How would you describe your music to a stranger? A joyful folk-inspired rock explosion.

Why did you choose “Nonna’s Trolley” as your first release? “Nonna’s Trolley” is my “what’s up bitches” song. Especially with the “hello” at the start – it felt like a perfect introduction to my solo project. It’s an ambiguous representation that leaves me space to release both rocky-er and folky-er music in the future.

If “Nonna’s Trolley” was a meal, what would it be? A fresh caprese salad with a lil champagne on the side.

What is your dream venue or festival to play at? Meredith! Also – the classic – Glastonbury. 

Who or what is on your mood board at the moment? I’ve become a real nerd watching live performances/people playing music on YouTube. Every live Feist performance is perfect! There’s a video of Pulp playing “Common People” at Reading Festival in 1994 where they play it for the first time, and then in 2011 at the same festival where they have a much better slot and there’s fire and their drama game is high. There was also a period of time last year when I had to be at home a bit so I would watch these videos of Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) playing guitar in his lounge room and pretend to be his second guitarist with my guitar in my lounge room – bliss.

How does your work in The Vovos inform your solo work? I’ve been drumming in The Vovos for a little over five years now, and it’s truly such a gift to be in that band! The Vovos are so cemented in community and to me community is everything. Also playing with chicks is everything – girl bands are everything!!!! 

Tell us the story behind the Nonna’s Trolley music video. Nick McKinlay created such beautiful visualisers that were made to act as little stories. The song was inspired by an era in my life I call the “Nonna's Trolley era” – I wanted the videos to capture the wildness of that time in my life. Me pushing so many of my favourite people up the hill in the truck (as well as them pushing me) both captured my lack of a driver’s license and felt like a perfect embodiment of the feeling of that time – one that was both tricky and wild but equally special and beautiful. A moment when the babes around me were so important.

What’s your karaoke song? “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen. 

If you could collaborate with anyone in the world, who would it be? CMAT or Bruce Springsteen.

What’s on the horizon for Mika James? Releasing more songs until the end of time – hopefully some real soon. Lots of good shows on the horizon too. I’m very lucky to have a band of babes. Bring it x