( ENSPIRE Music ) mxmtoon Brings Rage, Sorrow, and Growth Through her New Album Liminal Space
ENSPIRE Contributor: Seanna Nona
Bedroom pop star mxmtoon, also known as Maia, made her way to the valley on her newest tour, The Liminal Space Tour. Born in Oakland, California, she was raised by a Chinese-American mom and a German-Scottish dad. She released her first song in July 2017, a tongue-in-cheek ode to Valentine’s Day called “1-800-DATEME”. More songs followed, giving off a poppy yet sad feel, leading her to be nicknamed the “Sad Ukulele Girl.”
In 2018, Maia released her debut EP, Plum Blossom. The hit song “feelings are fatal” was her first time releasing an emotionally vulnerable song. Being a young, closeted bisexual woman, mxmtoon felt like she was going to lose a sense of community and that she couldn’t come out. Little did she know she would find a community of proud LGBTQIA+ people and create that space for so many.
Jumping to the present-day mxmtoon’s newest album, Liminal Space, gets even more personal. Songs like “I hate texas” and “just a little” gave Maia a place to tell her story about being in a bad relationship and letting herself feel angry and be loud about it. “number one boy” and “now’s not the time” are melancholic and hard-hitting songs about growing up too fast and feeling like second best as a girl in the family. “The situation,” “VHS,” and “god?” are personal and relatable pieces about getting older and questioning what is out there in the world.
Mxmtoon once again visited The Van Buren in Phoenix on February 28, 2025. General admission and two VIP packages were offered: the Liminal Space Crafting Package and the Dramatic Early Entry Package. Will, one of the attendees, has this to say about his experience.
How did you first discover mxmtoon?
Through a friend’s Spotify playlist back in late 2019 after her first album came out. Found her Bandcamp and have been hooked ever since.
What is your favorite song off her newest album, Liminal Space, and why?
My favorite off LS is Rain. I grew up in the Midwest but moved to California about ten years ago. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve missed being in Chicago less and less, instead missing California and feeling stuck here in Arizona.
mxmtoon is a biracial bisexual woman who has made strides in accepting herself and making a safe space for those who can relate to her. Because of this, have you felt a special connection to her, her songs, and the fandom?
mxmtoon’s music and fandom are welcoming and generally chill, and the community is super inclusive. I think I’m a bit of an outlier in her demographic (mid-twenties straight male), but said community has the common denominator of enjoying the music and being an ally to each other. The fact I feel at home in the crowd despite not being LGBT is a testament to mxmtoon’s fandom and artistry.
Another attendee, going by the name Punchparty, had a great experience and had this to share:
What does mxmtoon mean to you?
She has been a source of comfort and inspiration, reminding me of the power of self-expression and the importance of embracing who you are.
Have you been to venues other than The Van Buren? If so, what are your opinions on The Van Buren versus the different venues?
I have been to some venues in Phoenix/Tucson, and the Van Buren is one of my favorites. I love the chill atmosphere of the venue.
mxmtoon is a biracial bisexual woman who has made strides in accepting herself and making a safe space for those who can relate to her. Because of this, have you felt a special connection to her, her songs, and the fandom?
Yes, I teared up during the concert when she spoke about her bi-identity because I could relate to what she was saying. I come from a traditional Catholic/Hispanic community, so I related to her when she said she was afraid of coming out and not being accepted in her community.
Lastly, I spoke with Robin about her experience at The Van Buren:
What does mxmtoon mean to you?
mxmtoon means a lot to me. I found her right as I reached my teenage years, and throughout them, I have watched her grow as I have. I relied on her music a lot in my early teens, and she has the perfect blend of managing authenticity in topics such as mental health, relationships, and, most importantly, self-discovery. Her music is part of what has shaped me to be who I am now. Maia’s writing has always spoken to me, but her latest album, Liminal Space, has spoken to me more than all the others.
What is your favorite song from her newest album, Liminal Space, and why?
It is hard to choose a favorite from Liminal Space because I love all the songs, but if I had to choose, passenger side. This song is about a relationship Maia was in and the independence she felt after leaving said relationship. I was in a relationship in the past where I felt the same way, always on the passenger side, and this song spoke to me as what Maia describes is almost exactly how I felt and feel now. One of the lyrics in the song, “I wish that I could take back all the time wasted on a lover,” stands out to me as I share the same sentiment, as the end of that relationship ultimately led to self-discovery and independence. Now I’m “on the other side”. A close runner-up would be just a little about societal expectations upon women, where we’re not supposed to feel any feelings, especially anger, in a way that can be visibly seen or heard. Maia wrote the song about being “just a little” angry, where you have to pretend it’s no big deal even when you are more than just that little. There’s a lyric in the bridge that is repeated that says, “Feel so much ‘til I feel nothing,” which pretty much sums up the whole essence of the song and the feelings that resonate with it.
How was your VIP experience?
I’ve done a few VIP experiences with different artists and bands, but this one is my favorite. I had the Liminal Space package, which consisted of a VIP exclusive Q&A and a few merch items. There were around 35-40 of us in VIP. Part of the merch package was a “Create your own Liminal Space” tote bag with a space to draw on. We supplied markers and pins to decorate the bags while Maia answered questions, which felt way more involved than your average group photo and go VIP experiences. She spent time answering each question and tried to get most, if not all, of them answered. Overall, the VIP experience was great, and it was cool to get some “one-on-one” time with Maia while she responded to our questions.
Maia, mxmtoon, from young Youtuber to bedroom pop queer wasian icon has touched many of our hearts and has also found a community for herself. From upbeat music to sorrowful and authentic personal experiences, the fans of mxmtoon have found a place to get lost in.
To connect with mxmtoon, you can find her on:
Instagram: @mxmtoon
Tiktok: @mxmtoon
YouTube: mxmtoon
X: @mxmtoon
Spotify: mxmtoon
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