Audrey Mika got her start on the internet. In an endless stream of uploaded talent, she stood out on YouTube thanks to a sweet-yet-soulful voice that belted out hits from a pink toy microphone. But whereas other as-yet-to-be-discovered teenage peers might continue to release covers, Mika’s plan was always to showcase original work. And those songs are what made her a star.
It was 2018’s “Are We There Yet” and 2019’s “Level Up” that really helped her amass followers, and she recorded both albums on GarageBand. But it wasn’t until this year’s album “5 a.m,” which included a New York tour, when things really took off. Oh, and the fact that her summer single “Y U Gotta B like That” went viral on TikTok.
Before she knew it, Mika had more than two million subscribers on Spotify and 1.5 million subscribers on YouTube, making her the type of overnight sensation that only the internet can create.
Although live shows are on pause, that’s still not too much of a problem for Mika. Recently dubbed “one to watch,” she’s connecting to followers with live-streamed performances and newly-released tracks from her latest album. In fact, fans shouldn’t be surprised if she responds to their DM, either. Seeing as she got her start as a fan, she wants to keep a close connection with hers.
You first made waves on YouTube when you were 15, gaining traction by covering popular songs by artists like Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande. Fast-forward to today, and you’ve built a following in your own right with more than 1.5 million subscribers on YouTube and more than two million monthly listeners on Spotify. What are some of your fondest memories of those early years?
I was actually always a dancer, and music was a side hobby until I picked up my first instrument, a ukulele.
(cont’d…)
I wrote my very first song that day and played for 16 hours straight. That’s really when the thought creeped in my head of wanting to be an artist. My favorite memories from my earlier years are writing in my room all by myself, navigating life and putting it all in my songs. Music became my outlet, and soon dancing didn’t make me as happy.
Though you released EPs in 2018 and 2019, your big break came a few months later when your summer single “Y U Gotta B like That” went viral on TikTok. How did you handle the overnight success, and how did you turn that virality into longevity in your career as a musician?
I was in shock! I didn’t even realize what was happening. My friends were texting me and saying that my song was all over their “for you” pages. It was a very surreal moment, and I’m so grateful that my music was a part of people’s creativity. After it started to blow up, we just kept strategizing and kept putting out music to keep the momentum going. Soon after that we were able to go on our own headlining tour. Everything felt like a dream, and it still does.
Your fan base is growing around the world, which means you're in the public eye more than ever before. How have you handled that? What advice do you have for others who are in the middle of that now? What have been some of the biggest lessons you've learned as a result?
As grateful as I am for each and every person who has been following my journey, I’ve definitely learned that my family and friends are so important. Keeping myself grounded is how I’m able to celebrate what I have.
2020 presented everybody around the globe with new, unprecedented challenges. How did you #FindNewRoads + switch gears towards your new version of success?
It was definitely a struggle in the beginning and it was hard to find inspiration for writing. But we were able to adjust pretty quickly. We had great meetings with our label and they really helped us decide what direction we wanted to go with our music.
According to recent research, just 21% of popular artists are women, 12% are songwriters, and only 2% are producers. And the stats are even bleaker for women of color. How are you making a difference and pushing the music industry forward?
I feel so grateful to be able to represent Asian culture. There aren’t enough Asian women pop artists, and my goal is to make other Asian women feel appreciated and represented. You can literally do anything you put your mind to.
Going after what you deserve in life takes confidence and guts. Does confidence come naturally to you or did you have to learn it? What advice can you share for women on cultivating confidence and going after their dreams?
I still feel like I’m building confidence, but I always do one thing for myself every day that boosts it, even if it’s just reminding myself that I am beautiful and unique. I’m learning that I should never feel bad for taking time for myself and how important it is to trust my gut. It’s all about your mindset and having a positive point of view on your goals! Don’t think your dreams aren’t realistic, because you can make them a reality. Keep working hard every day—it’s all about consistency.
How have you remained true and authentic to who you are and what advice can you share for women who are struggling with that?
I keep the people I came up with around me because they keep me grounded. I would give this same advice to anyone. It’s hard achieving your dreams alone, so finding people that you can trust is so important. Being able to stay focused on your goals is also helpful. That way you’re not trying to be anyone else but yourself.
It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but how do you handle failure or when something hasn’t worked out for you?
I get right back up after I fall. I’ve had plenty of mental breakdowns, but I always try to learn something from the experience. If you love something enough, you will do absolutely whatever it takes to keep doing it. No matter how many times you fail. Get back up, learn from what happened, and go try it again. Never give up.
With success comes opportunity, but that also means you have your hands full. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going even on your most challenging days?
I love my most challenging days because they push me. I try to see the positive in why something is happening to me and I learn a lot through that. Having busy days inspires me, and the people around me inspire me. But you can’t go looking for inspiration, it’ll come when it’s supposed to.
If you could go back to the beginning of your career journey—with the knowledge you have now— what advice would you give yourself?
Go easy on yourself. I used to be really hard on myself, and I still am, but I have a way better mindset about it all. I used to be scared that people didn’t or wouldn’t like me, and it took me a long time to not care about that. Once I let the need to please everyone go, I felt like I could do anything. I’m still working on so many different things in my life. But I am so grateful for everything I’ve learned and achieved.
Fill in the blanks:
When I feel fear, I…
Take a deep breath.
The three qualities that got me to where I am today are…
Authenticity, drive, and music.
The change I’d like to see in my industry is…
More women on the music and business side of the industry, and more diversity!
My perfect day begins with…
Brushing my teeth and turning on my water fountain.
The craziest thing I’ve done for work is…
Going on tour. I never thought I would be able to do that.
