An Interview! We are thrilled to announce the premiere of “Daydreaming,” the sensational new single and music video from the talented German-French artist, Maéva. Following her captivating debut with “Boots,” Maéva continues to enchant audiences with her distinctive blend of French pop elegance and cinematic storytelling.
“Daydreaming” is an intimate anthem that beautifully captures the essence of first love—the innocent and unrestrained kind that lingers in our memories. With vibrant imagery of late-night drives, lipstick-stained kisses, and euphoric dances until dawn, the song evokes a bittersweet longing for love untainted by the scars of the past. It speaks to our universal desire to return to a time when love felt limitless and heartbreak was just a distant thought.
Follow via @maeva_roth
Video + Photos by Arnaud Ele @arnaud.ele
Produced by John Dear @polo.wl
Mastered by Giovanni Scala @giobbemastering
Starring @kendowz
Produced in the heart of Paris by John Dear and meticulously mastered by Giovanni Scala, “Daydreaming” intertwines spoken-word intimacy with lush soundscapes, showcasing Maéva’s unique ability to paint her personal experiences through music. The accompanying music video, directed by Arnaud Ele and shot entirely on Super 8 film, further immerses viewers in this nostalgic world, portraying love as a fleeting yet unforgettable dream.
Featuring actor Kenneth O’Berg, the visuals reflect the song’s themes of intimacy, distance, and memory, with nature as a silent witness to the evolving narrative. The bold colour palette of red, black, white, blue, and green artfully amplifies the emotions conveyed throughout the video, offering a visual feast akin to a remembrance of a profound relationship.
Maéva’s artistic approach pushes the boundaries between music, cinema, and poetry, presenting a modern ode to love that is both messy and breathtaking—an exploration of the beautifully human aspects of our connections. Drawing inspiration from the avant-garde aesthetics of the 1970s, the retro textures and grainy footage create a timeless atmosphere that resonates deeply.
As we celebrate Maéva’s outstanding artistry, we look forward to her upcoming projects and the continued evolution of her musical journey. With her rich blend of influences and captivating storytelling, Maéva is undoubtedly an artist to keep an eye on as she embraces the myriad facets of her talent.
KB: What inspired you to write “Daydreaming” and what message do you hope to convey through the song?
I wrote this song at a time when I already felt that I was about to lose someone dear to my heart, not because of a lack of love, but because of past traumas and the inability to heal them quickly enough to save a connection that touched me deeply.
It made me remember the first time I fell in love. As we grow older, we carry our stories into every new encounter, and with them the fear of being hurt again. I suddenly longed for the unknown of a proper heartbreak — for that naïve courage of throwing your whole heart into a story without yet knowing how it feels when it might one day break.
But like almost everything in life, it eventually passes. I wanted to get lost one last time, and so I wrote this song to remind myself to snap out of my daydreams, which still is a perfect escape from reality sometimes.
KB: How does this single differ from your debut “Boots” in terms of themes or emotions?
While Boots was bold and playful, a declaration of freedom and self-expression, Daydreaming is a silent wish of a love story that I secretly hoped would have gone differently.
KB: Can you share more about the creative process behind the music video and what it means to you?
For me, it was important to capture a feeling rather than tell a literal story. I wanted it to reflect the intimacy, nostalgia, and fleeting emotions of the song — the push and pull of longing, first love, and self-discovery. I wanted to create visuals that feel alive and imperfect, like memories or daydreams, so Arnaud Ele, my incredibly inspiring friend and videographer, and I decided to use the imperfect beauty of Super 8 cinema, inspired by the avant-garde aesthetics of the 1970s. The visual language is built on a bold colour palette — red, black, white, blue, and green — with each shade carrying emotional resonance that mirrors the essence of a relationship between two people.
KB: How has your heritage influenced your music and artistic vision?
“Being half French has not only shaped how I feel and see, but also how I tell stories. I grew up surrounded by a culture that celebrates art, cinema, poetry, and literature, and I’ve been writing poems since I was little — a lyricism that naturally flows into my music. There’s a certain romanticism and melancholy in my work, a way of capturing fleeting emotions and translating them into sound, words, and image. It’s not just style; it’s a way of experiencing the world, deeply rooted in my French heritage.”
KB: What role does nostalgia play in your creative work, especially in “Daydreaming”?
Nostalgia plays a big one (laughing). Even though I am half French, I grew up in Germany, while visiting France only a few times a year. That has created an infinite nostalgia for my ‘other half’ — a longing I’m always trying to capture and live through my work. And Daydreaming is exactly that… nostalgia.
KB: What was it like working with John Dear and Giovanni Scala during the production of this piece?
“Working with John Dear was like going on a walk with an old friend who sees right through you, even though you’ve never met. I came with written lyrics and a melody in my head, without really knowing what the song would sound like… and he just turned it into music, building a whole world around it that was exactly what I wanted — without even knowing what I wanted. At the same time, Giovanni’s production added layers of colour and movement that make the track feel cinematic. And it all happened in Paris… which made it even more special for my little French heart ;)”
KB: How do you blend elements of music, cinema, and poetry in your art?
It always starts with a feeling, which I try to translate into poetic lyrics. Simultaneously, I find a melody in my head that underlines this feeling. When the musical world around it starts building up, images pop into my head, and I often already have a spark of a vision of what the music video could look like. In my art, in the end, it all comes down to transporting that very first feeling.
KB: What emotions did you hope to evoke in the audience with the visuals of the “Daydreaming” video?
I wanted the video to be a contrast to the music, reflecting more nostalgia and the perspective of adulthood rather than the innocent feelings of the little girl I once was. A bittersweet beauty of memory and longing, a sense of looking back while fully aware of the present.
KB: Could you elaborate on how nature is represented in the music video and its significance to the story?
Nature, in general, but especially water, has always represented healing for me. When I find myself in the darkest spots, I always dream of being by the ocean. So for me, it was very clear from the beginning that this dreamy escape from reality had to be shot by the water. Nature mirrors both transformation and fleetingness, and by placing the characters within these natural elements, the video captures the delicate tension between closeness and distance, past and present, and the bittersweet beauty of the moments the song evokes.
KB: What artistic influences shaped your sound, especially in the context of this new single?
I find this question difficult to answer because there wasn’t really one artistic influence that shaped this song. But in general, I can say that I grew up with a lot of French music from the ’70s and ’80s, like Michel Sardou, Françoise Hardy, or Serge Gainsbourg, which definitely had some sort of impact. But also Tina Turner, Bettye Swann, The Beatles, Ray Charles, and Pink Floyd are all artists that influenced me along the way.
KB: Looking ahead to 2026, what can your fans expect from you in terms of new music or projects?
I’m releasing four more singles over the next year, which together will form my first EP. Right now, I’m planning to shoot the music video for my third single next month in France.
KB: How do you stay true to yourself and your experiences while navigating the music industry?
That’s a very good question — I’m actually still figuring that out myself.
We are excited to share in Maéva’s journey and look forward to the inspirations and creations that lie ahead.
