Prolifically releasing singles and EPs since her introductory Lucky Stars single back in 2019, Mikaela Cougar describes herself as Auckland’s pop rock pixie. Her uber catchy latest single Still Mine is about emotional relapses that hit during the aftermath of a breakup, and featured on the June NewTracks compilation from NZ On Air Music.

What’s your given name, pronouns, and where are you from?

My name is Mikaela! I identify as a female and I love being a woman! (Some might argue I’m more of an alien pixie witch gremlin thing though, hehe.)
I’m originally from Auckland, I moved around a lot growing up with my mum but we never strayed too far from the west. I have a strong connection to Te Henga, where I spent a lot of time as a kid and into my adult years, where I also lived for a couple years when I made my second EP. I now live in Auckland central.

What instruments do you play?

I’m a vocalist, that’s my main instrument, I also play guitar and I’m starting to dabble more on the piano. Is songwriting an instrument? I feel like it is, or it should be, it’s kind’a like a brain or mind or heart muscle that you can play. In that case I’d also say I play songwriting. Haha.

Was any school or other music tuition especially important in your musical progress?

Yes! I studied at MAINZ and graduated in 2019. That was a huge part of my musical progress. I always knew music was my thing, I just had no idea of how or where to start with getting into the industry, I didn’t have anyone musical in my life and nobody around me who could really give me guidance around building a career so it kind of faded into the background and I just started partying and working. Which was fun for a bit but then I literally woke up one morning and was like, ‘There has to be more for me in this life.’

So I applied for everything and anything I thought sounded fun and cool, and music school was one of them. I got a call from MAINZ, went in for an audition and I knew before I left that was where I needed to be. It felt like the universe was like… “You know your love for music? Here’s your shot.” I have grown soooo much as a musician and artist since then, but it gave me the foundation I needed to propel forward in my music career.

I gotta give credit to the matriarch too! Because if it weren’t for my mum and the way she brought me up I also wouldn’t be as steadfast in my music career as I am today. I had a pretty unconventional upbringing, my mum really valued and prioritised her creative expression and has a very strong connection to her intuition. Being around someone like that my whole life instilled the belief and guts I have today to follow my own path. She’s been one of the best teachers to me.

What’s the background story of how your solo artist gig came to be?

 I haven’t thought this far back for a while! When I studied at MAINZ, me and some of the guys from my class created a punk band called Your Hair Looks Nice, I was the singer. Then we just naturally kind of drifted in our own directions and I felt a strong pull to go solo and see where my journey took me. I also wanted to get better at guitar and being in a band as the singer there wasn’t enough pressure pushing me to do that.

Pressure is helpful for me haha, so stripping myself from the ease and comfort of having a band to play for me and having to perform every four weeks at my music school, alone, meant I had to up my game and get better at guitar. It worked and so here we are lol. But I always knew I wanted to rock out with a band again, so when I play live I always do it with a full band backing me.

It was heaps of fun. But now I am committed wholeheartedly to my project as Mikaela Cougar, like I just am that I can’t be something else.

How has your writing evolved from your earliest released music to now?

I know more chords. Hahaha. Nah, but in terms of actually writing lyrics etc. I’m way more prolific now and less judgmental of myself as a writer which I think opens up a whole other pool of material to pull from. In the past when I haven’t been feeling myself I’d wait until I felt good again to write, whereas now when that version of myself shows up I’m like , ‘Okay cool, no problem, you write something’, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised on many occasions. That’s how The brain song came about.

When did you settle on the artist name?

I never really ‘settled’ on it, it just kind of became my name before I was even releasing music. I feel like it looks like a rockstar name. I can see it in big lights, written in glitter cherry red with flames and electric guitars. Reow. Lol.

What’s been the big career highlight to date?

My biggest career highlight is yet to come, but producing and releasing my own music independently and being on my third EP is something I’m really proud of. When I released ‘Lucky Stars’ I dreamed of being skilled enough to produce my own music and I worked real hard and made that happen, at the time it felt so far away. Even just releasing a song in general, and now I have 14 songs out in the world with more on the way!? Somebody pinch little me lol.

What makes Still Mine stand out for you as a single?

It’s upbeat, short and snappy, it feels like a playful tune whilst being about a bummer situation. Life’s hard enough as it is, and I just think getting through the hard times with a bit of sass and humour can make a huge difference. If you can make life cute, do it.

What is the lyric story behind Still Mine?

It’s about that phase after a breakup where you think you’re over them but every now and again it hits you on a random Tuesday afternoon at your local supermarket or somewhere totally inappropriate and you realise behind all the hurt and messiness and bitterness of it all, you actually still have a soft spot for them and you’re wondering if they have a soft spot for you too. It’s the aftermath/reflection of a breakup, saying the things you can’t say to them.

What’s your favourite moment, musical or lyrical, of the track?

‘Is there a secret passageway for me, you know, just in case?’  That might be my favourite lyric I’ve ever written. And then also the little mischievous punk pixie that lives in the bridge, she makes those squeaky noises. She’s so cute and silly and mischievous. I’ve drawn a picture of her and I’m thinking of turning her into some merch.

Who did you record/produce the single with ? 

I wrote the song myself 100%, the chords, lyrics and melody. I was nearing having to leave my house for work in the late arvo, I was tinkering away on my guitar and it just kind of developed and fell out of me really effortlessly, I still have the voice memo of it forming, I record everything. I had to leave for work and finished the gist of it when I got to work.

I recorded a demo of it in my bedroom and the lead vocals, most of the guitar and the drum loop is from that original demo! I got some guy I had a crush on at the time to play some keys over it before he dropped off the face of the planet (lol) and then Johnny Fleury added his quirky synth guitars, Matt my bass player added the bass. I produced it partially with Buzz Moller in the early stages and then finished myself with Tom Broome’s help. Tom mixed it and was my sounding board, he rocks!

What would you like listeners to take away from the song?

I hope those that are going through a breakup can feel some kind of comfort and catharsis through this song, and for those that aren’t I hope they enjoy the hooks on their nature walks or supermarket trips or car rides haha.

Who else is in your team? 

I wish I could sound all fancy and important but literally nobody. Lol. Just me. I’m so fortunate for the people I’ve crossed paths with so far to help me with my music but it’s honestly ever changing. I do have a few people in my corner though that I can go to for musical layers or a sounding board which I’m really grateful for and my band has stood by me for the longest time they rock <3 but I don’t have a team or anything. It really is a DIY till I die kind of journey.

Any new musical endeavours you’re working on that we should keep an eye out for?

Yes! Still Mine is part of a bigger project, a six track EP, and I have a few things lined up for the full release so please follow my socials to keep updated for that because it’s going to be so FUN!! And just secretly between myself and the readers… I’ve also started working on my next project which I’m really excited about.

Can you name three other local tunes that would fit well on a playlist alongside your song.

Fur Patrol – Lydia
The Mint Chicks – Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!
Molly Payton – Accelerate

Have you previously applied for / received NZOA funding?

Hell to the yeah I’ve applied, haha. So many times! But until now I haven’t been successful with my applications so yay to me for getting NewTracks.This is my first ever form of support from NZ On Air. It’s cool to have gotten some support from them and some interest from you guys at NZM too.

Aside from the fact I’m allergic to admin it’s totally do-able, once you can check off the requirements to apply it’s pretty straightforward. 

Any musical blogs, Youtube channels or podcasts you’re super into?

Lol. I’m a weirdo, I don’t really listen to podcasts etc., I just find a live performance of someone I love and I’ll watch it everyday until my laptop catches fire, or a flatmate tells me to change the song! One of my favourites is that live performance of Amy Winehouse performing Stronger Than Me live on Later with Jools Holland, I am absolutely mesmerised by that performance. She put some kind of witchcraft in that performance, her attitude, stage presence, her voice and her outfit is FIRE.

How can we find you on social media?

Instagram
TikTok

Instagram is where I have the most followers, but I like TikTok. I feel free-er on there and I tend to reach brand new followers who are just finding my music for the first time.

Any last words?

Keep an eye out for upcoming live events from me! Put on your knee high boots, grab your Pennylane coat and come party! I want to meet you!