FCEM got a chance to talk to Mira Grimm, a musician songwriter with a blend of Americana, blues, alternative, folk style from Syracuse, NY

How long have you been playing?

I've been playing guitar for about 10 years and I've been singing and playing out professionally since I was 11. But I've always had the mind of a musician. Music has always been my form of self-expression. I have autism and didn't speak until I was 4. Verbal communication was hard for me and I had a really hard time connecting to people and understanding them. But I could figure out how to play the nursery rhymes on my little toy piano by ear like it was nothin! I would play it back perfectly and my parents knew that I had something special, so they always encouraged me to develop my musical abilities and support me every step of the way.

What are your influences?

Lizzy McAlpine, Cavetown, Alice Ban D, The Lumineers, Poor Man's Poison, Coulter Wall, John Mayer, Larkin Poe, Jackie Venson, Jim Croce, Highly Suspect, Susan Tedeschi & Samantha Fish

What type of musician are you? 'Genre'

My genre is generally a blend of Americana, blues, alternative, folky, fingerstyle. It's basically all of my influences. You can hear a little bit of all of that in the songs I write and the covers I do, some genres you can hear a little bit more prominently depending on the song.

Where is your hometown?

Syracuse NY! I've lived here my whole life

Are you in a band?

Yes! I do solo shows, but also have a band called Mira Grimm and the Reapers. We are based in the Syracuse area and we're just getting started with gigs. My drummer Hymie Whitthoft is a seasoned pro, very versatile. He's been (and still is!) the drummer for the Westcott Jugsuckers for the past few decades. And my bass player Hendrick has an awesome vocal ability that blends so well harmonizing with mine. I'm really happy with this lineup!

What inspired the band or you to become what you are?

My dad Garnet Grimm, he was the drummer for Savoy Brown for 15 years and now he's travelling with Sean Chambers. He inspired me to be who I've become because he's a very skilled musician who tours around the world doing the thing I love most. I would love to do that. Originally Mira Grimm and the Reapers was a group of really talented kid musicians that I met through Blues Ignition (a youth band put together by the NYS Bluesfest). We did blues rock and funky grooves and jams. Eventually I wanted to do more of my own thing and focus on my solo act for a while. Then last October I hired a local band, Morris and the Hepcats (with my dad on drums and Layla Barlow, AKA my best friend on harmony vocals) to back me up for my CD release party and from then on I realized I wanted to just have a band to back me up with my originals. So now I've reinvented Mira Grimm and the Reapers with the new lineup. We're just getting started with gigs so if you're interested in hiring my live music contact me at Miraaamusic@gmail.com or reach out to my manager (my mom) Tracy Grimm at 315-395-4668.

What idols do you have and why?

All of my idols are my influences. I also take inspiration from Freddie Mercury, Lady Gaga, and David Bowie. I look up to them so much, they all were/are amazing performers and I admire David Bowie the most because he was gender fluid and wasn't afraid to express himself. His look was so unique and bold and I feel so proud that I can relate to that and see that in myself. It's a quality I admire intensely.

How did you get started as a band or a musician? "Tell a brief history of the band or you"

Well like I said earlier I grew up with the "music autism" I call it...hehe. I was always very involved in the music scene because my mom is a music lover who ever since I was little took me to tons of festivals & shows, and she knows a lot of musicians just from going out, and also because of my dad. I was always welcomed by the music community and encouraged to let the music part of me shine. When I was 7 I bought my own guitar with the money I saved from birthdays and holidays. When I was 10 through 12 I took lessons from (the late) Jason Kessler (he passed away a couple years ago RIP). He was a great teacher and an amazing classical/jazz guitarist, and by the time I was 12 I had already finished a college level classical music book with him when I realized I wanted to do blues. I'd been surrounded by it my whole life. I started playing out in bars and festivals when I was only 11. I've always loved being on stage. When I was 14/15 I took vocal lessons from CNY jazz legend Nancy Kelly and I've just been working on my craft ever since.

Have you recorded your songs, when and where?

I have! I record my entire stuff at JB (John Brown's) studio in the Eastwood section of Syracuse called the Dungeon Studios. Then once it's recorded I mix and produce it with Shane Patterson at Hobin Studios, and Ron Keck does the mastering. My first song ever recorded however was at Subcat Studios when I was 12 years old. I published my first album "Restless Soul" in October 2024 (it's out on all streaming platforms) and I'm currently finishing up my second album "The Dark" which will be out very soon.

What are your songs about?

I write about my mental health. Most of my songs are about me voicing what I was struggling with in order to process my emotions, communicate what I was feeling, and make something out of it that I was proud of. Everything I went through I have something hard to show that not only did I survive it, but I also made art out of my pain that now other people can enjoy and relate to. While many of my songs are mental health based, others are just stories, or dark Americana folk tale stuff.

How receptive have audiences been to your musical creation?

They love it and are always very engaged and interested in what I'm doing or saying. The beauty of writing about your mental health is that I can share it with people and not only help my own self, but help others feel seen and like they're not alone. It's therapeutic for everyone and it feels so good to be understood and heard. I also do a little bit of comedy while I perform - I joke around and connect with my audience. I'm generally a very outgoing and social creature.

Have your received any awards

I've received several awards for my music. In 2024 I was selected by the Carrie Lazarus fund for Extraordinary Talent to receive an award of studio time and equipment (a new amp and new guitar!), and a couple months after that I won $1000 for third place for the KJ James Memorial Scholarship at the NYS Bluesfest. This year I won a SAMMY for Best New Artist (which was a HUGE honor!!), and my album was nominated for Best Alternative.

What's new in the recording of your music?

I'm half way done with my 3rd original album which will be out next year & it's gonna be a rocking bluesy one. I've written more than 60 songs & someday I'll have them all out! At this point, I'm writing faster than I can keep up with recording. I guess that's not a bad problem.

What are the bands or your biggest obstacles? For my band the biggest obstacles are scheduling practices. But for me it's being organized with my thoughts and having enough time since I'm also an actor so I often have plays to rehearse and prepare for.

Describe your show, visual and musically?

Visually my show is bright and colorful. I do really funky whimsical makeup. Musically it's a variety of Americana, folky blues and alternative songs that I sing and play. I have a very haunting and soulful voice and I do a bunch of finger style guitar under it. When I play American folk blues I fingerpick, do percussion, and palm muting all at once and it sounds really awesome sauce.

What is your method of marketing?

Social media and exposure, I run all my social media accounts. And I try to get myself out there as much as I can. I do graphic design as well so I enjoy making posters and flyers for my gigs and doing the entire album cover art. I also have business cards and stickers. My website has everything you need to know about what's going on with me and my musical journey. Go to http://www.miragrimmmusic.com for where I'm playing next!

What are your hopes for the near future?

Touring! I'm psyched to have been asked to join my grandfather's band Double Barrel Blues Band for some songs on the main stage at Blues in the Bay festival the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, and would love to play the NYS Blues fest again. I'd really love to travel far and wide doing festivals! They are so fun!

If someone had never seen you perform, how would you describe the sound and stage presence to them?

Goofy, light hearted, but still real and relatable.

Tell FCE about your shows and why fans should be there?

Mira Grimm shows are an experience for sure, almost every song is never played the same cause I just go with what I'm feeling. I'm a big fan of supporting the venues that treat musicians well and I think everyone should give back. Plus I would love to see your face and meet you!

Mira Grimm sat in with Grandpa's band The Double Barrel Blues Band on the main stage, Sun, Aug 31 Blues in the Bay Festival, 1 James St, Alexandria Bay NY 13607

More info about Mira and show dates http://www.miragrimmmusic.com