Q&A: Miakie

Dunedin songstress Miakie dives further into the world of R&B and soul with the release of her sophomore single ‘Infatuated’, continuing to wow us with her enchanting vocal delivery. With an EP on the way that she’s worked on with key collaborator Devin Abrams (Shapeshifter, Pacific Heights), she’s definitely solidified herself as one to watch!

WE'D LOVE TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR MUSICAL JOURNEY SO FAR FROM WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED SINGING & MAKING MUSIC!

From a young age I was inspired by my mother to be a musician, she was a classical pianist. There was always music ringing through the house. Throughout high school I did Rockquest each year, and found my passion for songwriting through that. Since I was little I’ve always felt the need to pour my feelings out behind a guitar, it gives me somewhere to put the words that seem too complicated or overwhelming!

WE LOVE THAT! 'INFATUATED' IS SUCH A PHENOMENAL R&B INFUSED TRACK! CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE MEANING OF THE SONG AND THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT?

Thank you!! I wrote ‘Infatuated’ at Songhubs with Devin Abrams, Sarah Ryland (Sylvee), and Harry Champion. That day we didn’t have a whole lot of time so decided to create something a bit more simple, hence the slow tempo and chill vibe of the track. After playing around with the instrumentation, we decided it was super lusty and fiery so we went with that idea. Drawing from my own love life at the time, we wrote about how anger between two people can turn into lust and a whole bunch of other emotions. It’s confusing but it’s exciting, and often makes you forget why you were even angry in the first place.

WHAT WERE YOUR MAIN HIGHLIGHTS WORKING ON 'INFATUATED'?

This was really my first experience in delving into R&B, so it was super fun playing with different instrumentation made the track feel soulful. The bass really carries the track but it’s lifted up by trumpets, keys and BVs in a style I’d never experimented with before.

DO YOU HAVE MORE NEW MUSIC ON THE WAY SOON?! IF SO, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?

Yes I do! Devin and I have written an EP to follow my current releases, although I’m not sure when I’ll be able to release it. It’s all very much in the same vein as ‘Infatuated’ - R&B infused pop with soulful instrumentation.

SOUNDS AMAZING! WHO WOULD YOU SAY ARE YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS IN MUSIC?

Tricky question! I love listening to a bunch of different genres because I feel like you can take different things from each of them. My favourites at the moment are probably Men I Trust, Lianne La Havas and Leon Bridges.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE NZ ARTISTS RIGHT NOW AND ARE THERE ANY SONGS IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU ESPECIALLY LOVE?

There is so much to love in NZ music right now!!! My favourites are Muroki, Hans Pucket, Arjuna Oakes and Louis Baker. Album I would recommend is Hans Pucket’s ‘Eczema’. Never gets old.

SOME GREAT PICKS! WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT NEW ZEALAND? DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE PLACES TO TRAVEL TO OR LOCAL SPOTS THAT YOU LIKE TO VISIT?

How good is NZ?? I’ve travelled a lot locally and it is so hard to pick a favourite spot. Some of my favourite memories have been on the Great Walks and other tramps around New Zealand. I recently tramped around the Nelson Lakes with my family and that was stunning!

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNT AS AN ARTIST?

I’m definitely still learning with each release. One of the biggest pieces of advice I’ve heard over and over is “don’t rush it”. ‘Infatuated’ was written a year and a half ago so I have definitely practiced my patience! The other thing I would say is just shoot your shot. If you want to play at a venue, email them. If you want to collaborate with an artist, DM them. What’s the worst that could happen?

YES, AMAZING ADVICE - THERE’S NOTHING TO LOSE BY ASKING! LASTLY, WE END ALL OUR INTERVIEWS WITH THIS QUESTION - IF YOU COULD SAY ONE THING TO EVERY PERSON IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Try to go out of your way to do 3 acts of kindness a day. It will make you feel really good :-)

Thanks so much Miakie! Make sure to keep up with her on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify or Apple Music.