Mikayla Gilles – Away

By starrymag | March 17, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I would describe my sound as a fusion of genres, reflective of the diverse collections of music that I listened to growing up.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I grew up listening to Sade, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Maxwell, Tears for Fears, Coldplay and Kaskade to name a few. So many artists…

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Away.”

 

A) I have been writing music at my piano since I was ten years old, so now that I know how to produce there is a lot to come. “Away” is actually my newest ,song so it is pretty cool that it ended up being my debut single. To be honest, I was going through it in March when COVID hit and I knew I wasn’t the only one.

To set the scene, I had to go home mid-semester to virtually finish Sophomore year at Howard University. I had just started a break with my boyfriend at the time,and my hometown, Chicago, was enforcing the stay at home order. Let’s just say there were a lot of nights when I would just bawl my eyes out. Why? Because sometimes life feels like it is just “go go go” and not often do we get to hit a justified pause and get in tune with how we really feel. This was that much needed pause for me…not a pause as in Mikayla is going to sit on a couch, binge watch TV shows (because I usually never have time to) and make showering an every two day thing. But instead, it would be pause of external distractions and I would truly be 100% about me.

I think this whole shift of energy I experienced that honestly took my mental health from nonexistent to “actually okay” came from the realization that there are so many things in life that we can’t control, things that are uncertain, like COVID, and if we give them the time of day, they will consume our minds. The only thing we can truly control is ourselves and I am Christian, so this realization also came with the reinforcement of the idea that God needs to be at the center of my life. I should wait for His wisdom instead of stressing out or jumping to decisions or in my feelings…So, basically, “God’s got me.” Everything that happened was a blessing in disguise because it allowed me the time to act on my dreams. I wrote “Away” to share this life changing lesson on my journey and mark my first tangible step towards my dreams, my debut single!

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I believe that anyone who listens to “Away” can connect to the arch of the story. In other words, the “where attention goes, energy flows” theme. In the beginning of the song my focus is all on a BOY. The mood is distraught. The mood is “OOF, I felt that” as I say “I didn’t, feel like, I’d neva (eva), replace you” … This was Mikayla at the beginning of quarantine.

I’ve always been independent, so it isn’t that I needed a relationship but more so when we love someone that we click with, especially when we’re dating and young (I’m 20), we start wanting to build a future with that person. And, as a result, we spend all this time and energy on keeping the connection strong with someone else that we forget the fact that we don’t even have a strong connection with ourselves. So, when the relationship doesn’t work out or it is constantly on and off like mine (once again, young relationships), we have a choice to either always let the uncertainty of situations (not just relationships) affect our wellbeing, self-confidence and productivity or we can find happiness within ourselves and focus on our personal growth and development and let uncertain situations and experiences turn out as they may. It is okay to desire certain turnouts, but every time things don’t go the way we want them to we shouldn’t let that rock our foundation and the only way that foundation will be strong enough to weather this thing called life is if we take care of ourselves first. Life is all about growing from experiences. “Away” is all about personal growth.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) In the music video you all get to sit shotgun and watch as I drive “Away” (yes, I actually drive) from the relationship I’ve been speaking about to my dreams, my first performance of my debut single “Away!” Fun fact, the music video screenplay was actually written by my Father, Maxime Alix Gilles. He also makes a cameo (oops, spoiler).

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) Music flows through me, so honestly ideas hit me anywhere and everywhere. I’ll jot down lyric ideas in the middle of class, I’ll hop out of my shower before I rinse the soap off my body to type an idea in my Notes app or I’ll record my voice singing a melody while driving, safely of course. Eleven times out of ten my songs are written at my piano, your piano, any piano. I would spend all day at a piano if I could (and yes, I have before). That’s why at the gym I love exercising my lower body because the piano bench causes pancake booty. Sorry, I think I’m funny. Anyway, usually I will let a voice memo recording run (yes, my phone storage is jammed) while I just play so I can really feel out how I’m feelin’ in the moment without having to pause and scribble lyrics illegibly and go back to playing because that interrupts my flow. Then, I’ll go back, listen to the recording and write the score and lyrics a little more legibly in one of my ten music notebooks filled with songs. It’s funny because I wrote the chorus chords for “Away” way before I even thought of “Away.” Kind of like when family members are like, “I did xyz before you were even a thought.” “Away” is my baby to say the least. Also, there are at least five versions of the song. I plan to release the original version in acoustic form so you all can hear how it started. I like it either way!

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I write, produce and record my music. I pick a song from my music notebook, finalize the score on my piano and then record the piano part and work in Logic to bring my expression to life with the incorporation of other instruments and layers.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming out in the near future?

 

A) Of course. [winks] I was actually supposed to release my EP (yes, the songs are ready) before “Away,” but then I realized I should have at least a few singles (dropping hints) out before I release an extended project to build momentum and introduce the world to my artistry. Also, because I am an artist, producer, student and I am self-funding and organizing my projects independently my timelines are a little longer. I want to deliver a few more singles before I release a full album or EP to become a little more familiar and comfortable with the process of a release.

 

Q) What event or moment motivated you to shift from modeling to music?

 

A) Modeling to me has always been more than simply existing as a pretty face, but instead being a role model that people can put a face to and that is where the industry is headed anyway. To me, music and modeling go hand in hand with each other. They are both passions of mine and ways to creatively express my individuality. Music is my core and modeling is a means for my brand and artistry to gain exposure and positively influence others.

 

Q) We loved seeing you on “Making a Model.” What did you personally learn or takeaway from your time on this series?

 

A) Thank you! It seems like forever ago. We shot “Making a Model” in Spring of 2017. Time flies. I walked onto the show with zero modeling experience, but that didn’t really bother me because I was willing to learn. Overall, I was just really thankful to God for the opportunity to live in New York, network and spend some one-on-one time with my Mom being on TV (doesn’t happen often LOL). I was truly just happy to be there. Being on “Making a Model” proved to me that anything is possible and dreams take courage. To be on the show I had to make a decision to get up and move to New York halfway through my Junior year of high school. I didn’t know how the show was going to go but I knew it was a show. I knew that much. That was God testing whether or not I trusted Him and His plan. Would I say, “Oh but I have school, I have to graduate, I can’t do both” or would I take a leap of faith. I took a leap of faith and God had already worked everything out. Huge lesson: there is no one way to live life, and again, “God’s got me.” I negotiated my contract so that I could commute each week from New York to Chicago so that I could do my school work, graduate on time, apply to college and make my TV debut. It was a hustle, but you have to show God you are willing to work. You have to work for your dreams and seize any and all opportunities. Some will fall into your lap (never by coincidence) and others you’ll have to manifest by working towards them every day.

 

Q) What advice would you give to those interested in starting a modeling career?

 

A) Just be yourself. Be you. Individuality is a beautiful thing. I have never been one to follow trends or desire the latest “IT” thing because the thing about “IT” things is that they are here today and gone tomorrow. Be your beautiful self and show the industry you stand by what you believe is right (don’t budge or shrink yourself, your beliefs, or your ideas). Yes, essentially, you are a mannequin for clients but once your face is everywhere on everything, people are going to want to hear your voice. People are going to look up to you! Maybe quite literally on billboards.

 

Q) Musically, who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) This is always the hardest question for me…I’ve always wanted to do a piano duet with Alicia Keys. I think we could definitely create something magical, and I know I’ve always wanted Kaskade to remix one of my songs. BPM Channel 51 has always been a favorite. Eventually, I would like to make movie and TV show soundtracks. I am a classically trained pianist at heart so fusing that with my sound I think would be dope in the background of some of your favorite screenplays.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) Lately, I’ve been really listening to Billie Eilish. I love her story, her identity of purpose to deeply connect with and support her fans as they go through their own struggles and her sound is epic and so creative.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) On social media (Instagram and YouTube) my aim has never been likes or measures of popularity but instead inspiring my growing community and fanbase by sharing my journey to my dreams, the ups and the downs. That’s why on YouTube I open each vlog with “It’s another day to journey with me!”. I’m not afraid to share my truth, but I will say that sometimes it is hard for me to embrace the fact that people actually care about what I have to say. As my platforms grow, my community grows and so does my responsibility to use my voice. So, I just have to own it and keep sharing it. I want to continue to touch others with my voice both in music and in day-to-day life.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) First of all, thank you. When I released “Away” it was all love from my family, friends and the people who support me that I haven’t even met in person. I can’t wait to share more of myself and my truth in my projects to come so that our connection can keep growing. This is why I can’t wait to tour with my music because then I can actually meet my supporters and give them a big fat hug. [smiles]