-Interview- (7/17/23)
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name "Mirabilia" and is there any meaning behind it?
We all have our own personal history with music and musicianship. Probably too much to go on about in this setting, but all of our varying style backgrounds have really fused together nicely to form our specific sound. It'd be pretty cool if our name's story was interesting at all, but the story is really just that I (Evan) had the Word Of The Day app for a long time and Mirabilia came up one day and I really liked it... everyone else seemed to be cool with it too.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
The majority of our music is pretty Mental Health focused, so if we're able to help anyone in any way through our songs, it's a win.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
Exceptional taste.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
As fun as it'd be to narrow down a list, I think we'd be happy playing with anyone! In this day and age, though, with lives like ours... Touring sounds pretty exhausting.
5. How has Covid affected what you do?
Covid was pretty solid for us, specifically. Not the actual pandemic, but that window of time where we weren't obligated to do anything. That's what we kind of formed through, and I think it was really beneficial for the bond we formed and how we would come to write.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Rock?
I enjoy this question a lot, because I feel like so many people complain about the state of music in general. It's really just a generational thing. But in my opinion, all music, minus the pop-country stuff, I suppose, has continued growing and improving incredibly, and to close your mind to that is really just doing yourself a disservice.
7. What's the current music scene like there in Illinois?
Illinois is a pretty eclectic space. It's a pretty big state and when you get into Chicago, Rockford, the Quad Cities areas... the scenes there are exceptional. But there are a TON of tiny little towns throughout the state where small scale original artists don't get much in the way of opportunity. I suppose the same could be said for pretty much everywhere.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
For bands like us, it's whatever. We're not trying to make a living off of our music. We have jobs and families and all that. This is just what we love to do. For people making a living in this industry, it's absolutely repulsive. Artistry as a career shouldn't be some fantasy. But that's capitalism.
9. What's next for Mirabilia?
Hopefully a lot. For a long time.
10. Any shoutouts?
Absolutely! Big ups to our friends Tucker, Vince, Derek, TIlly, Moselle, 4th Shift Printing out of Chicago, and so many others who've been there helping us along the way! Bigger ups to our families for all their support and patience. Shoutout to anyone who'll listen to us too, honestly. You're the best.
