For Melbourne based singer songwriter Maja, the release of her sophomore EP Still Bleeding has been some time in the making. Relocating to Melbourne from Brisbane and establishing herself within a new music scene has seen the singer have to not only introduce herself to new audiences, but also push forward in making music that is reflective of the artist she is still developing into.
It’s where Still Bleeding shines. An evocative and honest collection of material rooted Maja’s recovery from the breakdown of a relationship, her re-emergence and regaining of a sense of self, the EP puts the songwriter’s heart on sleeve and hooks the listener in. Much in the same way Meg Mac did with her early singles, Maja’s sense of story telling is bolstered by a strong soul vocal and a dynamic sense of pairing light tones with the darker, punch-backed sounds that land brilliantly.
“It feels really amazing but also somewhat of a relief to have these songs come out.” Maja tells us. ” I wrote them in 2015 and recorded them last year, so I feel really ready to have people hear them. I think everything is a progression. A part of me felt like this isn’t who I am now, but I also realised you’ll never be where you are. You’re always one step ahead of yourself and that’s okay. So I think this reflects me as best as it can for this moment of time!”
Still Bleeding is officially released tomorrow but today, we’re excited to share the EP in full that can be listened to below! As Maja (pronounced ‘my-ah’) comments, the songs’ content still holds a place of reverence, despite personally having moved on from those emotionally-heavy times.
“The track that means the most to me is “Still Bleeding”,” she says. “It reflects my life at the time. I called the EP Still Bleeding, because I re-entered an unhealthy relationship and that’s how it felt. No matter what I did, I was still in that place and I didn’t know how to get out. It’s like that Bon Iver quote, ‘You’re in a relationship cause you need help and that’s not necessarily why you should be in a relationship. And that’s why it’s skinny. It doesn’t have weight.’ I also have a soft spot for “My Love”. It’s just warm and wholesome.”
Maja will be heading out on tour this September with Still Bleeding, locking in a number of east coast dates as well as a stop at the Nimbin Roots Festival. Check out the full tour dates below!
MAJA EAST COAST AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
September 1st | The Wesley Anne, MELBOURNE
September 2nd | Babushka Bar, BALLARAT
September 14th | Milk Factory, BRISBANE
September 15th – 17th | Nimbin Roots Festival, NIMBIN
September 21st | The Grace Emily, ADELAIDE
September 29th | Handle Bar, BENDIGO
Tickets are available via www.oztix.com.au. Follow Maja on Facebook here.
Photo by Savannah van der Niet.
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