Mimoza H

This music demands some attention, headspace and time. For your best experience, headphones are strongly recommended

ABOUT THE ALBUM AND SPECIAL THANKS

ALBUM CREDITS

In her words...

"It took two continents, three countries, a war, a post-war era and some years to come to the day of the debut release of this remarkable music journey.

I am both, exuberant and in disbelief of such a realization! What started out as a self-therapy while coping with post-war trauma, of leaving my country and looking to settle for a new life far away from home, became the seeds of an artistic expression. This journey has been one hell of a ride since the first seeds were planted.

Beauty, pain, love, longing, anguish, fear, doubt, hope and moments of darkness and light have followed me closely throughout this magical period. If there's a simple way to put this into words is that no other experience so far has been as rich, as complex as difficult but ultimately as gratifying as this one.

"Uproot" is about upheavel, a sense of not really belonging anywhere hence sprouting and growing among the rocks. It is a discovery when one realizes that they belong nowehere and everywhere at any given time in this universe.

This debut took four years to see the light. Partial lyric writing for this work began in New York City. First roots of the project took form in the basement of our old house in Montreal. Bits and pieces of melodies and song writing started coming together and slowly taking their shape. The work process went through various stages and settings. It went through periods of experimentations and home recordings, of sound and style searching and working with incredibly talented artists who helped bring these pieces into complete and cohesive compositions.

The EP consists of six tracks created in collaboration with: Charles F. Huot, François Cloutier, Jonathan Cayer, les Frères Grand, Joss Tellier, Samuel Joly, Brigitte Briga Dajczer, Pierre-Alexandre Bouchard, Frederic Boivin, Mario Sévigny, Louis D. Some of the initial demos have gone full circle to appear in this debut, but some other works couldn't make it due to various reasons. Some of these pieces were co-written with musician friends as part of this collection. The selection was made based on the feelings of what I was living and going through at the time and how these pieces spoke to my emotional state. Throughout this long process, the songs have transformed and grown into a large-scale production project with lots of sound research and arrangement works that called for new experimentations.

This EP is an introspective journey of personal and imaginative stories enveloped by a wide sonic spectrum of organic sounds and subtle electronic beats; a blend of alternative pop/rock, elektrip-hop, and ethereal wave with a touch of hypnotic and atmospheric background. At times sharp and eclectic, this music experience is a timeless bridge between the past and the avant-garde. The lyrical writing is abstract and image-driven.

 

SPECIAL THANKS

Thanks from the heart to everyone involved in the production of this record; to all the musicians who put their soul, talent and special touch into this project. I am forever grateful to you for making this dream my reality.

Special thanks to Mathias Schneeberger, for jumping in the last minute to do an amazing work on this record. Thanks for letting me get away with some valuable mixing and production lessons. I appreciate our friendship that grew out of this experience. I will forever cherish our Silverlake jam session we did that hot summer night in L.A., playing and singing with the crickets. So glad it became part of this record.   

TO MY LOVE STEPHANE: We did it babe! Can’t thank you enough for your endless support in life and in this project. You are a true source of inspiration on how to believe in dreams. You trusted in me and encouraged me to trust myself even when times were rough. Thanks for always reminding us to remember the magical moments experienced in the making of this record. You have helped me grow by challenging and pushing me far beyond my comfort zone. I love your singular taste in music. This record is as much yours as it is mine. Jeta ime.  

VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO VJOSA. You are an incredible sister. Thank you for your amazing support, for your valuable insights, and for exploring ideas and sharing your sincerest thoughts in the process. Thanks for embracing my inner voice in times of doubt, but mostly for being a source of light and laughter in my most vulnerable moments. Your talent is a whole other level and your creativity and artistic taste amaze me everyday. I love you mylil’.

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALBAN HI-DINI, for being the coolest brother and a tireless help with the project. Thanks for all the love and for pushing me to trust my intuitive and experimental approach. Your expert sound engineering advice and personal reflection on this record were at times a crucial factor in production work. As for the occasional pushing of my buttons, well, that too was all worth it. Love always.

TO MY DEAREST MOTHER: Thanks for bringing me into this world and always showing me the magic in it despite all the struggle. Mam, mbështetja dhe dashnia jote e pashterrshme janë forca ma e madhe për mu. Të du.

TO MY DEAR FRIEND SARAH, for your true friendship, your honesty and all the emotional support. Everyone needs a friend who brings forth their true self, who accepts their most vulnerable side and yet pushes them to share their calling regardless of the inner fears. Love you and miss our jam sessions and the freedom I feel when we create together.

TO JODI, for being my spiritual healer and my friend. We had found each other at a time when I felt lost, confused and stuck inside my own walls. Thank you for channeling my energy with your mesmerizing wisdom through which I found my soul again. That experience ignited a new pulse and rhythm in me. I know you will read this and say “I didn’t do anything, it happened because you were ready”. One Love Jod.

TO NATHALIE for the precious friendship and for being the best mind-body workout master. Thanks for all the support and for keeping me in tune with myself.

TO GAËLLE for the wonderful friendship and for always being there, sharing your experiences, and going out of your way to helping me out.

TO DARAN for offering your generous help in some important moments during the production. I still like the term “wartone” that you coined for my music :)

TO MY LIFE COMPANION CHAPLIN for teaching me every day how to be a better person. Thanks for lending me your ba(r)cking vocals.

SPECIAL THANKS TO MY FRIENDS IN MONTREAL who have helped me through the transitional times and have made me feel welcomed as I was making Montreal my new home away from home. Merci aussi à tout ma belle famille à Quebec City.

VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL MY DEAR FRIENDS AND MY LOVING FAMILY BACK IN KOSOVË. I thank each and everyone of you for all the love and the memories shared over the years. I appreciate your constant support. You are my roots and the motivation that fuels me to perservere and reach for higher things in life. You Rock!

This is for you Dad…
The Wild Woman

Written by Mimoza H, Sylvain Grand, Dominique Grand
Vocals, backing vocals, lyrics: Mimoza H
Percussions, piano, pads, synth bass, drum machine: Sylvain Grand
Guitars: Jocelyn Tellier
Additional pads: Mathias Schneeberger

With Me in the Background

Written by Mimoza H, Stéphane Lapointe, Louis D
Vocals, lyrics: Mimoza H
Piano, keys, pads, synth bass, programming and textures: Jonathan Cayer
Violin: Brigitte Briga Dajczer
Trombone: Jonathan Cayer
Guitars: Jocelyn Tellier
Additional guitar and bass: Mathias Schneeberger
Drums: Kevin Warren and Samuel Joly

Beautiful Fingers

Written by Mimoza H
Vocals, backing vocals, lyrics, effects: Mimoza H
Piano: Jonathan Cayer
Pads, keys, sampling, textures, electronic beats, programming: Mario Sévigny
Violin: Brigitte Briga Dajczer
Guitars: Jocelyn Tellier
Drums: Samuel Joly

Racing With Myself

Written by Mimoza H, Pierre-Alexandre Bouchard, Frédéric Boivin
Vocals, backing vocals, lyrics: Mimoza H
Keys, pads, wurlitzer, melotron: Frédéric Boivin
Violin: Brigitte Briga Dajczer
Guitars: Jocelyn Tellier
Drums: Samuel Joly and Cully Symington

My Existence (Silverlake Jam)

Written by Mimoza H and Mathias Schneeberger
Vocals, backing vocals, lyrics: Mimoza H
Pads, keys, synths, drum machine: Mimoza H
Guitars, bass guitar, drum machine: Mathias Schneeberger

Joyful

Written by Charles F Huot, François Cloutier, Mimoza H
Vocals, backing vocals, lyrics: Mimoza H
Keys, pads, melotron, synth bass, effects: Charles F Huot
Guitars: Charles F Huot
Drums: François Cloutier and Charles F Huot


Recordings done in various locations:

Spinning Plates Industries in Montreal, QC Canada
Wild Sky Studio in Morin Heights. QC Canada
Donner & Blitzen Studio in Los Angeles, CA USA
...and other unknown, mysterious places...

Produced by Mimoza H and Stéphane Lapointe

Mixed by Mathias Schneeberger at Donner & Blitzen Studio, Los Angeles, CA USA

Mastered by Mark Chalecki at Little Red Book Mastering, Los Angeles, CA USA

Original Artwork by: Kate Maldonado (www.katemaldonado.com)
Artcover Layout and Design: Olivier Bruel