After leaving behind ballet, Canadian singer-songwriter Mikayla Geier made the end of one artistic endeavor into the start of another when she began making music. Geier’s pivot paid off, leading to her dropping her debut album, here we go again…, back in August.
Prior to becoming a musician, the Vancouver-born artist began as a dancer through classical ballerina training in the US, a skill she incorporates in her music videos. But after reconsidering her chosen path, she decided to leave her former dance academy behind. Lacking an artistic outlet, she picked up the ukulele and began writing songs.
Like many artists today, she first recorded music in her bedroom, gradually easing herself into her new direction through singles such as “the sorry song.” Written as an ode to Canada after moving to the US for school, it proved early on how vulnerable Geier was willing to be in her music. From there, she would open up even more, culminating in “i don’t feel safe in my body,” a visceral recollection of her experience doing ballet and struggling with anorexia.
“Anorexia is one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through,” Geier said on the song’s creation. “To anyone going through it and feels like there isn’t a way out, I just want to say it gets so much better.”
Although she began writing in a stream-of-consciousness style, “i don’t feel safe in my body” sees Geier dive deeper into topics like anorexia, all while she sings over the gentle plucking of strings. Her soft and shaky vocals help portray the vulnerable state she once found herself in, recounting how she “Never grew up” and instead “Crawled into my skin.”
Aside from Geier teaming up with producer Joe Janiak after producing her own songs in the past, “i don’t feel safe in my body” signals a unique direction for her: one that strikes a balance between the pop side of indie music and the revealing lyrics that define singer-songwriters
Additionally, Geier branched out and used social media to gain a following, making videos that showcase her day-to-day life while giving listeners a glimpse at the songwriter behind the many introspective lyrics. This format also allows her to delve deeper into the stories that inspire her songs, whether it’s her time as a ballerina or how she became a musician.
However, it’s her songwriting where she truly thrives, making what would otherwise be negative emotions and experiences and turning them into proof of how one could make the best out of their circumstances. In many ways, she’s already achieved the rare combination of crafting tracks that not only spread far and wide for their catchiness but also hold the ability to heal for their honesty.
Words: David Sosa
here we go again… by Mikayla Geier is out on streaming services. For more on new music and tickets to potential tour dates, follow her on Instagram and TikTok.
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