Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Piqi Miqi, also known as Jared Bailey, is a musician who’s currently based in Prague. He blends funk, new wave, R&B and hip-hop, taking inspiration from The System, Cameo and many more.
His interest in music started at the age of 10:
“I was super interested in becoming a producer,” Piqi Miqi said.
With a specific interest in Timberland and The Neptunes — producers renowned for their sound — he was fascinated by the idea of the people behind the music; Piqi Miqi wanted to make music. His cousin, Steezo, a relatively successful rapper in the 80s with a gold record, music videos and a released album, with all his equipment around him, only added to Piqi Miqi’s curiosity.
His mother got him classical piano lessons, giving him confidence musically and inspiring him to learn how to “make music tangible.” More than just writing and notating, Piqi Miqi wanted to learn how to record, which proved difficult.
Piqi Miqi recalled getting his first keyboard:
“There was no Google back then… I had to go to the music store and ask the older guys.”
He mentioned the difficulty of choosing the right equipment as a kid with no extra income:
“My dad took me to Chinatown and found the cheapest keyboard… it didn’t record shit.”
He later on discovered digital audio workstations such as Fruity Loops, Cubase and Cakewalk, which were becoming more accessible to the average person, allowing Piqi Miqi to produce beats himself.
Piqi Miqi Photographed by Kiti Wullich
Studying at Choate Rosemary Hall on a full scholarship from Carl C. Icahn, Piqi Miqi had a production class taught by Timothy Bradley, who had experience with musicians such as Jesse Johnson and Prince. The studio’s facilities provided a perfect learning space filled with analogue equipment and hardware.
“I was able to really learn about music and his technique for playing and producing music professionally,” Piqi Miqi said.
You can hear a wide range of influences in Piqi Miqi’s music. The System is a two-man band from the 80s that blended funk, synth-pop and new wave.
“This band production wise… it’s on another level,” Piqi Miqi said.
He found them later in life as he grew up listening to Eurythmics and you can really hear their influence in the production process throughout his discography.
Piqi Miqi Photographed by Kiti Wullich
Piqi Miqi said Cameo is a huge influence because of their sense of humour:
“I kind of implement that in my music and my music videos.”
He works with his spouse, Annie Rat, on music videos with complex concepts that are expressed with their attention to detail through elaborate costumes and heavy production work. It took a year and a half for the release of his latest single “Whatever You’re Into” he was determined to push the limits and not fall into a stereotypical RnB music video.
“I wanted to push the limits and just do something where I don’t take myself too seriously”
Piqi Miqi seizes the opportunity for music videos and uses them as a way to provide a visual to the song. Although it's a personal achieved target for him it also provides a complete project and full experience for his fans.
Piqi Miqi told me that fans can expect another music video for “Toxic Funkulinity” a track from his most recent album. Taking inspiration from 90’s Sci-fi films and “Nutty Professor” he is working on the last elements and has plans to release it in the coming weeks.
Currently, he is focusing on building his online presence and reaching new listeners. With the potential of new music on the horizon and a tour. “The goal is to get back on tour once I have better placement.” He mentioned Latin America as he’s been getting a lot of traction in those territories and communicating with artists in the area.
Watch the Whatevea you're into official music video here directed by Annie Rat:
Piqi Miqi Instagram: @piqimiqi
Annie Rat Instagram: @Annie.rat
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