Miracle Mathis, who performs as Miir, shares her story with Music Journeys. The 28-year-old has a new six-track release, her third EP since 2017. She performs Saturday night at 7 as part of CAPA's ApART Together Concert Series. In this edition of Music Journeys, Miir shares how her love of music helps overcome the challenges of being an independent artist. Thanks for listening.
Better Dayz plays...
Better Dayz comes from Miir's Reminiscent Vibes Volume 2 EP and reflects her optimism in life and as an independent musician.
"I wrote a lot of those songs during quarantine," Miir said. "I wrote this project to kind of save me and get me back on track. I was off mentally. Each song means a lot. Better Dayz is probably one of my favorites off that."
Better Dayz continues...
Born in Indiana, Miir has been living in central Ohio since 2003 primarily on Columbus' East Side. She recalls falling in love with the Temptations at an early age.
"They got me really singing," Miir said of the Temptations. "Eddie was the high part. David had the raspiness. Melvin was the baritone. I always say they low-key taught me how to sing."
My Girl plays...
"Growing up, I always made up my own tunes and sang by myself," Miir recalled. "I didn't really share it with people. I kind of kept it secret. When I was 15, my cousin took me to the studio for the first time to record some Christmas songs or whatever. But that's where I fell in love with the process, the writing, recording, mixing, and mastering of it. Being around some music friends and them motivating me to stop being scared about putting my music out. They really encouraged me in 2017 to drop my music."
Fiyya plays...
"I did not expect the turnout from releasing my first project," Miir said. "I just jumped in. I have stage fright. I'm always going to be somewhat scared because I'm a shy person, but you just have to do it. The end result is you went out there and you shared your music with people who really receive it."
Ghost plays...
"I'm doing everything by myself," Miir said. "I don't have any management. I'm booking shows. I'm doing promotion and all that stuff. It can be really challenging, especially money-wise. Applying for grants, you don't always get those. It's also very rewarding too because you're investing in yourself. Music does help me keep afloat. Doing it helps me release and express. I jumble up my words when I talk or try to express myself, but then I can write a song and just tell you everything."
3:18 plays...
"When I first started doing music, I was getting asked to do a lot of shows," Miir reflected. "I didn't bring up money unless they did. I did a lot of free shows to the point where I was exhausted. I was grateful to perform and get exposure. But as I went along about 50 shows in and had nothing to show for it. I also didn't want it to be about money but it made me kind of bitter."
Secure The Bag plays...
"So that song represents in this year that people are going to pay me what they owe me," Miir said of Secure The Bag. "The right people know your worth and will pay for your talents. It was a long journey. It's definitely getting better. Bigger and better opportunities, and I know I will get paid. Like CAPA, that's big. I just played at Natalie's, and that was probably the biggest show I've done financially. Things are looking up. I did just get a bandcamp. I'm super late, but listeners can keep supporting me and streaming my music and spreading the word, only if you want to. No pressure."
Behind Me plays...
"I know it's so cliche, but music really has saved my life," Miir said. "There's been times where I wanted to completely give up on life, and then I redirect my energy on a project and just put it in there. Even if I'm not recording, I still lean on music. Hearing people with messages that they can relate to this. It's nice to know that other people are experiencing the same feelings but get through it with my music because they know they're not alone too. This is a long-term thing. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, you'll always get some music from me."
Again, Miir performs as part of CAPA's latest Apart Together sessions. That's a 7pm show on CAPA's Facebook page, and if you can't see it then, I'm sure it will be archived soon after. Also check out Miir's new bandcamp page.
