In this A&R Factory interview, the independent artist, Maya D, opens up about the confidence, feminine power and self-ownership behind her June 26 single, ‘Pool Party in BOLD’, explaining how the title became a declaration of taking up space without apology. She also talks self-producing as a way of protecting emotional intention in her music, how the Maya Verse has become a world of glamour, vulnerability and transformation, and the strategy required to grow an international audience while handling the business side alone.
From sync ambitions in fashion, film, television and brand campaigns to music that feels built for main-character moments, Maya D’s ambition is as big as her talent.
1- The title Pool Party in BOLD drips with attitude. What did that phrase unlock for you creatively?
For me, “bold” isn’t just a visual choice—it’s a state of mind. The title unlocked this idea of taking up space without asking for permission. A pool party is usually associated with fun and freedom, but adding “in BOLD” transformed it into a declaration. It became less about a place and more about an attitude. Everything that followed—the lyrics, the production, the visuals—had to carry that same fearless energy.
2- The single explores confidence, feminine power and self-ownership. Was there a specific moment where you knew the track had to feel unapologetic rather than polished into something safer?
Very early on. I realized that if I softened the message, the song would lose its purpose. Confidence isn’t always quiet or perfectly composed—it can be playful, bold, even a little provocative. I wanted the track to celebrate women who know who they are and aren’t interested in shrinking themselves to make others comfortable.
3- You wrote and produced Pool Party in BOLD independently, which gives the release a real sense of ownership. How does self-producing change the way you protect the emotion and identity of a song?
Producing my own music allows me to protect the emotional core of every song. There’s no need to translate my vision or compromise on details that might seem small but completely change the feeling. Every sound, every pause, every texture serves the story I’m trying to tell. That level of creative freedom is incredibly important to me.
4- The Maya Verse feels like a huge part of your artistic vision. What does that world look like in your head before it becomes music, visuals and storytelling?
It usually begins with a feeling rather than a melody. I imagine colors, textures, lighting, movement, even the emotional atmosphere before I hear the music. The Maya Verse is where glamour meets vulnerability, where confidence and introspection exist at the same time. Every song becomes another room inside that universe.
5- You’ve spoken about transformation, glamour and emotional authenticity as key parts of what you’re creating. How do you keep the glamorous side from losing the very human feeling underneath it?
Because the glamour is never the destination—it’s the language. The emotion always comes first. I love beautiful visuals and cinematic worlds, but they only matter if they’re carrying something honest underneath. I think people connect with authenticity long before they connect with aesthetics.
6- Pool Party in BOLD feels built for people stepping fully into their own energy. What do you hope listeners feel in their bodies when the track hits properly?
I hope they feel permission. Permission to take up space, to move differently, to walk into a room with confidence instead of apology. I want it to feel like that moment where you stop overthinking and simply own who you are.
7- As an independent artist building an international audience, what have you learned about keeping your project ambitious while still handling the practical pressure behind the scenes?
I’ve learned that ambition needs structure. As an independent artist, you’re constantly balancing creativity with business decisions, marketing, planning, and long-term strategy. It can be overwhelming, but I’ve realized that consistency is often more powerful than speed. Every release becomes another brick in the world I’m building.
8- You’ve mentioned future sync opportunities in fashion, film, television and brand campaigns. Where could you most vividly imagine Pool Party in BOLD living outside the streaming world? I immediately imagine fashion campaigns, luxury beauty brands, runway shows, and scenes where confidence is the story. I could also see it in films or series during those defining moments when a character finally chooses themselves. I love creating music that doesn’t just accompany visuals—it elevates them.
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Stream Pool Party in BOLD on all available platforms via this link.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast