INTERVIEW: MARIS
Cosmic superstar, MARIS sat down with Noisecape Magazine before her show in Boston to spill on all things touring, songwriting, and new music.
I’d love to start out with tour. You’ve been busy traveling and sharing a bill with many amazing acts. We were lucky to have you at Boston Calling this year.
That was the most fun I’ve had in a long time.
It’s great that you’re back! Do you have a favorite memory from this tour with Melt?
I’ve had a lot of amazing fan interactions that I had never had before like people bringing me little gifts and things, which has been so sweet, especially when they’re themed to songs. I’m like, “You were listening? That’s fucking crazy.” There was a show in Chicago where I have this song called “False Idol”, and in the music video, I’m wearing aerobic gear and I put a mustache on. I’m basically overcoming this ideal of myself that I have in my head. This guy, Brad, I looked out in the crowd, and this group of people all have mustaches on. He’s got tights and the whole aerobic fit, and the belt literally matches the music video exactly. And I was like, “What’s your name?” And he goes, “Maris!” And I was like, “No! Your real name!” And he goes, “Brad!” I got to hang out with them after the set, too, and it was just so sweet and cool. That’s something that sticks out of my mind: people dressing up or doing the star, or star tears with glitter, because I used to do tears down the face. It’s so special. Especially when people are dressing up from the music videos and stuff, it makes all the lore and the fantasy feel real. I never expect people to do that, and I’m completely blown away.
Well that was a perfect segue, because I love the cosmic and celestial retro aesthetic that you’ve created. I wanted to learn more about how you crafted this character.
I've always been obsessed with space, and when I was first working on my EP, I would notice a big theme in a lot of it, which is taking these massive concepts of space and time and playing with that and my interpersonal relationships. I wanted to create a project that, if you wanted to be a part of it, was so accessible. You could go buy plastic stars at a dollar store. I used to use lip gloss to attach them to my face before I got lash glue. You know, ‘trash princess’ with the pop tab earrings. I want everything to feel very accessible so you can be a part of it without having to buy a bunch of shit. For the eyeliner stars, I use NYX Professional Makeup Epic Wear Liquid Liner. I think these are $8.00 each. I’ve always been obsessed with stars. My name is derived from the Latin phrase Stella Maris; my mom named me just Maris, but Stella Maris means star of the sea. I think I always gravitated toward stars as a symbol. But I also just like it. I like space, I like aliens, I like fantasy.
It’s fun! Is the term “character” accurate? Does it feel like something that you crafted, or does it feel like an extension of who you already were?
These are such good questions because we actually talk about this a lot, especially recently, because I’m always worried about being a narcissist. My name is on everything, and that’s my given name. My mom calls me that, so it’s been really interesting. Do I want to separate it from myself more? But it really feels like an extension. I love to exist in the middle ground.
That's beautiful. I'd love to dive into your newest single. “Chameleon” is so gorgeous and raw comes to mind as well. I couldn't help but notice all the ways that you display your vocal strengths and abilities in it.
I’m blushing!
How do you record a song like that? Is it more of a flow state, or is it something you’re picking out, such as “I want to sound like this”?
It's definitely more of a flow state. I actually recorded that entire vocal sitting on the ground into an SM7 at the studio. I think “Chameleon” was definitely more of a flow of state. I was just sitting on the ground and we did whole takes of the whole song.
That’s very impressive.
I felt like the dynamic of it is one of the most important parts because that’s what insecurity is sometimes. Sometimes it’s screaming and loud and banging and then sometimes it’s very intimate and quiet and almost like a sickly kind of whispering quiet. These are the things that I end up consciously comparing about myself to other people. I have a lot of, honestly, shame even surrounding “Chameleon”. Promoting “Chameleon” was very hard for me. When I sing it live, I always make everybody hug themselves and say, “I love you just the way you fucking are bitch!” Because it is one of those songs where I get up and I’m like, “So...that was weird.” Three minutes of me talking about myself and all the things I’m insecure about. Now what’s nice about it is I make, you know, I don’t make, but people seem to enjoy giving themselves a little hug. Now we’ve moved into post-election, it feels important to kind of make people hug strangers and each other. It’s been going well the past couple of shows. I way over answered your question.
I love it! In reference to the lyrical material, we kind of went over how it’s very vulnerable and self-reflective. What is your songwriting process? Would you say that it's a form of catharsis for you or something that you go to for yourself as well?
I would say it’s definitely catharsis. A lot of times, I will go into the studio not knowing how I feel but knowing that I feel heavy or that I have a massive pimple in a lot of ways. Usually, if I don’t know how I feel, I’ll listen to the song back after and say, “Oh, that’s how I feel. I thought that way the whole time. What a relief. Now I have words for it.” Until then, it’s words on a page. A lot of time, it’s word vomit, and I pick up the things that work the best.
It feels like it’s under the surface and you’re digging for it.
Yes, exactly!
That’s very cool. I’ll do one more. Do you have any hints or any words that come to mind that you can share about upcoming sounds or projects?
I’ll just say Dollar General.
I love that answer. That is awesome.
I have a tendency to over explain but I’ll just leave it there.
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