Interview by Carol Wright | Photos Courtesy of Miranda Joan
We got to chat with singer Miranda Joan about her song “Dans Ma Poche” and what advice she has for aspiring singers.
Growing up did you often put on performances for family and friends?
Growing up I was actually a pretty shy kid. I loved to perform but was rather secretive about it. I remember locking myself up in my grandma’s room to sing along to Disney VHS tapes in private (“Under The Sea” was a favorite!) My family and certainly my older brother really helped bring me out of my shell when it came to performing. In high school things changed immensely. I was in theater, did musicals, played in bands and really started to lean into that side of my creativity and expression.
“Dans Ma Poche” is a departure from your usual sound. What inspired this change?
Honestly, the song came about because of a running inside joke between my brother and I. We started creating this character NUNI around the idea of me having a French DJ alter ego, which then turned into the lyrics and vibe for “Dans Ma Poche.” When I brought up the joke to my producer Julian J3P0 Pollack he thought it was hilarious and ran with it. Et voilà!!!
You don’t often hear a song that’s all about baked goods (something everyone loves). Do you often write songs about specific things or objects even if it’s just as a writing exercise?
Even when I’m joking around, it would appear that my songs are still deeply personal. The song is about the things that NUNI (aka me) wants to carry around with her in her pocket: family, friends and pastries. And honestly, if you were to ask me what I’d love to reach into my pocket and grab, I would answer with that exact list!
Are there any particular French artists that served as inspiration when you worked on “Dans Ma Poche?”
I can’t say that there was any one French artist in particular that inspired the song. I think overall we were pulling from that French euro-DJ vibe; a real boot-and-cats moment.
Tell our readers about SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young. What work do you do with them and how can people get involved?
Yes!!! I love this question, thank you for asking. SAY is a non-profit that works with youth 8-18 years old who stutter through arts mentorship. I’ve been a teaching artist and musician with SAY for the past 7 years and it is one of the brightest lights in my life. If you are interested in getting involved you can learn more about the organization on their website www.say.org. I originally got involved as a volunteer and being a non-profit they are always fundraising which is a super helpful and easy way to support!
What advice do you have for aspiring singers?
Everyone’s journey is unique, so be patient with your own. I think it’s really easy to look left and right and get lost in what’s going on around you, but what I would say is stay focused on your path, keep honing your craft and trust that the right opportunities will come your way. As my grandpa would say: “Aim high there’s plenty of room.”