On paper, Jaqueline F. Moore had it all mapped out — thriving therapy practice, teaching at her alma mater, certifications in yoga and reiki, paintings that lift you out of the everyday. Creativity had always been part of her DNA. But somewhere between the structured success and the spiritual exploration, there was a quiet voice nudging her toward something more.
Enter Maya Lumen — the musical identity born from that whisper. It took a devastating hip rupture to shift everything. Unable to play her bass during recovery, she reached for a mahogany Martin guitar instead, and that moment became a turning point. What emerged wasn’t just a new instrument choice — it was a new artistic chapter. Now, under the Maya Lumen moniker, she’s carving out a sound she calls “progressive desperado” — a rich blend of intricate chord progressions, rock textures, and touches of folk and Latin influence. It’s layered, expansive, and emotionally attuned.
Her latest release, “Maynard’s Song,” might be the most intimate glimpse into that world yet. The track draws its heart from an unlikely hero: a black cat named after Tool’s Maynard James Keenan. During some of Lumen’s most difficult periods, this feline companion became a grounding presence — a small but mighty source of comfort. Originally sparked by inspiration from a teenage friend, the song evolved slowly over the years, gathering warmth and depth along the way.
And you can feel that evolution. “Maynard’s Song” slinks rather than strides. It carries a subtle moodiness that mirrors its namesake — mysterious, shadowy, but tender underneath. Soft acoustic layers intertwine with warm basslines and gently shuffling rhythms that feel sunbaked, almost Western in tone. There’s something cinematic about it, like a desert dusk painted in sound. No grand declarations, no overcomplicated metaphors — just emotion, steady and sincere.
Visually, the accompanying music video extends Lumen’s carefully constructed aesthetic. Shot in striking black and white to align with her art book’s design, the imagery leans into abstraction. No literal cats are prowling the frame; instead, dark silhouettes sway and twist as Lumen and her band immerse themselves in the music. It feels intentional and cohesive — a fusion of sound, motion, and visual art that reflects her broader creative mission.
Community plays a central role here, too. The video came together with the help of local musicians, dancers, and directors, reinforcing Lumen’s belief in collective creation. Her work — both sonic and visual — consistently considers how it resonates beyond the individual, tapping into something shared and unseen rather than overtly explained.
With “Maynard’s Song,” Maya Lumen isn’t just releasing a single. She’s laying another stone on a path that merges therapy, spirituality, art, and music into one evolving identity. It’s early days in this chapter, but the intention is crystal clear.
‘Maynard’s Song’ is a hypnotic and heartfelt offering from Maya Lumen
