"Here's a rarity: An original voice who really is original! Drawing inspiration from all over the map, Maya Solovéy has developed a deep, enchanting sound that's unlike anything else out there right now." -- Tom Moon, on air critic for NPR, journalist for Rolling Stone, Spin Magazine
"Maya Solovéy is an exceptional songwriter, possessed of a voice that is haunting, soothing, and erotic all at the same time. Her music, I'm sure , will change the world."
--Bassy Bob Brockmann, Multiple Grammy winning producer/mixer
Maya Solovey is one of those rare artists who both makes sweet music and engages the audience in an intimate way. From the first note, her sultry voice tickles you under the chin and urges you to listen more attentively to the lyrics. It’s one of those voices one immediately enjoys listening to, whether she is singing, or talking. The experience is much like walking past a field of beautiful wildflowers, you are compelled to stop and stare (or listen) a while.
Her writing is superb, issues of the heart are dealt with in an intelligent, sensitive and frank manner. As you listen, you can almost hear what the audience is seeing, a catch of the eye, a secret half smile, as everything Maya is pulls you in and immerses you in the story she is telling.
Maya plays the guitar as an extension of herself as she tells the story, again, every part of the performance works together to transport one into the story. One moment fingering, the next strumming, the next hammering as she weaves her auditory spell and paints a deliciously rich canvas of sound that envelops you and then whispers softly in your ear.
She is a fantastic artist and I am very glad to have had a chance to hear her play and see her perform. I hope to see more and more soul-poetry from Maya.
Once in a while I google myself and discover things... Here I found that my song "Linger" from my previous EP "Dissolving" made it into the Hall of Fame for the great American Song Contest, winning first place in the Pop Category. -Maya
"Maya Solovey and her songwriting partner Robby Baier are First Place winners in the Pop category of the 7th Annual Great American Song Contest.
Judges selected their song "Linger" for the top honors. The judges praised the song as "impressively crafted, lyrically poetic and emotionally powerful."
"We'd love for folkie Maya Solovéy to sing us to sleep. Under the stars. But we'll settle for being wide awake at rockwood music hall."
Also a MAJOR heads up for Maya Solovey. I went to the show early based on her Myspace page and not only was she impressive vocally (beautifully haunting and refreshing) but she dresses fabulously, wears glitter, and is one of few genuinely sweet people I’ve ever met. She’s sort of an early Regina Spektor with a guitar, has the brains to learn (and then write and sing in) new languages and the guts to cover Johnny Cash. She’s (as she said) “music for the folks”. Maya has tons of free music available at her Website, and has two EPs coming in the fall.
"Possibly the sexiest voice since Eartha Kitt."
Many have said of Maya Solovey's music that it is "soporific", meaning helps one sleep, however on closer inspection one finds a deep love of music from all over the world, some grooves as hard as any rapper, and at last count at least three languages, English , Portuguese, and Spanish. Her lyrics , chord structures and magnificent voice all all a thing to behold and admire. Beautiful songs, angelic harmonies, and that specialy tunes 7 string Brazilian guitar make Maya Solovey an artist to watch in 2009.
I was sold on 'Stand alone' but went ahead and listened to the next track, and then the next, and of course, the next after that. Blending a soft trip-hop flow with sitars, and hazy sentiments that caress the ear with a nostalgic delivery, Maya Solovey's offerings are dreamy, sad, and incite a strange excitement in the listener because there's a truth in them that leads one down a trail of delicately laid lyrics and alternative triphop with a sprinkling of tranced out middle eastern soundflowers blooming slowly and beautifully in the heart's ear.
We need more than 4 songs, but for now, 4 songs on her EP will have to do.
"Very cool music here. It's more than that. Full of life, love and plenty of emotion. Maya seems to take it up a notch at every turn. Dissolving is a truly beautiful piece. Simply put this woman has a distinct and natural sound that is extremely pleasant to listen to. Charming in a quiet way, she drops her life in the music with ease. A true gift to the indie musicians of the world."
**** (four stars, or "cats")
Catsask Review, October 2006
On her EP, Dissolving, Maya Solovey’s sensual singing shines on four well crafted, radio-accessible tunes. The production is impressive and lush, enhancing Solovey’s vocal inflections as well as her vocal range.
The first track, I Stand Alone, is a sexy, solid dance number, while those that follow, including the title track, are more conventional piano-driven pop. They’re catchy musically and lyrically smart, and show that she’s not only blessed with a smooth and sultry voice but a talent for songwriting as well.
Favorite Track: Track 3, “Linger”
THE SONG
Steady and sweet pop song. Very well crafted from start to finish.
THE CD
Passion and energy are what make the songs here so great. Emotive lyrics that are truthful and sometimes blunt. The combination makes for an entertaining and substantive experience.
"Linger" just won 1st place in the Pop/Adult Contemporary category
in the 2005 Great American Song Contest!
It was also put into the Contest's Hall of Fame.
This makes a win or mention of some sort of all the four songs on the "Dissolving" EP. Nifty...
Maya has just been selected as a finalist for session I of the John Lennon Songwriting contest, for her song, "I Stand Alone". She was one of three for the pop category. Over 10,000 people submit to the contest from around the world, and it is open to amateurs and professionals alike.
Maya has just been named one of the Top Five Vocalists in the "Best Vocalist of the Month" competition, by SingerUniverse magazine. Results will be officially posted June 8th.
Maya's song "In Time" has just been named one of the 4 finalists in the Folk/Singer-Songwriter category, in the 2005 Independent Music Awards!
"I Stand Alone", "Dissolving", and "In Time" all received Honorable Mentions in the 13th Billboard Song Contest. I'm not sure exactly how many entrants there were, but its many thousands from all over the world.
All four of the EP's songs have made it to the UK's International Songwriting Contest Semifinals. Most thousands and thousands of single songs don't make it nearly as far. Let alone four from one artist.
Pretty peachy if you ask me.
The title song off of the new EP 'Dissolving' has been selected to be on a compilation run by Braun and Brains Music, out of Vancouver. Pressing should be going by September, and little buzzes here and thereafter.
Various Artists, The Independents
Norine Braun was kind enough to send me a copy of her company's first compilation, straightforwardly titled The Independents. As with any collection of this type, the quality of the music is uneven, but it's a well-chosen assortment that flows better than most, opening with three strong tracks: Braun's own epic-pop number "Alberta," Dudley Saunders's literary, electronic-traditional hybrid "Truck of the Rising Sun," and Maya Solovey's international pop gem "Dissolving."
Maya was recently named one of the top 50 artists of the 2005 Singer-Songwriter Awards!