Walking along the Thessaloniki waterfront, you will hear many voices around you and see many talented artists showcasing their uniqueness. People from next door trying to entertain passers-by by adding some vivid colours to the city, turning the street into their canvas and stage in a great effort to promote themselves and rise to the level they deserve.
There, on the Thessaloniki waterfront, I am sure you will distinguish the angelic voice of a girl who holds only her dream and a guitar. This is Maera, and we’re happy to have her on Balkan Hotspot.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you would introduce yourself through your music.
My name is Maera, I’m 23 years old and I live in Thessaloniki. Music is my passion, and I fight for it. Last year, I released my first EP titled Romantismos. Through my music, I express the side of myself that I love the most, the one that sees romance everywhere. I choose to look at life through different eyes. For example, when I look out the window of a city bus, I don’t just see people and cars. I observe the world as if it were a movie scene: every glance, every building, every color of the sky. I may sound a bit sentimental, but honestly, that’s how I feel.
How is one of your songs born? What process do you follow?
The birth of a song comes very spontaneously… almost never intentionally. I don’t really follow a set process, to be honest. Sometimes I write the lyrics first and then experiment on the guitar or piano to find the melody, and other times it happens the opposite way around.
What inspires you the most? Your personal experiences, the people around you, or something else?
Definitely my personal experiences first, because the emotions that come from them are much more intense and genuine, and I feel the need to express them.. it’s almost like a form of release. But many times I’m also inspired by the world around me, or even the world I imagine in my mind, the one I would like to live in.
What does it mean for you to perform on Thessaloniki’s waterfront? How do you experience it?
It means ‘’I don’t care about anyone’s opinion’’, I just follow my heart. I say this because I’ve faced a lot of criticism for this decision. I don’t see anything wrong in it; it’s a wonderful feeling to sing in my city, the city I grew up in and that inspires me. Together with my friend and guitarist Areti Chatzaki, we enjoy every moment without any negative thoughts.
Is there a moment from performing there that stands out in your memory?
The waterfront in Thessaloniki is still the beginning for us, but I remember the first time I sang in Athens, on Ermou Street, completely by chance. I closed my eyes and felt the people passing by listening, and for the first time it felt like a release inside me… I received such beautiful energy.
Recording, producing, studio work… all require money and effort. How do you manage that in your daily life?
I manage all of it with a lot of effort and patience. First, I work in the hospitality industry to invest in the studio, in creating my tracks, and in everything that music demands at this stage. It can be physically and emotionally exhausting, but my belief in what I do keeps me strong.
How difficult is it for an independent artist to gain recognition in Greece today?
I’d say it’s challenging, but not impossible. Social media makes it easier, although it still requires constant effort and a bit of luck to get noticed. And when a video or a track goes viral, the artist still needs to maintain balance and build on that momentum to grow further.
Have you ever felt that your career is stagnant? What helps you keep going?
Yes, many times there are periods of inactivity. Even when everything seems to go well, and I might have some booked work, suddenly nothing progresses. During these times, I try to reassure myself that it’s just a phase in my journey and it won’t last forever. Of course, I also know I can’t stay idle; I need to keep moving forward.
Do you think people respect street artists the same way they respect artists on formal stages?
Unfortunately, most people don’t show the same respect to street artists as they do to performers on official stages, who carry prestige and formality. Street artists are often seen as mere entertainment for passersby, and they even face issues with the authorities, which I find really unfair.
What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve faced so far?
I wouldn’t say it’s just the financial difficulties, though they do play a big role, especially when you don’t have connections. Beyond that, it’s also the psychological side: the moments when I lose control over myself, the anxiety about the future, small failures, and the overwhelming love I have for music that sometimes makes me feel like I’m falling… I need to find the strength to get back up.
What is your biggest dream as an artist, and how would you imagine performing your music on a big stage?
My biggest dream since I was little was to sing on a large stage abroad, specifically in America. Even though I don’t make foreign music now, American pop was my first influence, and I’ve envisioned this moment many times. Even if it seems a bit crazy for it to actually happen. I imagine it as a dream: all the musicians coming together, combining their skills, and every song of mine transforming into a live experience. I’d like to wear something blue (the color that dominates my EP) and perform with all my sincerity and energy, looking at the audience below. I’m sure it would be an incredibly moving moment.
What would you like to leave behind for the people who listen to you—what message does your music convey?
Seeing life romantically doesn’t only apply to love, but to every moment. To notice purity, the beauty of the soul, because it certainly exists. And if music and imagination are the only ways we can perceive it, that’s something too. Life isn’t always rosy, and we should stay realistic, but sometimes it’s comforting to travel, even just a little, through melodies.
