Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariana Makwaia
Hi Mariana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in New York City, immersed in the arts from an early age- my father is a musician, and my mother is an actress / director. Growing up in the indie / experimental downtown NYC scene gave me a healthy dose of skepticism about the industry as an institution. I’ve been singing my whole life and started writing music in high school. My sister and I formed a sister act called Sybling. We currently have two EPs that explore an otherworldly, cinematic folk-noir sound and are working on our third. I also briefly fronted a band called Smoke and Sugar in NYC before teaching myself music production and laying the foundation for a solo career.
Eventually, I moved to Los Angeles to gain deeper insights into the business / marketing aspects of the industry. Since then, I’ve been collaborating with several producers on my upcoming EP, “Orpheus,” which marks a new chapter in my artistic journey. The first single, “Contagious”, drops on April 4, followed by more singles in May, and the full EP launches on June 13.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Singing, performing, and writing music has always been pure joy for me. The real challenges arise on the business and marketing side: navigating an ever-changing industry can feel like a continuous series of hurdles, both big and small. While I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned, I still hope for a future where artists can make a living without having to juggle countless roles or rely on “who you know.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a musician at heart. My forte is singing, as well as writing melodies and lyrics, though I also produce and play piano. People are often surprised by the versatility of my voice and the energy of my live performances- once someone sees me onstage, they usually become a fan for life!
I put a lot of intention behind my music, and that comes through in my songs’ themes. There’s a depth there that, if the listener is open to it, can spark introspection about life and society. I believe it’s part of an artist’s role to encourage people to think more deeply about the world around them.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I love collaboration in all it’s forms. Right now, I’m working with multiple producers, as well as visual artists- videographers, animators, photographers- along with stylists and designers. I’m always open to connecting with music marketing specialists, journalists, and sync professionals as well.
Above all, the best way to support is by listening to my music, engaging with the stories I tell, and coming out to see me live. That’s where the true magic happens!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.makwaia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makwaia_/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariana-makwaia-7878354b/
- Twitter: https://x.com/makwaia_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@makwaia_
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mariana-makwaia
Image Credits
David Kasyanyuk
Kora Gleason
Carl Rickard
Angel Darmella
Ian Laidlow
Max Lakner
Derek Davis II
Latashá Alcindor
