Not to wander along on a strange tangent from the offset, but they often say that hindsight is 20/20, right? I must confess that when seeing the name MIINA in an email subject line a few weeks ago, my thoughts immediately drifted back to the year 2020 – and while many of us shall forever associate this time with negative pandemic connotations, for us music junkies, 2020 was one of the finest times for fresh Canadian album releases.
Indeed, it was back in 2020 when Victoria, BC dream-folk band Carmanah released their sophomore album, “Iris” to critical acclaim (remember the cut “Mountain Woman” – what an amazing tune). And while I cannot speculate about the actual commercial success, this album checked all the boxes when it came to my personal tastes and easily earned a spot among my own GDW Top 20 Albums list for that year. Sadly, aside from a couple of subsequent single releases in 2023, Carmanah went seemingly radio silent … until now … kind of…
“As most of you know, Carmanah changed in 2023. Like so many things after the pandemic, it asked to become something new,” vocalist Laura Mina Minic shared on social media recently. “As my music and world shifted, I realized it was time to step into a new chapter – one that feels honest, intimate and fully me. That chapter is called MIINA.”
Having taken this opportunity to announce that her upcoming debut full-length album, “Where the Light Goes,” shall be released on March 20, 2026, MIINA offered a taste of new music with a digital three track EP earlier this month, adding an official music video for “Live My Life on Holiday” just yesterday (with Keyword Productions).
“My new single came spilling out of me one day as I reflected on how easy it is to go numb to the world around us,” MIINA shares. “What began with a simple, playful chord progression in the verse soon cracked open into a big, cinematic chorus – a deliberate contrast meant to highlight how complicated we are and how much time we waste on small, unimportant battles.” You’re like a Cadillac stuck in the shop for too long / You’re like a polaroid kept in the dark for too long / You’re like a popsicle left in the cold for too long / And you’ve been rattling round in my head. “The song pushes back against the daily grind that asks us to hand over our inner fire for the illusion of trendy happiness and temporary escapes,” MIINA adds. “The choir at the end emerged in the quiet, sleepless hours of the night, as I rattled around in my own mind, layering voice upon voice into my demo until my brain turned to jelly.”
Not content with just dropping the official video yesterday, MIINA confirmed the shows and dates for the upcoming cross-Canadian tour that she’d hinted about previously also. “We played with light, movement and slow motion to create something dreamy and cinematic,” MIINA shares about the music video. “The concept allowed us to explore textures and motion in a way that feels almost like stepping into a dream. And, of course, there are dogs in it, which makes everything instantly cooler.”
“MIINA gives me space to perform solo, to collaborate with new artists and to let my sound evolve,” she shared on social media. “And for anyone wondering about Pat (Ferguson) – the bus driving, guitar playing, harmony singing co-heart of Carmanah – he’s still right here beside me on stage… and I made an honest man out of him… and no doggos were left behind in this video.”
Photo Credit: Una Martinez (image) / Artist Website (tour poster)
The British guy that crossed the ocean and crash landed in central Pennsylvania (to quote Greg Keelor, “And I wonder what am I doing here?”). As the youngest of four siblings, exposure to music from a very early age nurtured my passion and appreciation for many musical genres. Continuing to discover some amazingly diverse and talented musicians based in Canada, I gravitate to live music experiences and remain devoted to spreading the word about such a vibrant music scene.
