‘eclectic, emotional, poetic’ | Interview with Valeria Maurer

Get lost in the music with “Labyrinth,” an art-pop jazz track from Here is the Silence that creates its own musical labyrinth of sound. Read our discussion with the artist below!

Describe your sound in 3 words

eclectic, emotional, poetic

Tell us a few things about Labyrinth. What is the main idea behind it?

Imagine an old, vast house where you’re alone. It’s cold, lonely, and you’re in that point again, where you’re dissatisfied with yourself and uncertain of what comes next. There’s no one to answer, so you speak into the silence, finding your voice, louder and louder…

How important is storytelling in your music? Do you see each song as a standalone narrative, or do they connect to form a larger story within the album?

My debut album Here is The Silence is a kaleidoscopic journey of nine original songs, each like a puzzle piece blending unique moods and emotions. Three tracks are set to poems by authors like A.A. Milne and Osip Mandelstam, adding poetic depth. Songs like “Here is the Silence,” “Pegasus,” and “Turn to the Light” capture calm and introspection, while “Watercolors” and “Breathe” express joy and inner strength. The album draws inspiration from nature, intertwining themes of solitude, the courage to change, mountain landscapes, and childhood nostalgia, creating a cohesive journey that invites listeners to explore a rich tapestry of feelings.

What do you hope listeners take away from “Labyrinth” and the rest of the album? Is there a particular message or feeling you want them to experience after hearing your music?

I hope that listeners find a sense of presence and self-acceptance in Labyrinth and throughout the album, inspired by the gifts that nature offers us—being, self-expression, movement, harmony, and lightness. My message is simple: be yourself, embrace all your feelings, discover the wonders around you, and open yourself to the richness and diversity of the world. Through this music, I want to create a space where listeners can feel free to explore their inner worlds and connect with something bigger.

Your most honest and personal lyric?

The song “Only the Soul Can See” from my album is probably my most honest and personal lyric. It reflects my thoughts on the conflicts between people and what I felt in relation to the war—personal, and perhaps a bit naive.

Artists and people that have influenced you?

Sting has been a major influence on me with his versatility, openness to different styles, and profound lyrics. Brazilian guitarist Egberto Gismonti inspires me with his cinematic approach and use of folk elements. I admire artists deeply engaged with folklore, like Soviet-Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian, whose integration of Armenian folk into classical composing form. My favorite poets, Osip Mandelstam and Anna Akhmatova, also greatly inspire me.

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

As someone who is always searching for something unique and doesn’t listen to what’s playing on the radio, I wish alternative artists had more opportunities to be heard.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

To my younger self, as well as to myself now and in the future, I would say: doubt less, trust your true interests, and express yourself fully. Embrace only those mentors who don’t judge or criticize harshly but support you and show you new paths toward your goals.

Thank you!

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