Do you connect with music because it resonates with the realities of your life? Do you relate to narratives that somewhat mirror your everyday experiences? The music of Tobias Maffia, known artistically as T. Maffia, achieves just that. Although he has been based in Buenos Aires since a young age, he is originally from Argentina. The beauty of his songwriting encompasses a wide variety of genres, and it’s this harmonic fluidity that gives listeners a comprehensive insight into the influences behind both his personal and artistic life.
Your artistic journey began in Villa Carlos Paz, Córdoba, but you’ve been based in Buenos Aires for
most of your life. How has the vibrant energy and cultural diversity of Buenos Aires influenced your
music and artistic expression?
“Buenos Aires has a huge influence on my music, you can find traces of the city in every one of my songs, in the way I speak, and in the words I choose. It’s a city full of culture and art at every corner, which drives me crazy—I’m fascinated by it. Music is everywhere; I constantly end up meeting
incredible artists. The great thing about Buenos Aires is that there’s room for everyone in the art scene.
There are many of us emerging, but we empower each other.”
Your music seamlessly blends indie pop, indie rock, and alternative genres, showcasing your versatility as an artist. How do you approach navigating between these different styles while
maintaining your own unique sound?
“I believe it starts with the composition, but it really comes together in the studio during the production
process. I have to admit there are a few little tricks, for instance, reusing resources or sounds across
different songs. On the other hand, I think maintaining a unique style or sound doesn’t just come from
my songs—it comes from who I am, from my way of communicating, the way I dress, or the way I walk. I
believe my sound is a reflection of myself.”
“Tu Calma” marked your debut single in 2023. Can you share the story behind the creation of this
song and what inspired you to take the pivotal step of sharing your own creations with the world at that moment?
“It was in December 2022, during a Conociendo Rusia concert. I looked at the band, then at the audience, and imagined myself on stage. I told myself, “I need this. I have to make music.” The next day, I woke up and wrote “Tu Calma” and another song that, although mastered, had never been released. Specifically, behind “Tu Calma”, there’s a person, an inspiration. In fact, I finished composing it and made an initial demo while traveling with her in Uruguay in January 2023. Then, I came back to Buenos Aires and started making music with Federico Mottalini, my producer, and we finished recording “Tu Calma” around the end of February.”
You draw inspiration from iconic figures of Argentine rock like Luis Alberto Spinetta and Soda Stereo, as well as contemporary figures within the Argentine and Spanish indie scenes. How do these influences manifest in your music, and what do you hope to contribute to the legacy of Argentine music?
“I believe my music influences manifest a bit in my lyrics, in my way of writing—quite literal and
straightforward, yet still rhymed and filled with metaphors. Also, in the composition, I use a lot of maj7
chords, ninths, and other elements that I’ve picked up from Spinetta. I try to balance the new with the
old; I never want Argentine Rock to die out—I fucking love rock. Charly García is God for me.
And what do I hope to contribute? I believe in conveying emotions and in making people feel something.
Recently, a follower from Peru messaged me on Instagram, telling me that my songs had saved his relationship with his girlfriend more than once. I mean, I’m the love soundtrack for a couple—that to me is insane, and it’s things like that which keep me making music.”
Your upbringing was surrounded by the artistic passions of your parents, with your father playing
guitar and your mother expressing herself through visual arts. How do you see these early influences reflected in your own artistic journey and the stories you aim to tell through your music?
“I grew up surrounded by my parents’ art at home, something I’ve only recently come to appreciate
because it was so normalized for me. My earliest memories are of singing and playing guitar as a little
kid with my dad and brothers, something we did every night after dinner. Around the age of 5 or 6, I
asked for a harmonica because we sang songs by León Gieco, and I wanted to play the harmonica like
him. I believe that has shaped who I am today; it’s a part of my everyday life. My mom engages in every
type of visual art you can imagine, and she recently started acting too. From her, I inherited a lot that
also shaped who I am and influenced my sound.”
Despite a brief stint in Barcelona, it’s the urban heartbeat of Buenos Aires that continues to shape
your artistic vision and sound. How does the essence of Buenos Aires permeate your music, and what aspects of the city inspire you the most?
“I love Barcelona and would return a million times; it feels like my second home in the world. But as I said
before, Buenos Aires is the best city in the world. I feel that Buenos Aires is in my music and,
particularly, in my way of expressing myself. We have a strong Porteño slang here, and I use a lot of
slang words in my songs. I believe “No me hagas esperar” is the best example of what I am saying . Also,
Buenos Aires is in my voice: rough, joyful, deep, and emotional. That’s Buenos Aires, a city that thrives
on chaos and crisis and still peaceful and beautiful.”
Your songwriting process is described as akin to that of a poet’s, with lyrics initially birthed as poetry before finding melody through the strings of your guitar. Can you walk us through your creative process and how you transform your poetry into music?
“Well, my creative process isn’t always the same; it can vary in many ways, but there is generally a
common thread. Usually, I write poetry, verses, or simply jot down what I feel or am thinking about.
During 2021 and 2022, I went to a psychologist, Juan, who basically saved my life but also had me write
down everything I felt—my emotions, thoughts, sensations—as a therapeutic exercise. I think that
practice stuck with me, and today I use it to compose. I carry this pocket notebook with me, and I find
myself writing down my feelings everywhere. After writing, I usually pick up my acoustic guitar or my piano, add some chords, set a BPM, and start playing a melody for those lyrics. At that point, I’m already imagining the sound I want it to have. I typically arrive at the studio with a demo made at home, and then Fede and I start the beautiful work of bringing that music to life.”
Beyond music, your artistic pursuits are multifaceted, from writing and reading to graphic design and analogue photography. How do these diverse interests inform and enrich your music, and do you find connections between your various artistic endeavours?
“Yes absolutely. My approach to art comes from curiosity. I had never taken photos, but I got the urge
and started. I had never painted anything, but I wanted to, and so I did. And it’s the same with everything
else. In the end, all these experiences merge back into who I am, defining my style, my essence, and
shaping my soul, and of course my sound. At the same time, engaging in different types of art allows me
to connect with a lot of really cool people, people who know so much and whom I could listen to for
hours. For instance, I recently developed a strong interest in the wine culture, so I started attending
blind wine tastings and listening to sommeliers discuss the composition of wines. There’s a lot of poetry
in how wine is made, and so many fascinating details—no doubt I’ve drawn inspiration from that for my
writing.”
With an abundance of music to be released in the near future, audiences can expect a jam-packed year from T. Maffia. Without revealing too much, Tobias kindly let me know the title of his next song: “Río de la Plata” – and it’s safe to say we can’t wait to hear it.
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