Unfiltered Canada is BACK with another episode featuring Nova Scotian singer, songwriter, producer and creative director, MINOE! 🔊🔥 With this video series, we chat with some amazing Symphonic artists and get a closer look at everything they’re working on, personal stories, passion projects and so much more. Read the full MINOE interview below…
Unfiltered Canada: Full MINOE Interview
Alejandra Marroquin (AM):
“Congratulations on the release of your debut EP! We loved it. We know that you’re working on your first album for 2025, which sounds really exciting. What can you tell us about the creative direction and vision for this album? And how do you anticipate it will differ from your previous work?”
MINOE (M):
“I don’t want to give too much away, but I definitely want to talk more about where I’m from and sort of my origin story as a person and an artist. I’m from Nova Scotia, Halifax. And yeah, it has a really special place in my heart. I think the music will reflect that a bit too, because I’m getting a little bit more, I suppose, mellow.”
“I’m leaning into the more mellow stuff and doing less of the super pop kind of dancey stuff, but I still have quite a few dancey songs coming out before that happens. I’m doing some singles, some girly pop singles that I’m really excited about so yeah, we’re bringing the party up, then we’re bringing the party down next year.”
(AM):
“How do you usually approach the process of turning personal challenges such as navigating your queer identity and overcoming adversity into creative fuel for your music? That must be hard.”
(M):
“Well, it’s actually the easiest thing in the world, because that’s how I deal with stuff, right? It’s just always been how I deal with stuff, and songwriting for me is like a diary entry. It’s like a complete release of those emotions when I’m going through adversity like you said or trying to figure out how I feel about something. A lot of the time I’ll write something, and I won’t really understand how I feel about something, then I’ll write a song about it and I’ll read it back go, ‘oh, okay, that’s how I feel’. So yeah, it’s actually a really good tool. And I would recommend to anyone to try it because it’s a really good tool to kind of be your own therapist.”
(AM):
“But I wonder, does it maybe scare you sometimes to be that vulnerable with your music and to let people in that much?”
(M):
“Yeah, definitely. I think because it is like diary entries, right? But I think what I’ve learned and what I’ve seen are that the ones that I’ve been the scaredest to write or the scaredest to release have impacted people in such profound ways. If I can say that… like I’ve seen it, I’ve heard people come back to me and say, for example a song I wrote “Wish I killed my ex boyfriend” a while ago. Which of course is like, I knew that some people might see that and be like, oh, she’s insane. But I’ve had people come up to me at shows and say like, oh, that got me through my breakup. And that to me is worth putting myself out there because that’s the most important thing. I’m so happy that I can do that for someone because music does that for me all the time.”
(AM):
“Yeah, that’s great. And I can tell you, like, as a listener myself, it’s really great that artists usually put what you know you’re feeling in words. And sometimes I’ll be hearing a song and I’m like, wait, that’s exactly what I’m feeling! That is crazy.”
(M):
“Yeah, exactly. And it just helps you through so many challenges in life. And sometimes people ask me what genre I do, and I’m like, oh, well, it depends on what’s going on in my life, really. Like, everyone has their own personal little soundtrack to their life. And if I can contribute to little areas of that, then I’m super happy.”
(AM):
“Let’s talk about your songwriting for a minute. We know that it’s been like an outlet for your emotions for you, but how do you feel your songwriting has evolved or grown over the years? And what role does it play in your healing journey?”
(M):
“How has it evolved over the years? I think it’s like anything, you know. The more you do it, the better you get at it. The more practice, the better. I’ve even noticed like, because I’ve always just written for myself but I started writing for other people last year, and I absolutely love that. I love it so much. And I think doing it so much, and doing it with more intention and putting myself in other people’s shoes and sort of needing to access a different level of like empathy has been so rewarding and exciting. Just growing as a musician, like as somebody who has a skill and wants to improve upon it.”
“I think it’s always improving, and in terms of how that impacts my healing journey, it’s the same thing. I mean, every time there’s a new little facet or little piece that feels… that feels healed. There’s something about writing for other people that makes me feel very, very accomplished and very, I guess, healed every time I do it. That I’m able to, to do this, and people want me to do it. I’m still kind of shocked.”
“I’m like, there’s no way people listen to my music when I’m like not in the room with them pressing play or especially that someone would hear my stuff and want me to write with them. It’s just such an honor. I think it gets better every time, and it makes me feel better every time too. Thank you so much.”
(AM):
“You deserve it. Your songs and your songwriting are amazing. So honestly, I’m so glad that you’re doing that for other people as well.”
(M):
“Oh, thank you. Thank you. I really appreciate that.”
(AM):
“Let’s talk for a minute about the challenges that artists face when making a sustainable income from their music. We know that that’s like a huge thing for you. So how have you approached the financial aspect of your music career and what strategies or side hustles have you found most effective in supporting yourself as an artist?”
(M):
“I am a side hustle queen. I love just diversifying. If I had any word of advice, just from my own personal experience, I think the music industry is so broad. There’s so many things that you can do while being in this sphere. If it’s something that you really love, you can do it in so many ways. For example, I mean, debatable maybe if it’s making money off of music or rather the music industry… But I’ve done social media for other artists and record labels. I’ve done grant writing for other artists, which I’m still doing and I love doing. And of course songwriting for other people. I just did a vocal sample pack the other day.”
“I’m just open. I’m always open to… what do we need and how can we make it happen? As long as I get to be in studios or just around musical people, I’m super happy. And of course, every time that makes me a better independent artist. That makes me more capable to do the things that I need to do. If I’m doing social media with a record label and I’m meeting with that team, I’m not walking away from that with, ‘okay, 5pm, bye guys!’ You know? I’m walking away with knowledge that’s really going to help me improve my own path and improve my own skills. Yeah, I’m just into all of it and I highly recommend. Because of how much I’ve learned from the different little jobs that I’ve taken, little side hustles, I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to just be doing this all the time or just be in this world all the time.”
“It’s super rewarding, and it’s fun, and I can live off of that and don’t need to work at a Joe job anymore. But bear in mind, I’ve had many, many, nine to fives. I’ve waitressed. I’ve done all that stuff, and I’m way happier doing this. And I get to do different things every day. I’m not a routine person. I like to every day to look different and be running around everywhere.”
(AM):
“I love that you’ve worked in several aspects of the music industry, because that’s really a basic thing for artists to understand is the industry and its complexity because it’s a lot of different features and roles. And it’s really nice that you get to do that, because you’re growing your career and you’re also making some money, so that’s amazing.”
(M):
(M):“Thank you! Yeah, absolutely. Lots of artists do it, even if you’re just branching out into another field of entertainment, if you’re doing acting or voice acting, something I’ve been interested in that I’ve wanted to start doing, there’s tons of ways to make money in entertainment if you’re willing to just diversify. And then the income that I get from that, I get to invest back into my passion, into my project.”
“I’m very, very lucky that I’m able to do that now. But it also took a lot of work and patience to get where I’m at, at this point with freelancing and figuring all that stuff out. But yeah, highly recommend, 10 out of 10. Get some side hustles, do things that you like doing.”
(AM):
“Would you say that this financial aspect of sustaining a music career is the biggest challenge you’ve faced? Or is there anything else that you would say, ‘This is the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced in my career…’?”
(M):
“The biggest challenge that I’ve faced in my career… I think it’s a recurring one. It’s just every time I am thrown into something where I just don’t know anything about it, it’s always a challenge. You know, like legal stuff for example. That’s something I’m not good with.”
“There’s always going to be areas that you just need help with, and finding the right person to help you with it, that’s really hard. Finding the right people to surround yourself with. But, you know, every time, I’ve found the right people. So, it just takes a while. Finding the best people for the job, and finding the people also who really care about what you’re doing, not even necessarily that they’re really good at what they’re doing, but that they really care about you and what you’re doing is, I think, the most important.”
“Finding the right people, that’s a really big challenge. And learning new things is always a challenge, but it’s one that I enjoy at least. It’s rewarding to learn new things, but it’s not that it’s not hard. I hope that made sense as an answer! Finding the right people, that’s the biggest challenge.”
(AM):
“I’ve never heard that before, but that’s so important. You’re so right.”
(M):
“Yeah, like building the team with people that care about you, support you fully, and that you absolutely adore. I’m so lucky I have a few people, because I’m independent I’ve built my own team, and I’ve got to snag cool people from different spheres of the industry to work with on my own project. But yeah, it took a really long time to find those people. But you just gotta keep looking, sending a million emails, going to things and sending emails, and that’s like most of what I do.”
(AM):
“So last question… If your life was turned into a musical or a movie, who would you like to play you?”
(M):
“I’m a pretty goofy person, so I feel like it would have to be somebody who could be sincere but also pretty goofy. Maybe like a comedy, but I don’t know, maybe Emma Stone? Or Jennifer Lawrence? Somebody who has like, you know, demonstrated that kind of duality and is able to do the serious stuff but then also the funny stuff. I’ve had a funny journey, but also a very serious one. So, I would need somebody who can do both. Yeah, I think they’re both phenomenal.”
//
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