Maya Hawke on the Song That Struck a Chord
Maya Hawke opens up about her powerful connection to Fiona Apple's 'Under the Table' and reflects on her journey in acting and music.
If you haven’t jumped on the Stranger Things bandwagon by now, you’re probably in the minority. The show’s been everywhere for years, and for good reason – it’s clever, packed with nostalgia, and the soundtrack’s a ripper. Plus, it’s launched a bunch of young stars, including Maya Hawke, who’s become a fan favourite since joining the cast. With the latest season making waves online, it’s not a bad time to revisit where it all began back in 2016, when the cast were just kids and Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’ was still a throwback rather than a chart-topper again.
Watching those early episodes, you’re reminded how sharp the writing is, both in the storylines and the way the characters have grown. The show’s seen us through a fair bit – pandemics, rising prices, and all sorts of global dramas – but like the classic 80s films it nods to, the Hawkins crew are always up for another adventure as soon as that big red Netflix logo pops up.
From Hawkins to Hollywood
Maya Hawke didn’t show up until the third season in 2019, but she quickly made her mark as Robin, teaming up with Steve in the ice cream shop that ended up being pretty central to the plot. Let’s be honest, having Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman as parents probably didn’t hurt her chances in the industry, but it’s what she’s done with those opportunities that counts. She proved her chops early on with a role in the BBC’s Little Women, a small part in Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and then landed in the Duffer Brothers’ supernatural hit.
Since then, she’s ticked off some big names – appearing in Bradley Cooper’s Maestro, getting a spot in a Wes Anderson film with Asteroid City, and even voicing a character in a Pixar flick. Not bad for someone who’s not even 30 yet. But acting’s not her only gig; she’s also been making waves as a musician, dropping her first singles in 2019 and following up with three albums: Blush, Moss, and Chaos Angel.
Musical Influences and Inspirations
Hawke’s talked a lot about her love for folk and solo female artists, mentioning the likes of Phoebe Bridgers, Joni Mitchell, and Leonard Cohen as influences. But there’s another name that’s had a big impact on her. In her own words:
“Fiona Apple is another big one for me. She’s so inventive, and when I hear her observations about the world, I’m always like ‘Fuck!’ When I listened to her song ‘Under the Table’ from her new record, I related to it so profoundly that I wished I could have dragged it out of my stomach as my own. I feel what she’s saying so much, and it’s so specific and so true.”
Fiona Apple, who grew up in New York, shot to fame young – her debut album Tidal went triple platinum in the US when she was just 19. ‘Under the Table’ comes from her 2020 album Fetch the Bolt Cutters, which was only her third release in two decades.
Looking Ahead
As for what’s next, Hawke’s not slowing down. She’s set to take on a major role in the upcoming Hunger Games film, Sunrise on the Reaping, which is due to hit screens in 2026. With both her acting and music careers in full swing, she’s showing no signs of taking it easy any time soon.