Sydney Singer May-a Overcomes Career Doubts, Embraces New Era with National Tour Finale in Fremantle
Sydney-based singer-songwriter May-a, born Maya Cumming, is set to perform at Freo.Social in Fremantle on Friday night, marking the conclusion of her national tour. This comes after a challenging period where she nearly abandoned her music career due to disillusionment with what she describes as a "toxic" industry.
A Personal Album Born from Struggle
The 24-year-old artist released her debut album, Goodbye (If You Call That Gone), in February, a project she crafted over three years during an emotional journey of self-discovery. Cumming revealed that the album reflects a "sliding doors moment" in her life, when she almost switched paths entirely. In 2024, she parted ways with Atlantic Records in the US, fueled by resentment towards corporate pressures that prioritized hit singles over artistic integrity.
"I was stuck in contracts and prevented from releasing music, which halted my creative flow and left me feeling lost," Cumming explained in a recent Zoom interview. "The business side, with lawyers and meetings, felt so toxic that I considered giving up. Releasing this album was cathartic—it allowed me to start from scratch and transition into a more authentic, alternative era."
Revival and Future Plans
Now feeling revived, Cumming has no plans to slow down. Her team is already fine-tuning new songs, and she intends to continue writing, possibly relocating to Los Angeles, where she previously lived. "After a three-year hiatus, I'm in catch-up mode and determined to keep putting music out," she said. "With no one standing in my way now, I'll take advantage of that and create as much as I can."
Collaborative and Empowering Music
For her album, which includes tracks like Claws and Catching Up 2 U, Cumming collaborated with partners who understood her vision, such as her guitarist Chloe Dadd. They worked from her LA home, a departure from label studios, which she found comforting. One standout song, Last Man On Earth, addresses themes of power and personal betrayal. "As a woman, I felt forced to forgive and forget, but this song let me express my anger and move on without forgiving," she shared.
Inspired by Icons and Looking Ahead
Cumming hopes to emulate music icon Cyndi Lauper, performing into her 70s. She joined Lauper onstage last year in Sydney, an experience that reinforced her passion. "I hope to keep going and avoid any setbacks," she added, emphasizing her full-steam ahead approach to life and artistry.
