Interview with Maxine Scott

Maxine’s beautifully evocative musical style blends a hybrid of ‘90s inspired sounds drawing on R&B, soul, and Nujazz. Her soft, speak-easy vocals combined with her honeyed, scrapbook-style lyrics and production ties in effortlessly with her ‘90s pop aesthetic.

Having grown up in the small seaside town of Ramsgate in Kent, Maxine remembers always singing, acting and dancing at school and for her family. She says, “My first proper introduction to soul music was Lauryn Hill’s ‘I Used To Love Him’ which I found on one of my Dad’s CD’s, and I had the track on repeat for days!”

Maxine moved to London when she was 17 where her musical style really flourished. She started becoming involved in London’s jazz scene, and joined the jazz music education and artist development organisation Tomorrow’s Warriors.

Maxine’s debut release on Ramrock Blue, ‘Erykah U Bad‘ last year, scored a 10/10 review in Blues and Soul, along with support from Mixmag and DMC, among others. Since her debut Ramrock Blue release, Maxine has gone from strength to strength. Her collaborations with UK Beat Wizard alf.E, took the Future Soul scene by storm with their combined talents creating ‘Ya Energy’, ‘SXC’ and ‘Guard Down’, culminating in a showcase gig in March 2023 at London’s iconic Jazz Café.

Who inspired you to make music?

My mum says I was singing melodies before I could talk. I remember at 4yrs old singing at 6am waking the whole house up. And growing up through primary school I always wanted to be the stars in the show, and i’d make sure I entered every competition to win it. So i guess i’ve always had that competitive “drive” so to speak.

Growing up I used to listen to my dads CD’s either in the car on the CD player. I remember listening to Eminem’s Encore Album and memorising all the lyrics at 8yrs old. I got into soul and R&B by listening to my dads Lauryn Hill CD “I used to love him” was my first introduction to the music I make today.

How would you describe your music?

I’d describe my music as a fresh new wave of soul, with hints of R&B, Jazz and Pop.

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?

Personally, I feel as if TikTok basically runs the industry now. Labels are looking for artists that they can blow up, or if they’re about to sign new artists they have to at least have a 10k following. I guess its both a pro and a con. Artists are getting discovered in wild ways, but its becoming saturated, and the music is sort of following “trends” to mass consumers. It’s now expected of artists to become content creators which is actually really detrimental to our mental health, in my personal opinion. We’re constantly obsessing over views, likes, comments, shares and streams, rather than enjoying the process of making the music and releasing it.

Have you got a ritual of sorts when making music?

I’ve got this beginner’s luck sort of thing, when i’m working with writers or producers for the first time. The synergy between us is so good, that it leads us to write a hit song without fail. Everytime I get into a session with someone new we create real magic. And it’s proven everytime. When working by myself, I need to limit distractions so I can get into a flow state, and then I can write with ease. I don’t even necessarily have to be in a good mood, as I write a lot from emotion and feelings so it usually flows easily if I allow it too.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on an EP which I can wait to share with the world. It really embodies who I am as an artist and showcases my voice much more which is what I think people are wanting to hear from me now.

What are your top two favourite songs of all time? Why those songs?

I used to love him Lauryn Hill and No Role Modelz J.Cole

What was the last series you watched on TV?

Black Mirror

What do you think the greatest invention has been?

Probably planes

Do you have any lucky items, objects, or traditions?

Meditation + visualising before shows

If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be?

Did you make it ?

If you had to describe yourself as a flavour, what would it be?

Salted Caramel

Maxine shares her stunning new summer single ‘New To This’, out now on Ramrock Blue Records. To accompany the track, Maxine also releases a dreamy new music video

Having made quite the impression on the NuJazz scene since she landed on Ramrock Blue Records last year and released her debut on the label – the gutsy ‘Erykah U Bad’, Maxine’s new single displays an emotional fragility about embarking on the start of a new relationship, as she delivers a candy-sweet vocal dipped in shyness and uncertainty that glides over her beautifully delicate urban groove.

Speaking of the track, Maxine says, “I wrote this song as lockdown was ending and you could go out more. I was meeting new people, vibing with friends and creating cool and fun relationships with musicians and individuals. I started speaking to a guy and it just kind of inspired the track I guess, and it was almost made even more magical since having experiences with people had been so limited. There’s no other feeling like the pre-empting of a new relationship, and I hope the excitement and magic of that feeling is captured on this track!

As a relative newcomer to the industry, it’s also a message to my listeners to take their time with me, since I’m a little new to this! Hopefully, they’ll come on this journey with me and that my music resonates with times in their own life.”