Fanni Mayer is not a name you are going to want to forget.

Hailing from Budapest, Hungary Mayer made her debut in 2018 with the release of her first single “Horizon,” which has since gained over 20k listens on Spotify alone, in addition to the singer’s impressive 50+k views on YouTube.

Now, with four attention grabbing electro-pop singles under her belt, including this year’s “MISUSE” and “Stranger Things,” leading into the later half of 2020, Mayer has taken this year in stride- heavily focusing on self discovery and self reflection as an effort to channel her art in new ways.

And though nothing has gone as planned this year, we were fortunate enough to chat with Mayer as the latest edition of our Quarantine Questionnaire series to learn more about her creative process over the past eight months and to find out her hopes for the gradual return to normalcy.

You can read our full interview with the songstress below, and be sure to stream her latest single “MISUSE,” out now.

Second Society Report: How are you holding up during this insane year that is 2020? Hopefully your friends and family are staying safe and healthy!

Fanni Mayer: Hey, thank you for asking. I’m doing okay, my family’s healthy and safe but I lost a friend a couple days ago… one of the greatest music teachers I know. I can’t describe how I feel right now. I’m sad and angry, I feel a lot of things. I hope your loved ones are doing fine, staying safe and healthy!

SSR: Did you have any big releases or tours that were put on hold because of the pandemic? How has that affected you? (could be personally, financially, morale wise, etc.)

FM:Yes, unfortunately a lot of gigs got cancelled for an understandable reason, I had to rearrange my plans like many of us so I did what I could, writing new songs, learning new things etc. Trying to get ready for what’s next, hoping for good… 

Luckily we’ve been able to shoot a music video for my latest release ‘MISUSE’ at the end of August, safely between the first and second wave of the pandemic.

SSR: How have you been spending your newfound “downtime” while the world has been essentially shut down?

FM: I practised more on guitar and I was reading a lot, great books like The Great Gatsby, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Harari (highly recommended). And I used this time for self reflection, got to know myself better which is the greatest and most rewarding journey for any human being I guess. Self-knowledge is very important.

SSR: Have you picked up any new hobbies while quarantining that you’d like to share?

FM: Oh yes, eating junk food in front of the TV, watching trash reality shows and practicing how to wear one hoodie for 2 weeks straight haha but I picked up more conductive habits too, like running. Yeah, running is cool.

SSR: Have you worked on any new releases during this time? Any that are already out or that we can get a sneak peak of?

FM: Yes, my freshest release is called “MISUSE.” This song is a true breakup anthem so go check it out! 

SSR: If already out- what was the inspiration for the release? 

FM: This song is inspired by personal experiences, a love-hate kind of relationship. 

SSR: Have you written any songs specifically about the state of the world right now?

FM: Yes I have and I can’t wait to show it to the people.

SSR: How has it been being an artist in a time when you cannot tour? How have you been working to promote your music and expand your reach?

FM: As I see it’s all about the online platforms, online communications so you gotta keep up with this, I’m working on that skill because I’m not a master of it to be honest.

SSR: Do you have any words of advice for fans that are feeling particularly bummed out about the live music world coming to a halt?

FM: Being mentally flexible is key especially nowadays so try to do some sport every day, meditate, do things that make you feel better, never lose hope for good and pretty please stay safe, wear that damn mask in public if not for yourself for others we have to take responsibility for each other. 

And hang in there – there will be festivals, live shows again, there will be “free hugs” again and in the meantime let’s dance in our kitchen! 

SSR: When the world returns to a safer spot and we are able to (hopefully) attend live shows again- say in 2021- what do you hope to achieve?

FM: I want to release my first LP, move to London and play live music as much as possible.

SSR: Is there anything you wish your fans would know about you or about the current state of the music world?

FM: Please support your local artists, stream their music, do what you can and support important causes, educate yourself on climate change for example. Well, about me.. I’m a huge Spice Girls fan, a mayonnaise addict, I love documentaries and I’m a dog person.

You can stream Mayer’s latest single “MISUSE” out now and be sure to follow along on social media to stay up to date on all of her future releases.

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