“Two Lies” by the power pop duo Jamison & Maria Lynn tells a familiar story of having feelings for a friend and wondering whether to risk it all by just telling them, even though it could possibly end the friendship. We had the pleasure of interviewing Jamison and Maria Lynn, and here’s what they had to say:
Q: What got you into music?
JAMISON & LYNN: I was drawn to music from a very young age and in my early teens found myself writing poetry which quickly turned into writing lyrics and melodies until I learned how to play piano and guitar. I also began experimenting on GarageBand and continued to explore my passion for songwriting. I joined band in school when I was 9 years old and stayed very active in music ensembles, playing trumpet throughout my childhood and into college and even graduate school.
Q: What was your songwriting process for this song?
JAMISON & LYNN: This song was inspired by my exploration of dating in a new city (Nashville) while also having feelings for a friend. I remember sitting down at the keyboard and figuring out chords to some lyrics I had written down in my notes app. At the time, I was working closely with another writer, Anna Kline, and I brought the song to her to finish writing it. Months later, I reconnected with a New York-based artist, Maria Lynn, whom I really admired and she loved the song (as well as another song we co-released first – “Phone Sex”). She actually came to town last summer and we talked about changing the style to be more alt-pop punk because she had never sung a song in that genre before. Vocally, she also brought her unique style and emotion to the song and voilà, “Two Lies”!
Q: What role do you think music played in the early years of your life?
JAMISON & LYNN: Music was and is still incredibly important to me. It allowed me to express my thoughts, feelings, and emotions creatively and in a safe space. As an only child, I spent a good amount of time by myself. Music became my best friend and confidant. To this day, it’s often how I connect with myself and others.
Q: What is your favorite memory from your musical journey so far?
JAMISON & LYNN: The first one that comes to mind is having my song “Queen” co-released and performed by Kimmie Devereux at Nashville Pride last year and watching a pretty big crowd of people come to see her specifically and sing the lyrics and melodies that I wrote (co-written with MAYLN). It was an awesome moment and very surreal! A close second is watching episode 6 in Ginny & Georgia S1 which featured a song I co-wrote “Kicking On The Floor (Queen)” as well as having that same song on the official trailer for Hulu’s original movie “Crush”. I guess I should write more songs with Queen in the title haha!
Q: Who is one artist you would love to work with? Why?
JAMISON & LYNN: I have to pick just one! Sasha Alex Sloan without a doubt. I am constantly inspired and connect very personally with her lyrics and overall authenticity as an artist and person. A continued short list would include Julia Michaels, Halsey, Noah Cyrus, Gracie Abrams, and FLETCHER.
Q: If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
JAMISON & LYNN: Please pay your songwriters and give them masterpoints! Publishing royalties pay us bupkis (I’ve been on both sides as a writer and artist) and 9 times out of 10, we work for free and pray to the Gods we get a cut, and even then the royalties are a small paycheck. Labels and artists and accomplished writers have the ability to change the game when it comes to this. Streaming changed everything, for better or worse, but songwriters have gotten hit the hardest even though we’ve always been at the bottom of the chain. We are the catalysts and the first people that ever touch a song. Our value must be appreciated!
Interviewed by Zoey King
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