Talented Passionate Mika Montag
If you’ve ever read previous interviews in which I’ve mentioned “COVID babies”, you might be tired of it. That’s too bad because that era gave birth to some of pop music’s greatest recording artists, and Mika Montag was one of them. Her music may sound more polished than that of other artists in her genre, but it adds a peculiar nuance while remaining as raw as her contemporaries. She possesses a star quality that is unusual for someone just beginning their music career. I suspect that this has to do with her handling every aspect of recording, from songwriting to producing.
Mika earned a place in my heart as one of hyperpop‘s elite from the day I listened to one of her songs, dismayed at the time that there wasn’t more… Yet. With each release, I found myself becoming a fan. If you’re an electronic music lover, you’re going to love Mika.
In an Instagram conversation, you mentioned that you’d like to get your name out in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, here in New York, but what’s it been like in your neck of the woods in Cali?
Honestly, I feel pretty alone in the Bay Area. It’s too small for me. I haven’t even booked a show out here yet; all my bookings are in LA (which I suppose is a flex). I was actually booked for a few dates on another artist’s tour in the Bay. But I was replaced at the last minute by another trans woman with more followers than I.
When you say "another trans woman", does that mean that you're a trans woman yourself?
Well, yes! I am a trans woman. I am transsexual persuasion, honey.
I'm keenly aware that most hyperpop (or underground pop in general) artists are transgender individuals. Why do you think the genre has so many?
I think the hyperpop scene has a lot of trans women because trans women and queer people in general tend to be experimental and boundary pushing by nature. We see/hear what the standards are, we see what “normal” is, and we want to expand beyond that.
"My passions and talents go beyond just music production." Are you talking about other things besides writing and recording?
Yes! I am a huge theater nerd, and I love acting, modeling, and photography. I actually used to run a photography account in middle school, where I racked up thousands of followers just taking pictures and editing them all myself. I also love hair & makeup. I like everything dramatic and expressive.
You’re what I used to call a “COVID baby, referring to young musicians who were confined to their homes but weren’t deterred from making music that slaps. Were you one of those musicians?
Yes. I released my first song under the Montag name in lockdown. All that time alone allowed me to do self-searching and healing, which in turn gave me the confidence to actually put my music out.
Is it true that you refer to yourself as a “triple threat”, someone who handles every aspect of the recording process?
Yes. I would more so describe myself as an all-rounder, like Megan from KATSEYE. I have made a ton of songs without anyone’s help or input, but my passions and talents go beyond just music production.
When you write your songs, do you have a particular work ethic when it comes to the time and place you write them?
My own songs often start out of thin air. Lyrics and concepts will flow from my hands onto paper. When that happens, I understand that I’m not working, I’m channeling something from the universe or God. It only feels like work when I’m doing features with the intention of expanding my audience or making money. In those circumstances, it is work, and it does feel like labor. But I always execute the assignment just as I should.
What about when you’re recording?
When I’m recording, I like to be alone, in a quiet, dark place. I like to feel completely free and safe to holler the same lyric 20 times. I like to stop and edit as I record.
Being a creative, you could have chosen any type of music to record, so what influenced you to choose pop/electronic music?
Pop and electronic music have just always been what I enjoyed listening to. I was obsessed with technology as a child, so hearing synthesized sounds from a computer only made me love it all more.
There are a few names in some of your songs that I’m unfamiliar with, namely Lia Y2K, ZAYNNE, and AfterDRK. What was your motivation for collaborating with these artists?
I discovered Lia back in 2022 when she recorded a cover of my song As You Please. She had no original music out at the time, but her cover was so well done, I knew she was special. It was clear from the jump that she was a very talented vocalist and producer, so I wanted to take her under my wing. I simply believe in her the same way she believes in me. I met ZAYNNE through Lia back in 2025 because she would send me open verses for songs he produced, and I loved his sound. I met AfterDRK through a song called "Dance All Night," where we were both featured artists. I wanted to keep working with him because I thought the back-and-forth of our voices, lyrics, and energy was special. He’s also very quick with executing songs, which I love.
If you could, what musician would you want to record with?
Oh, geez. Just one? Can’t pick. My current top picks for a collab are with PinkPantheress, Ayesha Erotica, Poshlaya Molly, Lida, Hofmannita, 6arleyhuman, and North West.
You’re a rapper as well as a singer. Who did you draw inspiration from for each of these vocal styles?
I grew up listening to a lot of Bay Area rappers like Mac Dre, E-40, and Andre Nickatina. I suppose they had influence. I also really loved Nicki Minaj. Vocally, I’m very inspired by Kesha, Bebe Rexha, and Maggie Lindemann.
There’s a song I fell in love with that is suspiciously absent from my library and the internet. That song was recorded by you (in fact, it was the first time I had heard any of your music), and I think you know which song I’m talking bout. I’m curious to know what inspired you to record it and why you decided to remove it from your catalog.
MISHKA! That song is originally in Russian by a group called Poshlaya Molly. I wanted to create my own version of it in English with a more electronic sound. My intention was to bring the vibe Poshlaya Molly started and broaden it to English ears.
To make it palatable for people who have never paid attention to music in the Russian language. I never thought that song would blow up. It was temporarily removed due to a cover license issue, but it’s been resolved, and the song is back as of a couple of days ago.
When we create something significant, the first people we want to share it with and appreciate what we’ve done (outside ourselves) are family and friends. What kind of response did you receive from those closest to you?
I hid my music from my friends and family for the longest time. I would only show songs to people if they were about them or referenced a story we had together. These days, I mostly share stuff with my parents. Only the songs that aren’t raunchy. They are extremely supportive. My dad always has such thoughtful and deep responses. He pays close attention to my lyrics.
How did you feel when you released your first song, and what was the audience's response to it?
I told myself I would be happy if just 200 people heard. It quickly hit 500, then a thousand, then so on. I was shocked, but took it as a sign to keep going.
Last year, you dropped your debut album, and while most of it falls into the electronic genre, you also have a few guitar-driven pop songs. Do you plan to incorporate both styles into future recordings?
100%. I have an amazing little crew in Russia of electric guitarists and synth-punk producers whom I began working with recently. I have plans to release a project entirely in this style.
