Woorabinda RnB singer Miiesha has released her second single of 2021, with a new track and music video 'Made for Silence' following the May release of 'Damaged'.
It's a marked departure from her oeuvre of the last two years, since she debuted on the scene with her track 'Black Privilege', uploaded to the triple J Unearthed website in 2019.
That single and 2020's album "Nyaaringu" leaned into lush melodic soundscapes and relaxed hip-hop beats reminiscent of Solange, and elevated by Miiesha's understated, but undeniable, vocal talents.
"Made for Silence", on the other hand, is a straight-up dancehall pop banger: while it retains harmonic similarities with her previous work, the opening bars' driving bass immediately sets it apart.
The 21-year-old says it's an intentional move.
"I want to take risks with my music and keep growing as an artist," she told NITV.
"I never want to be put in a box, and I want to make songs people might not expect from me. I love exploring new sounds and pushing that, pushing my voice."
As with her other work, "Made for Silence" is intensely personal. "Nyaarigu", Pitjantjatjara for "what happened", features spoken word sections from Miiesha's late grandmother.
"(Made for Silence) is about fighting with family, and realising sometimes you need silence to be able to learn from the fights and grow," she says.
"It’s about taking time to gather your thoughts, remembering it’s good to listen, even when you’re angry or upset."
May's single "Damaged" also saw the young artist bare her heart on her sleeve, describing her "broken" relationship with her mother, and their attempts to live with that dysfunction. The two singles feature an aesthetic link, with the same characterful old car featuring in both.
"There’s a lot of hurt and trauma there but I’ll always love her, that’s my mum," she said.
Miiesha Source: Supplied
"In the video, the car represents my Nan who passed away, that she can’t carry the family forward anymore, and everyone grieving in their own way, fighting or trying to ignore."
Miiesha's rise has been fast, facilitated by an incredibly mature and finished artistic character for one so young. It's a phenomenon that comes with challenges of its own.
"It’s been a journey, ups and downs. It was difficult at first jumping up on stage and doing interviews, getting shame.
"But then I realised I just need to be confident and represent myself and my community and make us all proud."
The polished artist that emerged in 2019, while young, had been performing for over 10 years already: she began singing at 8-years-old.
"For me it started in church, and then bits at school. I was always encouraged by my family, especially my Nan to give it everything I had. As I got older it became a healing thing for me.
"I grew up in Woorabinda which is a small community in Central Queensland. It is a deadly place to grow up where everyone knows everyone and looks out for each other. It will always be home for me."
In the meantime, COVID permitting, Miiesha has grand plans for what's ahead. Her live shows have already garnered attention for her spellbinding command of audiences.
"I want to be able to tour, represent my mob and have my family travel with me. I’d love to work with my favourite artists and just keep doing what I love," she says.
And for the growing number of fans, they'll be glad to hear Miiesha's busy.
"I have a lot more music coming so keep an ear out!"
