As a self-proclaimed romantic, songwriter, and lifelong storyteller, Myah isn’t interested in intellectual approaches to love. Instead, the alternative singer finds herself wrapped up in the visceral, aiming to imbue her music with the fluctuating feelings of young love. Her latest single “familiar” encapsulates a tender, dreamlike frame of mind, orchestrated beautifully by an overwhelming abundance of nostalgia. Referencing specific decades and aesthetics synonymous with traditional themes of Americana, “familiar” follows a timeless tale of the relationships we seek. Meshing the fantastical aspects of love with the ordinary, listeners will be swept away, reminiscing about their own unforgettable romantic encounters.
Q. Your latest single “familiar” infuses romantic nostalgia with a contemporary, young perspective of love. Was it natural for you to entwine these concepts?
A. As an individual, I’m plagued by being both romantic and quite nostalgic so most of my music taps into these themes. It’s somewhat unavoidable. I’ve yet to experience “old” love, so whenever I write about love it’s through the lens of the love I’ve experienced as a young person. That being said as I’ve gotten a little older, I find myself missing that exciting feeling of falling in love. Dating in 2024 is bleak. I haven’t found “my person” yet, so I tend to daydream in my music about what it might be like to find them. I’m fascinated by the concept of soulmates & twin flames because I wonder if they really exist. “familiar” is my daydream actualized – the idea that no matter what timeline you’re in, the person you’re destined to be with will always find you.
Q. How do you think “familiar” earns the description of “the perfect song to take you out of summer and into fall?”
A. To me, the production on “familiar” feels like an Autumn/Winter track. There’s a bit of warmth to it, but it also evokes a similar feeling you get when the seasons change and you start to reflect on the year and what the last few months are going to look like. I think summer tracks tend to be more present, whereas this one is more nostalgic and sentimental. The hook gives more of a “start of the new semester” anthem which is fitting for fall.
Q. You consider yourself a “cinematic romantic.” What does this mean to you?
A. I went to film school and my day job is actually working in film. Now that I’ve transitioned into music those influences really bleed into my lyrics and videos. I like writing music that’s very visual because of my film background. I want people to be able to close their eyes and see themselves in these stories or have the songs remind them of their own experiences, so that’s the cinema part. Every aspect of my life I romanticize – friends, relationships, food, travel, and nature. I’m the kind of empath where it doesn’t take much to make me cry because I know life is a gift and there’s so much beauty in it. So that’s the romantic part. It’s hard for me to not put those emotions into my music.
Q. The verses of “Familiar” tap into conventional imagery of various decades from the 50s to the 80s. What is some of your favorite art and media from these time periods?
A. I’ve always loved the 50s. I think partially it’s because my mom was born in that decade, and growing up she used to tell me stories about what it was like for her as a kid, so in a lot of ways I associate the 50s with my mom and she’s my best friend. The 50s in America was also the Golden Age of Television, so you had iconic shows like I Love Lucy and The Twilight Zone which I love. That was the era of Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, just knock-out stunning icons. 50s glam was unmatched.
I didn’t experience the 80s or grow up in the 80s, but man, the 80s seemed cool as hell. That’s the birth of MTV and women’s power dressing. I’ve always thought the 80s were the last carefree decade before the internet and other modern technologies really started to slowly creep into society.
Photo credit: Matt Gaillet
Q. Many of the lyrics in “Familiar” are visually and audibly striking. Talk about the intention with your lyrics.
A. I’m a big believer in music being a visceral experience. I love the idea that when you close your eyes you can create the scene in your head. I think because I’m such a daydreamer myself, creating music that allows others to kinda escape into that space is very special to me. If you need an escape, I want my music to be able to be that for you. I also love playing with the idea that music can be this film in your head if you want it to be. If I give you vivid lyrics, then you can create your own world with them and I think that’s very fun.
Q. You say that storytelling is integral to your songwriting and identity as an artist. Has the desire to tell stories always been prominent in your life?
A. Absolutely. My alter-ego to my music career is my film career. Telling stories is really the only way I know how to express my own emotions and art.
Q. You’re currently in the process of making your debut album. What has this experience been like thus far?
A. It’s been incredible. A lot of writing. We’ve got 16 tracks total! My debut album is probably the most personal piece of art I’ve ever created. I realized that I’m not the best at expressing my emotions verbally, but I find comfort in being able to do it through music. This album explores every emotion I’ve felt as a young adult trying to navigate love and ultimately loneliness. I think when I look back at this album it’s going to feel like a time capsule for my 20s and everything I’ve gone through which is a beautiful thing.
Q. You’ve already released 8 singles in 2024 and your album is set to be released in Summer 2024. What else can listeners anticipate from you as 2024 inches toward conclusion?
A. I’ve actually decided to delay the album to early 2025. There’s a good reason for it, but I’m not going to leave anyone hanging when it comes to new music. I have a huge single I’m releasing on October 10th that I’m kinda risking a lot for. It’s a bold statement for me as an artist. After that, I have a few more singles planned before I release my EP in December which is currently titled, “IS THIS WHAT I SEE?”. I think it’ll give everyone plenty of music to listen to before we enter the start of next year for the album release.
