Check out our interview with Canadian neo-soul singer and songwriter Miranda Joan who just released her latest single “Home” produced by Julian “J3P0” Pollack.
Joan uses her multicultural upbringing from both French and English backgrounds as well as her reverence of music legends such as Stevie Wonder and Carole King and contemporary artists such as Erykah Badu, Anderson Paak and Emily King to craft a diverse and fresh sound in her music.
Miranda Joan has shared the stage and has worked with high-profile artists such as Andy Grammar, Brandon Victor Dixon (Hamilton), Christopher Jackson (Hamilton), Surf Mesa, Lorde and Shawn Mendes.
Follow Miranda @mirandajoanmusic
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Hi Miranda, please tell us a little about you?
Hey Naluda Magazine readers! My name is Miranda Joan and I am a singer/songwriter from Vancouver, Canada. I am a live music junkie, big time outdoors person and I love all things maple syrup related. This is me in a nutshell.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Golden. Sunshine. Bird. Ha!
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
Disney soundtracks were my gateway into music as a child, but only when I graduated high school did I consider singing and songwriting as a path I could actually pursue. I studied jazz in university and from there went on to create a life for myself as a musician in New York which ultimately led me to where I am today as both an artist and as an individual.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Soul, singer-songwriter, pop.
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
As I mentioned before, from Disney soundtracks to 90’s boybands to classic soul and R&B to jazz, my curiosities in music have truly run the gamut over the course of my life. I am deeply inspired by some of the great songwriters such as Stevie Wonder, Carole King and Bill Withers that I was fortunate to have cross my path in my late teens, and I think it was songwriting that was really the clincher for me. When I discovered it as this outlet to express myself, it was like stumbling into a goldmine of creative freedom. I could say everything I would otherwise hold inside and feel safe in that. It was magical to me and it still is.
Tell us about your new single “Home?”
My latest single “Home” has a special place in my heart. It came out with a music video that was shot this past summer right near my home in Vancouver, Canada.
What’s the story behind the song?
I wrote it the year I graduated high school and was leaving my home for the first time. I was riddled with questions, which is most of what the song’s lyrics are, about where this next part of my journey would lead. All these years later, I sing these words and am humbled by the answers, or lack thereof, and the continued pursuit to connect with these things that my younger self was wondering about; things like home and love and self-worth.
Did you have plans/concerts planned and cancelled because of COVID? If so have you done any online concerts or interaction with your fans?
I most certainly did. Shoutout to my fellow indie artists who have been through it this year!! I feel you and I am with you. I have done some online concerts and have been more present of social media since the pandemic in an effort to connect with my listeners. However, there is truly nothing like the real thing and I very much look forward to being able to share that experience once more and connect with people in real life and not just through our screens.
Which project is still on your bucket list?
I am going to release my next record this summer but in the absence of live music, I’ve spent much more time this year writing and am veryyyy excited to get some of these new songs in the works! So stay tuned because there will be much more coming down the pipeline.
What is fun and rewarding about what you do? And what’s not?
First and foremost, it feels good to express myself in this way. Most of my writing is autobiographical and there is something healing about the writing process for me. I’m incredibly grateful to have somewhere like this to put myself. Another major highlight though is connecting with others. When you share your own story and someone else sees themselves in it and it brings them closer to that part of themselves… that’s a real gift.
What’s not fun?.. I mean, I think like every job there are going to be parts of it that are less enjoyable than others. The only thing with it being music is that it’s easy for it to feel very personal. Being an independent artist also means stomaching a lot of rejection and also hearing a lot of opinions… all the time… about everything you do. That’s not great. But it’s a part of it and, for better or for worse, I’ve fallen in love with this thing so there’s not much I can do about it. I’m in it for the long haul.
What’s next for Miranda Joan in 2021?
Music. Music. Music. And hopefully some live shows before the year is out. I have something booked in NYC in September, so pending any other global disasters, I am very much looking forward to that.
What is your favorite song? And why?
This question is impossible.
Best advice ever given?
Follow your curiosities.
How’s a typical day in your life?
My days are pretty dynamic, which I like. This year aside, my life is not a monotonous one and that works for me. Generally speaking though, I’m writing, practicing, having a recording session or a rehearsal, playing a show or going to see a show. Lots of coffee is had. My next meal is top of mind at all times.
What is your favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
This is always changing but lately I’ve been jamming big time on Robyn. Great lyric writing and great vibes. However, I’m always here for a classic diva belt with the likes of Whitney, Beyoncé or my Canadian girl Céline.
Do you support any charities?
In non-COVID times, I co-host a jam session and every other month we split the door with a local organization doing important work in the community. Some of the organizations we’ve supported are The Audre Lorde Project, Black Women’s Blueprint, Powerplay, LES Girls Club, Girls for Gender Equity, Willie Mae Rock Camp For Girls. We have also performed at the STARZ CGI Girls Youth Summit.
I have also been a songwriting mentor and teaching artist with SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young for the past seven years and work with kids who stutter 8-18 through various arts programming.
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
Rude to the server. I cannot. I very much value the way people interact with the world and the people around them and I think that kind of thing is very telling of a person’s character.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram: @mirandajoanmusic
Twitter: @mirandajoan_
Website: www.mirandajoan.com
Quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou
Movie: Ratatouille
Travel Destination: Rio De Janeiro
Sports Team: Montréal Canadians, les boys!
