Don’t Shink Yourself: An Interview With MINOE

emilytreadgold #1, Uncategorized

MINOE's sound blends modern with nostalgia in the most perfect way. You can feel the wide range of inspiration through her mellifluous voice and that sense of vulnerability that permeates through her songs. MINOE is an essential worker, taking care of animals, and has been working through the pandemic, but she finds calm within the crazy and inspiration in her everyday life. We talked to her about how she's been staying creative and sane during this weird time.

How did you get started in music?

MINOE: I started music/writing before I can remember, my mum got me into all sorts of music from birth! As far as playing shows and releasing though, probably somewhere around 2015 with different bands and such.

How have you been dealing with the pandemic? 

MINOE: It’s been weird, I’m still working my day job so I’ve really been seeing first hand how people have been changing and adapting. It’s kind of nice to be working and interacting with people, and I must admit very interesting, but it’s also scary. Crazy days.

What’s it like still having to work during all of this?

MINOE: Stressful and time consuming, but it feels important. I have sort of a love hate relationship with working, especially since our essential workers aren’t being paid enough. Most of my customers are thankful and very sweet which can be so heartwarming! So I’m taking it day by day. Shout out to all the essential workers 💖 

How have you been staying creative lately? 

MINOE: Staying creative is hard since my job takes up a lot of my time, I’m working to make sure everyone’s animals are being well taken care of at home (so I’ve been working a lot). When I do get time to myself though, lyrics have been coming to me every day. This is such an emotional time, how could I not write about it you know?

What has been the biggest challenge for you in the music industry?

MINOE: The biggest challenge in the music industry is a really hard question to answer, I think it changes every day. Lately I’ve been wishing there were 5 of me so I could be working on a song, promoting, doing interviews, etc all at once! It’s hard to be on top of everything when you’re an independent artist, but my manager and I are doing our best. We don’t want to keep anybody waiting for new music, that’s for sure.

Tell me about your upcoming EP?

MINOE: I don’t want to dive into this too much because I’d like to keep it a little secret, but I can say that most of these songs have been ready and waiting for a while now! I’m really excited for the release, I think it’ll feel like closing a chapter and gearing up for the next one.

What’s your best piece of advice for young women? 

MINOE: Advice for young women: DO NOT SHRINK YOURSELF!!! When I was younger I spent too much time trying to fit in and make other people happy with who I was, rather than just being myself loud and proud. Now that I’m older I have all these bad habits I need to shake off. I think this is something a lot of young girls struggle with because we’re taught to be less than our full potential so we’re not threatening anybody with our confidence or individuality... I say that’s garbage! Be extra, wear whatever you want, create whatever want, say what you feel, do the most while you’re here baby girl! From my heart to yours💓 Do what’s best for you!

Follow MINOE on Instagram and Spotify to stay tuned.

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