Dwayna Litz is the kind of artist who lives and breathes her music. Jazz, country, books, motivational speeches, social projects, and all of it delivered with a charming smile and a gaze that seems to know exactly what you’re thinking. In her song “Maybe,” she sings about love ,the kind that arrives out of nowhere, sweeps everything away, and quietly asks, “What if this is real?” . We spoke with Dwayna about music, inspiration, and how to keep believing in true feelings – even when everything around you says, “Well… maybe.”

Dwayna, our readers are familiar with your previous work, we previously covered the release of your single “Stayin’ Gone.” Today we are happy to have the opportunity to get to know you better as an artist and a person. But first, please tell us a bit more about your track “Maybe”: what inspired you to create it and what story did you want to convey through it?

First of all, thank you so much for allowing me to share more about myself and the inspiration behind my song, “Maybe,” in Voxwave as I love this opportunity to connect more with your readers.

My song, “Maybe,” was written out of the beginning stages of chemistry in a new relationship and the surprise of it that makes you look forward to every phone call and when you will see the person again and the possibility of never having to let someone go. The feelings are real, but it is a mystery as to whether or not such feelings can be trusted. The chemistry alone can be so powerful that I wrote, “If this isn’t real then what can I believe?”

“Maybe” touches on the theme of uncertainty in relationships, which many people face. Why do you think this topic resonates so strongly with listeners?

We have all been there as infatuation with someone is all about a dream. When I have felt the most chemistry, such chemistry found me when I was never looking for it. I think many people can relate to that. It makes you feel alive and euphoric. Chemistry is so powerful that I think it is wise to be a little scared of it and treat it with respect, because the chemistry alone can make a relationship feel serious.

Your song carries a fine line between vulnerability and hope. How do you personally experience the state of being in love, is it more a moment of inner struggle or creative uplift for you?

I LOVE BEING “IN LOVE,” but it is not always truly love in its deepest. When I feel chemistry, I can write songs like crazy, as I write from my heart and never sit down to write” from my head” but my feelings, which explains the entire lyric for this song. There is a saying about true love that I do believe is true: It can wait. Chemistry alone cannot. True love comes with peace, and it requires falling in love with your best friend, realizing the difference between chemistry that can sneak up on you and hurt you vs. a healthier chemistry with a friend first that grows out of attraction and mutual respect into lasting love.

The line “If this isn’t real, then what can I believe?” is very powerful. Is this a reflection of personal experience, or do you more often create images based on observations and other people’s stories?

Yes. I wrote it years ago about a guy who was not meant to be, but, that being said, he loved me, and I loved him to a degree, but we did not have the compatibility for it to last, as we have to use wisdom when it comes to moving into something official like marriage. Sometimes, you have to feel the pain of a goodbye to get to what is meant to be-which will ALSO involve chemistry and even MORE when the compatibility is there to match. The chemistry is even deeper with more compatibility in character and it just keeps growing.

For recording “Maybe,” you brought in talented musicians from Nashville. Are there any moments or stories that stood out to you during the work?

I used to work on Music Row as a singer and songwriter full time with publishing deals and even recording contracts, so I already knew many of these musicians from my early days. I get to work with A-list, top-tier musicians when I record and no A.I. whatsoever. I learn from them, and we all work together well. It was my first time at OceanWay recording “Maybe,” and it is always an adventure in a new studio. Nothing really stood out except that I ALWAYS work with Jeff Taylor on piano when I record in Nashville, as we feel things so well together. It was piano-led. I pretty much got the lead vocal with the musicians, which is how I prefer it as we all “feel” the song together.

I know your 2024 solo project “America Come Home” is dedicated to the theme of unity and patriotism, a rather serious and important topic! Why is it especially important for you now to share these ideas through music?

We are having way too many shootings in America. We seem so divided. It is as if people are angry and too easily outraged over the least little thing, and I long for more peace. Thank you for asking about this song. I wrote it right before our last presidential election, and our country was ready for a change. I love my country, and it has saddened me so many of our cities—like where I used to live NYC and Los Angeles, CA– be filled with crime these days when it used to be so much safer the years when I lived the big cities of America. “America Come Home” was written to the people of America, as our culture has changed to become more chaotic and “hard,” and not as easy to trust. It was a tribute to how things used to be with less crime and with the prayer that they could get better again, one person at a time.

Since the release of your single “Stayin’ Gone,” your style has been described as having a “rustic atmosphere in the spirit of Dolly Parton”, which sounds like a compliment full of personality! How important are such comparisons to you, and do you feel a connection to the country legends of the past?

I have never been a traditional country artist, but I do miss the soul of traditional country that much of today’s “country music” is missing. As for Dolly Parton, I think if there is any writer and singer most like me it would be Dolly. I was even born in East TN. What I love about her is that every thing she writes is full of soul, and, of course, I could never be compared musically to a greater singer or writer. (I will tell you a funny story. I have always had an outgoing, friendly personality, but when I met Dolly Parton at age 18, I was literally speechless! i smile as I think back on that. I no longer get starstruck, as I see artistic people first as people now and not just for their talent, but I do recall someone introducing me to Dolly Parton backstage at an award’s show, and I just stood there staring in awe of her, not being able to say a word. It is hilarious now to me looking back, but, suffice it to say, yes, I am thankful to be compared with Dolly Parton musically. That being said, I have a new “‘sound” I am cultivating now in production with black background singers and pop/rock musicians to do more music along this same”pop” genre as “Stayin’ Gone” to hopefully give my music a sound all of its own.

Dwayna, you are the author of the book “Happiness No Man Required,” which helps women find happiness without depending on male attention. Moreover, you perform as a motivational speaker, combining speech with music, it sounds very inspiring! How do you manage to combine these two directions, and which is more important to you?

Thank you for asking about my book, which is certainly NOT against falling in love or good men, but I have had so many “hellos” and “goodbyes” and so many ups and downs, that somewhere along the way I just said to myself, ‘Happiness, No Man Required!’ I began pouring myself into my work and get happy on my own. Men can certainly come along without my looking, but the whole “dating thing” can really be a waste of time and even dangerous these days, especially for those into online dating as so many streaming documentaries are now warning about. I stay away from all of that stuff. I realize I am a unique person, especially as a Christian who is artistic, so the book is about what a fulfilling life God has given me, as I have stayed more focused on where I am meant to be with all I am meant to accomplish. There is something called “love addiction” —a state where some people are in “need” of the highs of chemistry, as opposed to a more honest life. I care far more about the peace that comes with healthy relationships than all of that “drug like euphoria,” but, to clarify, I certainly still do love that high of chemistry, and I have been going through a very creative phase here lately, due to it, so thankful for even a peaceful friendship of attraction and compatibility that may or may not ever be meant to be more. I write about it all. I would rather have a friend in a man who I think is amazing and get to know that person and take it slow as the chemistry grows than to start off with more chemistry than we can sometimes know what to do with. Love is a place of peace and not confusion, and I am all about everything that has to offer instead of settling for anything less.

Besides music, books, and performances, you are also the founder of the nonprofit organization Lighting the Way Worldwide and the project Walking in the Light, which helps victims of mass tragedies. What was the impetus for creating these initiatives?

I have a Christian 501c3, and I have found I am happiest in life helping others; we have outreaches to underprivileged kids and families…and the outreaches make me glad I am not a “star,” as the true glory is in being a servant to others who have less than I do, and as I serve them I have more joy within my heart than money can buy and more than fame could ever offer.

The song, “Walking in the Light” was also written against so much violence and hate crimes in America, as we all need to love each other more apart from racism, classism, politics, religion or social class. Every person is made in the image of God and deserves respect, and hopefully the spirit of my work in every area conveys this.

Dwayna, your image is truly memorable and bright! How much does it help you express yourself as an artist?

Thank you so much for that! I just keep it all real. I want others to know that when I love, I love for real, and when I hurt, I hurt for real, and when I feel joy, that is real, and I just put it all into the music to hopefully make anyone who listens say to themselves when they hear a song of mine, “She is just like me.” That is how music unites us. We are all the same on the inside when it comes to our need for love.

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