After spending the last few years turning out a breadth of riveting releases, fast-rising artist Mik Ivy is back to his best once again to deliver his breezy new single 'Superman'.
Lifted from his forthcoming debut album 'DO NOT TAKE THE FLOWERS', which is out on the 12th July, 'Superman' makes for a dazzling return to form for him. With its rich and shimmering textures set to his emotive vocals throughout, he continues to shine as one of the more exciting names doing the rounds right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I’d have to say the guitar. I just remember being 12 and picking up my first guitar and feeling both more excited and relaxed than I’d ever been before. There’s just something so intuitive and therapeutic about picking up that instrument and letting your fingers wander until you get your next good idea. I feel like 95% of my songwriting has just come down to getting in the zone with my guitar and letting the world fade away.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I feel like it was mostly what I was exposed to through my parents: The Rolling Stones, The Cure, Serge Gainsbourg, Frank Sinatra, etc.. The music I actually started listening to on my own at first was classic rock and indie music like Led Zeppelin, Radiohead and Mac Demarco.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album I ever bought on Vinyl was “In Utero” by Nirvana. I just remember heading home on the bus from the city center, trying to work my dad’s record player, and falling in love with songs like Heart-Shaped Box whilst attempting to play along on my acoustic guitar. It wasn’t the cleanest playing, but I remember thinking “damn this is a sick afternoon”.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
“Someday” by the Strokes has such an insane aura to it, that I can’t quite explain it. Whether it be the muddy guitar tones, Julian Casablancas’s lazy distorted vocal, or just the overall careless & bittersweet emotion I can’t help but feel when that song plays, but damn I wish I wrote that every single time it plays in my headphones. Realistically, I think it comes todown to the fact that I know I’ll never be as cool as those guys were ahah.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
My process has evolved a lot over the years. I used to only be able to create well in a calm and familiar environment like my bedroom or home studio, but I’ve grown to love the chaos and the new ideas it tends to strike in me. I’ve also become less lonesome in my creative process, I quite enjoy writing with other people in the room, and I believe it lets the song become more universal as it becomes the result of many people’s personal experiences. I think my only ritual now is I’ll try and walk or bike through London whenever I’m about to start creating, there’s just something about observing the city and its people which never fails to put me in the zone to create.
Who are your favorite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Dominic Fike, Malcolm Todd, Puma Blue, Vacations, Action Bronson, and the new Billie Eilish album have all been heavy in the rotation lately, Just really leaning into that indie breezy summer vibe lately ahah.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Opening for Arctic Monkeys would be a dream come true, as they’re literally been in my Spotify top 5 since I was about 14 years old. The music, its identity, and the regard in which I hold every member of the band would definitely make this the most incredible experience ever. Also, I think pints with Alex Turner and the conversations that would ensue would make the night even more legendary.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Specifically as a songwriter, I think managing to capture an exact emotion in a song and being able to re-transmit that feeling to others through your art is an insane experience. I believe a lot of the hurt I’ve put into creating the music for my upcoming project “DO NOT TAKE THE FLOWERS” can be felt through hearing the songs, whether it be in the more painful comforting songs or the frantically energetic tunes, a lot of it comes down to trying to capture those specific feelings and making people feel less alone in their moments of distress, confusion and loneliness through music.
And what is the most frustrating part?
100% the uncertainty. Am I doing enough? Is the music up to standards? Am I meant for this? Is it gonna work out? I think every person who does something remotely connected to the arts is confronted with these questions on a daily basis, and I think the more you’re passionate about what you do, the more you’re confronted with self-doubt and uncertainty. I deal with this by using this anxiety as creative fuel and letting it guide me through the multiple creative decisions that come along with releasing music for the world to hear. If you’re out there reading this and are met with these questions every day, worry not darling, we’re all in the same damn boat and as long as you’re doing your best, you’re doing good.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
To trust the process and be myself unapologetically. I’ve spent years of my life trying to be something I wasn’t, something cooler, something more socially acceptable, something less extravagant. Through maturing and surrounding myself with good, trustful people, I realised that It’s through being who you are that you get what you deserve, anything else and you’re living for other people, eventually rendering you unable to create authentic music since you don’t even know who the fuck you are. I’m incredibly grateful for my support system and they’ve all inspired this album in some way or another, from dancing till 4 AM to songs like “Superman” or joining me in tearful heartfelt moments to “some might just go away” " This album simply wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t stop caring less and let people love me for me.
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Mik Ivy's new single 'Superman' is available to stream now. Listen to it now in the player below.