Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Maya Ixta about their new EP, “Diary Entries.”
About Maya Ixta:
A professionally trained musician, MAYA received a “Music Industry Essentials” Certificate from the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music (NYU’s Tisch School of Arts) and was accepted by the Grammy Museum to their renowned Summer Songwriting Intensive and “Grammy Camp” for Music Business. No stranger to high-stakes performances, she’s performed at The Grammy Museum, Radio City Music Hall, and the House of Blues Dallas. Beyond being an incredible musician, she’s an avid supporter of arts education programs and founded the non-profit scholarship foundation, HeARTS of Maya. Her new EP, “Diary Entries” is a deeply personal collection of songs that draws inspiration from Maya’s own diary entries, offering an intimate glimpse into her emotional tribulations and creative journey.
The EP opens with the hauntingly beautiful intro “First Entry”, an acapella track that sets the stage for the diary-inspired journey. Featuring Maya’s soulful vocals layered with harmonies, the song concludes with the evocative sound of paper tearing from her actual diary—a metaphor for the iterative process of songwriting and self-expression.
Review Fix: You have quite an academic background in music. How do you feel that separates you from the crowd?
Maya Ixta: As a freshman, I completed a one-year certificate program from the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. This program provided me with knowledge and insights into the business side of the music industry. I learned so much and I feel a lot more well-rounded in music. For college, I plan to study Music Business since I really like marketing and finance. I think being a well-rounded artist is so important, especially now when there are so many independent artists doing everything for themselves.
Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard you before?
Ixta: Over the past few years, I’ve focused on writing about very personal topics as I’ve transitioned from a teen to a young adult. My music mainly falls within the pop/alternative genre, and I also love writing in Spanish. I’m always trying to discover different elements that I want to incorporate into my music.
Review Fix: What inspired the Diary Entries EP?
Ixta: So many of the ideas and lyrics in my songs come from my diary, so I thought it just made sense to name it Diary Entries. This EP has been in the works for a while so seeing it come to fruition is so exciting. It reflects my growth as both an artist and a person and I hope my songs resonate with others.
Review Fix: What fuels you creatively?
Ixta: One of my hobbies is glassmaking and creating abstract art. It’s kind of a niche hobby and it’s really fun and therapeutic for me. I get to use my creativity to make abstract art out of beautiful pieces of glass. I’ve really enjoyed learning various techniques when working with glass and different materials to create pieces I’m pretty proud of. It’s another way I fuel my creative side!
Review Fix: What’s your favorite track on the EP?
Ixta: If I had to choose a favorite, it would be Time. This song reflects some of my anxiety about the future, and I think this worries a lot of other young people too. I wrote it when I was feeling stressed and overwhelmed, but writing it was very therapeutic and a huge stress reliever for me. This song is also my first bilingual song. I plan to write more bilingual and full Spanish songs in the near future.
Review Fix: How do you want this EP to be remembered?
Ixta: These songs are very personal to me, but I also feel will resonate with listeners. Even though I’m sharing my experiences in my songs, I know there are people out there with the same feelings. I hope that anyone who listens to my music can relate to my stories. I hope they know they are understood through my music. Everyone has a unique perspective, and I want anyone who has had similar experiences to know there is someone out there who understands!
Review Fix: What’s next?
Ixta: Honestly, I’m still figuring it out! I’m always working on music, and as dedicated as I am as an artist, I let the universe talk to me and guide me to my next project. I’m also working on some new initiatives for my non-profit, which I’m really excited about!
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Ixta: Yes! I’ll be opening for my dear friend’s show, KTJ & Carly, at the Moroccan Lounge in L.A. on October 5th. Come out and see us!
Review Fix: Where can people find out more about you?
Ixta: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaixtadelgado/
Website: https://mayaixtadelgado.com
Tik Tok:
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Sound Cloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/h4wCZ
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/5MFUfJ0RCNgxWQaiTnYSCS?si=NKy-
sPZ2Sh6MEhcqQD025g
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/maya-ixta/1725422473
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mayaixtadelgado
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