Exclusive Interview with Mia Rago

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Music's Week: What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and what keeps you motivated to continue creating?

Mia Rago: I was inspired to start singing at a very young age. I listened to my dad sing Frank Sinatra around the house and my mom introduced me to Elvis Presley. Once I started singing, I couldn't stop and I've been singing ever since. Once I got to middle school, I started playing guitar and writing music. I listened to many female artists like Brandi Carlile who really inspired me to be a singer songwriter and pursue music as a career. My motivation comes from within, when I'm not doing music or working another type of job, I get very antsy and feel like I need to be singing or doing something music related. My mom always says that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" and that is how I feel about music. Something always draws me back to this career.
 
Music's Week: Can you tell us about your songwriting process? How do you come up with ideas for your songs, and what do you think sets your music apart from others in your genre?

Mia Rago: My songwriting process begins with a melody. Usually I hear this melody in my head and that is the start of a new song. Then I figure out the music to go with the melody - mostly on guitar, sometimes on piano - followed by the lyrics. The mood and sound of the song influence the lyrics. I look for inspiration in my own life and things I've seen when creating my own music. Songwriting is storytelling and I try to craft songs that people can relate to; there is no better feeling than connecting with people through music. I feel like my story and influences are unique, and this is something that sets me apart from others. My songs have a subtle darkness stemming from growing up around my family's funeral home and cemetery business. I am influenced by the music before my time and I think you can hear it in my own music. As a classically trained soprano, I occasionally play with melodies based on the operatic technique I have learned; I ultimately wish to bridge the gap of indie pop and opera. 
 
Music's Week: You earned a degree in vocal performance and you're a classically trained operatic soprano. What was going through your mind when you achieved that, and how did it impact your career or perspective as an artist?
 
Mia Rago: I have always been listening to music from before my time so it felt rather fitting to fall in love with opera once I got to college. I enjoy the challenge and beauty of classical music and how it has shaped music today. My classical technique has helped me to be able to easily sing all types of genres and has made it easier for me to sing my own music. It's fun to learn the mechanics of the voice and I have had wonderful voice teachers to help me navigate all of this. I am extremely proud of the musician and vocalist I have become and this is truly only the beginning. Opera has taught me that you are never done learning and growing in your craft. I hope to continue singing opera and continue my career as a singer songwriter; both genres are more similar than we think. 
 
Music's Week: How do you balance the creative aspects of your work with the business side of being a musician? Do you have a team or management that helps you with that?

Mia Rago: As an independent artist I do a majority of the business side of my career. I do, however, have a small team of people I can rely on for help; my parents, my voice teacher, my producer, and my distributor. It is very difficult to balance the creative and business side of music when all I really want to do is create. Unfortunately, the business side of music is a very large part of it. I hope as I continue to grow as an artist my team of people will grow with me and I will eventually be able to focus more on creating. Talent and drive go hand in hand just like music business and music artistry. 
 
Music's Week: What's the most challenging part of being a musician, and how do you overcome those challenges?

Mia Rago: As much as the industry has grown into a place that feels more accessible for independent artists, it has also grown into a more saturated environment with lots of artists all trying to do the same thing. There is competition in all lines of work and the music industry is no different. I strive to be different and create music that is unique enough to stand out among the crowd.
 
Music's Week: Who are some of your biggest influences, and how do you think they've shaped your own sound or style?

Mia Rago: My biggest influence is Brandi Carlile, I have been following her music for over 10 years. As a young woman in the music industry it is so inspiring to see another woman with such success and grace as an artist. She made me feel like it was possible to have a career as a singer songwriter. As I grew into my craft, I became influenced by the sound of artists like Mitski, Shakey Graves, and Norah Jones. With so many different influences, I feel as though I am crafting music that is uniquely mine. I hope people who listen to my songs can hear my influence but also hear me and my specific sound. 
 
Music's Week: What do you hope listeners take away from your music, and what message do you want to convey through your art?

Mia Rago: I hope listeners can relate to my music and find their own stories through my songwriting. I want to convey a message of hope in our darkest moments and strength in our lightest. Even though I want my songs to be relatable, I still want there to be some mystery in the way my music is created - I want to write a breakup song that's playful instead of sad, or a song that personifies death as a person. I am trying to create songs that are new and exciting with themes that everyone can connect with. 
 
Music's Week: Can you walk us through your live show experience? What kind of preparation goes into creating a high-energy performance, and what's the most memorable experience you've had on stage?

Mia Rago: I have performed both classical and indie pop music and both require lots of practice and preparation. Although there is a lot of practice for a live show, you can only prepare so much, some things you cannot prepare for. Performing live is one of my favorite things, you get immediate feedback from the audience and can feel the energy in the room; you can play off of all these emotions during a live set. Some of my most memorable moments on stage come from the audience, I love feeling their reaction to my songs. I also love introducing an audience to classical music. I often sing a snippet of an operatic aria in the middle of my indie pop set; and the reaction is amazing. Some of my favorite moments are singing opera in venues you wouldn't expect. When it comes to performing opera in a classical setting, I feel overwhelming joy when I perform with an orchestra - you can connect with the music in such a different way. As I bridge the gap between classical and indie pop, I hope to someday perform my own music with an orchestra. 
 
Music's Week: How do you think social media has changed the music industry, and how do you use it to connect with your fans?

Mia Rago: Social media has created a direct line between the artist and the fans. I think music has become more accessible through social media, but it has also become more saturated. I use social media to promote my music and reach a wider audience. Independent artists, like myself, now have the ability to grow their audience and network through social media. 
 
Music's Week: What's next for your music career? Are there any new projects or collaborations in the works that you're excited about?

Mia Rago: I have released two new songs since June and will continue releasing music through the rest of the year with my next single "Sweet Tooth" out September 20th followed by another song "It's Dark Inside" out October 25th. All of this music is leading up to my debut album Wishing We Could Dream set to be released in 2025. This album highlights stories of my life to date, all the light and the darkness I've experienced. I am so excited to share this new chapter of music and continue to grow as an artist.

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