Mai Leisz Releases Her Vocal Debut EP What Love Can Be – A Healing Journey Into Finding Her Voice

Press release
April 11 2025

Today, Estonian bassist Mai Leisz, known for her work with iconic artists like David Crosby and Jackson Browne, releases her vocal debut EP, What Love Can Be. After nearly two decades of silence, Mai is stepping back into the spotlight with a project that showcases not only her bass playing but also her vocals.

Mai first began singing as a child and loved performing. However, in her teens, she experienced a difficult period of stage fright and performance anxiety, which led her to step away from singing. Choosing instead to focus on the bass, she dedicated herself to mastering the instrument. Now, after nearly 20 years of silence, Mai is finding her voice again. What Love Can Be marks a profound journey of self-discovery, combining the wisdom of life experiences with the beauty of musical expression.

The title track, What Love Can Be, is the emotional centerpiece of the EP. This deeply moving song reflects Mai's return to her home country of Estonia after the pandemic, where she witnessed the changes in her homeland — and in herself. The song explores themes of family, love, and the passage of time. It’s a heartfelt conversation with her parents, who assure her with the comforting words, "I will always be here for you." Yet, as Mai writes, there is an unspoken truth — that the day will inevitably come when they won't be here. This bittersweet realization is underscored by the raw emotion of Mai’s voice, and the intimate presence of her family, who joined her in singing on the track.

Other tracks include Mo Chuisle Mo Chroi, an instrumental duet between fretless bass and Greg Leisz on pedal steel guitar. I Am The Architect brings a fusion of world music vibes and features an oud performance by Andrew Kzirian. If My Heart Was A Compass also brings a rare instrument, the traditional West African n’goni, played by Andrew Synowiec. The EP also includes the heartfelt ballad Stars Like Fireflies, with Greg Leisz’s pedal steel guitar adding a rich emotional layer to the song, Michael Landau on guitar, Lee Pardini on piano and Alan Hertz on drums. Other collaborators include Rachel Eckroth (keyboards), Jake Reed (drums) and Mai’s bass teacher, Raul Vaigla, who plays a beautiful fretless bass and e-bow intro to the title track.

In a statement, Mai shared, "After being away from singing for so long, coming back to my voice has been a healing process. What Love Can Be is a tribute to family, home, and the beauty of understanding that love remains, even through change. Since becoming a mother myself just a few months ago, this song has taken on a whole new meaning. The themes of love and the passage of time feel even more poignant as I now experience these emotions from the perspective of parenthood."

What Love Can Be is a beautifully crafted EP that will resonate with listeners on multiple levels — from its touching lyrics to its lush, atmospheric instrumentation. The tracks are a reflection of a woman who has found her voice in more ways than one, with lyrics that reveal a depth of maturity and life experience beyond her years.

What Love Can Be is now available on all major streaming platforms.