Are you ready to dive into the captivating world of singer-songwriter Carmel Mikol? Get ready to be taken on a musical journey that blends the rugged beauty of the Canadian backwoods with the suburban charm of Chicago.
Carmel Mikol’s unique upbringing has had a profound influence on her music. Growing up half in the wilds of Canada and half in the bustling suburbs of Chicago, she has found a way to seamlessly blend these two contrasting worlds in her songwriting. The result? A sound that feels like it’s been crafted on the open road, somewhere between these two places.
One thing that remains constant throughout Carmel Mikol’s discography is her unwavering dedication to songwriting, lyrical prowess, and storytelling. Each album is a testament to her obsession with crafting intimate narratives that resonate with listeners on a deep level.
From folk to indie rock, Carmel Mikol effortlessly navigates through different genres and sonic landscapes, showcasing her versatility as an artist. But no matter the musical backdrop, her soulful voice and poignant lyrics shine through, drawing you in and keeping you captivated from start to finish.
So, if you’re looking for music that speaks to the heart and soul, look no further than Carmel Mikol. With her evocative storytelling and undeniable talent, she is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who listens. Get ready to hit play and let her music take you on a journey unlike any other. Get ready to meet Carmel Mikol.
What first got you into music?
I’ve been writing and performing since I was a little kid. As a teenager, I played in cafés and composed songs for the school choir. There’s never been a time when writing songs wasn’t a big part of my life. I feel lucky to be releasing my fifth album now.
What sets your music apart? What is unique, or at least uncommon?
I try not to concern myself too much with being unique. Instead, I’m really committed to find truth in everything I write. Ultimately my goals are to find really perfect words and melodies to describe the feelings we all have – so it’s not about being unique for me – it’s about being real, authentic, and vulnerable. If a song feels a little uncomfortable for me to share, maybe a little too close to the bone, that’s when I know I’m getting close to something really true that others will connect with too.
If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?
Tori Amos
Have you written songs for any other artists?
Yes, I have released co-writes with several other artists include platinum-selling Canadian pop artist Ria Mae, singer-songwriter Kim Wempe, and several other artists.
What is your favorite song to perform?
“Trying Not to Hurt You” has become one of my favorite new songs to perform. It starts out so simple and quiet, so I can really hear the pin-drop silence of the audience and feel them coming along with me as I progress into the choruses at the end. My guitar player comes in with those beautiful layers of delay and a little distortion and kind of lifts the song up a bit. It always feels like a bit of a release.
What is your creative process like?
I wrote this song in an hour. And I learned something important about songwriting by committing the full hour so I could finish this song. The song ended up completely different than I typically write because I decided not to leave it and come back later. Normally I write in manic sprints – I’m kind of always writing and I never worry about writer’s block or running out of ideas. I constantly record little snippets in my voice notes or scribble lines somewhere. Usually I work on a song over the course of a few hours or days. But with “Trying Not to Hurt You,” I forced myself to stay with it. I wrote all the verses, the first minute and a half or so of the song, in five or ten minutes. Then I wasn’t sure what it was. Where’s the chorus? What’s the hook? I wanted the familiar formula. I wanted to push it into the expected verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure. But this song is about how non-linear love is. How unpredictable and unwieldy it can be. How even when it should make sense, it should work out, it just doesn’t. So I let the song be that way too. Real life rarely has a nice little resolution. It rarely has a clear beginning, middle, end. It just keeps moving forward, even when your heart is broken. So that’s what the song does too.
What is the most useless talent you have?
Over-thinking everything.
If you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be?
Oh I can’t tell you that – I actually plan to write one someday and I need to keep that under wraps;)
What makes you nostalgic?
Bob Dylan records from the 90’s
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
I’d tell her that there’s no right or wrong way to do life, there are no rules, and nothing matters that much – so trust your instincts and back yourself a little more. We can build a good life that works for us, even if it looks weird from the outside or doesn’t look like the conventional path. Plus, you can always change your mind and start over.
