MIIA is a Norwegian singer-songwriter. She was signed at age 14. Her debut single «In The Light Of Love» reached the top positions of the Norwegian iTunes pop charts and her songs have been used in TV shows and trailers such as Bones. Her track «Dynasty» has won the hearts of millions of fans around the world. On September 24th she is releasing a new single «When I Let You Go» from her debut album.
Hello dear Mia! I'm so happy to have you here for our interview! How has your summer been?
— Hello! My summer has been mostly very good, thank you. I tried to take some time off to focus on my mental health, spend more time in nature, and just go with my own flow, taking one day at a time, but also take time to work on my album Huldra, which is gonna come out next year. I've also been going through a breakup, which has been tough. Life is both so beautiful, but sometimes, even at the same time, it can be filled with some sort of sorrow.
At the beginning of the interviews, I ask our traditional question: at what point in your life did you decide to become a singer? What was the reason for this decision?
— I think when I was about 13 years old, I really knew, that I wanted to be a singer. And I think a lot of it had to do with me being a huge Miley Cyrus fan (still am). She inspired me to truly be myself and let myself dream. Also, my uncle Joachim has played a huge role in me going after this career. He started out in a band and began producing as a teenager. He has always been my big role model in life. And when I was 13, he let my try out a song on a home set up for the first time. He saw something in me - he saw me - like no one else.
Could you tell us about your stage name? How did you choose it?
— Haha, Joachim and I actually made this up together, when I was just 14 years old! We had made a pop EP together, mainly for sync, together with my good friend Hillary Zemina Bernstein. Hillary was also the songwriter that Joachim and I made my song Dynasty with. So: we needed a stage name for me. We tried to find something that perhaps could stand out more, than «just Mia»... And so we went for MIIA!
What about the songwriting process? Do you write your own lyrics?
— Yes, I am always in the room where my songs are made and I always write. Sometimes, I write alone in my room, or in the studio with one of my producers, but we often bring on another songwriter as well. I love working together with other people, learning from their ways of being and unique talents. I have always been writing, but mostly by myself, and not really songs, until quite recently. So I am still developing that skill.
How would you describe the genre of your music?
— Well, if melancholy was its own genre I would say that, haha. But yeah I would say epic pop is perhaps the «best» genre for my music. You could also call it indie pop, alternative pop, dream pop, dark pop. I am influenced by and interested in so many different genres, and I definitely think that is noticeable in much of my music. For instance on my debut album that's coming, I try to explore every part of me, through different moods, tempos, etc. Personally, I love an album, or an artist, or a song that surprises me.
Do you listen to your own music in your daily life?
— Only my demos. Or actually, when I have concerts coming up, I practice the singing and the choreography whilst listening to the setlist. A lot. (Laughing).
Do you have a favorite song among your own tracks? If so, which one and why?
— It changes all the time, but right now it is one of the new songs. I can't tell you the title of it yet. As if to why: I think it's the most honest I've ever written and the best I've ever sung. Amongst the songs I have that's already been released I think I would say my favorite is «Inner Voices Speaking».
Dynasty is a truly iconic track thats resonated with listeners’ hearts since 2015. I personally adore it! Could you share the story behind its creation?
— Thank you. It is about the breakup that my uncle Joachim, and (previously) aunt Hillary, went through. The three of us were colleagues and very close friends. So it was deeply heartbreaking for all three of us, when they split. However, we made something beautiful from the pain. And I think we all learned a lot going through the pain, instead of avoiding it. I love them both deeply, and I will always be eternally grateful to them, for trusting me to sing this song.
Did you expect Dynasty to go so viral?
— No. Not at all.
Why do you think this song resonated with so many people?
— Because it is infused with real emotions and a true story, made by people who dared to face the darkest parts of themselves and their lives, and share it with the world. I deeply believe that this type of openness can help others open up too. And heal, from whatever wound in them that needs healing. What Joachim and Hillary did, by making this song, still inspires me to this day. Like them, I always try to be completely open when making music.
Fans have created countless incredible edits and videos set to this song. Do you ever watch these edits? Did any of them especially impress you?
— I do! And I LOVE them!! Inki's cover of Dynasty was amazing - her voice is incredible. Also seeing all the anime and fantasy edits made with Dynasty is really cool. I am a huge fantasy nerd myself. (Laughing).
Who are your biggest musical inspirations?
— There are too many. Here are eight of them: Aurora, The Beatles, Billie Eilish, Rosalía, Coldplay, Wolf Alice, Yebba, Miley Cyrus.
Is there an artist you’d love to collaborate with?
— A duet with Lewis Capaldi would be insane. His voice and ability to express emotions through song is out of this world.
Its a bit of a banal question, but I want to ask: what inspires you the most?
— Emotions.
If music hadn’t become a singer, what other passion or career do you think might have captured your heart?
— I would probably be a history professor, like a lecturer at University or something. I actually have a BA in history. Another dream of mine is to be an actress. I have many dreams and passions. (Laughing).
Could you share what your fans can look forward to in the near future? Perhaps new music or even a concert?
— The first single from my debut album is actually dropping September 24th! It's called «When I Let You Go». My good friend Brandon (a brilliant artist/songwriter, Brandon Colbein is his full name), who took part in writing the song, told me he felt it was kinda like a sister song to Dynasty. I see what he means.
What is the story behind «When I Let You Go»? And how exactly does it feel connected to «Dynasty» for you — is it the emotions, the sound or something else?
— «When I Let You Go» is about my first real breakup. And «Dynasty» is also about a breakup. The big difference is that when I sang «Dynasty» it wasn't about my own experience. Now it is. And that's even more real, and more scary or vulnerable to share with the world. So yes, they're similar thematically speaking, but I also think the style of the songs have similarities. They both feel cinematic and timeless to me, especially with those big, beautiful string arrangements.
Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time?
— I love being outside, in the forest, or swimming in the ocean. Watching movies and listening to music takes up a lot of my time. So does my cat. And my friends and family. But what I want to do most of all, is to go on tour. And that is the plan, for the near future.
Favorite movie?
— If I had to chose, right now, I'd say LOTR (don't make me choose one).
Favorite TV series?
— There are too many! I'd go with «Fleabag».
Favorite game?
— Sport: handball. Computer games I don't really play, but I used to love The Sims. Board games - scrabble.
Favorite book?
— It is a Swedish one, by a woman called Maria Gripe. The title in Swedish and Norwegian is «Tordivelen flyr i skumringen», which could translate to «The Dung Beetle Flies At Dusk».
Favorite quote?
— Don't have one, really.
Favorite color?
— Red.
Favorite singer/band/composer?
— Impossible to choose. Fav singer, again if I had to choose, it would be Ellie Rowsell from Wolf Alice. I could listen to her voice forever.
Your favorite song?
— Please don't! «Both Sides Now» by Joni Mitchell is def up there.
Three recent songs you've added to your playlist?
— So much easier! (Laughing). «Addicted» by Haley Joelle, «I Found» by Amber Run, and «UNETICHAL» by Faouzia.
Whats your house from Game of Thrones?
— House Stark. Or Targaryan. Can't choose.
What's your Hogwarts House?
— Ravenclaw.
Marvel or DC?
— Don't care.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
— Open. Adventurous. Love.
Do you have an idol and if you do, who is it and why?
— I have so many. But Miley might still be number 1.
