"Music just feels like home" – May Zoean on staying true to her sound
"I just let my creativity lead the way. I try not to overthink my process. I let my emotions and instincts guide me. "
In celebration of International Women's Day and Women's History Month, we spoke with May Zoean, a producer, songwriter, and artist whose music flows from deep intuition and raw emotion. From crafting songs on a QWERTY keyboard to mastering expressive instruments like the Seaboard, she’s built a sound that balances ethereal atmospheres with striking melodies. Read on as she shares her journey of resilience, creativity, and taking the brave leap from making music in secret, to sharing it with the world.
What has your musical journey been like over the years?
Sitting on the sand, watching ocean waves for hours, painting abstract art with acrylic paints, writing, swimming, and dancing — these are my favorite things to do. They also happen to be my biggest sources of inspiration and the driving forces behind my music.
My musical journey started when I was very young - a little girl searching for a way to express herself musically. With no access to traditional instruments, I naturally gravitated toward music production. My tools back then were limited to an old desktop computer and a QWERTY keyboard. While the lack of gear could have been limiting, it taught me to be resourceful and creative, finding ways to stay true to my sound despite the limitations. Now, years later, my instruments are a vital part of my creative process.
What inspired you to pursue a musical career, and how has your artistic style evolved?
I love this question because, honestly, I have no idea when or how it all started or if anything inspired me to pursue a musical career. It just happened. I wasn’t influenced by anyone around me; I believe it was simply something I was born into. Life seemed to nudge me closer and closer to music, and every small moment along the way contributed to shaping me into the artist I am today. I’ve always had an abundance of musical ideas in my head and just needed a way to bring them to life.
As for my artistic style, I’m still making the same kind of music I started with. I've always been drawn to finding the perfect balance between atmospheric, ethereal energy and catchy vocal melodies. I love building songs from the ground up, with no loops, relying mostly on the sounds I can pull from my heart.
Though I’m always evolving and refining my skills, I remain committed to the sound that helped me discover who I am as an artist. To be honest, I still have no idea what I’m doing, I just let my creativity lead the way. And people seem to enjoy it, so I keep going. I try to not overthink my process. I let my emotions and instincts guide me. Music just feels like home.
Can you share a defining moment in your career that shaped who you are as an artist today?
Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I was consistently discouraged from pursuing music by those around me, leading me to keep my passion a secret. However, at some point, I decided to take a leap of faith and created an Instagram account to share my music with strangers - who, unexpectedly, became my biggest supporters. That seemingly small decision marked a transformative turning point in my journey.
It took years of tiny steps to get to the point where I could do music full-time, and surprisingly every opportunity and collaboration I’ve had came through social media, primarily Instagram. So, that moment when I chose to share my music online was the pivotal turning point in my career.
The theme for International Women’s Day this year is “Accelerate Action” — What does "Accelerating Action" mean to you, and how do you embody this theme in your work and career?
Here’s my mini guide to accelerating action: Focus on solutions, not problems. Keep shining, keep doing what you love, and opportunities will come. Don’t let anyone steal your sparkle. There’s no need to chase anything. When you truly love what you do and enjoy the process, you create a kind of natural magnetism that draws people and opportunities in. And make sure to create music not for money or fame, but for the nourishment of the soul.
What is your usual production setup like, and what are your favorite or essential pieces of gear needed for live performances or in the studio? How do these instruments impact your creativity?
My creative flow is always fueled by a pair of Piano Ms, a Seaboard at my side, my headphones, and my microphone, always ready for those spontaneous bursts of inspiration. I like to keep my instruments within reach so I can act on ideas in the moment. The wireless flexibility of the keys and Seaboard keeps me in the zone.
The expressiveness of the Seaboard and the versatility of the Piano Ms have been essential tools in my music production for the past two years. Now, with the release of ROLI Piano and Airwave, I can already tell these are going to become staples in my setup as well.
I also keep my hard drive connected with my favorite organic drum kit sounds. I’ve been really enjoying the process of building drum loops from scratch. Of course, I always have my laptop, Logic Pro, and my favorite wavetable synthesizer, Serum, ready to go. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with sampling random sounds and modulating them using Serum’s noise oscillator to create unique synths. Exploring new techniques and constantly learning is a crucial part of my creative journey.
We’ve seen you as someone who enjoys learning how to play music, posting to inspire audiences through what you create, and developing your own unique performance. What inspires you to keep your music production innovative and resonates with a diverse audience?
I’ll let you in on a secret: I love it way too much. I genuinely have the most fun making both my music and reels. That joy translates into everything I create, perhaps people love to see it too, and hopefully feel inspired to create their own tunes as well.
What personal actions have you found most effective in overcoming industry challenges as a woman in an often male-dominated field like music production?
When I first started, there were no female producers to look up to, which made being confident in music as a producer even more challenging. I was often told that women don’t and should not produce music. But my love for it was far too strong to let anything or anyone stop me. Which unfortunately turned me into a hyper-independent, never trusting anyone with my music. I had to learn and achieve everything by myself, figure every small detail out on my own, and pave my own path in music without anybody’s help and support. That mindset has carried me through every challenge. One shouldn’t sit and wait for someone else to treat them in a certain way so they can reach their goals, everything is in one’s hands.
What’s next for you? Are there any projects you’re currently working on that we can look forward to later this year or in the future?
I have a new song release, which I created and produced entirely on my own, dropping right before International Women’s Day - perfect timing! It’s been a while since I released a song that is completely mine, and I’m beyond excited. The song is titled Undress Your Mind, and it delves into the desire to truly understand someone's inner world, and to uncover more of who they really are beneath the surface.
This year will bring many exciting projects. Right now, I’m answering these questions mid-flight from LA to NYC on a creative getaway, where I’ll be working on making more music, alone surrounded by the energy of the city, with my favorite ROLI gear with me. I’m thrilled to see what the rest of the year brings, and I’m especially excited that ROLI will be a big part of these upcoming projects.
Follow May on Instagram, YouTube and Spotify for more updates on her musical journey.
