We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Misha Fair a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Misha, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I believe that I’ve always known that I was meant to be an artist. However; like many young aspiring musicians, I struggled for years with confidence regarding my artist identity and the idea of imposter syndrome. For a while, early in my career, it hindered personal and professional growth and eventually lead to bouts of self-sabotage and missed opportunities. As my skill and talent grew, so did my desire to sing country music and to be honest, much of my struggle was internal and external rhetoric that I might not be accepted as a young black woman from an urban city making this music. To grow past that negative pressure, I needed to implement more personal development into my artist development strategies.
First I began self reflecting and evaluating who I am and acknowledging my strengths and capabilities as an artist. Next, I made an active decision to avoid negative and intrusive thoughts that could derail the positive steps I was taking in life. Also, I set small, realistic goals and wrote them down where I could access them daily. I feel that putting my goals into existence this way helped me to see my accomplishments firsthand. This step drastically increased and reinforced my esteem. They say “iron sharpens iron”, so I avoided isolation and sought out peers and mentors who were also looking for support in the music community. Watching the struggles and successes of others became integral in fighting the root of imposter syndrome. I stopped trying to be perfect and learned to be more expressive first. Now, I experiment, create and feel more innovative than ever and understand that ultimately, overcoming impostor syndrome is a lifelong journey that involves self-awareness, self-compassion, and commitment to my personal and artistic growth.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am an alternative country singer-songwriter with a love for classic country vocals and heartfelt lyrics. I was raised in a musical family with a history of success on major labels like RCA and Atlantic Records and grew up surrounded by music legends and studio experiences. I believe my diverse musical background and training as a classical vocalist sets me apart in the country music scene. I’ve collaborated with a few notable artists as a songwriter, artist developer and “featured” artist and I’m now venturing into my solo career. Most recently, I’ve gained some very cool acknowledgment for my live and recorded performances of my most recent singles, “Not One”, “Beg” and “Memphis.”My unique blend of folk, bluegrass, and soul and rock and roll is a testament to my Southern roots and love for the diverse sounds that define Americana music.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My journey as a black female country artist with multilingual skills, record label internships, and experience in teaching music is marked by a unique set of qualities, skills, and knowledge. Cultural fluency and empathy, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a commitment to mentorship and collaboration collectively influence my impact on the music industry. I believe it allows me to create music that bridges cultural divides and cultivate a lasting legacy.
I would advise new artists to never stop learning and growing and to seek constructive feedback and guidance. that can help them refine their music and performance. I’d also encourage aspiring artists to strive to remain resilient and authentic, practice consistently, and to be as open-minded as possible to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities that come their way.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
“The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron has really played a pivotal role in my artist development. So much that I use it in my voice studio with other artists. It’s helped me reach new levels creatively and overcome many internal blocks. I first discovered it in 2018 and since, it has been a roadmap for me to form a deeper understanding of myself, my creative process, and any barriers that could hinder my expression.
In the last few years, I’ve incorporated practices like going on solo “artist dates” and writing “Morning Pages”, which are three pages of writing done first thing in the morning. The pages have helped the most because they are like a creative brain dump and safe space that allows me to clear my mind of clutter and negative thoughts, identify creative goals, and to express myself without judgment. In a way, “The Artist’s Way” encourages me to nurture my inner child and approach work with fresh eyes and subsequently overcome self-doubt, regain confidence, and develop some useful daily practices.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mishafair.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mishafair
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mishafairmusic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/misha-fair-10a2864b/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mishafair
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mishafairmusic
- SoundCloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/mishafair
Image Credits
Main Scale Production
