Colle

Colle, the moniker of New York experimental musician Maya McGrory, has released Montalvo, a collection of songs that return to her past, offering a perspective of multiple lives lived at once. This reflection contrasts with her present, exploring how these early experiences shape and rebuild her understanding of connection and healing. Initially an experiment in electronic music production, Colle became McGrory's defining musical voice with the release of her first EP For Now. Her music invites listeners into immersive emotional landscapes, where expansive glacial synths, strings, and driving beats converge, enriched by her sincere and alluring vocal delivery.

Drawing inspiration from the notion of living multiple lives, McGrory's childhood memory of living on Montalvo Rd. serves as a prism through which she views her existence. She navigates through the contrasting landscapes of her life, finding solace in the innocence and simplicity reminiscent of childhood. Now, her focus lies solely on the ephemeral, on the effortless flow of existence. In the world of childhood, worries are scarce, and even the harshest conditions hold a certain allure. And though the journey back may seem daunting, Colle feels that it’s not merely a matter of distance it's a journey of rediscovery, of embracing the innocence and wonder that defines her today.

Throughout Montalvo, the songs swell and flow with natural instrumentations and samples. Haunting, poignant synths and strings envelop the tracks, creating a foundation for McGrory’s vocals, which feel like a faint, distant call in the dark of night. Delayed and open guitar strings add harp-like textures, while the driving, trip-hop shoegaze inspired beats propel the music into an experimental interpretation of electronic rock. McGrory infuses her melodies with chromatic notes, creating a captivating blend of familiarity and innovation. The album, originally conceived as a return to a specific time in her life, evolves into a journey back to traditional songwriting, only to be reimagined into a distinct experimental version during the production process.

McGrory's musical evolution is tangible, drawing from her varied experiences within club culture, creating visual art, and participating in performance art spaces, along with her involvement in live alternative rock ensembles. This breadth of musical affiliations reflects a newfound maturity in her latest release, marking significant growth in her music career. McGrory's performances transcend traditional settings, often taking place in nontraditional spaces and enhanced by immersive sensory experiences. Performing sometimes with Mitchell Hiers, she incorporates his live projections, projecting abstract visuals generated from old 3D computer programs onto the performance space as she plays live guitar over her computer tracks. These innovative elements combine to create a unique and captivating audiovisual experience for her audience.