Growing up I dreamed about being a singer and touring the world but I knew it was nothing more than a pipe dream. After all, my singing abilities weren’t even good enough for shower performances. So, I accepted my fate but my fascination with musicians stuck with me big time.

I met Inga for the first time four years ago and I was startled. She was singing, doing shows, releasing music videos, and going to her office job. The latter took me by surprise. At that time, it didn’t occur to me that musicians could have regular jobs too. Apparently, I was a little too unaware. Now that Inga’s new album is out and she’s been performing more intensively than she ever had before, I decided to sit down with her and ask-can you do both? If so, how?

Inga, first of all, take us back to when you started. When did your interest in music emerge and when did you decide to pursue it professionally?

It all goes back to childhood. I remember myself five years old playing an air guitar

alongside Janis Joplin’s track. So, I guess unconsciously it was in me from a very early age. I joined music school when I was 10 and graduated in classical guitar. Interest was always there, however, belief in myself wasn’t. I pursued music for a very long time as just a hobby. I would tell people ‘oh, I play here and there for a few hours, nothing serious, it’s just a hobby’ and now looking back at it, I was lying to myself big time and letting my heart down. I think I knew this deep down. Even though I had terrible voices in me that wanted to talk me out of it, my passion and inner energy kept me going forward and led me to where I am today. Yes, it took me longer than I initially wanted, but I trust the universe and timing. And it is not the end, the journey continues.

Your new album (REVERIE) has just been released and you’ve been doing gigs non-stop while also having a full-time 9-5 job. How do you find the balance? What are some of the tricks you use to be productive in both areas?

There is no golden rule. I guess BALANCE should be the ultimate goal in everyone’s life no matter what they do. It’s common sense, but not a common practice that we try to implement. I have to be honest some days are a little more balanced than others, but being dedicated to full-time work and music, leaves little time for building meaningful relationships and rest, and that is the biggest downside of it.

I am committed to my work. I showed up at the office every day, but I had to try harder to show up for my music daily. I had to switch the ‘hobby’ mindset and accept that I have to nurture my creativity and show up for my dream, be it 10 minutes, 1 hour, or 5 hours a day. Reading books on daily rituals, cultivating creativity, and breaking through the blocks truly helped me shape the perception of me and my art, as well as how to be productive in multiple areas.

I start my mornings super early and head to the studio before I even make it to the office for the day. This gives me some quiet and slow time to start my day with music and plan out for it. Sleeping in? Yes, always on my mind, but I turned my commitment to the dream into a habit. Dreams become reality when you put your mind, sweat, and determination into it! It’s not all magic, but hard work and consistency.

You’ve been making music for quite a few years now, has it been difficult to focus on your creative career while having an office job to go to the next morning? Do you think it held you back in a way?

Yes, there are days when I feel it holds me back, especially if you are in a creative mood at 2 AM and you know that the alarm clock will go off in 5 five hours. You have to make a rational decision. On the other hand, I think my full-time job keeps me grounded and more in line with the world. I am absolutely removed from reality when I create. The hours go by in my inner world since it’s the foundation from where I create and it is hard to come back to the planet Earth if no one’s calling…and that’s where my work comes in (laughs).

I’m sure breaking into the music industry comes with its obstacles. Can you name the 3 biggest ones you’ve personally encountered? How did you deal with them?

Music for me was always about feelings, waiting for the muse to inspire, meeting quirky people, etc. I never saw it as an industry, until I got myself into the environment where music was seen as pure business. For me music is spiritual and the music business is far from that. I’m still trying to get my head around it.

As an independent musician, I not only write music and perform, but also manage social media accounts, organize shows, design promotional materials, do accounting, and the list continues. On some days, juggling so many things feels overwhelming and challenging but I try to remind myself that rest is important to go forward. Inviting others alongside your journey might bring surprising revelations too.

Art is very subjective and it can feel discouraging on some days. You pour your heart out and of course, you want people to like it, but even myself I don’t like all the music that is out there, so it is important to constantly remind ourselves that if someone doesn’t like what you do it doesn’t mean it has no worth. If it touches at least one soul you are already making a difference. Focusing on small daily things that bring positivity into the creative process is the key for me.

It seems like you are blowing up now. What do you think changed? Was it something in your creative process or approach?

Invested time and hard work come back in one way or another, sooner or later. What I have achieved so far is not about being lucky, it's about my stamina, commitment, sensitivity, and endless hours facing loneliness. It’s DEDICATION. I have to add that in some ways quarantine was also a turning point for me where my attitude towards myself and my inner critic shifted. I became more open. I acknowledge and hear out the voices in me, but I am not letting them define me in my music path.

What piece of advice would you give to those you work in a completely different industry but still want to pursue a music career?

What gets ignored comes back later in life to find you more determined than ever. Go for it! Do not hold the energy that is in you, it is meant to see the world. Allow creativity to flow through you unrestricted. Your work should not define you or limit you in any way. The thing we often forget is what makes us unique always works best in life. If you are an accountant and want to rock the stage, awesome, show them how it’s done!

Give a listen to Inga’s new album REVERIE and get your own vinyl.

Written by Anano Itriashvili

Interviewee Inga Mikulėne

Photographer Edvinas Mikulėnas