Name: Mirna

Nationality: Lebanese-Liberian, France-based

Occupation: Producer, composer, songwriter, sound artist
Current Release: Mirna's new single “Tired” is out via Attik Productions / Baco Music.
Recommendations: “Saalouny El Nas” by Fairuz: This song takes you straight to Lebanon and is by one of my favorite singers. It's a musical treasure and one of Fairuz's most popular songs. Listening to it takes me back to my childhood.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: Reading this novel felt like traveling through time and the desert. It’s a remarkable journey that offers deep insights and inspiration.

If you enjoyed this Mirna interview and would like to stay up to date with her music, visit her on Instagram.



Where does the impulse to create something come from for you? What role do often-quoted sources of inspiration like dreams, other forms of art, personal relationships, politics etc play?

Music is a means of expression for me, a form of therapy. I was born in Liberia, West Africa. We had to flee the civil war in 1990 and sought refuge in Côte d'Ivoire, and I am of Lebanese descent.

I think politics plays an important role in my inspirations. Wars, injustice, inequality – when you come from elsewhere, you have a different perspective and different dreams. I believe my inspirations and the need to sing come from that experience.

For you to get started, do there need to be concrete ideas – or what some have called a 'visualisation' of the finished work? What does the balance between planning and chance look like for you?

To get started, I usually don't need a concrete idea.

I compose my songs in a place where I feel good, in silence, and alone. I take my guitar and play, following my inner self. I let inspiration and chance guide the creation process, allowing for spontaneity rather than strict planning.

Is there a preparation phase for your process? Do you require your tools to be laid out in a particular way, for example, do you need to do 'research' or create 'early versions'?

Yes, there is a preparation phase for my process. I typically start by composing and writing.

I do create early versions of my songs. I then share these demos with Kubix, a French guitarist I've been working with since 2017. Together, we develop the riddim and the instrumental parts. After that, I organize studio sessions to record live with the musicians.

Do you have certain rituals to get you into the right mindset for creating? What role do certain foods or stimulants like coffee, lighting, scents, exercise or reading poetry play?

I adore ginger; I use it for healing, as it gives me the necessary energy. Sports help me clear my mind and organize my thoughts. Sunshine gives me hope; I feel stronger physically and mentally. All these elements are sources of inspiration and support that contribute to my mindset and creative energy.

The sea is my home; water is life, but in Paris, it's a bit more challenging to have my feet in the sand.

What do you start with? And, to quote a question by the great Bruce Duffie: When you come up with a musical idea, have you created the idea or have you discovered the idea?

I often feel that my musical ideas come to me rather than being actively created by me. It's like the ideas are already there, waiting to be discovered like “REDEMPTION,” “REGGAE PARTY” and many more.



However, there are times when I work more deliberately, especially when collaborating with other musicians to develop more complex compositions.

Overall, my creative process feels like a blend of discovery and intentional crafting, depending on the circumstance and inspiration.

When do the lyrics enter the picture? Where do they come from? Do lyrics need to grow together with the music or can they emerge from a place of their own?

The process of creating lyrics can vary from one situation to another or from one song to another; there have been times when I've written lyrics separately and later incorporated them into a riddim like “THE SUN DON'T SHINE.”

But more often, it's while composing chords on the guitar that the chorus comes, and then I write the verses.



I write my lyrics based on my emotions, experiences, and the current situation, what's happening around the world. It's really what moves me at the moment, and depending on how I've composed my chords.

For example, on the track "TIRED", my chords are in a minor key, the music is upbeat with Afrobeat rhythms, and the lyrics are impactful, echoing the cry of a young yet weary generation. It all depends on the moment .

What makes lyrics good in your opinion? What are your own ambitions and challenges in this regard?

It's important to find the right words and to be direct, which can sometimes be difficult. Additionally, conveying universal messages of unity and love is essential.

Balancing these aspects is a challenge, but it is also what makes writing lyrics so fulfilling.

Many writers have claimed that as soon as they enter into the process, certain aspects of the narrative are out of their hands. Do you like to keep strict control or is there a sense of following things where they lead you?

I embrace flexibility and welcome the flow of improvisation, allowing my ideas to evolve naturally and guide me on their own journey.

Often, while writing, new ideas and alternative roads will open themselves up, pulling and pushing the creator in a different direction. Does this happen to you, too, and how do you deal with it? What do you do with these ideas?

Yes, this happens to me quite often. When new ideas and alternative paths present themselves, I try to remain open and receptive. I see these moments as opportunities rather than distractions. If an idea feels particularly strong or compelling, I explore it further and see where it leads. Sometimes, this means deviating from my original plan, but I believe this flexibility is essential for true creativity.

When these ideas arise, I usually jot them down or record them so I don't lose the initial spark. I may not use them immediately, but having them documented allows me to revisit and develop them later.

It's important to trust the creative process and let it flow naturally. By allowing these new ideas to influence my work, I often find that they enrich my music and lead to unexpected and exciting results.

There are many descriptions of the creative state. How would you describe it for you personally? Is there an element of spirituality to what you do?

For me, the creative state is a place of heightened awareness and deep connection, where ideas flow effortlessly and inspiration strikes unexpectedly.

There's a sense of tapping into something greater than myself, a source of inspiration that feels transcendent. It's a sacred journey of self-expression, where the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual blur, and the soul finds its voice.

When you're in the studio to record a piece, how important is the actual performance and the moment of performing the song still in an age where so much can be “done and fixed in post?“

In the studio, the actual performance and the moment of performing the song remain crucial, even in an age where post-production editing is prevalent.

While technology allows for corrections and enhancements after recording, capturing the essence and emotion of a live performance is irreplaceable.

It's about striking a balance between technical precision and genuine expression, ensuring that the soul of the music shines through in the final product.

Once a piece is finished, how important is it for you to let it lie and evaluate it later on? How much improvement and refinement do you personally allow until you're satisfied with a piece? What does this process look like in practise?

Once I finish a piece, I let it rest before evaluating it later. I aim for a balance between perfection and accepting imperfections.

I refine it through multiple listening sessions and feedback until it aligns with my artistic vision and evokes the desired emotions.

Even recording a solo song is usually a collaborative process. Tell me about the importance of trust between the participants, personal relationships between musicians and engineers and the freedom to perform and try things – rather than gear, technique or “chops” - for creating a great song.

Even when recording a solo song, collaboration is often key. Trust between participants is vital, fostering an environment where ideas can freely flow. Strong personal relationships between musicians and engineers enhance communication and creativity.

The focus is less on gear or technique and more on the freedom to experiment and express oneself authentically. It's this collaborative spirit and creative freedom that ultimately lead to the creation of a great song.

What's your take on the role and importance of production, including mixing and mastering for you personally? In terms of what they contribute to a song, what is the balance between the composition and the arrangement (performance)?  

In my opinion, production, including mixing and mastering, plays a crucial role in shaping the final sound and impact of a song. It's not just about capturing the performance but enhancing it to evoke the desired emotions and atmosphere. Mixing and mastering ensure that each element of the song blends seamlessly and that the overall sound is polished and professional.

As for the balance between composition and arrangement, I believe they are both equally important but serve different purposes. Composition lays the foundation of the song, including the lyrics and melody, while arrangement adds depth and texture through instrumentation, harmonies, and dynamics.

After finishing a piece or album and releasing something into the world, there can be a sense of emptiness. Can you relate to this – and how do you return to the state of creativity after experiencing it?

Yes, I can relate to that feeling of emptiness after completing a project.

To reignite my creativity, I take time to recharge by engaging in inspiring activities like listening to music or spending time in nature. Collaborating with supportive peers and exploring new artistic avenues also helps me find inspiration for new projects.

Music is a language, but like any language, it can lead to misunderstandings. In which way has your own work – or perhaps the work of artists you like or admire - been misunderstood? How do you deal with this?

I believe that each person perceives things differently, and indeed, there can be so many misunderstandings. Sometimes we are made aware of them, and sometimes not at all, which is why I mentioned earlier that it's difficult to find the right words.

If I have the opportunity to explain, I do so; otherwise, I'm sorry. It's a fact that everyone interprets music and all forms of art differently, which can lead to misunderstandings or divergent interpretations.

Creativity can reach many different corners of our lives. Do you personally feel as though writing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

The intention behind creating music is different. When I'm on stage or creating a song, it feels like I'm no longer grounded on Earth but rather becoming ONE with everyone and everything around me, including myself.

Through music, I can express my pains, my sorrows, my ideas, and tell stories. It's a more spiritual experience, I think, and it embodies everything within me that I express through it.

Music is my soul and it's my final goal.