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Maia Toakley grew up immersed in music, yet she had never written a song. It wasn’t until the rigid structure of an architecture degree started to crumble that her own poetic voice emerged, revealing song after raw, sensitive song. The songs poured out with such urgency that she abandoned the drafting table to allow the torrent of melodies to define her path instead.  Since then, she has carved out a place in Sydney’s live music scene, balancing grit and tenderness in performances that fill rooms with audiences who seem to instantly connect. There’s a real sense of trust in Toakley’s voice, it’s grounded and full of conviction, but still carries a softness. Whether she’s delivering an unflinching ballad or a folk rock anthem, she moves between styles with ease from her sold-out headline dates, her shoulder-to-shoulder set at SXSW Sydney in 2025 and numerous support slots with artists such as The Belair Lip Bombs, The Moving Stills, and Sophie May (UK).