#Risingartist: Are You Back? We Needed to know more about MAVICA and her struggles with a broken relationship

Spanish singer-producer MAVICA shares the music video for her mesmerizing new single “are you back?”. A beautiful exploration of contrast, the soaring, electronic-adjacent track juxtaposes euphoric production and MAVICA’s tender vocals with melancholy lyrics about the pain of loving a person who is chronically inconsistent.  

Defined by the masterful incorporation of vibrant colors and warm light, the "are you back?" music video depicts MAVICA in the throes of her longing. Both beauty and nostalgia abound in the clip, which is directed by Spanish theatrical and commercial filmmaker Anna Parcerisas (Michael Kors, GUCCI, Coach). In the final sequence MAVICA makes use of her dance background, performing a graceful contemporary routine that exquisitely captures the release of her toxic relationship and her transition into a new future.  

“are you back?” starts simply, utilizing simple synth chords and MAVICA’s isolated vocals to draw listeners into a tender, ethereal sonic landscape. The track slowly builds to a unique drop, combining the straightforward melody with compelling snare drum. The combination, whilst unconventional, effectively creates a sense of urgency within the song’s production, perfectly capturing MAVICA’s desire for freedom and closure. 

As “are you back?” progresses MAVICA leans deeper into the electronic elements of the song’s production, layering in more enchanting synths and sparkling percussion, and adding an engaging tuner to her vocals. As the track builds to resonant peak MAVICA sings “I wish you were forever gone / for good, yeah for good” finding clarity and closure on her own. 

We had the pleasure of chatting with MAVICA about her new song, the music video and so much more.

It was a pleasure to hear your latest song “Are you back” and the one question I had while listening to this on repeat was who broke your heart? And with this song now out in the open air does it feel like a chapter finally comes to an end?

It was a friend who broke my heart. Which sometimes hurts just as much as a romantic breakup. The whole album talks about this experience and how I learnt to be okay with it. Releasing the song definitely helped me heal from that experience though I don’t think you’ll ever really get over it. It allowed me to stop blaming myself for things that are out of my control.

When I first listened to this song, I was instantly brought back to Banks and Kali Uchis earlier works. I’m curious who/what you were listening to when writing this.

I was listening to a lot of Christine and the Queens at the time! He was a big influence not only musically but also the way he grew and developed himself as an artist. How connected he is with his body and how that shaped his journey. He uses movement with his music in a beautiful way. 

Now, I noticed while listening to your discography a small shift into a more dance/nightlife feel. Is this the new direction we are going to see more of MAVICA.

I got really into synths and programming drums. All I was listening to was pop from the 80’s or artists who were highly influenced by that era. I kind of wanted to prove to myself that I could write and produce something like that. It gave a different perspective to the music I was making and definitely something you’ll hear more on my album. I wanted to make songs that people could dance and cry to at the same time.

I am so curious on how you got Anna Parcerisa to work with you on this music video?

She sent me a message on instagram saying that she loved my music and she wanted to collaborate on a video for my music. I loved her short films as well so I was super excited she reached out. It’s incredible to work with someone that loves your art so much, because you know they are gonna put in the same passion and love as I did when creating the song.

The music video is stunning and with its velvet visual, how much did you add to this?

We spent a year crafting the idea. We both were very big fans of Wong Kar-Wai’s films, so that was a big reference for both of us. I knew I wanted to incorporate dance and movement so the dance moments are the ones that I added to it and Anna was in charge of the rest.

From crawling on the table to being underwater to holding a bear on fire, what was the favorite scene to do and what was the most difficult scene to do?

My favourite was the scene with the water tank. I had never done something like that and apparently I am very good at holding my breath for a long time, haha! It wasn’t easy because the tank was quite small and I had to position myself in a certain way to make the dress look beautiful in the water. After having to repeat this many times, I had sooo much water in my nose that I felt like I was going to faint!

I am curious what the symbolization of the spider on your face is.

It represents our fears and the way we face them. I am actually very scared of spiders after I got bitten by one in Berlin. I had to have surgery which luckily went well but the whole experience was quite traumatic. Having a spider in my face for the video represented how I changed the way I face problems and fears.

Has a stranger ever changed your life?

I was in Bali recently to lead M.I.A.’s choir for her Joyland festival performance. The people I met there changed the way I see life. I noticed how everyone smiles at you no matter what and everyone is so kind and positive. That made me think about how much I take everything for granted and how in Europe we have such tunnel vision. Here we’re always stressed and have no awareness of the outside world. How much better would it be if we simply were a bit nicer to people.

What can be found in your room that can’t be found in anyone else’s room?

Probably a spray to water my plants. I love them 

Do you think the image you have of yourself matches the image people see you as?

I think everyday it matches more and more. The older I get the more comfortable I’ve become with who I am. 

What are you craving right now?

A gazpacho :)

In April MAVICA released the atmospheric "you could never do that". Icy and pristine, the track has a compellingly ‘untouched’ quality; the sonic equivalent of a blanket of fresh snow. Slowly a grounded bass and soothing percussion are added in sweeping layers, building until the track explodes in a mist of shining, crystal sound. The accompanying music video explores MAVICA's relationship with her body as a female performer. The clip, directed by Irene Calvo, is an exercise in in minimalism and shows MAVICA with a group of women connected in an intricate contemporary dance.

More Info: 

MAVICA grew up in Cartagena, Spain. As a small child she had an affinity for dance, beginning her training in ballet at the age of six, but it wasn’t until later in life that she realized her passion for music and songwriting. She attended the prestigious London College of Creative Media to study her craft and there the MAVICA project was born. 

MAVICA SOCIALS:

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