Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Mia Rose Brake
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
When I was about 3 years old, I would line up DVD covers that had a face on it and plushies on our sofa in the living room. Then I would play a bunch of Disney songs on our CD player and would sing and dance to the music. That was my way of performing in front of my “audience” of DVD covers and plushies.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
My passion for creating music actually started with my passion for writing poems. Writing poems served as a great coping mechanism for the things going on in my life. Since music had always moved me like nothing else before, I started to create melodies along with the poems I was writing. It took me a long time to consider myself a songwriter, since I had never had any proper education on songwriting like I had received on vocal technique.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I wrote my new release “Shotgun” following an argument with close relatives. Our opinions on red flags differed, so I wrote a song which included their view and my view in the lyrics. What first started out as a fictional story quickly turned into an allegorical, cautionary tale about abuse and femicide, disguised as a saloon fighr anthem.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I make poetic, dramatic pop-rock, which often has an influence from another genre, be it swing, country, punk, rap, you name it. My music is best described as a blend of Queen’s dramatic rock and poetic lyrics with P!nk’s pop-rock sound and grit.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Consistency. I used to sporadically write songs as a coping mechanism for whatever was going on in my life. These would be moments of extreme frustration or sadness. Yet to become a professional songwriter, one needs to hone one’s craft. I have made efforts to consistently work on songs to keep my creativity flowing. It might not always be possible, since I study at our local university and test phases are hard, yet I try my best to keep up with my music as much as I can.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
First of all, I need mental space to create. I cannot write something if I am stressed and all I can think of are my studies. Before writing a song, I take ten minutes to write down anything that comes to my mind. Usually the topic of the song is formed during this process. Then I usually start off with writing lyrics or, in some cases, humming a melody. Usually, both comes at the same time, as what I am singing about should be reflected in the dynamics of the melody, too. After I have a song with a melody and lyrics, I figure out the chords on the piano. If the song is good enough, in other words, if the melody sticks with me days after, I make a demo on my DAW (Pre-Sonus Studio One 6) using a drum programme, a MIDI bass and any other instruments I can write down using MIDI. As a last step, I record the guitar with my dad and vocals in my room.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I absolutely love Hannah Grae. I never was a fan of indie artists since I could never find anyone who made music similar to the mainstream artists I was listening to. Yet one day, I came across Hannah’s POV cover of “Teenage Dirtbag” and checked out her music. She is also Welsh, like I am, and makes similar music to what I make. Go check her out, I implore you!
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I use my personal experiences as chances for others to grow. I grew from being extremely insecure and not finding any value in myself to becoming a person who feels comfortable in their own skin and who respects themself. Even now I continue to grow and learn from my experiences. My mission is to reach those who are still struggling with issues I had struggled with my life, and to show them that there is always hope for a better future. I tell my story in my music, but also in my music videos and social media content.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I want people to know that it is fine to be loud about who they are and what they stand for. I also had to learn how to become loud myself. This expressiveness is reflected in my music; I make songs that expose my inner struggles and thoughts, but in the loudest way possible. You will probably not find a song of mine that is not dramatic, bold or vulnerable.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Music is so diverse, and there is no good or bad music. There is only taste, and taste is subjective. If someone does not like your music, then it is a matter of preference. In other words, there will always be people who will like your music. It is your job to reach these people so that you can change people’s lives in ways you never knew you could.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I have not thought about it much, since I am focused on building a smaller gig portfolio. But if I ever perform in Wembley Stadium, then I will most likely cry of joy.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Past artists are legends to me, so I could never collaborate with them. Yet I would love to collaborate with legends in the making. Collaborating with BTS would be an absolute dream of mine. And in my closer surroundings, collaborating with Eon Awa would be amazing, too. I feel like we have a similar understanding of what goes into a song.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
My website: https://miarosebrake.com/
For any other links: https://linktr.ee/miarosebrake
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I still have another song to release before I release my debut EP “In Your Head”. I would love to see these songs, that I have been working so hard for, reaching the people they should.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
That I am just another human like you and that I am always open for any conversation about anything. Think of me more as a friend than an unreachable music artist!
Thank you so much for this interview!
