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MIA GLADSTONE is proudly strutting into a new era of full fledged self-trust. The producer and singer-songwriter is returning to her own music after a brief break to hone in on the creative process—absent of hindering expectations. Coupling an effortlessly gliding voice with chilled out groovy beats has undoubtedly been the recipe for GLADSTONE’s already established success. Her unboxable genre of sound, which pulls heavily from pop funk, is what has secured the songstress over 300,000 monthly listeners on Spotify as well as collaborations with artists Yung Gravy and Ciscero. In true Virgo sun fashion, GLADSTONE has cultivated her sound, utilized her break, and is returning to her own music stronger than ever.   

Released today, is GLADSTONE's latest single ‘TALKING ONLINE’ featuring Belis. The summer anthem brings to light a topic that is all too common in the digital age—feeling out of touch with yourself and reality. The accompanying video release for ‘TALKING ONLINE’ is a brilliant satirical dig at the limitations media places on the human psyche. The nature of both the song and music video are surely fitting for this DGAF media icon. ‘TALKING ONLINE’ follows the release of ‘EMPATHY’—the latest single off of the Jersey-born artist’s highly anticipated full-length project. Per GLADSTONE, it “is an anthem to disconnect from the internet and be human.”

Flaunt caught up with GLADSTONE about her musical beginnings, dawning a new era, and the narrative behind ‘TALKING ONLINE’. 

How did you begin your music career? 

I’ve had the desire to pursue music for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I'd get out of school and work on music until I went to bed almost every night. I started messing around with making beats in elementary school using this program called Mixcraft. I’d throw loops together and score Youtube videos with my brother. I started writing songs on piano in 2nd grade and became obsessed with the process. In high school I started sharing my music online and building an internet community. I would deep dive on Soundcloud and reach out to artists and producers all the time offering to record vocals for them. I’ve always emphasized collaborating. Throughout the years I've grown with my core community and watched it and everyone expand individually and collectively - it’s been so beautiful. 

You recently released a new single, "Empathy" —your first release in two years—in what ways does your new music differ from your previous music? 

My new music feels like the best representation of my sound. I started all of these songs alone in my basement in a small box-like room with a pink ceiling and walls. I had the freedom to experiment and challenge myself musically, with no outside factors. This studio was my safe haven where no matter what was happening beyond its walls, I could immerse myself in creative flow. All these songs started as ideas that I just felt like expressing with no intention to sound a certain way or communicate particular thoughts. They’re different from other songs because I never planned sessions for them or involved other people when I started them. They’re the result of me taking space to trust my process and my abilities as a producer and songwriter with no pressure. 

Are we entering a new MIA GLADSTONE era?

We are! This is the ‘trusting my ideas’ era.

Talk us through the message behind your new anticipated single, ‘TALKING ONLINE’?

"TALKING ONLINE" is an anthem to disconnect from the internet and be human. I'm singing about my experiences with overusing social media and getting sucked into this online persona, and harboring self doubt that keeps me from being present in real life. There’s so much more to living than our online realities. I feel like social media is mind control. It dulls us. When we use it too much we lose sight of our humanity, the realness of being a person. I feel so reliant on my phone sometimes and so addicted to the attention that I get online. It feels like a trap. Whenever I take a break from it I'm happier and feel more in tune with myself and others. I want to encourage people to step away from their online existences and enjoy being human.

For most of the ‘TALKING ONLINE’ music video, you are singing in a Zoom screen—what was the concept creation for this music video? How was it filmed?

I’ve been creating videos with a good friend of mine, William Alan Harris. For this one we wanted to represent an empowered version of myself where I'm being honest about my experiences on the internet as a female presenting person with big boobs who’s free with their body. I felt a lot of shame growing up for things I couldn't control - no one asks for their physique and yet we are judged for the way we look - it’s strange. I reached a point where I no longer wanted to hide my body. Instead I decided to own it and celebrate it. With that came a lot of attention and disturbing DMs hyper-sexualizing me and giving out unsolicited opinions on my body, as well as censorship flags on different platforms. William inserted loads of real messages I've received and ‘community guidelines violations’ alerts throughout the video, overlaid on scenes of me as a pixelated, naked pop-up ad. The concept of the video ties into an underlying theme spanning across all of the next videos you’ll see from me in this new era. I’m this positive affirmations life coach who transforms the mundane world and people around me. I’m introduced in a Zoom meeting to a very low energy group of coworkers to increase employee morale. My character takes everyone on a journey and while doing so, exposes the reality of being a woman online. We filmed the entire video in my house in North Carolina. 

What is your zodiac sign? Do you resonate with it?  

I’m a Virgo sun and I do resonate with it. I think it’s important to look at birth charts as a whole and see how all your placements work together, rather than isolating individual signs. My Venus and Mercury are in Leo which I think strongly affects the nature of how I write songs and communicate generally. My big three is all earth signs which I think accounts for giving me a general sense of grounded-ness. 

If you could leave your audience with one message, what would it be?

Follow your joy!