BY EMILY HARRIS
PHOTO BY CAMI LIBERTY
New York City native Mïrändä is changing the music scene through her eclectic spirit and style. The singer-songwriter has a background in theatre which has influenced the way she writes and approaches music. Her I Am Art Singles Compilation includes her singles “I Am Art,” “Stay,” and “Formula” — each with their own tarot card artwork. She sat down with us here at Unclear Magazine to discuss the process of her newest music video as well as the compilation album.
Thanks for finding the time to speak with us! Can you tell us a little about your beginnings in the music world?
Mïrändä: “Of course, thank you for having me! I grew up playing classical violin, listening to lots of Celtic music and my dad was a country/rock singer for most of my childhood. I always loved music and singing but it wasn’t until my sophomore year in high school that I first attempted songwriting. I would write my vocal melodies and lyrics first and then go to my dad to figure out the guitar chords. It was always frustrating for me to try and describe to him exactly what I was imagining and the final track never came out quite how I wanted it to. That was the driving force for me to teach myself music production. I wanted my music to be completely and authentically me. Now, I absolutely feel that it is.”
Being born and raised in New York City, what artists would you say impacted the music you create, as NYC is a melting pot of different music scenes?
M: “When I discovered Grimes it totally blew my mind that she wrote and produced everything herself and I realized that I wanted to do that too. I don’t feel like I really found my voice in music until I taught myself to produce. Some of my biggest influences are Janelle Monáe, MGMT, Queen, Enya, and pretty much anything from the 80’s, but my biggest influence is my dad. He has supported me from the beginning and has even collected studio gear over the years so I could record my songs from home. To this day, when I lay down vocals, he engineers my recording sessions and we mix and occasionally master my songs together. He’s the man.”
How has having a background in theatre influenced the way you approach live shows?
M: “I am still working to put together a live show that I am totally happy with, but if you’ve seen any of my music videos or my Instagram, I think it’s apparent that I like to play dress up. It’s important to me that my visuals elevate my music. I would love to have the budget for a light show, a set and props to give my show a more grandeur, theatrical feel.”
Congratulations on your I Am Art Singles Compilation! What was the production and writing of the three singles like?
M: “Thank you! I’m very proud of them. These were my three favorite songs to write and record so far. When I’m in the zone I’m so caught up in it that I usually can’t remember the process in detail — it’s something that just happens. I experimented with a lot of new plugins and sounds when I wrote these, which absolutely affected the way in which I approached them.”
Each single was released with its own tarot card artwork. What enticed you to use the cards as a way to showcase the songs?
M: “When I wrote ‘Formula,’ ‘Stay’ and ‘I Am Art’ I was getting super into tarot, herbal medicines, and other witchy things. I was dealing with some health issues at the time and these things played a huge role in my recovery. Each one of these songs is a moment from that time in my life and it just felt right to select three of the Major Arcana cards to represent them. I love that these cards add a whole other layer of meaning to these songs. You can also look at the trilogy as a three-card reading.”
You have just released a self-made music video for “I Am Art” while in quarantine. What was the filming and editing process like for you?
M: “I had so much fun! It took me back to my iMovie days as a kid when I used to make tiny stop motion movies in my room. I have always loved makeup and crafting so this was a perfect project for me. Making this video at the beginning of quarantine was cathartic, and a rewarding way to reconnect with my creativity during a difficult time. It was really cool to have complete control over my content. It gave me the freedom to get real weird with it and try things that might not work at all.”
Your music is anything but stagnant. How would you perfectly describe your sound?
M: “I’m always experimenting with production and songwriting style so this is a tricky question for me, but I think that most of my songs have an ethereal quality. Both my background in theatre and classical violin have shaped the way that I song-write. Theatre has taught me so much about the musicality of words. I always let my instrumental inform my vocal melodies, inflections, and lyrics rather than the other way around because it’s important to me that word flow feels organic.”
PHOTO BY CAMI LIBERTY
What song would you recommend to someone who has never heard you before? Why?
PHOTO BY CAMI LIBERTY
M: “‘Stay!’ If my soul were a song, it would be ‘Stay.’ It’s my favorite production and songwriting I’ve done to date and it has a story that everyone can feel a personal connection to. It’s a theatrical, classic rock, symphonic pop anthem about the desire for human connection, and about a crippling fear of being alone. It’s about navigating hookup culture today, attempting to conform to its expectations. And it is about the blurred lines between sex and love. While the lyrics express a sense of desperation, the melody and instrumentation are hopeful. I was listening to a lot of Queen when I wrote and arranged this piece, which I think is evident in the harmonies. This song has more classical influence, mainly baroque, than anything else I’ve written. I have always loved harpsichord and I was so thrilled when I was able to add it to the song.”
Can we look forward to any new projects from you soon?
M: “I’m not sure what I’ll release next. I’ve found that it’s difficult for me to stay inspired during this pandemic, but I would love to put out another EP. The other day I opened up some of my old ProTools sessions and found a few songs that I wouldn’t mind revisiting. Maybe I’ll remix them and release an EP of unheard, slightly older material. I recently announced on my Instagram (@miirandamusic) that I’m creating a second music video for ‘I Am Art’ using submissions from my listeners! I think it will be an exciting way to bring people together through art during this time of self-isolation and I can’t wait to see what people come up with. I am art. We are art. Let’s make art!”