Exploring independent pop music is a chance to hear songs outside your usual rotation. A release does not need to be attached to a huge campaign for its melody or lyrics to mean something to you. The most useful starting point is curiosity about the music itself.
Listen before looking at the numbers
Try hearing a song without deciding in advance what its audience size says about it. Ask what catches your ear: a vocal detail, a line, a rhythm or the way the chorus arrives. Your response does not have to match anyone else's.
Explore the original recordings
Artist websites can help you find the right profile and avoid confusing performers with similar names. Mayia Steadman's site links to her Spotify catalogue, making it easy to explore her own releases. Start with a song, then use her performance videos to hear another side of her work.
Explore Mayia’s performances and covers on YouTube or read My Story to get to know the artist behind the music.