Exclusive Interview With Maria Lane

Maria Lane, the Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, is bringing a touch of magic to the holiday season with her new single, "don't wanna be alone on christmas", which comes out on December 20th. She’s pulled inspiration from artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Ariana Grande, but also tapped into the nostalgia of classics like "Last Christmas" and "My Only Wish." It’s a perfect mix of soulful vocals, touching lyrics, the track promises to deliver a heartfelt blend of soulful vocals and just the right amount of festive charm. Maria co-wrote and co-produced the song with Justin Meyer, and it’s all about love and loss, it’s emotional and reflective, but also relatable.

Ahead of her release, we had the chance to chat with Maria about everything—from how this song came together, to what it’s like being a woman navigating the music industry and what’s next in her blossoming career.

1. Your upcoming single, "don't wanna be alone on christmas", feels very personal and nostalgic. What inspired you to write this song, and how does it reflect where you are in your life right now?

Thank you! I’ve been wanting to write a Christmas song I’d feel comfortable releasing for a while, but I am definitely more of a Halloween girl. I actually wrote this while on a TikTok live back in October, and one of my fans said the song was stuck in her head the next day, so I figured that was a sign to fully produce it and send it out into the ether.

What inspired me was reflecting on how isolating and lonely the holidays can feel, and how I don’t always experience the joy and excitement a lot of people feel. This year was especially challenging as I experienced severe heartbreak in my long-term relationship. The song is about yearning for someone nice and kind who treats you well, and wanting someone to experience the holidays with.

2. Holiday music can be tricky—it’s easy to fall into clichés, but your track feels fresh. How did you approach balancing classic holiday vibes with your own unique sound?

Thank you, I really appreciate that! I started by thinking about my favorite Christmas songs that capture a similar feeling, like “Last Christmas,” “River,” “Merry Christmas Darling,” and “My Only Wish,” but I still wanted to keep that folk-acoustic essence. Working with a producer who understands your sound is key, especially when jumping into a new genre. Shoutout to Justin—he’s the best!

3. You’ve mentioned Phoebe Bridgers and Ariana Grande as influences. Are there specific elements of their music or artistry that shaped your approach to this track?

Lyrically, I’m very inspired by Phoebe Bridgers—her honesty and storytelling always resonate with me. With Ariana Grande, I’ve learned so much about how to layer and stack background vocals, along with harmony, which definitely influenced the production of this track. Her Christmas album is also my favorite.

4. What was the creative process like for this single? How did collaborating with Justin Meyer influence the final sound?

I wrote it in open D tuning (because I recently learned how to play in open D—yay!), and Justin decided it would feel more Christmassy if we put it in standard tuning. I love the intro because Justin added the cutest twinkly elements, which really set the Christmas vibe.

5. The music industry is evolving (hopefully for the better), but it still presents unique challenges for women. Have you faced any difficulties in your career as a female artist? If so, how have they shaped you?

Oh yes, absolutely! Honestly, the music industry feels very gatekeep-y. It’s highly competitive, and a lot of people sound the same. I saw a TikTok recently where someone said they were tired of “Phoebe Bridgers wannabes” (I hope people don’t see me that way, lol).

Comparison definitely gets in my way a lot, but I’ve learned to follow advice I got from a mentor a while ago: “keep your eyes on your own page.” I try to trust that the songs I’m writing and producing are authentic to me and that’s what makes me unique. I have a lot of influences, but I’m not trying to be anyone else—at the end of the day, I have my voice, and I write how I experience the world around me.

6. Your lyrics showcase vulnerability and depth. How do you tap into those emotions during the writing process, especially for a song that’s written for a specific season?

I think it comes down to the fact that I wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m a very emotional and sensitive person, so I just write how I’m feeling—it’s almost like word vomit sometimes. I usually write songs in one sitting to paint the full story and go back to retouch it later.

7. With the year wrapping up, what are your goals and expectations for your music career in 2025? Is this Christmas single a preview of what’s to come?

This is all going on my vision board! I really like how this is the 7th question because 7 is my lucky number, and I’m big on manifestation. I would just really like to see a lot of growth in the next year because I’m determined to make this my career, and numbers and listeners do play a part. I signed with a sync agent this year, and I would love to see one of my songs in a film or TV show—that would be so cool. Musical guest on SNL also feels like a huge dream, but I’m not afraid to aim big.

As far as a preview of what’s to come, I have a surprise earlier in the year that’s very significant, and I’ve already written the next album, which is going to be darker and more horror-based. I’m really excited about that concept and to share new music with everyone next year!

8. Lastly, what advice would you give to young women trying to succeed in such a crowded and challenging industry?

I would say release your music and play open mics. Releasing your music at first can be so terrifying, and it can take a bit of time to find your sound. But as you release more and keep writing, you’ll grow, and so will your artistry. Consistency pays off—keep going!

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