1. We’re super-excited to be speaking today with acclaimed Canadian singer and songwriter Miranda Joan; greetings and salutations, Miranda! Before we dive into the proverbial Q&A mosh-pit, how has the freshly-minted autumn of 2023 been treating you?

Hello hello! The freshly-minted autumn of 2023 has treated me well; lots of moving pieces; lots of transformation. There has been an odd synchronicity with the releases from my upcoming album and their connection to what’s been happening in my life. I’m not just saying this, but if there was one word to summarize my autumn it would be Overstimulated, which happens to be the title of my album dropping November 10th. 

2. Major kudos and accolades on your beautiful and brand new single She Knows which just premiered on October 13! What served as the inspiration for this gem of a ditty?

The Song was inspired by my loved ones, in particular my closest friends. I was on a walk with my Mum in the midst of lockdown and she was talking about a friend of hers that she’s known since pre-school. She said, “She’s one of those friends that knows you… before everything”. Later that day I sat down at the piano thinking about the friends in my life; the ones who know me. The friends whose love pierce through all the mess and noise we onboard as we grow up; the ones who are able to remind you of who you are because they actually know. 

3. Who was your producer on She Knows and what did the collaboration between artist and producer look like in the studio?

I produced the song alongside Ben Carr aka CARRTOONS. The process of recording this song was unique in that I would take the session to different musicians to lay down their parts and then with Ben we’d put together the finishing touches. The string arrangement on the track was written by Kristine Kruta, who also played cello on it. I bring it up because it is a real standout to me on this song and brought the piece to a whole new level. She Knows is the most “acoustic” on the album. It felt right to have grounding instruments such a strings and upright bass (played by Ben Williams) on this, which helped to sonically create the warmth that this song carries for me in my heart. 

4. In your humble opinion, what differentiates She Knows from the Distinguished Competition on the 2023 music scene?

I think my overall goal as an artist is to tell stories and to do it the best and most genuine of my capabilities. In that sense, the only competition I have is myself, and so I think what distinguishes me is also what distinguishes us all, we each posses our own, unique experiences, curiosities and voices. I do my best to create music that’s an honest reflection of my living, and my hope in releasing it is that it resonates with others. 

5. With the release of She Knows, can fans look forward to an EP or LP release from you in late 2023 or early 2024?

Oh yeaaa bud! November 10th, the LP “Overstimulated” drops!!! You can pre-order it on Bandcamp, Spotify and iTunes. There will also be some awesome merch dropping for pre-orders, so follow along on socials for more info.

6. Who inspires you musically?

It’s a long list so I’ll focus on those who were really in my ears while I was working on the LP. Anderson Paak., Robyn, Emily King and Little Dragon stick out as some artists whose albums I spent a lot of time with. I studied jazz and grew up listening to a lot of soul and pop music, so perhaps another time we can get into that beautiful rabbit hole of a conversation! 

7. How is She Knows similar to some of your past music? How is it different?

She Knows is similar to some of my past music in that my lyrics and writing style as well as the idea love as a place of rooting have been a through line in my music. The song is different in that it is probably the most organic recording I’ve ever done. There are a lot live instruments on this and I think those vibrations added a lot to the overall feel.  

8. What does your touring/performing dance card look like in the wake of the October 13 release of She Knows?

Haha dance card! Well I’ll be bopping around with The Killers. I’m presently en route to Austin, TX to sing with them at the F1 Grand Prix and then I’m back in NY for most of November playing shows in Brooklyn and the city for my own music, with others and also hosting a Femme Jam at Cmon Everybody November 20th. My last date of the year will be in São Paolo, Brazil with the Killers and then I’ll be doing my own show in Rio, so stay tuned! An album release show will be happening in the new year in New York so follow along on socials, on Spotify, and sign up for my mailing list at www.mirandajoan.com

9. You were born in Canada and now hang your hat in Brooklyn, New York. How do those seemingly disparate roots inform you as an artist and as a person?

I’ve split the decades of my life almost exactly between Montréal, Vancouver and New York. The three cities are so very distinct but what they all share in is a quality of soulfulness. It’s a feeling that is hard to describe, but each has informed different parts of my understanding of self as well as my artistry and I am grateful for the homes I’ve found in each of them. If I were to try and sum it up, I think my I’d say my insides are filled with the Pacific Coast Rainforest, my outsides are wrapped in golden hues of buttery french Canadian pastries, and my heart beats to the rhythm of Brooklyn. 

10. As that rare breed of creature known as a singer-songwriter, which generally comes first for you – The lyrics or the music?

It varies, songs have come together in new and strange ways, but most often it all comes at once. 

11. At the end of the day what do you hope folks walk away with after giving many-a-spin to your beautiful new single She Knows?

My hope is that they can feel the love in it. That the undercurrent of connection I feel with those I love makes its way to the listener, and if there’s someone or a few people who come to mind while listening, that they share it with them. It was my love note, and so maybe it can also be someone else’s.