Artist Interview: Meiia

With a sound that effortlessly fuses soul, pop, and funk, Australian artist Meiia is quickly carving out her place in the alt-pop world. Her upcoming single “Boys Like You” channels sharp-witted lyricism, bold grooves, and emotional honesty, all delivered with her signature vocal sass. In this interview, Meiia opens up about being ghosted (again), the thrill of collaboration, and what it means to find empowerment in hindsight. We caught up with her to talk about her creative process, growing up surrounded by stellar music, and the realities of navigating the music industry with humor, resilience, and a whole lot of heart.

Tori: What inspired the creation of your upcoming single "Boys Like You," and what message do you hope listeners take away from the song?

Meiia: This song was so fun to make! The topic, however, not so fun. The meaning behind it really came from being ghosted so many times for literally no reason at all. And then, like actual clockwork—they would always come back. This track is about standing on business and finally saying no to that behavior because it's gross and you deserve so much better than someone who thinks it's okay to treat you like that!

Tori: Your music blends soul, pop, and funk influences. Can you tell us about your musical upbringing and the artists who have shaped your sound?

Meiia: Growing up, my parents obviously had superb music taste, so I spent a lot of my childhood (involuntarily) listening to Michael Jackson, The Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, and ABBA. But it wasn't until I started playing in a six-piece funk band that I really expanded my music taste. I got into artists like Vulfpeck, Lawrence, Sammy Rae & The Friends, and Jacob Collier. That’s when I started thinking more seriously about the kind of music I wanted to make and how I could use my voice in ways I hadn’t thought of before.

Tori: You've mentioned that "Boys Like You" began as a voice memo. Can you walk us through your creative process and how you develop your ideas into full-fledged songs?

Meiia: This song really came out of nowhere. The chorus hook kind of hit me one day, and the rest of the song came so easily. I asked EMEREE if we could take a look at it while we were in the studio working on something else, and we ended up finishing the whole thing in a day. My creative process changes each time, but I usually start with a hook or simple idea, then get a very basic demo down and expand from there. I’ve also found that collaborating with other writers or musicians helps a lot—someone else usually adds something I wouldn’t have thought of. That’s exactly what happened with the co-write of "Boys Like You."

Tori: Working with producer EMEREE seems to have been a great match. What was the collaboration process like, and how did you two come together?

Meiia: It was such a great match! She’s incredible to work with. I literally just DM’d her on Instagram on a whim after listening to her music, and she was down to collaborate! The process was so fun—we did a couple of remote sessions, and then I flew down to Sydney to spend a few days in the studio tracking vocals. And then "Boys Like You" happened. It was amazing to work with another vocalist too. We were very much on the same page with the direction of the tracks, and everything unfolded super naturally. The vocal stacks in this song are craaaazzzzyyyy, and I couldn’t have done it without EMEREE!

Tori: Your music often touches on themes of relationships and personal growth. What do you hope listeners take away from your songs in terms of empowerment or self-reflection?

Meiia: I’m very much a growing, learning human, so I think my music reflects that. I hope people can see themselves in it too. My first single, “To Give,” is the exact opposite of “Boys Like You,” and I think that’s kind of cool. I want people to know it’s okay to have hindsight. It’s okay to make mistakes and to hurt—but you’re also strong enough to walk away from something that isn’t serving you. I want listeners to feel empowered but also to laugh at the sarcastic, funny lyrics. (If we don’t laugh, we cry.)

Tori: Can you tell us about your plans for the future? Will you be touring, releasing new music, or exploring other creative projects?

Meiia: My immediate plans are to release more music! I’m also moving to Brisbane at the start of September, so I’m really looking forward to meeting and performing with new people down there. Releasing and making music is expensive, so a bigger project might take a little while, but I have some other fun stuff I’m working on in the meantime.

Tori: How do you balance your creative vision with the commercial aspects of the music industry?

Meiia: Um, stress about it incessantly. Kidding. But also… not. It’s really hard to balance. I think my sound is already quite pop, but those funk and soul elements take time to find their audience—especially in an Aussie music scene that leans very indie/rock. And the whole content creation thing gets to me sometimes. Like, can I just release music without having to post 30 reels a day? I do find ways to make it fun, but it’s one of those necessary evils.

Tori: What role do you think social media plays in your career, and how do you use it to connect with your fans and promote your music?

Meiia: As a musician, social media unfortunately—and sometimes fortunately—plays a huge role. On one hand, it helps me meet so many amazing people and musicians. I’ve made connections I never would have without TikTok and Instagram. But it can be exhausting to keep up with. Trying to stay consistent with posting when all I want to do is make music gets really frustrating. I think a lot of musicians would agree with that, haha.

Tori: You've cited artists like Lawrence and Zinadelphia as influences. How do you think your music fits into the current musical landscape, and what sets you apart?

Meiia: Honestly, I’m still figuring that out too! I’ve been majorly influenced by those artists because they’re just incredible. I’d say my music fits into the soul/pop category. What sets me apart is that I’m me. I like the idea that when I’m making music, I’m creating something that has never existed before simply because I’m the one making it.

Tori: "Boys Like You" has a distinct retro vibe. What inspired the blend of retro grooves with modern attitude, and how do you see your sound evolving in the future?

Meiia: A lot of that came from co-writing with EMEREE. She has such a cool production style, and if you’ve listened to her music, you’ll hear it. I just trusted the process when she was building the beat, and it turned out amazingly. The attitude probably—most definitely—comes from my lyrics and singing style, haha. It was super fun to track vocals for this because I got to be sassy and sarcastic, which comes naturally to me. I’m curious to see where my sound goes from here. I love the soul vibe I’m working with right now, but I’d honestly love to make something super funky in the future.

Tori: What advice would you give to young artists trying to make it in the music industry, and what have you learned along the way that you'd like to pass on?

Meiia: I could say a million things here. But literally—just do it. Nothing is out of your reach. I promise things will evolve and start to click into place if you just keep going. Talk to other musicians. Reach out (that’s how I met EMEREE!), network, ask for advice, co-write—do all of it. I know how overwhelming it can be, but don’t forget why you love it so much. Music is important. JUST GO OUT AND DO IT!!!!!