How did you first get involved with synths and electronic sound?
My introduction to electronic sound was through hip-hop and r&b if that counts as electronic sound? My brothers got me into music when I was very small. But I remember my first independent experience of exploring electronic sound was collecting Ministry of Sound and One Love compilation CDs and searching and downloading the original samples off Limewire. Then when I was in high school my brother got an MPC and SP404 and I started playing around on the SP404 and Logic on my own as I got older. Em Gayfer, aka Light Transmissions, took me to MESS years ago to the Synths for women +/ non-binary people +/ trans people workshop and I made my first song that I’m so proud of using the Moog System500 which I love that song! I ended up dancing to it in my first solo show last year at the Who Cares Travelling Circus.
How would you describe the sounds you make today?
I feel like I am still finding that out myself… but so far I feel drawn to create sounds that make me feel like I’m moving (or make me want to move) … on various scales… like maybe I’m moving on the train, or on a pirate ship, or running away, or dancing. Moving to sound feels like my most heartfelt expressive outlet. I’m always thinking about time and movement – of the ancestors and spirits inside my body. I am trying to channel and release them into the future.
Using musical language I would describe my sound rhythmically as dancehall/post-punk ish? I also lean into noise/drone as I’m exploring live improv on the eurorack. I think I can be a bit musical theatre at times too ! I love the depth of silliness and clowning.
Where do you find inspiration, what motivates you?
Sometimes my emotions, I try to get them to flow out of me. For me finding my voice feels like a life-long journey. It’s so destabilizing at times (I’ve spent a lot of my life making myself quiet). Other times I get inspired by music that I listen to that I find so amazing I want to try and use these existing artworks to mirror something within myself. My nieces and mum inspire me too. Representation in music is really important to me. Artists like Aarti Jadu, Makeda, Local Woman to name a few open up worlds of expression for me. Seeing them perform makes me so inspired. I love the way they are so authentic and unique.
What’s been one of the most rewarding or satisfying moments of your journey so far?
The most rewarding moment so far is being chosen to perform at the Brunswick Music Festival this year with MESS and doing shadow movement to my composition at the Who Cares Travelling Circus.
And the most challenging?
The most challenging part about the music journey is facing shame, imposter syndrome and sort of the fragility of my ego. I’ve always had a really tumultuous relationship with music. I feel like I’m constantly trying to shed.
Do you have a current ‘go to’ set up at MESS? Any favourite machines or combos that you’re currently digging?
I keep going back to the Moog System 55… I’m trying to stay away from it for some reason because I want to try something different each time I’m there. I love the system 100, the vermona, the 303 and the Lyra. I love the Space Echo. I recently felt very honoured to be able to play the Novachord Hammond which was so beautiful and special.
Are there any machines in the MESS collection you’ve had your eye on but haven’t tried yet?
I’d love to try more of the eurorack systems available! I want to try the voyager and I’d love to learn how to use the new Mixing and Finalling station too.
If you could give yourself one piece of advice when you first started what would it be?
Mimmie performs at New Waveforms, Brunswick Music Festival
Date: Wednesday, March 5th, 2025
Time: 7pm-9pm
Venue: Brunswick Mechanics Institute
