In this interview, Mimi Barks discusses her recent US tour, dealing with genre gatekeepers, and her creative influences. She also previews her upcoming EP, Dreamstate of Fear, and shares her thoughts on female representation in the music industry.

Reuel

Hello Mimi! Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. I just listened to “Dreamstate of Hell”, and it was a blast! What was the immediate inspiration behind that song?

Mimi Barks

Dreamstate of Hell explores the unconscious patterns, fears, and self-destructive cycles that keep us trapped in our own personal hell. The entire EP revolves around the idea that heaven and hell aren’t destinations, they’re states of consciousness. At any given moment, we get to choose between the two. The song represents that duality the most and asks the question.. when you’re fully present, which one will you choose?

Reuel

You just wrapped up your first US tour. How did the crowds react to the new tracks?

Mimi Barks

The US debut had been a long time coming. I’ve always felt at home in the States when it comes to my music. It’s always interesting seeing a track leave the studio and take on a life of its own in a live setting and the American audiences embraced the new material immediately.

Reuel

Your music fuses elements from different genres, something that always triggers metal purists. How do you deal with the negative comments from gatekeepers?

Mimi Barks

I’ve never really fit into a scene. Early on, nobody in the industry knew where to place me. I was too electronic for metal, too heavy for electronic music, too dark for rap and too unconventional for everything else. At some point I stopped trying to make sense of it for other people and just followed my instincts. And honestly, I don’t give a fuck what gatekeepers think. Most of them have never created something out of nothing. It’s easy to sit on the sidelines and tell people what art should or shouldn’t be. Bringing an idea into the world, taking something from the subconscious and turning it into reality, is a completely different skill set. People who spend their lives obsessing over other people’s art, careers, and creative decisions usually aren’t very busy building their own.

Reuel

Hell yeah!
What can you tell your fans to expect from your upcoming EP, Dreamstate of Fear?

Mimi Barks

Heavier breakdowns, more singing, more experimentation, and a much stronger focus on melody and contrast. Conceptually, it’s the most focused record I’ve made. It explores chronic fears, sub and conscious decisions, transformation and the constant choice between heaven and hell.

Reuel

This sounds very intriguing! How would you describe your sound using emojis?

Mimi Barks

✟ ✝ ☨ ♰ ✞ † ☦🕳️

Reuel

What bands and artists did you grow up listening to?

Mimi Barks

The Prodigy, Bullet For My Valentine, Marilyn Manson, The Cure, Nirvana, Eminem, Michael Jackson, Depeche Mode, Moby and Mac Miller all played a huge role at different stages of my life.

Reuel

Many artists draw inspiration from outside of music, like movies, books, or comics that they enjoy. Were there any non-musical works that heavily inspired your music in general or this release specifically?

Mimi Barks

A lot of my inspiration comes from philosophy, spirituality, psychology and life itself rather than music alone. Dreamstate of Fear was heavily influenced by books I’ve read over the years, particularly those exploring consciousness, presence, the ego, and self-transformation.

Reuel

What are your thoughts on how women are represented in music today, and what do you think can be done to promote more inclusivity and support for female musicians?

Mimi Barks

I don’t really see myself as a “female artist.” I’m an artist who happens to be a woman. The goal shouldn’t be to fit women into spaces that already exist but to create new spaces entirely. I think the most powerful thing any artist can do is trust their own vision and take up space unapologetically. The more women do that, the less these conversations become necessary.

Reuel

Well said! Thank you for your time, Mimi! Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Mimi Barks

Dreamstate of Fear will be out July 24th. Don’t let the past define what comes next, trust your intuition and destroy every limitation that tells you who you’re supposed to be.