We were lucky to catch up with Mikiah Mitchell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Mikiah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Perfecting the craft of singing has to be the most fun and challenging part about being an artist, because every stage is different, with different instrumentalist, sound dynamics, audiences and energy. And that’s where you perfect your craft, on stage in front of people you don’t even know. It’s a thrilling, passionate and unavoidable part of being a vocalist and artist.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Mikiah is a singer and Songwriter from Washington, DC. She’s a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts and has a B.A in Music Business. The singer has recently released her sophomore album titled Dahlia, that combines nostalgic and refreshing melodies consisting of Funk, R&B and Indie sounds. Mikiah continues to perform independently at night club venues, day parties, music halls and special events throughout the country, along with being affiliated with Sofar Sounds, music agencies DC location.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
My social media audience consist of people I met in person while performing, in an audition line, at a random rehearsal to sing behind someone at the last hour, at an open mic, jam session, talent agency but the point is through interpersonal networking and connecting. My advice to people just starting to build their social media presence, is to get in the room, show up, and get to know who you are around. Offer your talent even if you will not be the center of attention because it will gain you access to a wider range of creativity, it will grow your discipline, technique, respect for other artist and of course grow your social media presence that is inevitable when you put in the interpersonal work.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I believe being an artist embodies resilience. I work a 9 to 5 corporate job and as soon as I get off work, I rush to get ready to go perform somewhere. As a vocalist/Artist, we need so many resources to put on a show, but we are often times not paid so we cannot be our best without the needed resources, but we also cannot expect the resources to show up for free. It is a cycle of trying to get ahead by finessing. And using your full-time job to help finance your dreams. I and many other artists have had the conversation about how passionate we are to the point that it is more of a burden than a benefit to pursue a life as an artist, But it’s a Calling that, we never ignore. I don’t have a story. It is a lifestyle.. To consistently Pay your way to share your talent and positively impact audiences, bring venues revenue, and still have to buy your own drinks, Invest in all of the theatrics to show up and be amazing and impressive, while going home with no profit and a 1099. All to be heard, and given a chance to show people that you are worth the investment. I would Not trade my gift for anything though, Resilience included.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/mikiah?fbclid=PAAaZVtxZrqWeuiCnJ7sONUQQ3OclF1HnwYu2OQZ5zv_XAo8bKIpl7Ajblc1U_aem_ATL3iMxA7awgTk9yVzQpUqKbqfYfwr9rt-flByC8W7T3pWB8EUuza7RmnQhwJ9KP3sk
- Instagram: Mikiah__
- Youtube: Mikiah Dahlia
- Other: Mikiah.bandzoogle.com