OUT TODAY: Mandi Mapes combats self-doubt with authentic hope on ‘Levees’

By McKayla Grace

In January 2023, Heart Eyes got the chance to chat with Nashville singer/songwriter Mandi Mapes about her newest project “Levees” out today on all streaming platforms.

When I met Mandi for coffee that morning, I immediately recognized her by her cozy sweater and kind demeanor. Her latest release at the time was “Daffodil Floors,” a therapeutic track navigating the tightrope of despair and hope. Minutes after meeting her, I knew the song and the upcoming album were an authentic expression of her own experience. Her first instinct was to get to know me and offer to buy my coffee.

Her creative journey had taken quite the detour several years ago. She explained how she had begun writing and making music in her late teens and early twenties and coming to an abrupt halt for personal reasons, including a drastic career change. This led to an unprecedented weariness and depression.

“That's something I'm really passionate about now– how important it is for people who are afraid to create. I think sometimes creativity can, in certain circles, be seen as having low importance when it comes to what matters in life and society,” mourned Mapes. “But now, I'm just kind of at a place where I feel like it's so significant to use the things that you love and your gifts. This album, has been a fight to create and dream and write again.”

Mandi is a 33-year-old happily married mother of two now, and “Levees” is her intentional choice to resurrect her dreams and process the hurt of her past while living out her day-to-day. Through the album, she’s spitting in the face of the voices in her head that tell her she’s not meant for this.

“No matter how much it hurt to make art again, the other option was quitting. And I've done that long enough. I know what that feels like, so I'm going with the other horrible, which is facing your fears of rejection and disappointment,” said Mapes.

She shared that therapy had been a vital catalyst for the creation of “Levees.” Her counselor texted her that morning to let her know “Daffodil Flowers” had made its way to his suggested new music playlist. With the song’s pleasantly unexpected success, there was plenty to celebrate professionally and personally.

This revelation led to a transition in our conversation to the Nashville music scene as a whole. She expressed genuine concern over the saturated music market, grateful for a place so full of creativity, but mourning the fact that there isn’t really “a seat at the table for weary artists.”

Mandi credits her good friend Victory with “scraping her off the floor” creatively when she was at a low point and inspiring the second to last track on the album, “Van Gogh.” Victory taught her the value of “grit” in the creative process. One of the most potent lines of the song is a tribute to Victory’s presence in Mandi’s life: “It’s so easy just to quit. What you need is a little more grit, and someone to remind you just how far you’ve come so you don’t forget.”

Even with her few solid industry friends in Nashville, Mapes struggled with isolation and loneliness, especially during the pandemic. “Levees” is a very clear window into her headspace at the time. She battled self-doubt the only way she knew how–the hope of creative expression. The third track on the album, “Even on the Worst Days” is a prime example of her ability to hold the tension between joy and sadness, with an airy but substantial approach to the melody mirroring her outlook on life.

“Daffodil Floors” artwork

“Daffodil Floors” is the pinnacle of the album where confession and self-acceptance dance to a jazzy folk score. In this number, Mandi regrets the rigidity with which she approached a previous friendship, apologizing and releasing the fallout: “Find me where the lily grows wild. I’ll be running free as a child. They’ll say I should be doing more while I’m making snow angels on daffodil floors.” The song is a powerful commentary on faith and self-forgiveness.

Mapes knows better than most how much pressure society places on mothers, musicians and everyone in between. “Daffodil Floors” is a musical act of rebellion, giving her and all listeners the space to just be.

When taken in its entirety, “Levees” feels like a journey through the peaks and valleys of life. With the final tracks “Home, Sweet Home,” “Van Gogh” and “Dream,” Mandi floats back to earth leaving the listener satisfied and at ease while appreciating how far they’ve come and eagerly anticipating a hopeful future.

I can tell you firsthand that listening to “Levees” feels like having a coffee with Mandi Mapes. Both hold a treasure of art, wisdom, gentleness and love.

Treat yourself to “Levees” and Mandi’s story here.