mine
I’m thrilled to share this new interview with Boston-based artist/songwriter/producer mine. She’s just released her debut single “H2O” and it is brilliant.
I instantly fell in love with this song. I love how it tells her story and how it describes her identity as an artist. “H2O” is so well written. It is pure, honest and beautiful.
mine is definitely an artist to watch. Congrats on this new chapter !
Photo credit: Jenny Offerman Schuster
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
Hi, I’m mine! You can also call me Mia, whatever suits your fancy. I’m a singer-songwriter and producer. I grew up in Fargo, ND, and have moved around a bunch since flying the nest, currently landing in Boston, MA. I’m passionate about creativity in all its forms, and I’m currently just working on making dang good art that moves people.
What did you grow up listening to?
I grew up listening to a pretty broad scope of artists, but some major influences for me in my younger years were for sure Demi Lovato, Ed Sheeran, and Regina Spektor!
When did you start singing and writing songs?
I wrote my first song when I was in 3rd grade which was a complete rip-off of a church song ! After that, I would write here and there, but I didn’t start really getting into it until later on in high school. As for singing, I’ve been doing that for as long as I can remember.
Growing up, what were your favorite songs to sing along to?
Literally anything Ed Sheeran - I was obsessed. Your Song by Elton John was always my go-to, though. Forever a favorite of mine.
When did you know you had to be an artist and release your original music?
I knew pretty early on that I loved music, but I had this crazy moment when I was in 7th grade, I was practicing guitar at my Grandma’s house, I remember this super vividly, and I got completely lost in it. I remember thinking, ‘I want to do this for the rest of my life. This is what I’m going to do.’ And that was it, I knew. There hasn’t really ever been anything else since that has made me feel that same way.
Who was the first person to ever believe in you?
Well, the obvious answer is my parents for sure. That’s their job, ya know! Their support has definitely made all the difference, but there is someone else who really stands out. One of my best friends from high school, Jessica, has honestly always been one of my biggest fans and supporters. She was always encouraging me and cheering me on, I think she was one of the first people outside of my family that really supported me like that. She came to shows where she was literally the only one there to see me. Her support really meant everything to me in those years when most people thought I was just being silly and impractical. She’s an angel, I love her so much.
What biggest lessons have you learned since the beginning of your career?
Ahh so many… stay true to yourself, believe in your art with complete resolution, because if you don’t, who will? Also ‘status’ honestly means nothing. Good people are good people, choose them always.
"H2O" is your new single - what's the story/inspiration behind this song?
H2O is one of those songs that just kind of flowed out, and I didn’t really even think about what I was saying at the time of writing it. When I wrote it, however, I was sorting through all these ideas of who I was ‘supposed to be’ and digging down to the layers of who I truly was underneath. H2O is about reclaiming that pure, unfiltered identity and stepping into it boldly and confidently.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this song? Who helped you create it?
I wrote the song myself, as for the recorded track that was created with some other awesome creatives: music production by LAEL, vocal production by Konli, mix by Pete White, and master by Fili Filizzola. Very grateful for the team that helped make this song come to life!
What did you feel when writing this song?
I felt really empowered. It felt like stepping into new levels. At the time I didn’t know what, I just knew I was claiming something for myself. Listening back I still feel that same energy as I did when I created it.
What's your favorite thing about this song?
The lyrics for sure - they feel like some of my most honest ones yet. My writing has been held back for a long time because I’ve been scared to say what is really on my mind and in my heart. I’m not holding back anymore, and this is one of the first songs I allowed myself to fully do that.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
The artwork was made by my lovely cousin, Sara Bellig! She is super good at what she does, and I’m constantly thinking, ‘Wow, I really lucked out being born in the same family with a graphic designer!’ But really she’s the best, always willing to run with my weird, nonsensical ideas. Then my mom also took the cover picture! She’s a boss photographer. The cover was one big family event altogether.
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
As an artist, currently, I feel like the hardest part for me is the organization. At any other time, I may say something about the emotions or whatnot, but right now it’s honestly just keeping everything put together. As an independent artist, I’m the one managing everything which also means learning everything. Recently, it feels like I’m always forgetting something on the list or running behind on some skill I need to have already. I constantly have to remind myself it’s okay to take my time as I learn and grow, I am worth the time.
The best part is most definitely getting to create! It’s magic, pure magic. I love nothing more in the world than getting to make art. That beauty outweighs pretty much anything else. It makes every part of the process worth it.
How's it like to be a woman in the music industry? What message do you want to give to women out there?
Being a woman in the music industry is definitely a very nuanced thing, with its own ups and downs. Some parts of it are harder than others, for sure, like the pressures with image and this far too common stigma that we don’t know what we’re doing just because we’re female. However, there are also a lot of cool things about it too. Recently for me, it’s been that I feel like I actually can make changes. By stepping into spaces women are less typically seen in the industry, I feel like I too am able to make small changes and progress.
I would tell other women out there not to compromise themselves for the comfort of others. Don’t make yourself small so you can fit in the boxes you’re told to. Don’t do it. Take up space. Spill over all of the edges and color outside of every line. Be bold, be radiant, be everything you were made to be.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I have so many thoughts, so many. A lot of mixed feelings, but what I’m really loving right now is how accessible it is for smaller artists to be heard. Thanks to TikTok we have all of these new, indie artists literally taking over the charts and it’s incredible - it makes it feel like the dream is something you can actually reach in a tangible way. The flip side is attention spans are dwindling and songs are getting so dang short due to this shift to streaming. If I could change anything it would be that. I’m the queen of writing long songs. We need more All Too Well - 10 minute Taylor's versions hitting the charts. I absolutely love the insanity of it. More of that.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Kindness. Simple, but effective. Such a radical choice it seems like some days, but oh what a beautiful world it creates.
What message do you want to give to the world?
Love. Always.
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