As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry,GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, R&B/pop singer Maeta shares her Quarantine Diary. Her new single ‘Teen Scene,’ produced by Kaytranda, is out everywhere now.
[7 a.m.] Woke up. First thing I did is grab my phone, which is a habit I’m trying to break! I feel like the first 30 minutes to an hour after you wake up are sort of sacred and you should spend that time doing peaceful things to start your day. Although I love social media, I wouldn’t call it peaceful, so I try not to do it immediately. But today I failed!!! I checked Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Laid there, and for about 30 minutes, pondered life until it was time to jump in the shower. Then I got ready and left for my appointment.
[11 a.m.] I went to the dentist and came home around 11. I have the biggest sweet tooth when I’m working/recording, so I gotta make sure I’m taking care of my teeth. Once home, I spent the next hour doing my makeup, which I love to have fun with. I did a quick clean around my apartment and blasted some music on my new speaker gifted to me by my friend Amber, a photographer I work with. She ended up coming over, and we shot some behind-the-scenes of me getting ready. Capturing all the moments of being an artist is something I’m starting to get used to. She was with me today because it was my first rehearsal with my new band, and we wanted to document all the feelings I had during these new experiences for me.
[12:30 p.m.] We had a little time, and we were both starving, so we headed to Hollywood to grab some food. My favorite is Tender Greens, so that’s where we went. I got the fried chicken of course, and Amber got salmon and rice. Out of all the new places I’ve tried since moving to L.A., Tender Greens has a special place in my heart. One of my favorite producers, J. Lbs, ordered it during one of my first ever sessions here, and I’ve loved it ever since. Amber and I were in a rush, so we just picked it up and ran to rehearsal.
[2 p.m.] Got to rehearsal. First ones there, of course, as everybody in L.A. comes late to everything. Everybody here always has a packed day, so rarely do schedules line up perfectly. Indiana is so simple, and people are not really in a rush there, so it annoyed me when I first came here, but I am definitely used to it now. It’s taught me to go with the flow. I used this time to eat and check my phone before starting.
[6 p.m.] Rehearsal was amazing. It was my first one with my new band, so it was all very new to me. But it was crazy to see my songs being played live. I couldn’t stop smiling! I love seeing my songs broken down and flipped based on the musicians' take on it. It’s such a collaboration, which might be my favorite part about being an artist. We worked on a lot of stuff, including songs off my upcoming project, Habits. It was especially cool to sing my new single “Teen Scene” with a full band.
[7 p.m.] After rehearsal, my friend Alex came over. We had tacos and chatted for a couple of hours. I am so grateful for her and all of my people here. I was once so lonely when I first moved to L.A., so I'm incredibly happy to have an apartment now with actual furniture and actual friends to be with lol! I feel like I'm starting to feel at home here. After a few hours of hanging, I ended up slightly falling asleep on my floor, so I knew it was time for me to go to bed lol.
[11 p.m.] After a long day, I just want to jump in bed and knock out; Taking off my makeup is the last thing I want to do. But the number one rule of skincare is sleeping with a clean face, so I had to. After that, I clean up and check Instagram one last time until I finally passed out. It was a great day!!!
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