Q&A with Maiko Watson

Winnipeg’s Maiko Watson has taken the indie music scene by storm with her rich voice and unique style blend encompassing everything from reggae to jazz. She first began singing over instrumental music at age 12, and then went on to win a place on the popular reality group Sugar Jones in 2001. Watson has since grown into her role as a songwriter and musician by writing, arranging and producing all of the songs on her new album. Lifestyle speaks to Maiko Watson about her passion for music and her debut solo album, Sweet Vibration.

LM: What inspired your love for music?

MW: As a child I was always surrounded by music. It was singing and the feeling of singing that made me first start to feel that passion for music. Particularly Whitney Houston. I heard her voice and I wanted to sound just like her.

LM: What is it like to be an independent musician here in Canada?

MW: This is my first foray into the indie music scene. It’s definitely a lot different than being signed to a major label, but it’s a good time to be an independent artist — there’s so much you can do with the Internet. People are podcasting now, people are blogging — there are a lot of ways to get your music out that aren’t traditional.

LM: How would you describe your sound?

MW: It’s a little bit difficult to categorize it because there are so many genres that I’m influenced by — it becomes a long description most of the time! There’s soul, R&B, jazz, funk and reggae. I try to come up with terms to incorporate all of those, but I really just encourage people to listen to the music and come to their own conclusions about genre.

LM: What was it like to create an album on your own?

MW: I spent a lot of time by myself. There was a lot of songwriting — the songs were picked out of maybe 50 to 60 songs. It’s like the cream rises to the top. The best stuff is what keeps coming back: I’m going to focus on this idea and polish it, finish it. Those are the songs that got finished, and then recorded… and then re-recorded, sometimes.

LM: Walk us through the songwriting process. How do you write your songs?

MW: There are different ways and I try to mix it up. You can sometimes start with a melody, a chord change that you like or a lyric. On this album I would lay tracks down and then I would start singing over them and then as I would sing sometimes it would sound like words so I would keep singing until I had a line that made sense.  I really like to have my lyrics fit the melody; I don’t cram them in.

LM: What are your favourite venues?

MW: I like there to be a mood when I do my shows. I like the intimate venues. I like to be able to look out and see people and feel their energy. I like to always have candles lit. I look at it as though I’m inviting people to my house; I like to try and make it an experience that engages your senses.

LM: Where does the album title, Sweet Vibration, come from?

MW: The song “Sweet Vibration” is about love and feeling good — feeling joy. I’m getting into a good place with pure emotions, so that’s where the lyrics come from and what inspired me to write it. I had a few different names but that one just stuck for the name of the album. It’s very positive and matched how I was feeling at the time.

LM: What is the message behind Sweet Vibration?

MW: A lot of the lyrics talk about overcoming struggles and difficulties. I think I was telling myself, reiterating to myself that I wasn’t going to feel sorry for myself; I was going to do something and write this song. The album is about getting to a good place.

Sweet Vibration is currently available online and in stores.•

Photos by Bahia Watson