Judging by the songwriting maturity and thematic depth contained in ‘Off the Record’, it’s hard to believe that Mimi is only 17. Yet, her talent has already developed into cohesive, purpose-driven artistry, a quality that translates into luscious, relatable, and catchy pop matter. ‘Off the Record’ is the perfect evidence of that. Packed with five mainstream-leaning gems, the EP sees Mimi describing the reality around her, from romantic-coded anthems to more evocative, personal ballads. Of course, the theming has certain teenage flair to it, yet it unfolds into songs that are not cliché, and that will likely appeal to a wide range of age brackets.
Mimi’s vocals are exactly what we’d expect: precise, malleable, and very much into sweet melodism. In terms of influences, we do hear some Ariana Grande in ‘I Wish’, especially when it comes to the copious ad-libs and vocal harmonies. Hailing from Canada, the gifted songstress is also known in the acting world as Mia Bella, and she’s slowly building a loyal global fanbase. There’s a lot of potential to be explored, still.
Intrigued by the Canadian creative, we caught up with Mimi to learn more about her artistry and future goals… Interview below!
Hey Mimi, thanks for chatting with us! Readers will likely not be familiar with your project; how would you describe yourself, in a nutshell?
Thank you for having me! That’s honestly kind of a hard question for me because I define so much of myself through my art and the things I create. I’d say I’m a mix of introspective and expressive. In real life, I’m actually pretty chill, but creatively I feel things really intensely, and I hope that comes through in my music and acting. I love storytelling and making people feel seen or understood. I think the people closest to me would describe me as supportive, empathetic, and probably the person who – sometimes inadvertently – brings comedy to a situation.
Despite your young age, you have already traced a rising trajectory both in the music industry and the acting world. Where does such eclectic artistic flair come from? Is there someone or something that motivated you to pursue both media?
I think my taste comes from being exposed to so many different kinds of music really young. My parents introduced me to a ton of 70s, 80s, and 90s music, and I completely fell in love with it. But I also grew up obsessed with everything from musical theatre like Wicked and Hamilton to artists like Taylor Swift, Queen, and Ethel Cain. I’ve always known I wanted to pursue both music and acting. It was never really a decision — it just felt like something that was always part of me.
From a musical standpoint, what are some of your biggest influences? What have you been listening to recently?
Some of my biggest influences while making the EP were Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, and Eli, but lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Ethel Cain, Clairo, and Caroline Polachek.
‘Off the Record’ marks your latest release, a five-track EP that feels strikingly mature and meaningful. Is there an overall thematic core behind it? What does the record mean to you?
The thematic core of the EP was basically the kinds of things people only say “off the record.” It’s really a project about growth, experimentation, and figuring myself out creatively. Since it was my first major project, I went into it without a ton of rules or expectations, and that gave me the freedom to explore what felt authentic to me. It ended up teaching me so much about who I am as an artist, and I’m really grateful I got to have that experience.
Widening my previous question, I’d love to know what you find yourself writing about at 17. For instance, I used to be quite introspective and melancholic in my teenage years. Do you prefer writing about the world around you or more about how you feel in relation to it?
That’s such a good question! I think right now my songwriting is definitely introspective and maybe a little melancholic — which might just be a teenager thing. I pull inspiration from my own experiences, but also from stories and emotions people around me have shared with me. I don’t really force it one way or another. I usually just write whatever feels the most real or inspiring in the moment.
Are you proud of how the EP turned out, from a production standpoint? It sounds very modern and fresh to me. Did you record the vocals in Canada?
I’m really proud of how the EP turned out. I love the fresh pop/R&B feel of it, and I think the process helped me narrow down my artistic style and sound a lot more. I recorded the entire project with an amazing team in California, which was such an incredible experience.
Do you have a favourite song in ‘Off the Record?
Picking a favourite song feels impossible — I imagine it’s like choosing a favourite child. But lately I’ve been really connected to “I Wish.” That song means a lot to me personally, and it feels especially relevant to the stage of life I’m in right now.
Lastly, what’s next for Mimi? Any live shows planned, or future releases?
I do have some live shows coming up! I’m always writing, creating, and experimenting with my sound. Right now, I’m really focused on honing in on who I am as an artist, not just musically but creatively as a whole. I’ve also been spending a lot of time diving into different creative communities and teachings — things like artist newsletters, creative programs, and journaling practices. Right now I’m doing “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. My social media series that I’m working on right now has inspired a lot of that, too. Making those videos has pushed me to think more deeply about artistry, storytelling, and creative expression in general and what I can learn from artists who have come before me.