Maps, breakthrough House artist interview

We are sharing our recent interview with Manhattan, NYC based artist Maps. He used to be in punk bands but now primarily makes house music.

Twist Online : First of all introduce yourself to our readers?
Maps : My name is Maps (born Mario Paez), and I’ve been putting out house music that is gaining a bit of attention.

Twist Online : Who or what inspired you to get into music industry?
Maps : Haha, well, I guess it’s a bunch of different things. My earliest memory of pop culture is Puff Daddy and Ma$e’s video for “Mo Money Mo Problems.” Puffy with the bright jackets and all. I think as a small child I loved the shine, the glitz. Although my first conscious thought of “I really want to be involved in the arts” didn’t come until I was around 14, listening to blink-182. Back then, I remember listening to blink-182 and feeling like they were regular people…they were singing about everything I did with my friends! I realized they were just like me, which means I could also achieve what they had achieved. And I’m still trying haha.

Twist Online : You used to be in punk bands, why did you leave them?
Maps : I played in so many punk bands growing up, I really can’t even count how many. None ever made serious waves. Not too many people go from playing punk music to house music. I was in my first band in 8th grade. Gradually I stopped actively playing punk because keeping a band of grown adults together, and touring, and successful…that is one of the most difficult endeavors any group of people can undertake.

Twist Online : Tell us about your recent release?
Maps : My most recent release is called House Core. 100% house music. It’s a total switch of genres for me. I had always experimented with EDM tracks over the years, but I usually kept those songs top secret. I decided it was finally time to set these little Frankensteins free haha.

Twist Online : What kind of response you have received so far?
Maps : Considering it’s my first house release, it’s going great…I mean, I’m getting featured in blogs already right? Haha. All jokes aside though it’s cool to see one’s own music be played around the world. Electronic music is so universal. I get the royalty reports from my publisher and it’s cool to see Switzerland, Australia, Turkey, all sorts of countries I’ve never even visited, playing my music. That’s very cool.

Twist Online : What attracts you more, performing on stage or working in studios?
Maps : At this point in my life, I’d much rather have a studio based assignment…my dream is to grow old while making music to be placed in commercials, TV and film. So licensers, contact me!

Twist Online : Have you set some target to achieve as a music artist?
Maps : Really, my target is to share as much as my gift (writing music) with as much of the world as humanly possibly before I die. Whatever that brings me, great.

Twist Online : Are you currently working on any other project?
Maps : “Dos House” will be released November 1st, 2017 on all major streaming platforms!