MIKA On Being Tormented by His Teacher & Finding Safety in Music

Video Description

MIKA’s music is full of colour. It’s bold, joyful and instantly recognisable. It’s the kind of music that lifts you up and meeting MIKA, that same energy radiates through. He’s lived a fascinating life, shaped by bright moments and darker ones too. In this conversation, we talk about the years before his success, the awkwardness of putting yourself out there and how, at his treasured white piano, he found a place of freedom where creativity led, identity didn’t need explaining and he could be himself. We cover: - Fleeing Beirut with his family after civil war broke out - The teacher who tormented him and why he was forced to leave school - How music became a warm ‘hug’ when everything else fell apart - Turning up at Warner Music aged 12 with his demo tracks - Celebrating his sexuality through his music - Why embarrassment can be a force of good MIKA’s story is a reminder that the things that make us different are often the very things that save us. MIKA is Great Company. If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: [email protected] Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 01:30 Jamie’s Intro 02:13 How did Mika and Jamie meet? 03:33 Where are different emotions stored in the body? 06:20 Good vs bad embarrassment 08:00 Mika going to Warner Music at 12 years old 11:30 Mika on where his love for music began 14:50 ‘My life fell apart when I was a child’ 21:50 Mika opens up about his mother 25:40 The power of starting over 27:49 How Mika got signed to his record label 33:40 Mika on feeling pressured to come out 35:20 How does Mika want to be remembered? 37:50 Mika’s prize possession 40:30 ‘Why fit in when we are born to stand out?’ 43:40 Mika on being tormented by his teacher 45:13 Music becoming Mika’s safe space 47:30 Why Mika was expelled from school 50:31 Mika’s new album ‘Hyperlove’ 53:14 Final 8 questions