Maja Francis is an electro-pop singer-songwriter from Stockholm, Sweden. Not too long ago, she released “Saved by the Summer”, a poppin’ single from her upcoming “Cry Baby Pt. 1” EP.
We interviewed Francis during her downtime, and she talked to us about life, overcoming obstacles, and music.
What’s life like in Stockholm, Sweden?
Maja Francis: In the winter (now) it’s a lot like living in a snow globe. Beautiful but sometimes it feels really small like you know every corner and everyone. But when I get bored I just shake the snow globe and new things usually come to me. 🙂
Who are some of your musical influences and why?
MF: Mariah Carey was my first crush. Then came Joni Mitchell and Tori Amos. Later, when people told me I sounded a bit like her, I discovered Kate Bush. She’s amazing. I could add a million women like Lady Gaga, Florence & The Machine, and Cyndi Lauper to my influence list.
“I love unique and weird voices, That’s my biggest musical inspiration.”
Your “Save by the Summer” single is poppin’. It gave us that feel-good vibe. What inspired you to record it?
MF: It’s about having your heartbroken. But when summer comes it feels a little bit easier to handle it. But summer is there to lay you down on the grass, while telling you, “Everything will be ok”.
How did Shura’s remix version come about?
MF: I’m a big Shura fan! Somehow, my manager got in contact with her, and asked if she would like to do her take on “Saved by the Summer”, and she did. I’m super excited about it. Also, I love how she made a darker version where I was never saved by the summer.
Tell us about your upcoming “Cry Baby Pt. 1” EP.
MF: I’m releasing an EP series called “Cry Baby”, Pt 1 & Pt 2. By releasing these EPs, I’m celebrating the beauty of feelings and being emotional. Also, reminding myself and others that all feelings are temporary like a cycle. If you let yourself feel and break down, you will be able to grow and then shine.
Maja Francis
What’s your favorite song on the EP?
MF: “Cry Baby” is my favorite. I really love to sing it and it’s like a love letter to all my fellow crybabies.
What’s the greatest obstacle you had to overcome?
MF: I think my greatest obstacle, that I later found, is also my greatest strength. It’s been my overload of feelings. When I didn’t know how to deal with them or didn’t accept them, and when I tried to fight them, they took over me. But now, I have found a way (or at least gotten better at) coping with them.
Maja Francis
I do this by letting myself feel everything I need to feel, even if it’s uncomfortable or if it hurts. Cause when I do, eventually, the feelings pass instead of getting bigger and taking over me, preventing me from living a full life.
Any advice for an aspiring singer?
MF: Stay in your own creative bubble as much as you can. It’s so easy to look at others and compare. But in the end, what’s so special and interesting is YOU. Even if people don’t get it, it’s still your voice and your art. The beauty lies in that, not in other people’s confirmation or rejection. If you keep doing what you love, I believe you will be successful.
A decade from now, when people mention your name, what will they say?
MF: Was she a crybaby or a unicorn?
Maja Francis
Tell us something about you that the world doesn’t know?
MF: I have a real passion for Flamenco Music from the 50s & 60s.
Is there anything else you would like to say?
MF: Wear your feelings like a tiara! 😉
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