MINA
Western Maryland
www.soundclick.com/mina
AX: How would you describe your music to people?
MINA: I would describe my music as an appreciation for all that is dark in human nature.
AX: How and when did you start performing?
MINA: I have been actively recording since 1992 and performing for over 20 years at many venues in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia. It has been within the past three years that I have begun aggressive self promotion and development of my music.
As long as I can remember I have been dedicated to music, singing in bands, learning to play instruments, even being trained as a classical vocalist. As I began to develop my style I worked with various producers experimenting with various songwriting styles and vocal compositions. In 2002 I began working with Jason Rubal of Seventh Wave Studios in Harrisburg,Pennsylvania. During that time, we really focused on creating music that was original and had a unique sound. We started off with recording two songs, “Untamed Journey” and a remake of the not so known “The Battle of Evermore” by Led Zeppelin. The two songs received so much positive feedback on internet sites and radio stations that we decided to continue working together. When “Falling” hit, it became the number #2 Goth Rock song on Soundclick.com, just under Inkubus Sukubus, and number #7 on the Rock Charts. Since “Falling” has been on the charts, it has remained in the top #10 of the Goth Rock Genre on Soundclick.com and various other Internet sites. I guess you could say that my music is a collaboration, between musician and producer, which has turned out to be quite successful so far.
AX: What brought you into music?
MINA: I was brought into music by my Mom. When I was little my Mother always had the radio on, or back then, an 8 track playing and she always knew all the words to the songs. Well, I thought that when I grew up I wanted to be just like my Mom, and so that’s what I did. I learned all the words to as many songs as I could and studied musicians and genres of music until it was all I wanted to do.
AX: What’s your songwriting process?
MINA: Material on this CD is a collaboration between myself and Jason Rubal of Seventh Wave Studios. The instrumentals are skillfully created by the talented session players at Seventh Wave, to include; Mark Bohn and Jarred Cannon of Hierosonic.
AX: Is there anything that you want your fans to take from your music?
MINA: I want my fans to take from my music an appreciation for the darker side of the human mind. Goth is a beautiful thing, really.
AX: What do you feel sets you apart from other artists?
MINA: Being a solo female in the Goth Rock genre is a pretty good reason. I am fortunate to have a great team that understands what I am trying to produce and stays true to that concept. As a whole we work to create the mold, not fall into one.
AX: What would you say are some of the best, and most difficult, parts of being a female musician in your genre?
MINA: The growing trend in Gothic Music has created more opportunities for female and male artists of this genre. I think female artists have a chance to pioneer the development of this trend and bring the female rockers to the forefront of the music industry. As for difficult parts, I try not to dwell on them. All the experiences I have as a musician, easy or difficult, are lessons on how to keep the business running and being successful in the music industry.
AX: Where do you see this project taking you? Where would you like to find yourself in the next few years?
MINA: I see this project pushing the limits of the female goth rock genre, experimenting with new ideas, stronger melodies, intricate vocal patterns and progressive compositions. I will be returning to the studio to begin recording three new songs which will be available on CD early 2006. We are planning on some heavier songs and possibly an acoustic, definitely all Goth!
I would like to expand all aspects of my business, writing, recording, touring, and possibly getting signed.
You can find out more about MINA, and her new album set to debut early 2006, by visiting www.soundclick.com/mina.
