Meet Maria Usbeck

Today is a special day. Today is the day we get to share with you our conversation with the terrific Maria Usbeck. Their 2019 release “Envejeciendo” is pure atmospheric pop bliss. Hot off the removal of my wisdom tooth I have been listening to this album a lot it’s a good one to sway your head to. Nothing too fast just side to side.

In our latest interview, we chat with the artist about their creative process, music videos, and COVID-19. It’s all down below.

A self-portrait by Maria Usbeck

Would You Rather

be trapped in an elevator alone, or with two other people? Who would you want to be trapped with?

Good conversationalist, depends on for how long actually haha. But yes would be nice to be trapped perhaps with two people who are very different from me. This way I may use this time to learn whatever knowledge they've acquired that I'm unaware of.

Some questions with Maria Usbeck

What does your family think of your music?

I wasn't honestly quite sure til recently that I went home to perform in Quito. I think they appreciate what I do but it's def not their kind of thing. At least for my parents. They are old school and love their folk latin music and their Abba and Beatles. My cousins seem kinda into it. Which was fun to see.

How have you been coping with the current COVID 19 climate?

We are on 5 months now technically. Yeah. Quite a while. I've been working on new album hidden in a house in the woods of upstate Connecticut. Where I've started to imitate and converse with the birds and learn to identify many types of plants. Including mushrooms which are now abundant because of the humidity. It's fun to ID them.

Who would be your dream director to work with on a music video?

Would be incredible to have someone like Céline Sciamma, who directed Portrait of a lady on fire. Something beautiful and cinematic. I've done a lot of in studio videos. Would be nice to do something outside.

What is something you wish you knew before the first time you performed on stage?

That no one really knows what you are doing and it's all about confidence. Only the musicians in the audience are criticing you.

How was the adjustment to your solo creative process In contrast to your earlier work with Selebrities?

It took a while to get used to first writing alone. Then performing alone as well was even more difficult. I had to really create a happy place for myself on stage to not totally freak out. And again it's about just portraying confidence and being honest with the audience. The engagement with the audience making them feel like they are a part of the show really helps me and them to have a good time. Hence my pathetic stand up jokes but they seem to laugh. And I really like to talk and tell stories.

How does it feel looking back almost a year out from your 2019 release “Envejeciendo”?

Feels good. It has been the most difficult album I've written so far. Concept wise and just as a sophomore. One really gives it all for that first one. But I feel good about it and happy I wrote it.

What movie has your favorite soundtrack?

Anything by Ennio Morricone (R.I.P) and Vangelis.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Yes, thank you for the interview and sorry for the delay!

Maria Usbeck