Artist Interview: maphe
With her lowercase moniker and emotionally potent songwriting, maphe is carving out a unique space in alt-pop. Her latest single, “you’re so cool”, is a self-aware anthem of unrequited love, blending vulnerable lyricism with a deceptively upbeat sound. Known for her brutally honest songwriting, layered vocals, and introspective storytelling, maphe continues to evolve while staying rooted in past versions of herself. In this candid interview, she opens up about her creative process, emotional growth, and what comes next.
Tori: You just released your new single “you’re so cool” – what inspired this self-aware take on unrequited love?
maphe: A past ‘relationship,’ if I can even call it that, with someone who really didn’t care about me at all. I knew they weren’t as into me as I was into them, but I just couldn’t stop hanging on. Writing this song now that I’m in a totally different place mentally was really cathartic, but I felt so bad for the old me who had no self-worth and let someone make me feel continuously unwanted. Like girl, just walk away.
Tori: You’ve described the track as “from the point of view of the frog” – how did that metaphor shape the way you approached writing it?
maphe: I’ve often felt like the frog someone kisses before they find their prince—just a stepping stone to “the one,” never a serious contender. I write a lot from that place of insecurity because I find it so fascinating. I feel like I’ll never run out of combinations of words to explain everything I’ve felt, and the beauty of music is that it can evoke such a specific mood. I want to make a song for every feeling I’ve ever had—I think it might take me a while.
Tori: The song captures that painful balance between acting chill and feeling everything – was it hard to find the right tone for something so specific?
maphe: It’s not the first time I’ve written a song in this vein. I write a lot about my own insecurities and feeling like I’m not enough, so I didn’t overthink it too much—I just went with what felt authentic. I think the song captures the feeling of desperation and hopelessness I wanted to portray, while still being upbeat. Music for when you want to cry but choose to dance instead.
Tori: How does “you’re so cool” reflect where you're at emotionally or artistically right now?
maphe: When I write, it’s often me looking back to a different time. Right now, I’m actually in a very happy relationship with someone who makes me feel so seen and appreciated, so emotionally I’m far from the feelings I sing about. But artistically, I find it easy to slip back into previous versions of myself and be creative from that past place. I feel like I’ve never fully moved on from anything that ever wounded me—which is frustrating as a person, but amazing as an artist.
Tori: You worked with Joe Connor again on this one – what’s your creative relationship like in the studio?
maphe: I love working with Joe! He’s my best friend, and that’s important because we can be honest with each other about our opinions. We work in a pretty relaxed way. I often prefer recording at one of our houses instead of in a studio—I feel less pressured that way.
Tori: There’s a real contrast between the upbeat sound and the vulnerability in the lyrics. Is that balance something you consciously aim for?
maphe: Maybe not consciously, but I do enjoy it. A lot of the music that inspires me does the same thing, and I think it’s really cool.
Tori: Your lyrics have a reputation for brutal honesty. Do you find songwriting more of a release, or more of a challenge?
maphe: Definitely a release. I write a lot of lyrics that no one will ever hear because it’s my way of processing things—like a diary.
Tori: What part of writing or recording “you’re so cool” felt the most cathartic?
maphe: I love writing lyrics—it’s such an emotional outlet. Second to that, I love adding layers of vocals and harmonies. Joe will play the track, and I’ll ad-lib and wail over it, then he’ll go away and play with those sounds and turn them into something different. Often, he’ll say he thinks it’s enough and the track is getting crowded, but in my opinion, it’s never too much—I always want more. I like a messy song.
Tori: You’ve been compared to artists like Lorde, Florence, and Marina – how have they influenced the way you write or perform?
maphe: I grew up listening to all of them, so whenever I get a comparison to anyone along those lines, it’s such a big compliment. I struggle to work out what genre my music is because I feel like it’s an amalgamation of everything I (and Joe) have ever listened to. I love how free Lorde is onstage and how her movements feel so authentic—that’s definitely influenced how I want to come across, too. I can be a little awkward, but I’m kind of leaning into that now. Maybe it’s just part of my brand.
Tori: What typically comes first when you write – a lyric, a melody, or a feeling?
maphe: The feeling, for sure—and then the melody and lyrics come at the same time. I often write a couple of versions of an idea and then choose the one that feels right. The other versions often end up as layers within the mix, because I love to stack different vocals on top of each other.
Tori: “you’re so cool” is such a vivid portrait of one-sided love. Do you usually draw from personal experiences, or do you write more observationally?
maphe: I always draw from personal experiences. I used to think I mostly wrote about past relationships and things that hurt me, but when I looked back recently, I realized a lot of my material stems from my relationship with myself and my mental health. I have OCD, and that affects how I see the world and react to things—so of course it influences my writing, too.
Tori: Has your writing process changed much since your early singles?
maphe: Not really. Either Joe or I come up with an idea and send it to the other to see if it sparks something. We tend to start a lot—the pile of finished singles is much smaller. I love it when we both get excited about the same idea and it gains momentum. Those are the ones that make it to release.
Tori: What do you hope someone who’s never heard maphe before takes away after hearing this track?
maphe: I just hope it makes them feel something. The music I listen to shapes me so much as a person—I’d love to be a part of that for someone else.
Tori: Now that “you’re so cool” is out in the world, how are you feeling about it?
maphe: I’m so happy it’s finally out, but I always find it difficult after I release something—I never know how to get it in front of a bigger audience. These days, it feels like being a musician isn’t enough—I have to be a content creator too and sell my face and personality online alongside my music. I’ve said before that I’m a really insecure person, so I find that hard—but I’m working on putting myself out there more and caring less about what people think.
Tori: Finally, what’s next for you? More singles, an EP, or something unexpected?
maphe: Yes! Everything—all of it. I know what I want the next single to be and I’m really excited about it. I’m also planning an EP that will be a little softer than my recent tracks and deeply rooted in nostalgia. For this, I’m aiming to create more visuals than I usually do, and I’m super excited about that.
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