Soho Rising: Maeve, the Caymanian artist transcending genres

Maeve, real name Arianna Broderick, has had a particularly strong 2021. She released her debut EP, Caravaggio In A Corner Store – a five-track exploration of industrial beats, deep bass lines, and contemplative lyrics. With another release in the pipeline already, we’re excited to see what’s next for this intriguing artist.

Maeve was born and grew up in the Cayman Islands, and moved to London when she was 18. Her musical influences are as diverse as her upbringing. ‘I’d describe my sound as a mixture between experimental, electronic, trippy sounds, and poetic storytelling,’ she says. ‘I grew up listening to a lot of different people. I love Tom Waits, who I think is a great lyricist, and Massive Attack. I’m drawn to people who can create a world outside of genre.’

That is very much what Maeve has achieved on this EP. The soundscapes shift from sonorous basslines and crisp beats to catchy, haunting melodies and melancholic piano parts.

Maeve’s visual identity is equally compelling. The video for her track ‘Sick’ is a modern reimagining of the iconic album artwork for Funkadelic’s Maggot Brain (1971) – the macabre imagery an eerie reflection of her dystopian lyrics. 

Watch the video above for an interview with the artist, as well as a snapshot of her performance at Shoreditch House.