Introducing Melbourne party-starter MIMI and her debut single, Bad Girls Know

Even if you don't know the name, chances are you've caught a DJ set by MIMI somewhere along the line. The Melbourne-based party-starter has supported everyone from TLC (?!) to Alison Wonderland, What So Not, Post Malone and Peking Duk, playing a bunch of festivals such as Splendour and Falls and, on top of all that, has even found the time for a couple of interstate shows elsewhere over the past few years. Now, in the second half of 2018, she's launching the singer-songwriter side of the project, bursting out the gates with her effortlessly cool debut single, Bad Girls Know. Merging the undeniable confidence and self-assurance of someone like Rihanna with the twisted, hip-hop-influenced sound to match, Bad Girls Know is the perfect introduction to MIMI and her sound, uniting her confident vocal with a trembling, bassy production that sweeps you off your feet and makes MIMI one to watch ahead of a big rest-of-2018 ahead.

Watch the single's official video clip below, and get to know MIMI that little bit better while you're there. As the latest signing to Maribelle's Crush Club Records, it wouldn't surprise us to see MIMI follow the path of her pop-dominating label-head and find a big audience with her debut.

Tell us about yourself?

In an alternate world, I would be a 60's Go-Go dancer at the Whiskey-A-GoGo, I would be a dancer on SOUL TRAIN in the 70s, partying at Studio 54 and DJing house parties in California in the 90's. These influences have shaped me to be the performer I am today. I am a DJ, singer, have a lust for life and I'm the best bitch you'll ever meet.

What’s the vibe music-wise?

Bad Girls Know was written with a Rihanna state-of-mind. It's bad-bitch pop with rap undertones. But over-all I would like my music to be reflective of my party DJ style. So there's no 'one sound' to describe it but I hope it puts everyone in a good party mood.

What are your production and writing processes like?

I come from a background as a musician and have a jazz degree so I'm very musical however I'm not very good at tech. So I take my ideas to producers with lots of references and a basic sketch in Ableton. I'm very descriptive with incredibly un-technical terms including 'melted cheese toastie vibe' and 'how gears change when driving a fast car in Gran Turismo' which was to describe how I wanted the bass to feel on Bad Girls Know. I think we got there in the end.

Can you tell us about your new single, Bad Girls Know?

I wrote 90% of the song in about 30 minutes while driving in the car right after we created the instrumental and recorded on Voice Memos. It's a song about freedom, being empowered and allowing yourself to live your best life. It's about an attitude and a state of mind that you can be and do what you need to do to be happy. There's lots of cars and racing and it's also about fashion and self-expression. Bad Girls know how to have a good time.

You’ve been a DJ for a long time, how did you transition into producing and what spurred the idea?

I've always been a musician and a singer. My first job was being a DJ, which my parents suggested I get into while studying my jazz degree (seems so crazy but I'm very grateful for their suggestion) I never thought it would become my full-time job. The time feels absolutely right for me and my state of mind to start showcasing this 'performer' side of me which has always been in me. Now it's just time for the rest of the world to know about it too.

Any shows coming up?

I'll be hitting the road very soon for the BAD GIRLS KNOW tour around clubs doing the DJ thing, but I hope 2019 is when you'll start seeing the live performance side. I just want it to be the most totally-bitchin' loose party you've ever been invited to. I have envisaged it all.

What’s the rest of the year have in store for you?

I've got my next few releases written and film clips conceptualised and it's all going to get so wild from here on out. I've also started PARTY WITH MIMI TV on IG TV and is a show where anything goes; we get to talk lots of shit, get to know each other and welcome you into my world.

Where can we find more of your music?

SOUNDCLOUD / YOUTUBE

Follow MIMI: FACEBOOK