Mimi Pretend on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mimi Pretend. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Mimi, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Oh my gosh, yes. This is so relevant to me right now. I was supposed to finish my first album in September before being away for three months and it just didn’t happen. Which ended up being for the best because it allowed me to take more time and be even more intentional with what I’m working on right now. It was a blessing in disguise. Especially since I am someone who rarely takes breaks while creating art. I usually obsessively work until it’s done and ready to enter the world.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Mimi and I go under the name Mimi Pretend for my music. My music has usually been diary entries under the guise of music but as I matured I kinda went back to my roots of poetry and fiction. Now my songs feel like books or short stories, maybe even movies. What I am working on now musically is much more cinematic and even more narrative than what I last put out. Colorado 1996 felt like a book of short stories – what I’m working on now feels like a novel in song form.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
There was a huge part of me that I had to relinquish within the last few years. A part of me that I lived with my whole entire life. The part of me that was self critical to the point of my own demise. The part of me that felt undeserving, retched, a burden. I lived my life with anorexia for so long and I recently decided to actually work on letting go of that identity. Even after I went to rehab (I turned 18 there) I couldn’t let it go. I was really afraid of not having this identity of suffering – this trope of sadness. But I realized how fucking exhausting it was and about some years ago I worked super hard to heal this mentality. I still struggle but I have come so far and I never thought I would have made it to where I am now. This is pretty much what my upcoming album is about.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There are times where it feels like everyday I want to give up. Where I feel unworthy, not good enough, and just plain tired. But I work even harder to combat those thoughts. Now, if I have any negative thought I literally just tell myself the opposite until I believe it.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
One of my favorite quotes that I think about everyday is from Rick Owens. There’s an interview with him where he essentially says it doesn’t matter who you know, where you go, what you say – what matters is creating as much as possible and pulling the best out of that and the work will stand for itself.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes absolutely. I create everything for myself first but because I am a human I know that, without really trying, a bunch of other humans will relate to what I make. I never think “oh will other people like this?” because to me that’s silly – of course some people won’t but of course some people will.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mimipretend.bandcamp.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mimi_pretend
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/mimipretend
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/mimipretend
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4gPZQpkrDEZNdcLGeoeHDe?si=o-8OZsuxSmObVSGgjOYqPA

Image Credits
Haleigh Bolduc