MAITA - Portland, OR
Biography
“For me, songwriting comes from a place of wanting to find the truth in life. Sometimes that truth is so complex and nuanced that it requires a whole song to explain,” shares Maria Maita-Keppeler, the principal songwriter and front person for the Portland, Oregon-based indie rock band MAITA.
Maita-Keppeler began experimenting with songwriting while soaking in the indie artists of the 2000’s. She related to how these writers interweave reality and poetry, and resonated with their emotional candor, particularly in light of her tendencies toward emotional restraint while growing up. “I have always had this desire to make sure everyone is happy and no one is dissatisfied or hurt,” Maita-Keppeler explains. “Music has been a place for me to demand the free space to say what I want to say.”
Maita-Keppeler’s bold vulnerability and literate flair is on full display on the quartet’s debut album, Best Wishes. The album was released on venerated indie imprint Kill Rock Stars (Elliott Smith, Sleater-Kinney, the Decemberists) in May of 2020, and since then has been featured in NPR, Spin, Brooklyn Vegan, and Consequence of Sound.
Recent Press
"This is an album that's, at least to me, a clear-eyed look at growing up and holding yourself responsible for actively creating the life you want to live instead of just waiting around for it to happen." - NPR
"MAITA’s Debut Album Got Kill Rock Stars Founder Slim Moon Back In The Game" - SPIN
"Throughout the band’s debut Best Wishes her lyrics are the shrapnel that linger long after the blasts of power pop and misty-eyed folk laments have come to an end." - The Line of Best Fit
"Best Wishes brings together 90’s alt-rock guitars and addictive melodies, but with its eye firmly on contemporary society." - Secret Meeting
"Portland-based Maita’s debut album is a strong collection of bittersweet songs that has more than a whiff of Portlandia about it." - Louder Than War