Photography by Brooke Dombroski
Kimié’s parents, who are of Hawaiian and Portuguese descent, noticed her affinity for music at a very young age, and at 14-years-old she taught herself to play guitar and began writing her own original songs. She found inspiration in a wide range of music from Hawaiian, Jazz and R&B-influenced individuals such as Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, India.Arie, Lauryn Hill, and Eva Cassidy. While an undergraduate at University of San Diego, Kimié embarked on her first west coast American tour at age 19 with reggae star Barrington Levy. Following the tour Miner resided in Clarendon, Jamaica for a few months to write and work with Levy in the studio.
Kimié released her first EP, To The Sea in 2013 after a successful Kickstarter campaign. The seven track album included radio singles, “Is This Love”, “Shame on You”, “Rooted”, and “Make Me Say” featuring Hawaiian musician and former schoolmate Imua Garza which had much radio success and reached #1 on KCCN-FM’s Top 40 Songs of 2013. In 2015, Kimié wrote and co-produced her full-length album, Kimié Miner. The album also includes collaborations with Caleb Keolanui from The Green and L.A. reggae band Detour Posse and went on to win “Contemporary Album of the Year” at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards in 2016. Continuing to make a splash, she was featured on Brian Mcknight’s 2016 album, “Better” on track 08 entitled, “Goodbye”.
Outside of just her own music, Kimié continues to be a hardworking businesswoman with her own company titled Haku Collective. Haku is a full-service music, audio, and talent production group providing access to the creative output from Hawai’i’s emerging and leading artists and helping them to segue into other mainstream genres. Kimié’s goal is simple and pure – to live her life passionately and inspire others in the process. “We have to know who we are and where we come from before we can fly. I’m ready to fly now.”
We had an opportunity to speak with Kimié. Check out the interview below.
Hi, Kimié! 2017 is shaping up to be a defining year for you. We’re excited about the new album. What inspired the album?
Iʻm going through a lot of changes in my life. Iʻm out of my 20ʻs and seeing things through a new perspective as a woman. I feel empowered, beautiful and comfortable in my own skin.
Your single “Bamboo” speaks of love and relationships. Is this based on a personal experience and how was the process of writing the song?
I first dated my current boyfriend almost 10 years earlier but we were young and ventured off on our own paths. This song is inspired by the idea of setting our own roots so that we could grow on our own and be stronger side by side. The hook “bam bam boo” came to me while driving home and I had no idea what it would be about. When I sat in a writing room in LA with songwriters Jesse Epstein and Isaac Moreno I shared this hook idea and the song was born!
How would you describe the sound of the album? Is there any specific theme to it?
I would say it sounds a lot like it came from a girl from the islands with a little pop and soul sprinkled in. My last album, Kimié Miner, was about reconnecting to my roots. I believe your roots give you wings. So this album is about having the courage to take off and discover new heights, to see the world from a bird’s eye view. It’s about rising up like the sun and standing proud not just for yourself but for your community
Why should people buy the album?
Maybe it’ll take them on a little vacation to this paradise I get to call home 🙂
When will the album release?
Friday, October 13th
Thank you for chatting with us about your music. Is there anything else you would like to add?
I have a passion for my community here in Hawai’i, especially the youth. I’ve been apart of different non-profit cultural and music based mentorship programs here. After seeing the immense talent of these kids and knowing from personal experience how hard it can be to navigate the music business, I started the Haku Collective. Haku is a full-service music, audio, and talent production group providing access to the creative output from Hawai’i’s emerging and leading artists, producers, composers, and musicians. We work with artists who are reaching across genres and driving the evolution of Hawaiian music and Hawaiian sound today.
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Connect with Kmié:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/playkimie
Instagram: https://instagram.com/playkimie
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/playkimie
Web: https://www.kimieminer.com
Featured Photo Credit: Brooke Dombroski.
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