Kelsey Mira

Hi, I'm Kelsey Mira. I started singing at age 7 after I survived a terrible bout of bacterial meningitis, where I suffered frontal lobe damage and had a lot of trouble retaining any short term memories. Sometimes people recognize me today and say, "hey , you're that weird girl from the second grade. Didn't you wear a note around your neck with your name, address, and phone number on it?"

Yep, that's me. The world used to be a very confusing place for me. I didn't know much about brain damage, but the neurologist said music may help me bounce back, and my Mom (being the amazing person she is), decided to start singing to me.

I wish I could remember this part of my life because my mom is not a singer at all. It would probably be wildly entertaining if I could go back in time. She helped me write tunes to locker combinations, spelling words, math equations, and much more. The funny thing is, the non-musical wonder woman that I call Mom, actually saved my memory; I started to retain information. It worked.

I started to become a little bit more normal-okay let me not get ahead of myself with the word normal. I still collected crickets in the summer and put them in large boxes, dumping them on my head for anyone who would watch. I think that would qualify as my first performance, but anyhow, I didn't come home from school everyday bewildered. I started making memories.

What came of this experience is my passion for music. I would hear songs in my head all the time and I couldn't play any instruments or read music, so I sang into an old tape recorder to document my songs. In high school I started learning piano and guitar by ear. Finally, I learned how to read music and although it was so foreign at first, I began to study music theory and become enamoured with the inner workings of music as well as just the sound.

At this point in my life, I'd like to tell you my memory is 100% better but my family and friends would probably tell a different story. If you asked Skyline (a very popular restaurant chain in Cincinnati) if I was better they would say heck no. I was a well-liked waitress there for my personality and happy spirit, but I got almost every order wrong. Don't even get me started on the drive-thru window. It was horrifying when people would park their cars after I gave them their food, and come inside showing that their order was totally wrong. I'd get screamed at and come home crying. My parents would hold back a little laughter and say that I would be fine. I have to hold back the laughter just thinking about it, but I'm so glad that part of my life is over.

After high school I went to Xavier University on a full scholarship, but a different path was calling my name. I loved singing in choirs and learning about music theory, but something was missing. I wasn't performing enough and didn't have time to write my own brand of music. I felt lost and confused until I decided to take time off and focus on a whole new world of music.

When I'm not writing or singing or dumping crickets on my head-I have a pet frog so my cricket obsession is a bit counterproductive since my frog eats them-you can probably find me lost running somewhere (thank god for GPS on smart phones), or heading to a Reds or Cyclones game with some of my friends. I am also fascinated by books like This Is Your Brain on Music by Daniel Levitin or Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks.I love learning about how the brain works and different musical talents associated with brain damage.

Now days I'm working on solo writing projects, co-writing projects, as well as working in the music industry as a solo artist. I also perform as much as I can. When I'm not answering my cell phone, or the front door, I can be found in my home studio recording and writing music. Many of my family and friends know this and they let themselves into my studio. This is my favorite part; sharing my music. I hope I can keep sharing it for the rest of my life because when I'm writing music and performing, I'm not working and I never will be.

PS: I promise to be much more informative on my next post ;) Just kidding. I hope you have gotten to know me better and please stay connected on Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter-I love hearing new music so artists, please share your music!

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Kelsey Mira

Thursday, March 8, 2012

The Syndicate Supper Club at the Newport Syndicate

Thursday, February 2, 2012

The Queen City Supper Club Valentine's Day Event

About Me