With music running into the same old issues of sampling older tracks and using similar themes, the U.K music scene just found a new gem that smashes through those issues and creates her own path and her own sound.
Exploring themes of human nature, hope, spirituality, love, oppression, inequality and empowerment is exactly what Mica Millar is all about. It’s important for her to showcase her modern soul while keeping the legends of the genre in her mind as the 60’s and 70’s still remain an inspiration for many creatives.
We sat down with the talented artist to discuss all things music, her struggles and more so grab a coffee as this is a good one.
Good morning/afternoon, how have you been gearing up for the release of Heaven Knows?
It’s pretty much been non-stop with not much time to do anything else at the moment! As an independent artist I’m releasing the album on my own label ‘Golden Hour Music’, I do a lot of the work myself with a small team so it’s been a huge undertaking. Aside from music and preparing for the release, I have been working with an amazing designer and close friend called Dominic Milner on the outfit for my album launch shows. We had a final fitting yesterday and I’m in love with it.
As someone who was almost paralysed, I know that it is a time where life tests you – how did you come back from breaking your back?
Going through something so traumatic in the midst of recording the album was a real challenge but honestly, I just really didn’t want my injury to define me or impact what I had been working towards creatively. When Covid hit, it felt like one thing after another for me, I just thought, the universe is telling me to take some time out now. There were nine months where I was learning to walk so it wasn’t really feasible to work on the album, but I think that period of time did give me some perspective and when I was able to get back into my studio, I had a much clearer vision for how I’d finish the record.
On your debut album, there are plenty of influential guitar players – were you nervous about working with these A-list players?
It’s really wonderful working with types of players when they completely understand you creatively and you have a mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s craft. That’s a really enjoyable process.
You’ve been called faultless by a couple of magazines – does that create pressure for the next project or does it not bother you?
If I’m really honest, I’m such a perfectionist so “faultless” is a word I really do appreciate. For this album there was so much attention to detail and for me it was only finished when there was nothing else I felt I was capable of doing to take it further. I think that’s something that will always be part of who I am. That said, I don’t think everything great is faultless, there is magic in mistakes and rawness and I think I’ll be more open to exploring that in future creative projects.
Victoria Jane said your music spoke to her soul – is that the hope for this album?
The hope for the album was really to actualise what was in my head musically. I feel very proud to have accomplished that musically. It’s really lovely getting such wonderful reviews which are of course an added and much appreciated bonus. Certainly it’s beautiful to see so many people around the world connecting with my music. That’s what it’s all about.
Combine your accident with dealing with covid and you’ll find challenges unlike any other – did you discover something new about yourself during this time?
I think I discovered that I’m very resilient and that was a really amazing thing to know about myself.
You’ve talked before about how creating this album was overwhelming – what advice would you give to others?
It was definitely overwhelming at times, particularly during the early stages of breaking my back, but overall the process was incredibly enjoyable and rewarding.
Perseverance is key. Don’t give up.
What would you say is next for Mica Millar?
I’m launching my album with two live shows at Jazz Cafe, London on 17th September and Albert Hall Manchester on 25th September… There’s lots of exciting things coming up but unfortunately I can’t make an announcement just yet.
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