Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Majeska
THE RELEASE
Draped in dreamy colors and hyper-realistic visuals, Majeska emerges as an electrifying force in the world of electro-pop, unapologetically inviting listeners to delve into a whirlwind of emotions. Her musical journey has been an audacious leap into Nashville's pop landscape, where she has not only graced stages opening for luminaries such as Ava Max and Haley Reinhart but also stunned the scene with her Top 3 finish in Lightning 100’s Music City Mayhem competition in May 2023—an accolade usually reserved for established alternative bands. Majeska's sonic artistry defies genre constraints, pushing boundaries and stirring souls in the heart of Music City. Her latest single, "Please Wait, Saving...," represents not just a new sonic exploration for Majeska, but an entirely novel auditory experience.
Prepare to be engulfed by an unsettling yet captivating experience as Majeska's "Please Wait, Saving..." unveils its visual counterpart—a music video that delves into the depths of the artist's psyche. Directed by the visionary talent of Talia Stewart from Los Angeles/Nashville, the video captures Majeska's metamorphosis within a transparent enclosure, laying bare her emotions for all to witness. Clad in a seductive crimson, she performs in an intensely vulnerable showcase, symbolizing the modern human tendency to observe life through a detached lens, prioritizing documentation over genuine presence. As the video unfolds, Majeska's journey takes a haunting turn, echoing the poignant theme of surrendering herself to the gaze of the world. This release marks Majeska's most spine-tingling offering yet, underscoring her fearless departure from apprehension. In her own words, "Please Wait, Saving..." represents not just an artistic creation, but a profound statement aimed at unsettling and inspiring individuals. The convergence of haunting visuals and evocative music underscores the artist's journey of liberation through self-expression, culminating in what she believes to be her magnum opus. As Majeska continues to defy conventions and explore uncharted sonic territories, it's evident that her music transcends the individual, evolving into a powerful force that resonates with the very essence of the human experience.
THE INTERVIEW
If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?
Elvis Presley, Stevie Nicks, Prince, and my Mom (who doesn’t make music herself but loves music more than anyone else I’ve ever met.)
Were there any personal experiences or stories that influenced the creation of the music video, and if so, how did they shape the final product?
Big time. In the video I am stuck inside a glass box among observers who care more for experiencing me through a screen than they do being present with me. I’ve had a few half-hearted relationships recently that felt so far from real human connection (i.e. hundreds of Instagram likes and DMs over real conversation) that it made me feel like I’m the crazy one for wanting things to happen in real life—which is why I appear to be driven crazy at the end of the video.
If you could sum up the essence or overarching message of the music video in a few words or phrases, what would they be, and why are those concepts significant to you?
I wrote “Please Wait, Saving…” out of intense frustration of feeling like those around me are lost from the art of experiencing the present moment. At times it’s made me feel like my art is only experienced through a screen’s eyes and scrutiny rather than in a shared experience among people and community.
Can you discuss any unique or unconventional techniques or choices you or the producer made during the song's creation process that helped to shape its distinctive sound?
Something really special about this one is that the final vocal for it was the test vocal. The producer, Jared Corder, was testing volume levels and asked that I just sing it through while he adjusted things. I sang the entire song without realizing he had hit record. When the track finished in my headphones I waited for the cue to start my first take but instead heard him say, “that’s the one.” And it was. So the recording is one I didn’t know was being recorded at all. It ended up being perfect for a song that was so vulnerable from the moment I wrote it—having a vocal that was all feeling and no thought.
When it comes to the songwriting on this record, what is the message you want to get across to your listeners:
Here’s what I’m saying in this record: Don’t love someone through a screen. Love people in real life.
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