Written By: Amanda Policastro
Kimie Miner is a singer/songwriter from Hawaii. We got the chance to chat with her about her single “Bamboo”, her business Haku Collective, and her new album, “Proud as the Sun”.
Check out the interview!
Photo Credit: Brooke Dombroski
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your single “Bamboo”?
Kimie Miner: I live on the North Shore of O’ahu so I do a lot of driving. Inspired by the lush greens and shoreline of the east side, I find it easier to come up with new song ideas. One day while driving I started singing this hook ‘bam bam booooo’ and I couldnʻt get it out of my head. After participating in the first Creative Lab Hawai’i Immersive Music Program I had the opportunity to work in Los Angeles with Secret Road Publishing. During a co-write with Jesse Epstein and Isaac Moreno I shared my hook idea of ‘bam bam boo’ and the song was born. It talks about the strength and endurance of a relationship that allows its companions to grow side by side without stifling each other.
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your new album and how it is different from your previous music?
Kimie Miner: I’ve grown up a bit more. I’m much more comfortable in my own skin and I embrace the strength of being a woman. I feel empowered and complete gratitude for life and the beauty around me. I think that translates in my new album.
upfrontNY: Where do you draw inspiration from?
Kimie Miner: It’s always been from my surroundings. Living in paradise has a huge role of the music I create.
upfrontNY: What was it like being part of the first Creative Lab Hawai’i Immersive Music Program?
Kimie Miner: Incredible! It stretched me as a songwriter and producer. I met so many talented artists. It changed my perspective on music and the opportunities available to me.
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your business Haku Collective?
Kimie Miner: I started Haku Collective after the Immersive Program when a music licensing project fell in my lap. I wanted to include other artists and writers that I felt deserved the opportunity as much as I did, so I started this collective. Haku is a full-service music, audio, and talent production group providing access to the creative output from Hawai‘i’s emerging and leading artists, producers, composers, and musicians. We work with artists who are reaching across genres and driving the evolution of Hawaiian music and Hawaiian sound today. We also have a mentorship program to help guide up and coming music creators in Hawai’i on song crafting, similar to the Immersive program I was apart of.
upfrontNY: You are Hawaiian and we all know Hawaii is a beautiful oasis, but is there something about Hawaii that we might be surprised to know or a hidden gem?
Kimie Miner: We are a growing island metropolis with access to some of the world’s greatest talents in the arts from culinary, to fashion, and of course music!
upfrontNY: You have toured in some great places including Jamaica, where would you love to tour next?
Kimie Miner: I’d love to tour Australia, New Zealand, South America, and Brazil. Oh and Europe!
upfrontNY: What do you enjoy doing outside of music?
Kimie Miner: Food!!! I love to cook and watch cooking shows. I love to travel and try the different regional cuisines
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