INTRODUCING: MAKI FLOW
Everything you need to know about Maki Flow
Rome-raised and London-based, Maki Flow has spent the past couple of years working relentlessly with various international producers on multiple singles. Releasing track after track, she has accumulated a total of over seven million streams on Spotify alone.
Now with the announcement of her debut EP 'Can't Act My Age', Flow is making her mark, once again, with the empowering lead single, 'Better Off Alone' out today! A refreshing main-character anthem expressive of self-worth and independence.
VOCAL GIRLS caught up with Maki about her musical inspirations, favourite tracks and future ambitions.
How do you describe your music in three words?
Honest, Vocal-Driven, Pop
Where are you from - and what’s the best and worst thing about the place?
I’m from Rome, in Italy. Best thing, people’s warmth. Worst thing, people’s laziness.
If you had to attribute one thing that’s responsible for getting you into music (whether that be a person, moment, artist etc) what would it be?
My mother. Her dad was a saxophonist but he died when she was a kid so she's always lived him through someone else's stories or pictures or staring at his sax in their flat. Music has always been a very special part of her life 'cause I guess she used it to feel him close and present. So when I was seven she forced me and my sister to pick an instrument to study. I chose the piano and a few years later started to get singing lessons too. I will never be grateful enough to my mom and my nonno for that.
What are most of your lyrics centred around?
My own experiences, mostly about love. Self-love (sometimes lack of self-love), fairy tale-kinda love, broken hearts, silly crushes. Love is definitely my favourite thing to talk and sing about.
Most ‘pinch yourself’ moment so far?
When I performed at the Reload Music Festival in Turin, with an ocean of people dancing to my songs.
Also when one of my singles ‘Teenage Love’ was added to seven New Music Fridays on Spotify. I never thought that could happen to me.
What’s the first song of yours that people should listen to and why?
I’d say ‘Rainbow’. I wrote it in a moment when I really needed to remind myself that I am stronger than I think, that things do get better if you give yourself time to dig into the pain and face it. I wrote that song to cuddle myself and pick me up and it’s been great to see how it also helped others. I want to entertain people with my stories but, mostly, inspire. So that would be the number one pick.
The three main artist inspirations for your music?
I grew up listening to stunning voices, so the first approach with music and songwriting has always been linked to singing. I’d say Jojo and Christina Aguilera - they are the reasons why I wanted to be a singer in the first place - and Julia Michaels, queen of songwriting. Can I say four? The Chainsmokers, ‘cause I always imagine myself as a vocalist in one of their songs and I literally dream about it every time I write on a new beat.
What’s your band/ artist aesthetic?
I love contrasts and I am one myself, so I always naturally tend to match pinky and romantic colours/ideas/concepts with more melancholic elements. For instance the new campaign for my debut EP is all colourful and a bit silly, but we shot on film so every picture ended up being held by this very vivid grain which makes the whole scenery a bit mysterious and cloudy too.
Other than music - what are you really passionate about?
I love teaching. I teach singing and it’s just so good to share my only love with people and see how I can help them improve. Other than that, I’d say fashion.
What would you have been if you weren't a musician?
I studied fashion and became a fashion designer but the only moments when I really felt myself were during my afternoon singing classes, or gigs in hotels and pubs. So if I wasn’t a musician I’d probably be a very sad fashion designer.
What’s the best song for lifting you out of a bad mood?
First thing that comes to my mind without thinking too much: How Will I Know by Whitney Houston.
The song that best depicts your mood right now?
Probably ‘As Fun’ by Naaz
Greatest love song?
It’s an Italian song, ‘Anche per Te’ by Lucio Battisti
The saddest song ever?
How to Disappear Completely by Radiohead
The first gig you ever went to?
I think it was an Italian singer, Tiziano Ferro. I was 14 and I remember going despite the fact I had a broken arm.
Dream venue to play?
Stadio Olimpico in Rome!
Favourite all time lyric?
“So I guess I'll go home / Into the arms of the girl that I love / The only love I haven't screwed up / She's so hard to please / But she's a forest fire / I do my best to meet her demands / Play at romance, we slow dance / In the living room, but all that a stranger would see / Is one girl swaying alone / Stroking her cheek” - Liability by Lorde
The artist you wish you could have seen before they died?
Whitney Houston
Favourite new artist/band we should check out?
Tom Bright. His songwriting is just perfect and his voice cuts you deep. Definitely have a listen if you don’t know him yet.
Also if you’re into dance music, there’s a girl I’m obsessed with, KARRA. Not really ‘new’ but check her out if you haven’t heard of her and you like great melodies and interesting voices.
When will you know you’ve really made it?
When I’ll see my name next to The Chainsmokers’ in a song.
Listen to Maki Flow’s new single here:
