A Quick Chat with Milina Mihic

Can you tell us a bit more about your influences for STAY WITH ME?

I was very strongly influenced by Jeff Buckley when writing Stay with me. I tried to just be as unapologetically honest as I could be, even when addressing my flaws within this song. I think production wise there are a lot of influences from Imogen Heap, Fiona Apple, and Phoebe Bridgers. We also tried to make the song feel as anxiety inducing as we could. When telling a story of heartbreak there are so many emotions that you move through so quickly and sometimes simultaneously, I think that’s definitely what we tried to convey in the production of the song.

Who are your biggest influences and how do they affect your songwriting?

I think my biggest influence will always be my life and the people around me. I like to take moments and memories from my life and retell them as honestly as I can, in order to work through those moments myself, but to also gain a different perspective. I also love being influenced by movies and literature, and trying to give voice to the character I've created that’s central to the song. There are a lot of different ways I go about writing a song and where to start, sometimes it's a story I've heard or a movie I've watched. Other times it starts with chords that make me feel vulnerable enough to pour my heart out onto a song.

Describe what the creative process is like for you? When do you feel most frustrated making music?

I think the most frustrating part about making music is when I get in my own way, or stop myself from writing something because I am uncomfortable or because it is too honest. There are also times where I know exactly what I want to say but I just cannot find the chords for the life of me! My producer Blake is amazing at helping with this, he is always the first to understand where the song should go and where I would want to take it which is amazing to have.

If you could change something about the Australian music industry what would it be?

I would make people interested in small artists again! I think there is a general bias that surrounds artists with under 10k streams on their platforms which can inhibit people from wanting to listen. Some of your favourite artists are out there just waiting to be discovered!

What would you be doing if music wasn’t an option?

I would most likely be a music teacher. I couldn’t see myself not being surrounded by music for my life.

Are there any Aussie artists that you would like to collaborate with? Why?

There are so many! I would love to collaborate with Matt Corby, he is a brilliant storyteller and I think we could make something amazing together given the chance.

What’s your advice to young people who want to make a career for themselves in the industry?

Just be as authentic to yourself as you can be. There are a million people with things to say, but there are a million people who need to hear what you have to say, the way only you can say it.

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve worked with/met?

I think the most interesting person I have worked with would have to be an artist named Tobiahs. We did a writing session together where we made a bunch of songs and just improvised lyrics and melodies over the top and it worked so well! It was challenging but also super fun. Someone I work with regularly is definitely my producer Blake Wares, he is a very wise and funny guy.

Any plans for a tour on the cards?

I would love to tour! There are definitely plans to tour in the future!