Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Kimie Miner & Imua Garza

Multi-talented artists Kimie Miner and Imua Garza first started working together back in high school, and throughout their twenty-year partnership, they’ve created lasting memories in music history. Their latest project, Hawaiian Lullaby, was recently nominated for a GRAMMY for “Best Regional Roots Music Album”. Pop Culturalist caught up with the dynamic duo to chat about this milestone and the inspiration behind Hawaiian Lullaby.

PC: How did you each discover your passion for music?
Kimie: Singing was something I always loved to do since I can remember. Songwriting became my passion in high school after discovering the power of lyrics and melodies.

Imua: I knew I wanted to learn music when I would watch my mom and family sing and play. I was never forced to learn music; I always asked my parents if I could take various music lessons. They were so supportive of me doing music at a young age. When I was nine, I already decided that this was what I was going to be doing for the rest of my life.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence in your careers?
Imua: Brett Ortone is the one who really helped guide me through the entire music process from engineering, producing, songwriting, and performing, giving me the tools to succeed in the music business. Musically, I really loved our drummer Shawn Ishimoto, who would sit with me and just jam. It’s very inspiring to play with him and learn.

Kimie: India Arie has been a big influence for me as a songwriter since I first heard her music in high school. I liked how she always found the good in every situation. Her music is uplifting and inspired me to write from a positive place like she does.

PC: You’ve both had a lot of success in your respective careers. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Imua: When I first heard our band on the radio, my brother and I were dancing around the house, even falling on the floor from being so excited. Every time I hear people sing my songs, it puts a smile on my face. If it means something to them, then it makes me proud to be a part of their life somehow.

Kimie: Opening for reggae singer Barrington Levy on his west coast tour when I was nineteen changed my life. I realized how much I loved performing my original music on stage for people.

PC: How did this partnership form?
Kimie: We went to the same high school, Kamehameha Schools. We started jamming after school and on weekends. We recorded our first song around this time twenty years ago!

Imua: What Kimie said! I think during a camp that we attended from Young Life was when we really started jamming a lot and that’s when we started to think, “Hmm, we should record something together one day.”

PC: You both recently released Hawaiian Lullaby. What was the inspiration behind the collection?
Kimie: I was inspired to sing lullabies when I became a mother. I wanted to sing these songs in both English and our native Hawaiian language to teach my children and myself our language. I reached out to Imua to help me record “You Are My Sunshine/This Little Light of Mine” as a single. After we finished the song, I knew we were on to something, so I reached out to my friends (other Hawaii-based artists) to sing their favorite lullabies. We worked with Hawaiian Language practitioners to help us translate, or as we call it, interpret, these popular songs into ‘ōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language).

Imua: I’ve worked with Kimie on most of her music, so when she brought the idea to me and started with one song, it was too good to stop there. When I found out that she was bringing in more people to sing on it and the caliber of those artists, it was a no brainer to be a part of it. Plus, Hawaii was due for a lullaby album!

PC: What was your reaction when you learned the album had been nominated for a GRAMMY?
Kimie: We were super excited! To be recognized for our hard work was nice. Personally, creating this album is a souvenir of a time in my life I’ll never forget: becoming a mother.

Imua: I think we were in disbelief at first, and then physically being there when they called our name as a nominee is when it sunk in. It was a proud moment to be recognized as part of the music makers of the world.

PC: As we look ahead, what does 2020 hold in store for the two of you?
Kimie: We’re already thinking about Hawaiian Lullaby Volume 2! There are so many amazing artists in Hawaii and so many more lullabies to be sung! But first, I’m excited to take some downtime with my babies and partner.

Imua: I’m always looking to promote those from Hawaii, whether it be Hawaiian music or just music from Hawaii, but to represent where we’re from and doing what we do in the way that we do it is really special. I’m honored to be a part of making music here on the islands. Also, this year I want to do more songwriting and release more music with my wife, Tif.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Kimie: Incubus has always been one of my favorite bands since I first discovered them in high school.

Imua: I’m really into Chopin right now and learning more classical piano tunes from the greats.

PC: First album you bought?
Kimie: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill cassette

Imua: Ukulele Stylings 1

PC: First concert you attended?
Kimie: Mariah Carey at the Aloha Stadium! Iʻll never forget it.

Imua: I think the first big concert was *NSYNC at the Aloha Stadium.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Kimie: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill because of her diversity, but more importantly, I loved the songwriting on this album.

Imua: Jamie Cullum’s twentysomething because during a time of no internet, I stumbled upon his music in a listening booth at Borders books and music. I feel like the longevity of fans back then was someone that you discovered and told a lot of people about them. Musically, it was hip and jazzy and helped me to learn more out of the box hip jazz music.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Kimie: Redrocks in Colorado

Imua: At the GRAMMYs. [laughs]

PC: A must-have on the road?

Kimie: Essential oils and a diffuser.

Imua: Gas and a car enabled to play music from my phone!

Keep up with Kimie (Twitter/Instagram) and Imua (Twitter/Instagram) and pick up or stream Hawaiian Lullaby today.