Needing a dark pop track for your playlists? Make it better if it touches on social anxiety? Well, you’re at the right place because we have just the single for you and your playlists. And to top it off, we even got the chance to interview the artist herself, Maya Kuriel. We guarantee you will love this one.
You may be on the lookout for a new singer to listen to. Maybe you’re already a fan of Maya and are here to learn more about her. Whichever the reason, you’re at the right place. With her latest track, ‘Liquid Courage’ out, there was no better way to promote it, and her, than through an interview. From skincare routine to essential Maya Kuriel songs, we got to cover it all! Ready to dive into the darker tunes and find out her goals, personal advice, and more as you read through her answers? Well, jump right in.
Listen to ‘Liquid Courage‘ here.
Welcome to The Honey POP, Maya! We’re happy to be able to talk to you. First things first, can you give us three facts about yourself that you think our readers will love to hear?
Thank you for having me! I’m excited. I’m a first-generation Korean American, I have severe arachnophobia (I’ll scream and cry), and I moved to Los Angeles at 18 without knowing anyone!
When it comes to your music, what is the one thing you would say sets it apart? How do you make sure to keep your own essence in your work?
I think my lyricism comes to mind first. A lot of what I write has to do with female empowerment and self-acceptance, but also doesn’t shy away from issues that I deal with in my relationships with the people in my life, my relationship with myself (that I’m very much still working on strengthening), and a lot about anxiety! A lot of my music has a darker feel and I’m not afraid to tap into darker instrumentation to get my point across.
I think I struggled to keep my own essence in my work at the beginning of my musical journey which was 4.5 years ago now. I really admired the artists I listened to at the time and didn’t let myself explore what it means to make my own music because I subconsciously was attempting to make music like theirs. In the last couple years, I’ve really been able to find my sound and I’m extremely proud of that.
Speaking of your music, congratulations on your recent single ‘Liquid Courage!’ We love how we get to experience social anxiety and overcome it through your track alone. The dark vibes embody the tension inherent to those moments when put in a situation we are not comfortable with, and the explosion of
sudden courage that comes with the chorus is such a great delivery. What sparked the idea for this song?
‘Liquid Courage’ is definitely a reflection of my own experiences in social situations but it’s a topic that I know resonates with a lot of people around my age. I remember the phrase ‘Liquid Courage’ being thrown around a lot while going out with friends and I always remember feeling like I didn’t need it, but that it would be the perfect little boost of self-confidence. I have some social anxiety, so a nudge of ‘Liquid Courage’ is definitely helpful in those situations!
If you could pick the venue, set, and outfit, how do you envision a Live stage of ‘Liquid Courage?’
Ooooh! I love this question. I really want to hear ‘Liquid Courage’ at a festival or a rave. Coachella, EDC, Tomorrowland. We need to make it happen! Coachella is a festival I’ve been to a couple times now and that would be life-changing. Outfit would have to be any darker colors. Black, dark blue, gray. Definitely some sunglasses as well.
With the message in ‘Liquid Courage’; being about anxiety and personal comfort, have you ever not felt confident in your own skin? And if yes, when did it start changing?
More times than I would like to admit! I think my self-image issues got worse over the last couple years. I think since COVID in 2020. It’s been tough, especially being on social media so much. I constantly compare myself to others, but definitely in therapy trying to work through it one day at a time.
Do you sometimes need some kind of courage to help you with a social situation? What would that be?
Liquid courage, of course! Just kidding. Not all the time. I think going out with a good group of friends that uplift you is key. No secret haters in the friend group!
It is no secret that a lot of people struggle with social anxiety. Do you have any advice for those who are having trouble finding comfort in their own skin?
In social situations, I constantly live by “fake it till you make it.” I used to be super shy, but now even if I feel anxious in social situations, I can usually mask it and pretend to be super confident. After a while the line between faking the confidence and actually being confident becomes blurred. Sounds silly, but it truly has worked for me.
We mentioned being good in your own skin, and we heard you love the world of beauty. Is there a skincare routine you follow? What is the one item you need on a daily basis?
I’ve recently been getting into Korean skincare since I visited for the first time last year and just recently made a trip to Japan. I’m still working on locking in a holy grail skincare routine, so I’ll keep you updated on that! I’ve recently started double cleansing, so using an oil cleanser and then a foam cleanser, and I’ve seen a major difference in my skin already. The one item I would say I need daily is the Supergoop Glow Stick! It’s SPF 50 and a go-to item in my routine to protect my skin from the LA sun.
If you looked at your music as a skincare routine, which three songs would you pick as your essentials?
Great question. I would say my essentials change all the time, but currently, ‘Hostile,’ ‘Victim Complex,’ and of course, ‘Liquid Courage.’
When it comes to fashion, is there a style you enjoy wearing the most?
I really like darker colors. Lots of leather! My recent trip to the thrift store consisted of a lot of Y2K-inspired clothes and I’m obsessed with that style right now.
What are some artists you admire and draw inspiration from?
Billie Eilish’s new album has been on repeat at the moment, so that’s a big one. UPSAHL, Leyla Blue, Olivia O’Brien to name a few. Lyrically, they are all geniuses and I’m definitely inspired by the dark production elements in their music. I love my pop girlies!
Is there a topic you wish to touch through your work in the future?
I really want to touch on mental health awareness. Like I said, a lot of my lyrics talk about my mental health struggles, but I would love to take action and help out in any way I can as well in the near future.
To wrap us up, what can we expect from you for the second half of this year?
More music, I would love to play more shows or hopefully open for a bigger artist on tour, perform at a festival, perform in Korea…I have a lot of goals. I’m excited to see what the rest of the year and the future holds!
So, there you have it! Our interview with the incredibly talented Maya Kuriel. Did you find yourself drawn to this artist and their music like us? What are your thoughts on ‘Liquid Courage,’ and what are your other favorite Maya Kuriel songs? We would like to know! You can tell us all of that, along with your favorite answers from the singer, when you find us on our socials: @thehoneypop, Facebook, and Instagram.
Have the cravings for more interviews? We have a long list to choose from.
