The Creators Series w/ Miiesha debuting Made For Silence

Advertisement

“I’m influenced by a lot of different stuff! I grew up on 90’s and early 00’s R&B, so that plays a big part. But country music is also really big in my community, so the story telling there is really powerful to me.”

-Miiesha

Introducing Miiesha, Australian singer-songwriter with a bold disposition and soulfully airy vocals. Debuting her second single “Made For Silence” off of her her forthcoming double EP release “Smoke and Mirrors”. After releasing her Debut Album in 2020, “Nyaaringu” with EMI/UNIVERSAL group, Miiesha has set sights on new heights as an independent artist with a refreshing electro-infused sound, delivering powerful messages in doses of cosmic -like energy. Miiesha’s music is more than melodies and visuals, she brings her soul to the table.

Winner of the the ARIA in 2020 for “best soul/r&b release, voted by NME as “Album of the Year” for her debut album, among a plethora of other accomplishments that made Vogue Australia recognize Miiesha as a “female voice of change”. Miiesha is no stranger to success and is doing things on her own terms while shedding light on her indigenous community at home in Australia.

“Made For Silence '' , produced by Lucian Blomkamp (6Lack), picks up Miiesha’s story where the previous single “Damaged” left off. Whilst “Damaged” explored the depths of intergenerational trauma and the pain Miiesha has felt over the broken relationship with her mother, “Made for Silence '' is Miiesha's statement on empowerment, independence, and stepping into a place of catharsis. Explaining the shift, she shares “sometimes it’s better to stop talking and let silence do the healing”. 

Photo by Cole Bennetts

Advertisement

In the sleek accompanying visual, we find a decidedly upbeat Miiesha cruising in a car that also featured in the “Damaged” video in a dilapidated state. Although this time, the car is symbolically restored as it carries Miiesha forward on her journey.  Interspersed with high-octane cutaways of Miiesha zooming through the city streets, the creatively shot video radiates an electric energy and newfound sense of power for Miiesha. 

"In "Damaged", the car in the video represented my late grandmother who couldn’t carry my family forward anymore. I had to leave them behind to focus on surviving this grief myself, before I can go back for them. In "Made for Silence '', I’m moving forward with what she left behind for me, she gave me that strength to carry on. I’m celebrating that strength and the connection we had”. - Miiesha

We caught up with the rising star just before the debut of “Made for Silence” on R29 to discuss her Creative Process, inspirations and cultural influences. Watch Made For Silence NOW!

Where are you from originally? Where do you currently reside? If different from where you’re from.

I’m from a small Indigenous community called Woorabinda in Queensland, Australia. It has about 1,000 people there and is home for me. I move around a lot with my music but nothing is like the connection there, it will always be home.

What are some of your biggest influences when creating your work?

I’m influenced by a lot of different stuff! I grew up on 90’s and early 00’s R&B, so that plays a big part. But country music is also really big in my community, so the story telling there is really powerful to me. I love everything, from newer R&B to spoken word poetry. It all inspires me. I don’t want to be put in a box, I just want to make music that excites me and tells a story.

Art + Photo by Cole Bennetts

What have been some of your most life/career-changing placements?

Winning an ARIA award was really big for me! Being a young Indigenous woman from a small community, I never even dreamed I could get to that level. To know that people are connecting with my story is crazy, cause it’s all about healing for me.

How does culture, both popular and your own (if any) play a role in the work you create?

My culture is really important to me. On my first project “Nyaaringu” I had a lot of my Grandfather’s Pitjantjatjara language in there, as the project was a lot about where me and my people have come from. My culture has shaped everything about who I am, I can’t separate myself from it.

What advice do you have for your fellow creators, both established and rising?

Just be yourself, don’t overthink, and try to enjoy it. Learn to love your journey, the ups and downs, it all makes you who you are. And put that into your music, it can be really healing, well it is for me.

Watch “Made For Silence” and connect with Miiesha on Instagram.

Reported by Janet Igah