Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Mia Schuster

Last year, singer-songwriter Mia Schuster went all in on her career. She quit her job and decided to pursue music full time. It was a scary decision in the moment, but Mia knew if she continued to create music with integrity, honor, and honesty that was all she needed. We recently caught up with Mia to chat about her new single, “Always,” which is giving us all the feels, and about her new album, Happy (Again).

PC: How did you discover your passion for the music?
Mia: I got into music at an early age in my life. I started playing guitar in third grade, although at that point I didn’t really care all that much. I was probably hell for my guitar teacher. [laughs] I didn’t practice at all. But I remember there was a day in seventh grade that I was playing guitar and I had this moment where I was like, “Oh my gosh. I want to do this forever. I don’t want to stop. I want to keep playing.” At that point, I was like, “I’m doing this for the rest of my life.” So that’s probably when it happened, but at that point, I was pretty in the closet about it. I didn’t share too much.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Mia: The biggest influence has been my faith. As I go on my journey, I want to do things in this industry with integrity, honor, and honesty. That also influences a lot of my writing and wanting to bring light and joy into what I do. Also, my parents have had a big influence on me because they’ve been so supportive. They’ve been along the ride with everything I wanted to do with music. I couldn’t do any of this without them.

PC: What is your creative process like when you’re working on a new song? Has it changed throughout the years?
Mia: It’s changed a lot. I used to do a lot of my writing by myself in my bedroom. Recently I’ve branched out into a lot of co-writing and exploring what it looks like to write to tracks and do all the production. It’s been really cool to get to discover all of that and discover my sound and what it looks like. It’s definitely changed a lot, but I still find my favorite thing is to go back to just chilling in my room with my guitar and being in that honest place.

PC: If you could give your third-grade self one piece of advice, knowing everything that you know now, what would it be and why?
Mia: To have more fun. I definitely overthink things a lot, and it’s something I’m learning right now that it’s not that big of a deal! If you slip, all that matters is that you get back up.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Always.” What inspired the song?
Mia: I wrote it a couple years back. It was after I was hanging out with a couple of friends from high school. We were all hanging out and I had this feeling. I knew it was going to be one of the last times that we would all be together, at least probably for quite some time, because everybody lives across the country at their schools. People were coming home less. It was bittersweet, but I was also so proud of what everyone was doing with their lives. They were out there doing these amazing things, going to school, and chasing new jobs. One of my friends is out of the country now! She’s in France. I was so proud, but I was sad to see that we were all so far apart. I had this moment where I was like, “I know there’s this one place that will always connect us. We always have this home. We always have this place that we grew up together and where it all started.”

PC: The single is your followup to your 2019 release “Land.” When you look at the last year, is there a particular moment that stands out? What have you learned about yourself as an artist?
Mia: That’s a really good question. I’m learning a lot about the industry. I quit my job in this last year and dove into music full time. That’s been huge. I’ve learned a lot. I think what I’ve learned is I don’t know anything. I’m learning how much there is to learn but also just to have joy in the process and not to worry about what you don’t know too much. Just make art that you’re proud of. That’s been the biggest lesson.

PC: How scary was that for you to make that decision? Was there a particular moment that sparked that decision?
Mia: It was definitely scary. I’ve been wanting to step away for a bit, but financial security is everything. I’m very blessed. My parents have been so supportive and helpful, so I would not be able to do that if I didn’t have them in my corner. I’m still doing a good portion myself. So stepping away, I hit this point where I moved out to Los Angeles for music. My whole schedule was my job. I wasn’t really doing any music. I was like, “What on earth am I doing? I came here for music. I need to do it. Okay, I’m done. I’m doing this.” I jumped head first. Worst-case scenario, I will go back home, but at least I can say I tried.

PC: If you had to pick a song off Happy (Again) that best encompasses you as an artist, what would it be and why?
Mia: Probably “Sail the Sea.” That’s the first track I’ve ever produced. I co-produced it with a friend. It’s really simple. I just feel like it’s a good part of my heart.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Mia: I listen to a lot of things that I think people would be a little confused about. I listen to a lot of classical music. Also I think Drake would probably throw people for a loop, but I listen to it all.

PC: First album you bought?
Mia: Demi Lovato’s Here We Go Again

PC: First concert you attended?
Mia: I know it was some Christian band. It was probably MercyMe or something. I’m not a hundred percent sure.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Mia: Steffany Gretzinger’s The Undoing. It was really healing. It came at exactly the right place and exactly the right time in my life.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Mia: Coachella would be super cool. That’s shooting high. Also the Rose Bowl would be super dope, but again that’s really high dreams right there.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Mia: My Bible

To keep up with Mia, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Pick up or stream Happy (Again) today.