Check Out Mia Rago’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Rago.

Hi Mia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I grew up in the western suburbs just outside of Chicago, IL. I have been singing since I could talk and was first introduced to music by my Dad who would sing Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bobby Darin songs around the house.

I was diagnosed with severe scoliosis at the age of nine and was forced to give up sports and physical activity for years. I underwent two spinal fusion surgeries before the age of 15. There were a lot of things I was unable to do at the time while my back recovered, but I was always able to do music.

By the time I reached middle school, I decided to pick up a guitar and started taking lessons. This allowed me to begin songwriting and even record my own demos on my computer. I continued songwriting and singing all through high school. I decided to go to college for music, so I applied to Belmont as a commercial voice major and got in. During my first year of college, I solidified five original songs that I wanted to record and distribute.

I made a few connections and recorded my EP in the summer of 2019 at a studio in East Nashville. Produced by Megan McCormick, my debut EP featured five original songs with two bonus acoustic tracks. The EP is called “A Sea of Darkness” and was released in 2020. The pandemic made it very difficult to promote, so I turned my attention to my school work.

I was taking classical voice lessons in college and fell in love with opera; it wasn’t long before I switched my major to vocal performance. The classical training has strengthened my voice in all genres and has made it easier to sing all types of music. I hope to continue to pursue all genres and bridge the gap between classical and commercial music.

I am continuing my songwriting and hope to record an album in the near future.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Obviously, my surgery was tough during my childhood and teen years.

I still struggle sometimes with it, but I would not be the person I am today if I didn’t go through the darkness of those surgeries. My songwriting and passion for music have been forged through the pain and perseverance of my scoliosis.

Of course, the Covid-19 pandemic made it very difficult to promote my debut EP. I released the EP right before the pandemic hit and that made it very hard to get my songs in the hands of the public.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a classically trained vocalist and enjoy singing both commercial music and opera.

The music I create is a blend of alternative and indie. I am most proud of my debut EP because I believe it is just the beginning of my career. It has left me a lot of room to expand on my craft and keep growing as a musician and artist.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I think Nashville is the perfect blend of suburban and city life. It’s a unique town that has allowed me to grow as a person and as a musician.

There are so many great businesses and great people who make Nashville what it is. Live music is perhaps what makes Nashville like no other city.

Being able to hear live music everywhere downtown has made my experience in Nashville enjoyable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://miarago.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MIARAGOMUSIC/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miaragomusic/

Image Credits
Lindsey Patkos