Minke – Happier Than Me

Today queer London-born artist  Minke shares her introspective new single “Happier Than Me.”

Leah Mason, the artist behind Minke, started her career as a blues singer and guitarist signed to a Nashville record label. Feeling a higher calling to branch out, Mason took on the moniker of Minke and began experimenting with a new sound that melds blues, pop, and soul. Co-written and co-produced with Danny Silberstein (Jawny, Sasha Alex Sloan), Brian Bundage (Florence + The Machine, Noah Cyrus, Alec Benjamin) and Rory Andrew (The Vaccines, Lennon Stella), “Happier Than Me” is bravely earnest as Mason admits that “everybody seems to be happier than me.”

The song comes with a music video directed by Diana Mantis, and features scenes of life and people in New York City.

“We shot in both our apartments and in the local park all on film using a super 8 camera,” Mason shares. “I wanted to convey the extremes of the lyrics by going in between bright colour and dim bleak backgrounds, poking fun at myself at the same time. We met so many fun people in the park who were willing to participate to help make the point that we all put a smile on, and that we all go through similar struggles.”

Minke shares about the song:

“It speaks to the type of loneliness you only feel in a crowded room. I think some people would probably call it depression but I was excited and relieved writing it, realising everyone in the room could relate to that feeling. When you don’t feel like you have a right to be sad and not really knowing why or what you can do. This was just before the pandemic hit when I was drifting, in a bit of a rut but not realising it at the time. With hindsight comes perspective. A lot has changed since I wrote it, it’s bittersweet. But happy it exists as a timestamp and to hopefully help people feel less alone.”

#minke