Inspired #286 - Minna
Scottish singer-songwriter Minna has released her captivating new single ‘To the Hills’, she took a moment to talk to us about the inspirations behind her music.
Who are your top three musical inspirations and why?
Hey hey! So, my top three musical inspirations? With this question, I gotta pull out the big, big guns. Number one has got to be Stevie Wonder, always, and almost in every way. It’s his relentless ability to give us melodies and grooves that I honestly believe come from a truly enlightened place, they just feel like sunshine. It’s as though he knows something that nobody else in the world does, and we get a glimpse of it through his tunes. Next, Bob Dylan. I’d love to come out with something more niche and unique but I simply couldn’t. His lyrics/poetry combined with style of playing, it’s all so intelligent and yet seems so simple, he never fails to inspire me. Finally, I’m gonna have to say Bon Iver. I am always inspired by the mood he creates, the essence that runs through everything he does which can only be attributed to him. He’s figured out how to make people feel very deeply indeed, there is such a beautiful sense of melancholy within everything he creates.
Is there a certain film that inspires you and why?
So my favourite film is called ‘Cinema Paradiso’, it’s by the Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore, and with music by Ennio Morricone. It shows us the life of a boy from early childhood, then adolescence, and finally middle-aged manhood. I suppose the film is really about inspiration itself, and passion, of all kinds. It makes me feel young, innocent and yet rebellious, and then also older and contemplative. It’s a passing of time kind of film, and a story filled with many different kinds of love. It takes you on journey, and this time one that is set in southern Italy. The music is also really quite special, but you gotta watch the film to get the most out of its beauty.
What city do you find the most inspiring and why?
Hmmm, city? That’s an interesting question for me, I feel much more inspired by the countryside to be honest with you. I spent a lot of my time outside when I was growing up and whenever I find myself walking through the hills or woodlands I am always inspired in some new way. I find the changing light throughout the day upon nature to be very moving, and the sweet sounds and scents it offers.
Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
I’m gonna have to say my mother, above everyone else. She’s an artist; a portrait and landscape painter, and also a mother of six children. She moved to Mallorca at the age of 16 to study painting and, since then, has worked harder than anyone else I know. And also I’m not being prejudice when I say that she is truly, a brilliant artist. You just gotta check it out to see, her name is Marie-Claire Kerr. What inspires me most is her mentality and unfaltering attitude to press on and strive always to grow as an artist. It seems to me that the older she gets, the harder she works. She doesn’t indulge in her flaws or worries, and as someone who writes a lot down, I can tell you that I do. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t think I would have been able to pull myself up and out of many moments when I’ve felt down. It’s one of many things I’ll always be thankful to her for.
What were your inspirations when writing your new track?
One of the inspirations for my song actually came from John Cleese. It was something he said in a speech about creativity, and it’s process. He spoke about the period of frustration that any artist will know only too well, or anyone for that matter who is searching within themselves to find something. Such as an answer to their problem or a beautiful melody. It’s frustrating because it makes a person doubt themselves constantly until they find what they’re looking for. However, I came to realise after listening to this speech that the frustration is the most important part of the creative process. I often feel as though the longer I endure the frustration, the better my creation will be. That’s not to say I won’t take a walk or a little break when I’m in a wee bit of a rut, but getting back to it and getting through it is a great practise.
How would you like to inspire people?
Wow, what a lovely question. I write quite openly and honestly about difficult moments and how I overcome them. I’d like to inspire people who may feel the same, let them know they’re not alone and hopefully offer some words of help or comfort within my songs. I would like to create an atmosphere of love and support around my music. Hopefully there is someone out there who will have needed to hear the words in one of my songs and will have found it at the right moment.