Meet Maca Del Pilar | Pop Artist & Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maca Del Pilar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maca, why did you pursue a creative career?
I wish it was a decision, but it was more like a calling. Even though I tried to follow different paths, life always brought me back here. Ever since I was a teenager in my small beach city in Chile, I was writing songs in my notebook, singing in front of the mirror, and dreaming about connecting with people through music.

The happiness I feel when I’m performing, creating, or sharing a song — I haven’t found it anywhere else. I also love storytelling in other forms (I’ve been an actress, a radio host, and now I create content online), but music hits a deeper place. And what truly keeps me going are the hugs and stories people share after a show. When someone tells me my music helped them through a breakup, a big move, or just made them feel understood… that’s the kind of connection I live for. It makes all the ups and downs of this career totally worth it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My music is pop, but with real stories behind it — stories that speak to women like me: strong, sensitive, figuring life out while trying to stay true to themselves. I blend pop with R&B and Latin flavors, sometimes it makes you dance, sometimes cry. But what really sets me apart is my sense of humor and the way I connect with people. I love telling stories through lyrics that feel personal and honest, and performing in a way that creates real moments with the audience. I don’t take myself too seriously, and I think that helps people let their guard down and just enjoy the ride with me.
Right now, I’m super excited about writing new music while introducing my older songs — basically the soundtrack of my life with a brand-new audience here in Miami — the city of my dreams. There’s something magical about performing songs I wrote years ago and seeing how they find fresh meaning in new places.
My path hasn’t been the easiest. I come from a family of engineers and scientists, so choosing music as a career was definitely not the expected route. Many people thought it was a crazy idea, and honestly, sometimes I did too. I’ve had to prove myself again and again — especially as an independent artist. I went through vocal cord surgery that forced me to relearn how to sing, left everything behind to move to another country, and started from scratch more times than I can count. But every time I got lost, music brought me back home.

Some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned are: 1) You don’t need to fit in — you need to be yourself, 2) Discipline is magic, and 3) Emotions are not a weakness — they’re fuel for your art.

If there’s one thing I want people to take away from my story, it’s this: you don’t have to take life (or yourself) so seriously. What matters most is showing up as your authentic self — messy, weird, beautiful and real. That’s where the magic happens.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to visit me in Miami, I’d make sure they got the full experience — from beachy mornings to salsa nights and everything in between.

We’d start with a walk around Coconut Grove, grab coffee at Panther Coffee or pistachio gelato from Narbona, and maybe some amazing pizza at Mister O1 or plant-based delights at Planta Queen. One morning we’d wake up early to watch the sunrise at South Pointe Beach, bring a breakfast picnic and jump in the ocean before the city wakes up — it’s pure magic.

Sunset at Key Biscayne is a must. I’d bring wine and music, of course. Then one night we’d do some bar hopping around Wynwood — from 1-800 Lucky to El Patio (especially if there’s a live salsa band), and end up dancing at Dirty Rabbit. Late-night burgers at Skinny Louie or ribs at Flanigan’s? Yes, please.

We’d also do brunch at Café Bastille, go biking around Miami Beach, and spend a whole day shopping at Sawgrass Mills (because… outlet heaven). For something different and fun, I’d take them to Paradox Museum or Superblue — because what’s a trip without some trippy photos?

Basically: sun, food, music, spontaneous dancing, and laughing until we cry. That’s Miami with me.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people deserve a piece of this shoutout. First and forever: my mom — aka my OG momager. She believed in me from day one, even when people told her music was “too risky” and that I should choose a more “stable” career (plot twist: I didn’t). She even paused her own projects to be my “momager” for a while. Her love and support have carried me through every stage of this journey. Then there’s Warner Chappell Music — signing with them as a songwriter five years ago changed my life. I got to work with insanely talented people, which eventually led me to pack my bags and move to Miami. Also, a huge shoutout to my creative friends — the ones who’ve made music with me, shot my videos, designed my visuals, and helped me shape my identity as an artist. And finally, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron: that book helped me reconnect with my creative voice and reminded me that being myself is my greatest strength.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macadelpilarmusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/macadelpilarmusic

Other: TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@macadelpilarmusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO2mdF6R?si=60e7dad01b2e4d79

Image Credits