Indie pop singer Malek Mia presents her original music and pop covers on Saturday, August 18, at 8 p.m. at It’s a Grind in Plainsboro. She will perform songs from her debut album sampler, “I’m Here.” The album’s full length version will be available in early 2013.
Mia, born in Jamaica, moved to the United States as a child. Growing up she studied music, ballet and tap dancing, gymnastics, guitar, choreography, and voice. While attending schools for the gifted and talented she sang for school choruses and church choirs and also attended schools for ballet and gymnastics. During the summers she would study more of the performing arts. She was also involved in several competitive hip hop dance groups in high school and college. “Those are the things I really loved but my parents wanted me to be a doctor,” she says.
Education was very important in her household, and Mia began focusing much of her attention on her college career. She graduated from the honors program at John Jay College with a degree in forensic psychology and works as a behaviorist with a developmental center focusing on people with mental illnesses.
She relocated to New Jersey in 2003 for a job and settled in Plainsboro. “I love Plainsboro and consider it another home for me outside of New York City,” she says.
She is currently focusing heavily on her singing career and is excited about releasing her “I’m Here” album sampler, which will give fans a taste of some the first cuts off of her upcoming album. “I’m Here” showcases Mia’s songwriting and composing style that blends pop, pop rock, and urban sounds. It is available for purchase at her upcoming shows in New Jersey and New York.
“For me this album is catharsis, there is a lot I had to get out and say and yet there is also a lot of fun to be had with this album,” she says. “I’m really excited to share it.” Visit www.reverbnation.com/malekmia or facebook.com/malekmiamusic for more information about Mia.
“I love learning and everything about the professional world — but I still love arts,” she says. “The desire to do it became overwhelming and I want to make my outlet my career.”
Malek Mia, It’s a Grind Coffee House, 7 Schalks Crossing Road, Plainsboro. Saturday, August 18, 8 to 10 p.m. Acoustic pop. 609-275-2919. www.itsagrind.com.
