Big Valley Jamboree: Mariya Stokes interview

Mariya Stokes took to the main stage at the Big Valley Jamboree on August 1 with plenty of flare and energy. Afterwards she chatted with The Gateway about her music and her style.

Stokes said she first fell in love with live music when she was about eight or nine-years-old. Her dad used to host a jam at a local bar in her hometown of Stavely, Alberta.

“I fell in love with live music and started sneaking into the bar on Sundays or Fridays or whatever day it was, just singing with the local jam band and then I just never really stopped after that,” Stokes said.

On why she was drawn to country specifically, she said she grew up on Johnny Cash, the Chicks, and a lot of 90s country. 

“I think one of the really special things about country music is that it is so rooted in storytelling,” she explained. “Three cords and the truth.”

That’s what her single “Fuck Pretty” is all about. The song came from scrolling on social media and seeing posts about improving your looks.

“There’s so much content out there like that and I was just really annoyed and pissed off because the people I love in my life, I love because they’re interesting and funny and smart,” Stokes said. “I think that is the most interesting thing about us.”

Stokes also just released her debut album, Mood Ring, in May. She said it’s been a labour of love over a few years.

“Having it out in the world and being able to play a place like Big Valley Jamboree and doing an all original set of songs that are already out in the world, there’s no better feeling for sure.”

She said that one of the highlights of playing a festival is getting to hang out backstage with new people and seeing her pals, as well as connecting with country fans.

“Also, Big Valley Jamboree had a catwalk,” Stokes said. “Definitely going to have to do that again.”

“I like the aesthetic, it makes me feel powerful for sure,” Stokes says

Stokes’ flair doesn’t just come from her music and lyrics, she also brings a 70s style to the stage. She said the style came from “shopping in the basement” and wearing a lot of her cousins’ clothes.

“I think it must have just evolved into what’s comfortable and what I like,” Stokes said. “I like the aesthetic, it makes me feel powerful for sure.”

She mentioned that she also makes some of her clothes, especially the bell bottoms. “I wrecked a couple of pairs of jeans before I got these ones done, I’ve made a couple successful pairs.”

Stokes also said she was going to add a couple more pieces to the outfit she wore onstage but couldn’t fit it into a two hour alteration. She said that while she sews, she needs a bit more time to successfully make her own clothes. 

The band also wore somewhat co-ordinating scarfs on themselves or on their instruments. When asked about it, Stokes asked if “you want the cool, hippy answer or do you want the real answer?”

“The real answer is I wear a FitBit onstage, and I really want to track my steps,” she said. “And I like how it moves and I have a huge collection of scarves. It just felt like a really easy way to kind of tie us together.”

Mood Ring can be streamed on Spotify and other major platforms. Stokes will also be playing in Sherwood Park on August 27.