Melbourne’s MIMI introduces you to her girl gang of new single, ‘Bad Girls Know.’

As a DJ, MIMI has shared stages with the likes of TLC, Alison Wonderland and Peking Duk, also getting dancefloors heated at Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival. Now, MIMI is taking the next step in her musical evolution, dropping her debut single ‘Bad Girls Know.’ The electronic/pop banger is a clear showcase of MIMI’s approach to songwriting: Confident, fun and saturated in sass.

With the release still fresh in our ears, we caught up with MIMI to discuss the single, plans for her live show, and Rihanna’s catalogue:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ48L4YUNCI

Congrats on the release of ‘Bad Girls Know’! What has the reception been like so far?

Thank you! It’s been really good and positive. Lots of people have reached out to say they’ve enjoyed the song – It feels good!

The transition from DJ to artist can be a tricky one – what were some of the main obstacles you faced in the process?

For me, I think it’s been a mental game with myself more than anything. I’m a musician with a jazz degree before I’m a DJ, so it feels natural to me to be an ‘artist’ but it’s been moreso about doing, giving myself the permission and going forth with what I want to do and what feels good to me.

You said that Bad Girls Know was written with a Rihanna state-of-mind. Which is the better Rihanna song: Man Down or Rude Boy?

I think a Rihanna state-of-mind is about being free and unapologetically yourself. She exudes that bad gal energy so effortlessly. I’m always going to pick the party banger, so ‘Rude Boy’ please!

Name five of Australia’s best bad gals that we should be across?

I’m gonna give you more than five: Maribelle, Muki, Ecca Vandal, George Maple, Clypso, FlexMami, She’s That Princi, GODLANDS, CXLOE, Kota Banks, Rebel Yell.

You have plans to take your live performance on the road. What can we expect from a MIMI show, sonically and visually?

I can’t give it all away, baby! But what I can say is I want my live show to be the kind of party where anything could happen. I’m up for the challenge to create a show where there is no opportunity for people to be bored or on their phones scrolling because they are too involved with everything that’s happening right before their eyes.

Some artists like Craig David have a show that incorporates DJ/live singing/acapella all into one. Any chance of MIMI undertaking something like this?

I see my DJing as one thing and my live performance as another thing, because when I perform live I’m going to need that whole stage and not have that barrier behind the decks. You’ll see what I mean when we get to it – but I want to give you an arena-style spectacular show but in a smaller-capacity room.

As a DJ, name three tracks that are 110% guaranteed to get the dancefloor heated?

It always depends on the crowd and the demographic but I’m gonna say: ‘Temperature’ by Sean Paul, ‘Bonkers’ by Dizzie Rascal, ‘My Neck, My Back’ by Khia.

Do you have a second single ready to deliver – any hints as to what it’s going to be like?

I want my music to reflect my party DJ style and like any good party, there’s a variety of genres to be enjoyed and that you can get absolutely loose to. But all my songs are about feeling like a million bucks, confidence, sass and fun and escapism.

Any dream producers that you’ve got your sights on to work with?

I would love to work with Max Martin, George Clinton, Pharell, Danja Hands – if you’re reading this, hello!

What’s on the cards for MIMI for the rest of 2018?

The ‘Bad Girls Know’ tour, finishing an albums worth of music, having my live show ready to go, more PARTY WITH MIMI TV (which you can find on IGTV) and hopefully a few other surprises.