W: Jake Harrison

London-based artist and musician Mayan operates at the compelling intersection where sonic experimentation meets visual storytelling. Balancing music with a career in fashion and creative direction—slated to surface at London Fashion Week next February—Mayan has spent the last few years quietly building an immersive creative universe. Now, on the precipice of a major release campaign featuring new music, visual projects, and physical releases, the artist steps forward to reflect on identity, artistic obsession, and the evolution of a sound.

"I want to be able to play great shows whilst also not dumbing down the music."

Rooted in London, Mayan’s musical foundation spans a lifetime of creation, drawing heavy influence from visionary figures like Bon Iver, Lancer, and particularly Mk.gee. Describing the project sonically as an electronic-inspired alt-indie mix of ambient, folktronica, and distorted drums, Mayan aims to occupy a space where accessibility meets raw, uncompromising experimentation. The goal isn't just to release tracks, but to build an intentional, wide-scale artist profile without compromising the integrity of the work.

"Finding ‘my sound’ has been an obsession for the past few years... I have the freedom to choose where to start, but that’s a lot of choice."

That search for identity has been both Mayan’s greatest challenge and core driving force. Moving away from earlier acoustic singer-songwriter roots, the process of defining a signature sound became an intense obsession. Navigating a vast spectrum of influences often made finding a definitive artistic placement feel overwhelming, especially with the blank canvas of a new project. Yet, this broad palette ultimately became a core strength—allowing elements from every corner of Mayan's background to weave naturally into the production. Overcoming the compulsion to strictly control how the work is perceived has been a crucial turning point, allowing room to let go and let the music breathe.

"I’ve had a lot of time to work out what I want to say. I’m really excited to share the world I’ve been building."

Looking ahead, listeners can expect a unified, singular vision. Having spent recent years deliberately off the radar to refine the craft rather than promote it, Mayan has taken the necessary time to determine exactly what needs to be said. With a debut performance in the bag which marked the live introduction to this new chapter, the upcoming releases—spanning singles, an EP, music videos, visualizers, and physical media—will finally unveil the distinct world Mayan has spent years carefully constructing.