360 Degrees of Environmental Inspiration with Mishka

While you may not have heard of him until now, chances are you’ll soon be hearing Mishka’s hypnotic reggae tunes and socially conscious lyrics just about everywhere.

Mishka’s recent album, Above the Bones, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard reggae charts, has been extremely well-received throughout North America – and at least a little bit of the credit can be attributed to a man you may have heard of before. Hollywood superstar Matthew McConaughey first heard Mishka’s soulful rhythms at a New Year’s Eve party in 2000 and then spent almost five years searching for the artist whose music had so affected him that night. “I was doing a show in LA and [McConaughey] got my phone number,” recounts Mishka. “He called me up and was like ‘Yo, I’m a big fan of your music, what are you doing?’”

At the time, Mishka was working independently on what was to later become Above the Bones and was convinced by McConaughey to sign to the actor’s record label, j.k.livin’.

One of the issues Mishka sings about on Above the Bones is one that is close to his heart – the health of the ocean. “The ocean isn’t something that should be overlooked,” he says, “Most of our fresh air comes from plankton life under the sea’s surface. And I think that everyone has to stay aware that everything drains into the sea. Keeping the ocean clean is a big thing for me.”

And Mishka tries very hard to live by the words he speaks. He reduces his waste, spreads the word about environmental health and tries to keep his carbon emissions low, but he admits that there are some things he can’t really help, “Being that I’m a touring artist and everything, it’s almost a hypocrisy because we’re singing about these things but we’re driving around in vehicles and flying on planes; but, generally, I try to reduce waste and drink from my own cup,” Mishka says as he raises his water bottle.

Mishka’s new album is a refreshing and very much needed change from the music that’s currently out there. His lyrics talk about issues such as corruption, war, government, materialism and the environment. “You can’t go through life and just put blinders on. You have to look around and see what’s happening,” says Mishka. “It is important for people to speak about what’s going on in their lives and in the world around them. And I talk about it in my music.”

Mishka is able to find inspiration for his music, while at the same time help his audience become aware of the issues that are going on around them. “There’s 360 degrees of inspiration [out there]. Sometimes it’s as simple as sitting down on the grass and listening to a bird sing. And other times it’s a confrontation or a conflict in life and how you’re dealing with that.”

So whether you’re listening to birds sing or pondering world issues this spring, Mishka’s music is a perfect soundtrack. His laid-back tunes will help you relax without losing awareness of what’s going on in the world around you.