UNA MIA x FRESH OFF THE SCENE MAG - Q&A
Interview by Breanne Gill and photos by Chris Noltekuhlmann & Florian Brandl
Congratulations on the release of your debut EP ‘AIRBORNE’! How did you feel leading up to the big release and how does it feel after?
Thank you so much! I’m still honestly processing the fact that my debut EP is finally out for the world to hear and digest. Leading up to the release, I feel like I was so focused on the preparation of AIRBORNE and its rollout. These days, I’m intentionally taking moments to acknowledge everything that my team and I built together over the past few years. When you’re so locked in the process of creating something for so long, it’s so important to step out of that mode here and there to let yourself absorb the magnificent outcome of all your hard work. I’ve been feeling very blessed and very excited for everything to come!
For first-time listeners, how would you describe your genre? What do you want fans to take away from your music?
For first time listeners, I would describe my genre as Alt-R&B Pop. I feel like this fusion generally represents a good blend of the music I gravitate to most. What I intend for fans to take away from my music most is the message of being your own hero and being daring to take control of your own narrative. Despite the chaotic twists and turns that life can bring, I believe it’s always worth taking the risk of pursuing your dreams.
How does your upbringing in a first-generation Bosnian home with exposure to Balkan folk music and blues interact with your experience in classical voice lessons, performing arts, and opera? How have these diverse influences shaped your musical identity and approach to performance?
These diverse influences have shaped my musical identity and approach to performance in many different ways. My first real exposure to music was through my parents listening to Balkan Folk and Rock because they immigrated to Canada from Bosnia. It was the music I grew up listening to through my immediate community. The genre has a really great sense of rhythm and passion. I just love the energy it brings. However, my mom also played a lot of blues in our home and I instantly connected to it at a young age as well. There was so much soul present in these songs and you couldn’t help but feel the raw emotion. I love Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Ray Charles. I connected to their songs so deeply and that definitely led me to being an R&B lover. Regarding classical voice, it started as an extracurricular since I lived in a small town where there wasn’t a lot of R&B influence present. I grew to really appreciate it since it shaped me technically as a singer and expanded my knowledge in voice. All in all, I’d say each influence played an important role in the kind of artist I am today.
Your latest EP seems to derive from intimate and authentic personal experiences. In your view, how has music acted as an outlet for self-expression and introspection?
Music has always been my outlet for self-expression and introspection. I was really shy growing up but loved expressing myself musically whether I was alone, doing recitals or performing in school musicals. However, music wasn’t necessarily encouraged as a career by my family because of cultural customs and the notion of it being unpredictable. Nevertheless, I continued to involve music in my life even when I went to university for English Literature and eventually decided to leave school to pursue it seriously. The years following that were a really difficult time navigating my early twenties. I took the approach of writing music in the style of diary entries because I found it easier to authentically express everything I was going through and learning about myself that way. All of the vulnerability poured out and I’m glad I had the most amazing support from my music team (Ty Léon and Jhyve) while I was creating this EP. Music is invaluable to me because it’s a channel for personal freedom, and growth, and never fails to bring me solace.
How has your music evolved over time, and where do you see it going in the future?
My approach to making music has definitely evolved over the years. At first, I was really clinging to the style of my influences but gradually started to find myself the more I created. I feel the writing eventually started to take center stage because I really cared to speak my truth and tell my story. Regarding the future, I’m excited to experiment with production and have fun trying new things sonically. I’m looking forward to discovering this new and upcoming era for UNA MIA.
Following your EP’s release, you’ve posted several music videos and lyric videos. What was the creative process/collaboration like for these videos? Did you have a specific visual aesthetic in mind for specific songs?
Making the visuals for this project was really fun, yet intense. We shot seven music videos in three days and I’m so happy with how everything turned out. My creative director, Biance Li Supreme, and I took an elevated and ethereal high fashion approach that embraced femininity and authenticity. I really cared to emphasize the many different sides of me with each video. We teamed up with David Dickenson and Nathan Weber who helped bring our vision to life. We also decided to film the lyric videos through a camcorder to give viewers a more personal insight into the video shoots from behind the scenes.
Are there any particular artists, genres, or eras of music that influence your distinctive musical style and inspire your creative process?
There are definitely several artists, genres and eras of music that have inspired me. I LOVE Brent Faiyaz so much. He’s been my favorite artist for the past few years. Billie Eilish, Lauryn Hill, Etta James, SZA, Beyonce, The Beatles, Drake, and Rihanna, are also some artists I’ve been listening to on repeat for a while now. I generally listen to everything and try my best to stay as open and receptive to new music as possible. I particularly love music from the ‘60s, ‘90s, and 00s the most because there was just something special in the air during those decades that people still obsess over to this day. I value all of these influences because each one offers a refreshing perspective to interpreting music.
You’ve done some amazing collaborations with artists like Lekan and DJ Candlestick. If you could collaborate with any artists in the future, who would be your dream collaboration?
I really do enjoy collaborating with other creatives in general and feel blessed to have worked with both Lekan and DJ Candlestick. My dream collaborations would be Brent Faiyaz, SZA, Drake, and Rihanna. They’re all so amazing and it would be a dream come true to work with them.
What are your goals and aspirations for 2024, either musically or in your personal life?
I feel very grateful for how wonderful 2024 has been for me so far and definitely have many aspirations and goals for the rest of the year. I’m so excited for all of my upcoming shows, particularly my headlining show in Toronto in October and for performing in Mexico City this November at the Corona Capital Festival. I’d like to blossom as a performer and strengthen my confidence on stage. I’m also really amped to continue getting in the studio and making more music. Personally, I’d like to be more consistent in leading life with an abundance and gratitude mindset. I find that works best for me and really helps with manifesting my desires. Overall, I genuinely trust the process of this journey and know it’s just the beginning.
