Wax on Water, fronted by singer, songwriter and producer Maya Damaris has, in recent years been very much on the radar of music industry insiders. With the addition in 2019 of virtuoso rock guitarist Steven Blessing, Wax on Water effortlessly fuse together grunge, electronica, and alternative rock with strings, keyboards and intense guitars to produce a sound that is unequivocally their own. We sat down with Maya to find out all about the band.
Hi there Maya! How, and where, are you today?
Hey there! I’m very well thank you and I’m currently in the studio writing songs for the next album.
Where did you get the name for the band ‘Wax on Water’ and what does it refer to?
I wanted a name that suggested both stillness and movement – and I liked the mental image of Wax on Water – the wax is solid and the water exists underneath. It felt like a metaphor for my being, the outer face that you show to the world with the emotions underneath which I express through song writing.
The band has been going for a few years now; has the relatively new addition of band member Steven Blessing changed the dynamic of the band and its sound?
Absolutely. I first started writing in earnest around 16 years ago but was learning my songwriting and producing craft those first few years. Then fast forward to being signed to The Orchard / Sony Music and releasing this album with Steve doing all the guitars and there has been a real evolvement of the Wax on Water sound in that time. I know that when I’m writing guitar riffs that he can drive them home brilliantly and add his own personality, as well as take a more lyrical approach to other songs that need a different approach. I love playing with him.
How important is it for you to be based in Camden in North London? Does the general music culture & vibe there inspire you?
Well, Camden is the rock / goth capital of the UK! so it has always been home to me. When you’re starting out as a musician, it’s nice to have a scene and other musicians to speak to, so from that aspect it’s great. I’m always inspired by my surroundings so yes that does have an effect.
You have a new album out at the moment called 'The Drip' – can you tell us more about it and how did the title of the album come about?
This record covers everything from the breakdown of a relationship and how it feels to stand in the shadow side of love (‘The Sting in the Raw’, ‘Seventh Son’, ‘In The Shadows’) to talking about the idea of finding real love in songs like ‘You Know When You Know’ and ‘How Long?’. The title track ‘The Drip’ and ‘Predictable’ explore the effects of how you talk to yourself – the relentless ‘drip, drip, drip’ of unhelpful thoughts that can be debilitating. Wax on Water has always been about looking at things that are ugly in ourselves and our outside world as well as looking at what is pure and beautiful. This record is a meld of both those viewpoints.
What’s your favourite song to sing on the album? Are there songs that resonate more personally than others?
I really love singing The Wrong Way – it’s song that tells the story about vanity in someone else and it’s a nice one to emote when I’m singing it. Plus there is a groove with Steve’s guitar playing that is fun to play live. Because I write all the lyrics, each song has resonance with me and takes me to a certain place, but there are some songs that are particularly personal. ‘Dumb Me’ is about my experiences with Depression and that can be difficult for me to sing about sometimes.
We know you’ve done various covers – eg ‘ For The Love Of Money ’ – would you include any famous (or lesser known) ones in a live set?
Absolutely – I will release my version of Queens of the Stone Age ‘Mexicola’ later this year and I could see that being included in a live set.
What’s your creative process, generally speaking, when song writing? Do you need to feel the muse? Melody or lyrics first?
Always music first – usually a guitar riff or chord progression on piano. I’m very much a topline writer so as soon as I’ve got down a riff I start to sing the melody phonetically and then certain words pop out as I’m in the flow. That usually gives me an idea of what the song will be about.
What would be your dream celebrity dinner guest list be (alive or dead) and what ideal gig (again artists could be alive or dead) would you all go to afterwards?!
Ooh – good question! Can I cheat and count all of Led Zeppelin as my ‘dinner guest’? [laughing] I’d have loved to be around a table with those 4 fabulous English gentlemen! Then afterwards we’d get into a time machine and go watch Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock in 1969
Do you have any dream musical collaborations (living artists!) in mind for the future?
Well I love Queens of the Stone Age (which is why I’ve done the Mexicola cover) – each one of them in that band is a stellar musician so that would be fun - and Trent Reznor / Nine Inch Nails is always going to be top of my list.
Will you be touring in 2022/3 – and where would your ideal tour dates be?
I hope so! I’m just trying to sort that out at the moment. Our fanbase is pretty international but UK, Europe, USA, Canada and South America are the focus areas for the next 12 months.
Check out Wax on Water On:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1psAPWBuOucYLwZFAIdsah?si=uF4DxmeyQF2dyDtxQCBwOQ
YouTube: www.youtube.com/waxonwater
Instagram: www.instagram.com/waxonwatermusic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/waxonwater
Twitter: www.twitter.com/waxonwatermusic
For Tour updates, sign up to:
www.waxonwater.com
Hey there! I’m very well thank you and I’m currently in the studio writing songs for the next album.
Where did you get the name for the band ‘Wax on Water’ and what does it refer to?
I wanted a name that suggested both stillness and movement – and I liked the mental image of Wax on Water – the wax is solid and the water exists underneath. It felt like a metaphor for my being, the outer face that you show to the world with the emotions underneath which I express through song writing.
The band has been going for a few years now; has the relatively new addition of band member Steven Blessing changed the dynamic of the band and its sound?
Absolutely. I first started writing in earnest around 16 years ago but was learning my songwriting and producing craft those first few years. Then fast forward to being signed to The Orchard / Sony Music and releasing this album with Steve doing all the guitars and there has been a real evolvement of the Wax on Water sound in that time. I know that when I’m writing guitar riffs that he can drive them home brilliantly and add his own personality, as well as take a more lyrical approach to other songs that need a different approach. I love playing with him.
How important is it for you to be based in Camden in North London? Does the general music culture & vibe there inspire you?
Well, Camden is the rock / goth capital of the UK! so it has always been home to me. When you’re starting out as a musician, it’s nice to have a scene and other musicians to speak to, so from that aspect it’s great. I’m always inspired by my surroundings so yes that does have an effect.
You have a new album out at the moment called 'The Drip' – can you tell us more about it and how did the title of the album come about?
This record covers everything from the breakdown of a relationship and how it feels to stand in the shadow side of love (‘The Sting in the Raw’, ‘Seventh Son’, ‘In The Shadows’) to talking about the idea of finding real love in songs like ‘You Know When You Know’ and ‘How Long?’. The title track ‘The Drip’ and ‘Predictable’ explore the effects of how you talk to yourself – the relentless ‘drip, drip, drip’ of unhelpful thoughts that can be debilitating. Wax on Water has always been about looking at things that are ugly in ourselves and our outside world as well as looking at what is pure and beautiful. This record is a meld of both those viewpoints.
What’s your favourite song to sing on the album? Are there songs that resonate more personally than others?
I really love singing The Wrong Way – it’s song that tells the story about vanity in someone else and it’s a nice one to emote when I’m singing it. Plus there is a groove with Steve’s guitar playing that is fun to play live. Because I write all the lyrics, each song has resonance with me and takes me to a certain place, but there are some songs that are particularly personal. ‘Dumb Me’ is about my experiences with Depression and that can be difficult for me to sing about sometimes.
We know you’ve done various covers – eg ‘ For The Love Of Money ’ – would you include any famous (or lesser known) ones in a live set?
Absolutely – I will release my version of Queens of the Stone Age ‘Mexicola’ later this year and I could see that being included in a live set.
What’s your creative process, generally speaking, when song writing? Do you need to feel the muse? Melody or lyrics first?
Always music first – usually a guitar riff or chord progression on piano. I’m very much a topline writer so as soon as I’ve got down a riff I start to sing the melody phonetically and then certain words pop out as I’m in the flow. That usually gives me an idea of what the song will be about.
What would be your dream celebrity dinner guest list be (alive or dead) and what ideal gig (again artists could be alive or dead) would you all go to afterwards?!
Ooh – good question! Can I cheat and count all of Led Zeppelin as my ‘dinner guest’? [laughing] I’d have loved to be around a table with those 4 fabulous English gentlemen! Then afterwards we’d get into a time machine and go watch Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock in 1969
Do you have any dream musical collaborations (living artists!) in mind for the future?
Well I love Queens of the Stone Age (which is why I’ve done the Mexicola cover) – each one of them in that band is a stellar musician so that would be fun - and Trent Reznor / Nine Inch Nails is always going to be top of my list.
Will you be touring in 2022/3 – and where would your ideal tour dates be?
I hope so! I’m just trying to sort that out at the moment. Our fanbase is pretty international but UK, Europe, USA, Canada and South America are the focus areas for the next 12 months.
Check out Wax on Water On:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1psAPWBuOucYLwZFAIdsah?si=uF4DxmeyQF2dyDtxQCBwOQ
YouTube: www.youtube.com/waxonwater
Instagram: www.instagram.com/waxonwatermusic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/waxonwater
Twitter: www.twitter.com/waxonwatermusic
For Tour updates, sign up to:
www.waxonwater.com
