Concert Preview: Miya Folick with Aly & AJ at The Fillmore Silver Spring

Lovers of atmospheric female ballads, queer artistry, and experimental indie pop production should look no further than Los Angeles based Japanese American Singer Songwriter Miya Folick. The Santa Ana, California born and raised artist grew up learning music taiko drums in her Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist church group. After highschool, she studied acting at NYU, later graduating from USC with a B.A. from the School of Theatre. During her college career, she learned to play guitar from a high school friend during a gap semester. This prompted her to create a Tinder account in order to find a band. During this time, Folick continued practicing music and writing songs in her bedroom, teaching herself how to produce.

Her first project, the Strange Darling EP, was released in 2015 under Terrible Records. This project utilizes witchy production and allegories within storytelling all combined with Folick’s soft voice adding a luminous sound.

Folick released her debut album with Terrible Records and Interscope 2018, Premonitions. Throughout Folick’s production she utilizes pearly synths, differentiating herself from toned down production of most singer-songwriters in her field. This album haunts the listeners with her gauzy climactic vocals, providing different story arcs through her various songs. She starts the record off with an apology, taking accountability in “Thingamajig”. With her writing, Folick has created anthems for discovery and development; both interpersonal and extrapersonal. Folick’s voice has a depth and charisma that lingers with listeners. Her writing is intimate, yet relatable. She’s tragic yet comforting, providing new light to the realm of esoteric pop. She opens up to the listers, bringing them into her most vulnerable uncomfortable state.

Since her first album, Folick has steadily been releasing singles, coming out with another EP in 2022, 2007. 2007 follows Folick’s vulnerability with a uniqueness that she’s built up for herself. She touches on her Buddhist roots, evaluating Christianity in America, and her upbringing in an underrepresented religion. She battles faith, revealing her doubts and lack of assuredness over her own belief. The entire EP showcases her eternal yearning.

Miya Folick’s sophmore album, Roach, comes out May 26th. Over her career she has performed with Pale Waves and Bishop Briggs; even featuring on a song with American Football. Her live performances utilize her guitar skills, captivating the audience with her gorgeous vocals. Folick’s music reflects similarities to Lorde, Florence and the Machine, Mitski, and Julien Baker.

Miya Folick is opening for pop duo Aly & AJ at The Fillmore Silver Spring in Maryland this Saturday, the 15th. General Admission tickets can be purchased for $35 from Live Nation at this link: Silver Spring Downtown: Aly & AJ.