Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Mia Kaj
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Mia Kaj is a Japanese producer and singer. Her music is characterized by beats that incorporate elements of electronic, R&B, and hip-hop, and her soft, calming voice. She was the runner-up at BEAT GRANDPRIX 2023.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Listening to the Beatles in the car with my parents
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I started out making soundtracks for my independent films. I used GarageBand to create music to go with my films.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
Rather than a clear story, I want to express the world as I see it by piecing together fragmented memories and images, like a film director cutting and joining footage.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
A provocative electronic sound and a soft vocal. Neither bright nor dark, it feels like it’s crawling between emotions.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
In my music, I find that removing or changing sounds gets me closer to the place I want to reach, rather than just adding sounds.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Universal Audio audio interface, Mac, Logic Pro sampler, Voice Memos, etc.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
NTsKi, Dove, MON/KU, etc.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I don’t really reflect specific experiences in my songs, but I do feel like I’m piecing together fragments of emotions and memories that arise when I have had certain experiences.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope that people can feel as if the feelings they have been carrying alone have been shared with them, even if only a little.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Music taught me that I don’t have to prove anything.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
If there is a space that is in sync with the atmosphere of the song, I would like to perform in such a place.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Radiohead. They have a sound that is unique to them and I love it.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
https://www.instagram.com/mia_kajkajmaru
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Not many people have encountered my music yet. I think it would be more fun if I could connect with more people through music.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
There’s no need to rush to understand your emotions. Just remember them in case you ever want to understand or express them.
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