Mitski Quick Facts
| Full Name | Mitsuki Laycock |
|---|---|
| Age | 33 |
| Birthday | September 27, 1990 |
| Genre | Indie rock, singer-songwriter |
| Born | Japan |
| Relationship | Single |
| Height | 5‘ 6" |
| Net Worth | $4M |
| Social Media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube |
As a long-time Mitski fan, I‘m so excited to have the chance to introduce new listeners to one of the most talented and moving artists in indie rock today. Mitski Miyawaki, known mononymously as Mitski, is a Japanese-American indie rock musician who has rapidly risen to prominence over the past decade thanks to her deeply emotional songwriting and unique musical style.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Mitski was born on September 27, 1990 in Sendai, Japan. When she was just 8 years old, her family moved to New York City, where she spent the rest of her childhood. As a young girl growing up between two cultures, Mitski often felt displaced and lonely, emotions that she would later channel into her evocative music.
She became interested in music as a teenager, teaching herself instruments like piano and guitar. She began writing songs, using music as an outlet for her feelings of isolation and angst. Mitski majored in film studies at Hunter College before transferring to the music program at SUNY Purchase. It was here that she refined her songwriting skills and recorded her first album.
Debut Album and Early Work
In 2012, while she was still a student at SUNY Purchase, Mitski self-released her debut album ‘Lush’ under her full name, Mitski Miyawaki. Recorded in just two weeks, ‘Lush’ showed the beginnings of Mitski’s raw, emotional songwriting style and displayed her ability to evoke melancholy and vulnerability through her music.
After graduating in 2014, Mitski released her second album ‘Bury Me at Makeout Creek’ in November of that year. This album was a marked evolution in her sound, incorporating louder, more aggressive guitars and more candid lyrics exploring themes of desire, heartbreak, and loneliness. The album caught the attention of the independent record label Double Double Whammy, who signed Mitski and gave her music wider distribution.
Rising Acclaim with "Puberty 2" and "Be The Cowboy"
Mitski’s breakthrough came with the release of her third studio album ‘Puberty 2’ in 2016, put out via Dead Oceans. The album represented a huge musical leap for Mitski, featuring expansive arrangements, cathartic vocals, and even more nakedly honest lyrics touching on complex themes of gender identity, sexual repression, and racial isolation.
Critics widely praised ‘Puberty 2’ as one of the best indie rock albums of the year. It appeared on numerous Best Of lists and drew many new fans to Mitski’s emotionally charged music. Songs like “Your Best American Girl” and “Happy” cemented Mitski as an indie darling and an artist on the rise.
This momentum continued with Mitski’s fourth album ‘Be The Cowboy’ released in August 2018, which many critics called her strongest work yet. The album showcased Mitski’s growth as a lyricist and musician, with a more subtle, controlled style compared to her earlier raw intensity. Nonetheless, it retained her signature vulnerability and passion. ‘Be The Cowboy’ was hailed by critics, landing atop many Best Of 2018 lists.
Powerful Live Performer
In addition to her studio work, Mitski has earned a reputation as a magnetic and cathartic live performer. She exerts raw emotion on stage, often crying or collapsing to the floor while belting out her intimate lyrics. Her live shows are active and chaotic, channeling the dark energy of her recorded music.
Mitski’s fierce performances have wowed crowds at major music festivals like Coachella, Pitchfork, and Primavera Sound. As a fan who has seen her live, I can say that her concerts are some of the most intense and emotional experiences. She has also completed multiple headlining tours to sold-out venues, demonstrating her growing dedicated fanbase. Her live shows have become just as critically acclaimed as her albums.
Influences and Musical Style
Mitski’s unique musical style blends together elements of indie rock, pop, punk, and folk music. Her music contains both distorted, crashing guitars and more delicate piano arrangements. Lyrically, her songs often read like raw diary entries, laying bare her innermost emotions and deepest insecurities.
She has cited diverse musical influences ranging from punk bands like The Clash and Sonic Youth, to pop icons like Beyonce, Britney Spears, and Bjork. She has also noted the influence of older musical styles, like show tunes and 60s folk. These various inspirations all mix together to form Mitski’s one-of-a-kind sound.
Impact and Legacy
Despite being relatively new on the music scene, Mitski has already had a major impact on contemporary indie rock. Music critics have praised her candid, poetic lyrics and cathartic emotional release. She has been credited with expanding the horizons of the indie genre, weaving in inspiration from older musical styles.
Mitski’s music has profoundly resonated with many listeners who relate to her feelings of loneliness and isolation. She has become a spokesperson for marginalized identities, singing about her own experiences as an Asian-American woman and queer musician. For these reasons and more, Mitski is considered one of the most important emerging voices in her genre.
As Mitski continues to create new music and tour the world, her raw, vulnerable artistry promises to keep touching listeners universally. Though her career is still young, she has already established herself as a unique and influential talent who will shape the landscape of indie rock for years to come.