Though True Blue—real name: Maya Laner—has been putting out music since 2017, her recently released LP Star Witness is her first. That is not to say that the artist has been at all idle. In that time, she has worked with the likes of Caroline Polachek and Alex G, all while dropping a flurry of singles. On the record, the artist, who moved to Copenhagen from New York around a year ago, makes a strong pop statement. Though the music is rooted in the indie communities Laner has moved within for many years, it always comes back to a satisfying songwriting sensibility. We recently caught up with the artist, where we talked about the record, collaboration, Madonna, and a whole lot more. Read the piece, and listen to Star Witness, below.
This True Blue full-length is many years in the making. How have you grown and changed as an artist in that time?
True Blue: During that time I have been challenged to face many spiritual and physical battles, all of which have led me back to using music as a tool for healing and transforming my inner and material world. It’s been one hell of a ride! When I first started coming up as an artist I accidentally became very conditioned to glamorize suffering, and thought that trying to find my sharpest edge was the way to juice the best material from my spirit. Now I think the most chic thing in the world is being healthy and happy!
Is there a song on the record that you think serves as the clearest distillation of the current True Blue vision?
There are two I would pick out as the most True. The first is “Fountain,” which has my favorite and most personal writing. It exists in its own misty, effervescent world that feels extremely close to the spirit of the project. The other would be “Truest Of Blues” because of its perfect blend of elements of trance, divine melancholy, and rapturous euphoria. Very anthemic, and very True Blue!
You've collaborated with a lot of other musicians, including Caroline Polachek, Alex G, Porches, the list goes on. What have you learned from these experiences that you have applied to your own project?
Speaking of all my experience in show business: Lay it all on the line ... your spirit, your time, your passion, your body, your heart. Aura is cultivated through bravery! and dedication to your craft.
“Airplane Mode” is very catchy. How did you link up with LUCY for that song?
I met Cooper through our mutual friend Annabell because she thought I would love his music. The first time we met he gave me a copy of Best of Lucy, Vol. II: 2015-2017 on CD. When I listened, I really resonated with the raw poetry of his lyrics and singing style, his idiosyncratic production palette, and the Northeastern vernacular lore. I have always felt he was tapped into something very deep and very true. Plus he is one of the most compelling live performers.
We had tried to collaborate a couple times over the years since meeting but nothing really stuck. We can both be pretty aloof! But then I needed a feature for "Airplane Mode," and he was down to give it a shot. When he first sent it over he said he thought I would think he was “too fried.” And I’m not going to lie, when I first heard it, it was so fresh it almost broke my brain! It’s definitely deep fried genius, which I identify with majorly. He is truly the only artist in the world who would have known to ride the beat like that. Also it’s crazy that he somehow knew I was tapped into an interpolation wavelength. I’m so obsessed and so grateful, big love for Lucy.
You interpolate a certain iconic pop song on “Boom Boom,” which also features The Bird. What is your favorite Madonna track?
It’s literally impossible to choose one! But I guess it changes depending on what era I’m in … I think I’m in an Erotica era (again) so I will choose my favorite as “Secret Garden.”
What is your favorite way to start a song?
Dissolving into a dark room communing with the spirit (subterranean preferred) sitting with a mic that has a sexy vibed out vocal chain and a beautifully uncanny physical modeling synthesizer ... OR vibe questing with my man Nature Boy <3.
If money wasn’t an object, what would the dream piece of True Blue merch look like?
I would make a full runway collection, and make it into a kind of theatrical presentation with a score that was a new body of work. Like a fashion opera of sorts. Then I would produce pieces from the collection to sell as merch! I would love to find a way to make an object or piece of jewelry that would play my music through bone conduction vibrations.
What's your song of the year? Or, to be more general: What is a song released in 2025 that you love?
It’s a hard choice for me … the songs “obvious” by Oklou, “Countryside” by Blood Orange, or “Fame is a Gun” by Addison Rae all possessed me at different moments!
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