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Enigma is Meelly Mayden's ally, a tool to transcend societal norms and expectations. Her mystical and ethereal presence, coupled with poetic lyrics, challenges conventional notions. Meelly embraces the concept of shapeshifting, allowing listeners to craft their worlds within her immersive musical universe.

On the occasion of the release of her latest single “Muse of Nightmares”, we interviewed the artist.

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Hello Meelly and welcome to Coeval. Most people know you for your modelling career, but today that’s not what we’re talking about: with the single “ Yandere” already out and a new one, “Muse of Nightmares” on the way, how’s your newly launched musical project going?

I'm incredibly excited! As an independent artist, I carry the weight of everything on my shoulders, but I enjoy the freedom it brings. Luckily, I'm supported by an amazing team. I love working and meeting other creatives and creating art in general. When I discover a reality that truly embraces and supports my art, I'll be more than thrilled to share the load. Until then, let's hold tight and enjoy the journey.

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How did the transition from modelling to musician play out? Was it a natural one?

I’m a performer. My entire modelling career revolved around embracing my unique persona. Eventually, I craved an outlet to fully express my view. So, I embarked on a 360-degree artistic endeavour, seamlessly weaving together performance, art, and fashion – melding everything dear to me. Those who know me best would affirm that Meelly Mayden is simply an amplified reflection of my true self. So, yes, it comes naturally to me. It is me.

I might be wrong, but I believe enigma to be one of the foundational elements of your music project: this is partially due to your presence, at the same time mystical and ethereal, but I wanted to ask if this is also a way to circumvent societal norms and expectations.

Enigma is sexy. It’s fashion, it’s poetic. And it’s part of my personality. Which was always outside of the “norms” or what people wanted me to be; from one side you have my look which as u said is helping the narrative, from the other I love to find different ways to explain concepts and emotions. I come from metal music where lyrics are poems to paraphrase..and I love it, it brings you to another dimension. Although my lyrics and my aesthetic have a meaning for me, I like the concept of shapeshifting so that people can craft their world inside of mine.

Your oneiric life constitutes a massive source of inspiration for your work. What is the relationship between your music and your nightmares? Is music just a translation of your nightmares or a way to deal with them?

I have nightmares every night – it started when I was young – and some of them are heavy, some of them are just what seems like a normal dream, only covered with tension and an uncomfortable general vibe (which I would say, it’s the concept of my whole project). I used to write them down to cope with them when I was young, then I translated them into music, and some of them are so cool – maybe just when it’s not 3 am and you are just trying to rest. You should translate one of my songs!

Your music project displays a focus on inclusivity that we should touch upon. Going back to nightmares since one of them is at the centre of your latest single: are nightmares queer? Certainly, they escape the stranglehold of normativity and they possess queer qualities in the sense that they can haunt the patriarchal order (as shown by horror movies like Raw). Can you elaborate on this? How does your music foster inclusivity?

Nightmares are queer. Both nightmares and queerness exist outside the mainstream, disrupting the status quo and confronting the dominant narrative. Both challenge conventional notions of what is considered acceptable or normal.

In the realm of music, fostering inclusivity involves creating a safe and welcoming space where everyone's stories and identities are not only acknowledged but also celebrated. I aim to achieve this by incorporating diverse perspectives and experiences into my art. Through my lyrics, melodies, visuals and the messages conveyed in my music, I try to explore themes that resonate universally, touching on emotions and experiences that transcend societal norms.

It's about providing a voice to those who might feel marginalized or unheard, acknowledging their struggles, and validating their emotions through artistic expression. In my collaborations and engagements within the music community, I actively seek out opportunities to work with artists from various backgrounds, genres, and identities. By doing so, I hope to create a collaborative environment that embraces diversity and promotes inclusivity, allowing different voices and perspectives to shine through music.

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How do you see the project evolving? Should we expect a music video soon?

I create what resonates with my vision and what I want to hear, and see. I am evolving daily alongside the project. My mind is full of ideas and ambitions. A music video? Lol, I wanna make art: a show, a fashion show, a captivating performance, an immersive experience, a movie, everything…