knock Yourself Out.” How does your happens I try to capture it as quickly as possible by recording brand new perspective on my own thoughts and feelings. Music
creative process change, whether you’re working solo or in it into my voice memo app on my phone. If I’m writing about is magic. I’m forever grateful to be one of its many conduits and
collaboration? a specific situation or emotion, I’ll grab a notebook and write I can’t wait to see what the future holds. TA
I’m always collaborating whether it’s with other songwriters, The wonderful thing about music is that there’s something for everyone
producers, or artists. It’s the best. I typically find that two heads and a song for pretty much any mood.
KINGSLEY “RICH AFRIKAN” are better than one, and three are better than two. I tend to SOPHIA SCOTT