After returning last year to deliver her much-loved delight 'I Love You For That', Scottish singer-songwriter Minna is back once again to offer up her sweeping new single 'Wandering Through'.
Honing more of that sweet and tender folk-inspired direction she has built for herself, 'Wandering Through' makes for a wonderfully inviting listen. With her warm and heartfelt voice riding across a sombre acoustic-led production throughout, she is continuing to pull on our heartstrings with this one.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what has been inspiring her most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I think it was mainly voice for a long time, and right from the beginning. The sound of singing always made me feel so happy. My dad has always played a lot of Stevie Wonder and I think his voice is truly one of the best uses of an instrument I’ve ever heard.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I always loved the hymns we sang in the Church, and I still really do - they’ve resonated with me in the greatest way since I can remember. One of my favourite hymns is “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind’, or “Jerusalem”, but really there are just so many and they’re an example of how music can be so powerful.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Ooooh it was the Pop Princess album but I can’t remember which year! I just remember lots of Girls Aloud and Avril Lavigne, they were such good albums.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
This has been a difficult question to answer, I’ve been trying to think for days! I’m not sure if it’s because for me the artist is a big part of what makes a song special, and so it feels as though I’m taking that greatness out of the song by imagining I’d written it. But yeah I’m gonna say ‘Holocene’ by Bon Iver because it just hits in a different way for me, and the feeling only gets stronger every time I listen. It’s so clever, it’s light and yet heavy at the same time, bright and deep.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I try to write for half an hour every day minimum, if I can. I’ve found it’s really important to keep a consistent flow of creativity going because that’s when something glistens. I also always have a great day when I’ve done some writing first thing because I know I’ve spent time with my music and even if nothing major or obvious comes out there is always progression.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Flyte, they’re incredible. Their song ‘Never Get to Heaven’ is really so beautiful. Oh and also Daniel Norgren, he’s so good! I always have their Tiny Desk concert on in the background.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Bon Iver, it’s a big dream of mine.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
There are so many, but for me it’s the moment when you’ve written something that makes me feel as good as the music I love the most. Even if it’s a small phrase or melody, it ignites the same part of me that makes me want to cry. That’s the only way I can explain it. Because I don’t necessarily cry but there is just suddenly that ocean-like presence within, and it really can’t beat any other feeling.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I find it frustrating when I’ve been working on a song for a long time and feel very connected to it and excited, then suddenly the light goes away from it. You just sift down with it one day and it’s not the same, the love is gone. I was listening to an interview with Rick Rubin the other day and he was saying that a piece of music is different every day. It’s so true. I guess it’s because we’re never the same day to day, it’s a rather beautiful thought but can definitely be frustrating during the writing process.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
To sit down every day and write, better 30 minutes a day than 5 hours once a week. It’s because the deeper connection with yourself and the song you’re writing needs time to find you, patience is needed when waiting for the magic to happen, and consistency is needed for patience. There’s a great book called ‘Daily Rituals’ which I’d really recommend, it’s the routines of all the greatest writers, artists, thinkers etc. The one thing they all have in common is consistency with their working routines. It’s like sailing the seas and waiting for another ship to pass, you don’t know when or where it’s coming from but trust that it will.
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Minna's new single 'Wandering Through' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.