Raised in Southern California but currently based in Nashville, songstress MISY has long been exposed to quality music.
Soaking these inspirations in, she's begun to establish herself off the back of her graceful yet powerful vocals, striking instrumental prowess and visually striking lyrics. Apart from music, MISY’s passions extend to art, animals, spirituality and humanitarian efforts, something that she’s not afraid to let shine through in her music.
Not content to fit into any genre-based box, MISY’s sound is deeper than any one kind of music. Her sound is a tasteful blend of pop, folk, alternative and indie, expertly drawing from each genre to maximize the potential of whichever song she puts her effort into.
Drawing inspiration from musical luminaries like Kacey Musgraves, Taylor Swift, Maggie Rogers, Ed Sheeran, and Jason Mraz, MISY has crafted a sound that transcends boundaries and, at times, embraces the unexpected. She sometimes incorporates hip-hop and jazz components, utilizing her versatility to take listeners on unexpected sonic journeys that leave lasting impressions.
However, MISY’s latest release, “Lavender,” sees her utilize a more indie acoustic sound, which meshes perfectly with the nature-related themes she utilizes for this song. Over instrumentals anchored by a serene yet powerful guitar, MISY’s vocals glide then soar, dropping lyrics like “The sun is high just like me, a magical land filled with wonder” and “I feel so calm and beautiful, I feel like lavender” with the kind of cadence that leaves you chills. With her powerful voice and evocative songwriting, it’s clear that for MISY, the sky is the limit.
MISY’s “Lavender” is a beautiful piece that incorporates themes of nature and self-love to bring you a song that is ultimately catchy and meaningful. Whenever you’re ready, tap in and stream “Lavender,” available now on all major streaming platforms.
Welcome to BuzzMusic, MISY! We loved “Lavender,” we had to ask; it’s clear that you incorporate themes of nature into your music. Can you take us through your creative process for “Lavender?"
Thank you so much! 'Lavender' is a song I wrote when I was back home in California. It was a beautiful spring day in 2021, and my mom had a ton of Lavender growing outside. I was cutting some for herbalism, and when I was done, I sat down to meditate. Then I started playing guitar as the sun set over the ridge, and I just wanted to capture my peaceful yet powerful mood. The chords came to me immediately, and I wrote the song quickly in my parent's beautiful backyard. The sky was turning purple, and I remember thinking, "I feel like Lavender right now," and it flowed out of me afterward. I ended up adding the bridge later on, and when I started playing it out at my gigs, I got great feedback from listeners. I was also listening to many Kacey Musgraves at the time, and I particularly like her song 'Oh, What A World' because it reminds you what a gift it is to live on this Earth! And I wanted to write a similar song, so you could say that song also sparked the idea for 'Lavender.'
So you’re also very involved in your community, volunteering at the Nashville Humane Association and advocating for mental health and general wellbeing regularly on your social media. As an artist, how important is it to have that balance where you want to grind and care for yourself and your mental health?
I've prioritized my well-being over anything else in the past few years. And yes, being involved in the community brings a lot of enrichment to my life! I try to give back whenever possible because I believe being selfless brings happiness and fulfillment to our lives. And I'm just constantly trying to be a better person and improve my life, and sometimes I put a lot of pressure on myself to the point where it's debilitating! I've struggled with depression and anxiety a lot in my life, and I've found that taking time every day to have some quiet time or meditate is really important. Slowing down, being grateful, and appreciating the little things in life are key to my mental health. Spending time in nature and caring for plants also brings me a lot of serenity. 'Lavender' is about my self-care and self-love journey, which is always evolving!
What does music mean to you? For any aspiring musicians out there, what do you think is the most important quality to have as a musician?
Music is the most powerful force in the universe! I truly believe that! It's something that brings people together and can inspire anyone. I don't think there's a soul on this Earth that hasn't been moved by music, which is incredible! Without it, I would be lost, and so would many others. I think the most important quality for anyone wanting to be in the music industry is your attitude. Believing in yourself and trying to stay positive is the most important aspect of this career, in my opinion. And it can be tough, but you have to have faith that it will work out. A contagious positive attitude can bring much hope to other people's lives.
How did you first get involved in music in the first place? Can you give us the MISY origin story?
I started in musical theatre at a young age through my church! And I went on to attend the California Conservatory of the Arts in Southern California when I was in middle school, which was like an after-school arts school where I was taught acting, improv, singing, and overall general stage training for main musicals and Broadway-type performances. But when I was 13, my parents bought me a guitar for Christmas, and I started getting into writing my own songs, and it took hold of my heart. Writing songs became so important to me quickly; I knew my life would never be the same without it. And my guitar teacher encouraged me to move to Nashville to pursue songwriting. I'll never forget when he told me, "If you want to write songs, you gotta go to Nashville. That's where the songwriters go." So I moved to Nashville in 2017; it was the best thing I ever did for myself!
What’s next? Can we expect to hear more new music soon?
I have so many big plans for the future! I have more music on the way. I've been considering a concept album for a while now, and that's something that I want to start recording in the near future. I've been writing for an album for about 2 or 3 years. But I have a few more singles I'll be releasing before that. The next single I'm about to record is "Keep Your Head Up," another positive song I can't wait to share with the world! Follow me on Spotify and other streaming platforms to stay updated on my music! And thank you so much, BuzzMusic, for doing this Q&A with me.