Maeve Steele’s Artistic Momentum Definitely Won’t “Slow Down”

Maeve Steele takes a breath and learns how to pace herself on the mesmerizing “Slow Down,” a reflection on how she views the world around her and her perspective on getting to know others on a deeper level. In a mid-to-post-pandemic world, human connection is more important than ever, and this breezy track will make you feel connected to Maeve and her artistry like never before.

“It sounds so corny, but I feel like ‘Slow Down’ was one of the first songs I made where it really felt like me,” Maeve tells TREMG. “It has served as a bit of a blueprint and inspiration over the last year and a half when I’ve been writing. This is the first period of time where I’ve felt like ‘oh, I’m starting to figure out who I am as an artist’ and it feels really good. I’m thankful to this song for helping me get there.”

“Slow Down” features production from the noted Brian Malouf, whose credits include Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb,” Sabrina Carpenter’s “Can’t Blame A Girl For Trying,” Lit’s “My Own Worst Enemy,” and Madonna’s “Hanky Panky.” It’s an impressive roster of some of music’s biggest stars, and it’s clear that Maeve will get to follow a similar path as these legends.

“Brian’s awesome!” Maeve shares. “I loved that he helped me turn such a simple, acoustic tune into a real song. When we were finishing it up, I went home for the holidays and my parents showed me an old pipe xylo that they found under their bed. I sent Brian a voice memo of me (very roughly) playing it and I love that he incorporated a piece of my home into the final song.”

Maeve is unapologetically vulnerable in every song she writes, and that’s what makes her really stand out as an artist. From her 2019 debut with “Real” and “Tourist,” she’s never shied away from how she can use her narratives and voice to make her fans feel less alone in what they’re going through. “Slow Down” is a quintessential example of how she can channel her emotions into something magnificent that can help not only herself, but every single person who listens. 

“It’s definitely a good reminder to myself of the things that are important, to not stress about little things, and that it’s okay to take a beat and slow down,” Maeve explains. “To me, this song just really feels like a deep breath.”

So take a deep breath and find “Slow Down” on your favorite streaming services now! You can get to know Maeve Steele on Facebook, Instagram, and her website, and keep reading for more from our interview with the confessional singer-songwriter.

Congrats on your new single, “Slow Down!” How does it feel to share the song with the world?

Thank you! It feels so good to put it out, and definitely a bit surreal that it has been almost two years since I wrote it. It’s really made me think about the things in my life that have changed since that time, as well as the things that haven’t. This song is about wanting to feel seen and loved when you’re feeling a bit lost, and even though a lot of aspects of my life are different now, I don’t think that ever changes. 

What does the song “Slow Down” mean to you?

It’s definitely a good reminder to myself of the things that are important, to not stress about little things, and that it’s okay to take a beat and slow down. To me, this song just really feels like a deep breath. 

Is there a certain lyric on “Slow Down” that you’re particularly proud of?

I love the lines about just wanting to walk with someone and hear all their stories. It’s so simple and intimate, I think swapping stories is like a love language. 

“Slow Down” was produced by Brian Malouf, who’s known for his credits with artists like Madonna, Queen, and Sabrina Carpenter. What was it like working with him?

Brian’s awesome! I loved that he helped me turn such a simple, acoustic tune into a real song. When we were finishing it up, I went home for the holidays and my parents showed me an old pipe xylo that they found under their bed. I sent Brian a voice memo of me (very roughly) playing it and I love that he incorporated a piece of my home into the final song. 

“Slow Down” has such a cool, mellow acoustic feel! Who were some of your influences on the song’s sound?

I love that Rainbow Kitten Surprise meshes stripped acoustic sounds with bigger, dreamier sonic landscapes – I tried to imitate that. Artists like Kacey Musgraves and Jason Isbell are always big influences on my songs, they definitely influenced the writing style and structure. 

You always push boundaries as an artist, and your recent single “Tycho” even draws from a 108 million-year-old crater. What kinds of things most inspire your music?

Natural imagery is always a huge inspiration to me. I find it so much easier to write about something tangible, and then find more emotional meaning within that. It feels much less intimidating to write about the moon than fears or insecurities, even if that’s what I’m really trying to write about. 

Your first true exposure to music was when you started taking violin lessons when you were younger. Is there anything you learned during those early experiences that has stuck with you?

It gave me a pretty solid foundation of musical knowledge, but I think more importantly it made me curious about the way music works and what makes it meaningful to us. 

We at TREMG love getting to know new artists who haven’t gotten the success or attention they deserve. Who are some of your favorite underrated artists at the moment?

I’ve been loving joe p and Dora Jar, both of them have such cool sounds and I’m sure they’re going to be getting the attention they deserve shortly. 

Is there anything else you’d like to mention that the questions didn’t touch on?

It sounds so corny, but I feel like “Slow Down” was one of the first songs I made where it really felt like me. It has served as a bit of a blueprint and inspiration over the last year and a half when I’ve been writing. This is the first period of time where I’ve felt like “oh, I’m starting to figure out who I am as an artist” and it feels really good. I’m thankful to this song for helping me get there.