We connected with Sacramento based artist and producer Maroney for an exclusive interview to discuss his new EP “Alur”, which is due for release on Nov. 1st. We specifically got a chance to pick Maroney’s brain about his creative process for the development of the EP’s songs, we found out how “Alur” is different than his last project “Glasshouses”, and much more.

After reading our Q&A with Maroney, be sure to connect with him on IG, check out his “Glasshouses” project and be on the lookout for the release of “Alur” on Nov. 1st.

What are some things, places or people that you draw inspiration from when creating your music?

Hmmm...people I've been close to and rain walks! (Generally followed with hot chocolate haha)

Congratulations on the completion and forthcoming release of your new EP “Alur”. Describe your creative process for the development of the project's songs.

I generally like going through my journal for inspiration, my iPhone notes for lyrics I write down during the day or little melodies I’ve recorded on memos. At this point, every project is pretty different but for this one - I wanted to capture the core of my folk music which is the juxtaposition of the solo individual and the community of musicians/friends I'm with.

I took these drafts/vibes to friends and we jammed over them a bit and I recorded this sessions. At this point, I started to record and produce them in Ableton and taking inspiration from artists I really love who take folk songs and enhance them with crazy productions and orchestrations. I took a lot of pauses with this project to really try to hear where the songs wanted to go and fit as many people on it as possible :)

Tell us about your song "Skin", which appears on the new EP. Was the song self-produced and who provided backing vocals on it?

The song was self-produced and the backing vocals were done by my amazing collection of friends and fellow musicians. There are over 28 people who provided the background vocals and over 40 people on this whole EP. It created a lot of work but was a beautiful reminder of the community I am a part of. A lot of thanks to Jackson Vanover, Natalie Hagwood, Jeremy Reinhard, Gordon Allen, and Violet Elder for being a huge part of the process and being my support system.

How would you say that the “Alur” EP is different than your last project "Glasshouses" from a thematic and sonic perspective?

This is the first time I wrote every song, produced them, and mixed them myself. It changed the sonic landscape and let me have control over every feature - both for the best and worst. It took a lot longer, a lot more learning on the fly, but it was much more satisfying.

Thematically - this EP is more about heartbreak and loss as opposed to “Glasshouses” being about finding love. Songs like “Auburn Eyes” and “Motion” were the core of “Glasshouses” as opposed to “Alur” in this EP.

Sonically, “Glasshouses” was a stage for getting into electronic music and using these productions techniques while “Alur” is a realization of how to use these techniques.

If you had to describe this new EP to a stranger in three words, which ones would you select?

Intimate orchestral heartache

Stream and Share “Skin” on Spotify

Stream and Share “Glasshouses” on Spotify

Connect with Maroney: Instagram