Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I come from Farnborough, there isn’t much of a music scene there but it’s quite close to the awesome music hubs of London and Brighton so I have always had access to music. I met the boys at University in Guildford so we consider that our bands home really! I wanted to start a career in music because the thought of being able to do something I loved for the rest of my life was a dream too good to miss! I’ve always found solace in writing music but the real beauty is being able to share it, connecting with a stranger through a song is such a cool thing.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: I’ve been listening to a lot of 70’s and 80’s music recently, I’m a massive fan of Talking Heads! Kate Bush, Fleetwood Mac and The Cure have sound tracked my summer. I’ve also been listening to Flyte’s new music and I’m loving the Bombay Bicycle Club singles!
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences, and why the name ‘Mica & The Midnight Blue’?
A: We have always been heavily influenced by Bombay Bicycle Club, we love their energy and their ability to come up with such exciting and vibrant sounds that are instantly catchy. Vocally Florence and the Machine is a massive idol of mine, I love the freedom of expression she has with her voice. As for our name, we just liked the way it sounded and the affiliated imagery of the sea that the term ‘blue’ creates. I’ve always found comfort and calm in the sea despite its sometimes chaotic nature and I feel our music is the same.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Human Beings’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Yes! Human Beings is an ecstatic track that questions the disparity
between the accepted image of being British and the reality for so many British citizens. The emotional lyrics are coupled with a polychrome of bright musical expression throughout this punchy indie track; commenting on the societal shift from doing, to being seen to do. The lyrics reflect on our current system where most pressure is laid on the people who have the least. ‘Being mixed race I’ve always longed to find music that understands my experiences and identity. I didn’t have this growing up but more and more I have seen artists brave enough to speak candidly about their experiences. I want to do the same.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: Yes, this is the first of 3 singles that will then be followed by an EP in April so keep your eyes peeled!
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: I think our music dances along the line where Indie harmonies meet Folk emotion. With some of our tracks digging into the raucous excitement of our indie rock predecessors, our music is always lyrically lead. A very distinct part of our sound I believe is in the melodic and unique basslines combined with the reverb heavy guitar sound walls. A key element to our music is the subjects that we talk about, always an honest reflection on life in our generation, commenting on mental health struggles, Identity and race.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: As soon as I hit the stage I feel so lucky. Being able to perform our music is the most rewarding experience, but I have big goals and will always be striving for more, I would love to travel the world sharing our music.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Usually I bring an idea to the band and sing the song through, sometimes with a guitar part and sometimes without and then we build from there, recently we have tried starting from a riff and it has been fun exploring writing in different ways, our next single started that way!
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: Although it’s probably obvious but the Covid Pandemic has to win that one, it wasn’t just not being able to see friends and family, but the fear that what you do for a living and love to do might be banned for the foreseeable was awful, feeling that your way of expressing and connecting with the world was being locked away really made for a horrible couple of years.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: We played a Sofar Sounds show last month and that has been a goal of ours from the start. We played at Bristol City Farm in an amphitheater, playing outside to a full house of strangers and everyone attentively listening to our music was just magic! We’re also about to embark on our first UK tour and that is huge for us! The Tour starts on the 21st-28th October and we are heading to Brighton, London, Bristol, Leeds & Newcastle.
