Meet Mau

We recently connected with Mau and have shared our conversation below.

Mau, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?

My perspective on writers block has changed a lot through out the years. I always thought writers block really meant that I couldnt find words or topics to write about and that I lost my voice. The more I do the songwriting thing though, I am realizing that when I feel writers block, more often than not, my brain is trying to find a solution to a lyric or a story or a melody that I feel really passionate about. So much so that I cant move on to another song or story. I think it’s all a part of the process of creating something great and taking the time to solve it is the most important thing. The issue, I think, is that more often then not, when we feel that “block” we attribute it to not having the words or the knowledge or feel like were spending too much time on something potentially insignificant and so our production rate goes down and I do think we can spiral if we don’t allow that time and process to run its course and instead we feel guilty or useless. I don’t think the block is real though. Its important for the process and I think it leads to incredible combinations of words or perspectives that improve the art its self when we finally solve the puzzle.

I also find that if I feel that “block” towards a song, I can now move on to a different song or project and let that puzzle sit in the back of my head while I continue my work elsewhere. I think by changing my perspective on it, I’ve allowed myself to continue writing on different projects and topics while the one where I am experiencing a tougher puzzle on, I can let rest until the words come to me, or in that space, my subconscious finds what I’m looking for. So to all of you creatives out there. Brave the “block” and trust the process. In the meantime, try writing about other things or moving on to other projects. Theres never a lack of subjects to write about and you never know who can benefit from your take on things while you let your master pieces sit and simmer.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Hey!
I’m Mau, a music artist from Mexico City, living in Los Angeles. I have been trying to make a name for myself in the music industry since 2014 when I moved to Los Angeles with my band “Night Lights” after college. The dream was to be a world touring artist and to help other people navigate their feelings with the songs I wrote. I was also in another band at that time. It was an Indie pop duo called “Wolfside” that to this day is still my favorite project I’ve been a part of. After chasing the band dream for 6 years, eventually, “Night Lights” started to have different musical taste and life just pulled us in different directions, and “Wolfside” was doing long distance during the pandemic and we just couldnt sustain the creative process, so we parted ways.

As a creative writer I truly couldn’t let the ideas stop flowing so I decided to continue as a solo artist and to start pursuing my options as a songwriter and producer for other artists. Which is when MAUMAUMAU was born. I have noticed since 2020 that being a musician isn’t anything too special anymore. There are more artists and songs than humanity knows what to do with and it’s really made me question what the heck I have to bring to the table and why even continue pursuing something so flooded with people. To be perfectly honest, I’m still figuring out the answer to that, but what while I figure that out, I dont know what else would make me wake up in the morning, so I keep writing and releasing music I think has a place in the world. I have so much love for the art of songwriting and I believe my voice as a writer is unique, even among the droves of songs that are out there. Purpose is a strange thing to look for as a human and I think we all spend our whole lives trying to find it, and although its such an insanely crazy industry, I feel fortunate to have found my purpose early on in my life, even if it has been a long and arduous process trying to feel like it pays off.

Right now, for the first time in the MAUMAUMAU process, I have found myself a small team to help tackle the industry. We are on the verge of releasing a music video that I got to shoot with Daniel Cloud Campos, an incredibly unique and visionary director, and a whole lot of friends. After that, it’s on to the next song which we plan to release in mid fall and to continue pushing the songs out there to try and find our people. So stay tuned in case you happen to be one of them

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Dang, this is a tough one. I truly dont believe in absolutes.
The three most helpful qualities for me and my journey have been:
Optimism
Clarity
Flexibility

Optimism:
I think although optimism shows itself as a more natural quality in a person, it is something I think can be honed and improved upon. In the insane pursuit of any kind of entrepreneurship, I believe optimism is insanely important. It includes gratitude, critical thinking, and problem solving skills to see a window of possibility that perhaps other people cannot.
Clarity:
I have found clarity to be a super power. It is quintessential for any creative field. When starting to create something from nothing, having every possibility in the world is paralyzing. I think this quality requires confidence and a level of trust in the work you have already put in that allows you to move forward and make decisions in the face of thousands of options. I am not sure ho one could work on these qualities or improve them… I guess therapy can help to clear up self doubt and maybe getting a strong foundation on the creative field you are trying to pursue so that as you move forward, you can trust that you know what youre doing. I also think this might come with experience.
Flexibility:
Something always comes up. ALWAYS. there are complications and technical issues and difference in opinions and people who know more and having the ability to adapt and the humility to listen and learn and adjust is truly truly game changing. trying things is more often than not a free option and when you have options, clarity comes back in to play to help you get the best out of the situation. I think to work on flexibility, it also comes with trust. and that might also come with therapy? maybe? as well as actively choosing to open your mind to things.

These are qualities and skills that have been extremely helpful to me, not only in my career, but in my personal life as well. They also happen to be skills I learned in sessions and while pursuing my artistry.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

This will be an odd answer because it has little to do with the creative field, but I think creativity reflects and relates to personal life all too often, so for me, “What Is The Bible” by Rob Bell has been that book.
I grew up christian and found myself all too often chastising myself for not being good enough or making decisions that would “disappoint” God. It was torturous and just wrong.

What is the bible liberated my not only in my spiritual journey, but it opened up so much freedom in my creative life. Yes, it is primarily a book for anyone whose ever had a relationship with one form of christianity or another, but it has such wisdom in it that also spoke to me as a creative. Theres a chapter that speaks on the concept of death. It talks about it in a way that I needed in my life. It says, “death is the engine of life”. Things have to die for me to continue to have life. Plants, animals, relationships, dreams, careers, jobs, family members and friends. It is an odd truth to celebrate, but I think theres so much beauty in that concept and so much freedom. It speaks on how rare and beautiful anything is and how fragile things can be, so it changed my perspective to one of gratitude, curiosity, and free flowing. We have such little control over so much, so I have to be responsible and focused on the things that I can control so that I can appreciate the rarity and importance of the things that come in to my life. even if for a brief moment. It has affected my creativity, my relationships and the way I see and manage my career as an artist. I am forever grateful to Rob Bell for his work in bringing clarity to christianity but also hist pursuit for truth and enjoyment out of the brief life we do get to have.

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Image Credits

Nathan Tecson

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