Interview by Carol Wright | Photo Courtesy of Mimika
We got to chat with singer/songwriter Mimika about her song “Bandaid” and openly discussing her mental health through music.
Did a particular musician spark your interest in songwriting?
I don’t think there was one particular person who sparked my interest to get into songwriting but, I definitely have artists and writers who motivate and inspire me today like Jon Bellion, Julia Micheals, and Taylor Swift.
What did you learn during your time at Berklee College of Music that you take with you in your career today?
I learned so much during my time with Berklee and I’ll take all of it with me but, I think the most important things I learned are that songwriting is all about people and connectivity and that there should always be a strong force of intention behind everything you do.
Tell our readers about “Bandaid.” Was it a difficult song to write?
“Bandaid” is a song that I wrote at the top of 2021 about the state of my mental health at the time and how I was struggling to find something to help. I was trying all these different things that I heard work for other people but, nothing was giving me that instant result I was hoping for. Everything felt like it was just a bandaid for the problem and it took me some time to realize that mental health is something you constantly work on not, something that goes away or gets better overnight.
Honestly, the first draft of the song that I wrote felt really easy and natural, the rewriting process was a bit of a different story. I rewrote the chorus at least 4 or 5 times because I wanted it to be perfect and I love the version that I ended up with.
The stigma that surrounds mental illness can only go away through people discussing it. Do you hope “Bandaid” can help start a conversation?
I would love for “Bandaid” to be a part of the conversation and help people find a way to connect more openly about their mental health. I received messages after putting out the song from people saying that they relate and they feel the same sometimes and it helped me so much personally too. I hope that it gives that same feeling to other listeners, that you’re not alone, that it’s okay to feel this way, and that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you keep trying.
When it comes to songwriting do you often pull inspiration from your personal life?
Everything I write is based on truth from my personal experiences. Sometimes I change the frame but the picture inside is always real and honest. I used to be nervous to write songs that really meant something to me because I thought that other people wouldn’t relate or care and so I would write songs that I felt the audience would like. The transition over the last few years to writing songs for myself has brought so many more genuine connections than I ever could’ve dreamt of and it means so much more because they’re actually real experiences.
What advice do you have for aspiring singers?
Write as much as you can! Songwriting is an art form but it’s also a skill and a technique. The more you write the better you’re going to get. Also, take some time to sit with yourself and really analyze what your intentions are. I know it sounds like an incredibly daunting task but, the more you know yourself the easier it will be to write songs that are truly a reflection of you.