Mia Kai has always been a fan of creating authentic music. Recently she unveiled a new single entitled “Room,” which is filled with a perfect blend of her melodic vocals and atmospheric R&B soundscape.
“Room” signals a new period for Mia Kai, who began creating and recording this masterpiece in Virginia while being quarantined at her parent’s house during the pandemic. The song is a beautiful narrative about lost love and loneliness, powered by her emphatic vocals, a rich chill, and a moody feel. Mia Kai uses the single to let us know she’s not to be messed with, making her name well know moving forward.
Mia Kai had a conversation with us and answered our distinctive 8 Questions. Check it out below.
HYPEFRESH: So tell us, how did it all begin? What encouraged you to start playing and making music?
Mia Kai: Singing came to me naturally at a young age, even though I was super shy about it growing up and mostly sang to myself in my room. The first albums I remember falling in love with were my Dad’s Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Aretha Franklin CDs. As my music tastes developed, I gravitated towards 90’s R&B and was obsessed with artists like Aaliyah, Brandy, Mary J. Blige, and TLC.
I started putting myself out there more in high school with talent shows and singing in choirs, but my first real taste of the music industry was a college internship at Universal Motown Records in NYC. An A&R rep recognized me for my talent, and he helped me record a two-song demo that summer by providing studio time and my first photoshoot. Nothing materialized once I went back to finish my senior year. Still, it was an eye-opening experience and gave me the confidence to consider pursuing a career as a recording artist once I graduate.
HYPEFRESH: Talk me through your creative process when you write new music.
Mia Kai: So far, it’s been one of two ways – I’ll come up with a concept and melody in my head, then sit down and create the song from scratch with a producer who makes the instrumental around my ideas. More frequently, I get inspired by the beat to come up with the melody, concept, cadence, and overall structure. I usually just let whatever comes to my mind flow out first, then will take a break and come back and fully flesh it out. I also recently taught myself how to play the piano again, so I am looking forward to using it to help with melodies and songwriting since almost everything I write now is by ear.
HYPEFRESH: Can you tell us about your new single, “Room”?
Mia Kai: I wrote this song while quarantined in Virginia with my parents during the pandemic in early 2021. With everything going on, I was feeling pretty lonely. Everyone’s gone through that feeling! When I heard the original beat, it gave me a melancholy feel, so I used inspiration from a significant breakup in my life for the concept of being alone in your room while missing someone.
“Room” is the first song I’ve ever released to powerful platforms, and the last time I recorded a project that I posted on Soundcloud and Bandcamp was about eight years ago! While it was an eerie experience being completely isolated in my childhood home as an adult, it allowed me to slow down and provide creative inspiration since I felt stagnant on the music front for a while. It is also my first release with my new stage name Mia Kai.
HYPEFRESH: What do you like most about being a music artist?
Mia Kai: Music has always been my biggest passion, so continuing to follow my dreams since childhood is fulfilling, no matter what happens in terms of material success. The love and support I get from friends, family, and even strangers touch my soul and keep me going. Although I still have a love/hate relationship with performing due to stage fright I’ve always battled with, I’ve never had a better feeling than being on stage and getting a positive reception. It’s the most significant high! I like expressing myself the most since I also work full-time in entertainment advertising, which is okay but could be more creative.
HYPEFRESH: What projects do you have coming up? Can you give us any info on them?
Mia Kai: I have a ton of songs I’m sitting on that I’ve written throughout the years and never released that I’m considering revamping. I’ve also already recorded tracks that I’ll likely release as singles within the next few months, and writing and recording as many new songs as possible to have a wide range of options for the 4-5 track EP I’m planning on releasing early next year. Finally, I’m working on shooting my first music video for “Room” soon, so keep an eye out!
HYPEFRESH: Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to enter the game of music?
Mia Kai: This music game is not for the faint of heart! My main advice would be to love music because you’ll face crazy obstacles and hurdles that are not common in any other industry. You also have to believe in yourself first and foremost because there’s a chance nobody else will, and even if that’s the case, you have to keep going one step at a time.
HYPEFRESH: How do you solve productivity/scheduling problems and reduce overwhelming situations?
Mia Kai: I’ve gotten much better at this with age, especially in understanding that people are BUSY. Everyone is busy, and you can’t take it personally if people need to reschedule or flake on you last minute. So if a studio session gets canceled, I take it as an opportunity to prepare even more so I’m ready to knock it out of the park next time.
I write to-do lists by hand at the top of every week, and seeing items checked off physically makes me feel less overwhelmed and helps me stay on track. Also, learning with first-hand experience how to juggle everything over the years, working full time, pursuing music on the side, and maintaining a social life helps. However, it can still be a challenge.
HYPEFRESH: Name Three things you can’t live without when recording in the studio.
Mia Kai: Endless room-temperature water, good vibes, and tea with lemon and honey! Weed can go either way, but it helps during a writing session.
Stream “Room” on Spotify
