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mindiya

A note from Maya Kikuchi + stickers available online!

Published over 1 year ago • 2 min read

Hi everyone, I hope you've been enjoying Gut Check! If not, please let me know; it's my dream to have a hater.

I'm dropping in with a note from my friend Maya Kikuchi, whose band Neko Kā just released their sophomore album Paper Girl. It's an excellent record - I'm fairly certain it'll end up on my Spotify Wrapped - and I had so much fun contributing background vocals to three songs.

Hello, fellow Mindiya fans! I feel like the turn of the seasons coincides perfectly with the journey I go through every time an artist releases a much-anticipated project. For me, Gut Check was summer break, an upcoming vacation, something to give momentum to the passing year. Now that it’s out, the songs have settled into fall--they’ve become part of my routine, familiar friends after the rush and excitement of the first listen.
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I feel lucky to have seen a small part of the immense process Min went through in crafting this EP. We’ve exchanged many a voice memo in the past three years, so I’ve heard early drafts of some of the released songs. The lyricism and emotion behind songs like The Local News came through even in a lo-fi Facebook messenger recording; with full production, it becomes a tour de force. It’s amazing to know a song in both universes, to see a line like “I’m terrified of death, I think it comes from never wanting this to end” shine in a simple acoustic recording and merit the weight of a full choral arrangement.
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Like fall, the end of a long labor of love can feel melancholic (sorry for the poesy; To Love a Hero has got me all philosophical). As a fellow musician, I know how daunting the question can be, but as an eager fan, I can’t help but ask (as many of you may be wondering, too): what’s next? I am confident that there will be more music in Min’s future, especially knowing the number of brilliant voice memos that aren’t on this EP (or that I haven’t even heard!). But for now, I think it’s only right to settle into a season of rest, of looking back on what was accomplished and being proud and grateful.
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As someone who is grateful that these songs are out in the world for all to enjoy, I am also grateful to everyone who worked on the EP: of course Min, songwriter and vocalist. Will Sullivan, guitarist, cellist, and backing vocalist. Isabel Furman, bassist. Max Barry, drummer. Paolo Debuque, backing vocalist and songwriting consultant. Ben Green (Ivakota Studios), recording engineer and producer/mixing engineer. Andy Tyler Clarke, mastering engineer.

Also, stickers are available now on my Bandcamp if you couldn't make it to the release show in D.C. Today is Bandcamp Friday, which is when Bandcamp relinquishes their fees and lets artists keep every dollar they make on sales. Therefore, if you're at all interested in buying the EP or a sticker, today's the day! Shipping is only the cost of a forever stamp (not to sound old but I remember when a forever stamp was like 45 cents... now it's a ghastly 66).

mindiya

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almost 2 years ago • 1 min read
graphic with preview of and information on the gut check t-shirt

Hey friend, if you'd like to buy a Gut Check t-shirt, now's your chance! I'm taking preorders for one week only. Please fill out this form by September 2 to order a shirt! The shirts (and my album art, and all my merch) were designed by Meghna Nayak with help from John Terrell. Shirts can be shipped OR you can pick yours up in D.C. at the... Gut Check Release Show on September 22! This is your chance to hear these songs come to life, the same day the whole world gets to hear them. I'll be...

almost 2 years ago • 1 min read