Tell us a little about yourself. how and when did you start making music?

I’m called Mina (mina koo), a singer-songwriter, an international pop artist, a performer. My auntie who raised me while I was a little kid, was a musician and she had me sing whatever on her piano accompaniment, which was my best “play” time as a kid. Then I went on to win prizes in children’s singing contest and got broadcasted on KBS, major national TV station in South Korea. This experience gave me both achievement mark as a little singer-songwriter in my childhood, and a seemingly hiatus, since my mom got worried and talked me into studying for “better jobs.” Then publicly and commercially started to do it again since I came to Hollywood four years ago.

Why do you do it, now?

It feels to me that, it’s not that “I” do music, but that music is holding me tight and driving me keep doing it!

What were some of your early influences and what inspires you today?

Michael Jackson, Shakira, Madonna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Rihanna. Today, everyone and everything I encounter is an inspiration to me.

What was the last song you listened to (disc in the car or what-not)?

Holy Grail (Jay Z. feat. Justin Timberlake)

How did you connect with Artists in the Plus and what attracted you to working with them?

I first learned G+ hangouts through good friends and mentors like Noel Ramos at IMC (Independent Music Conference), and then I got to perform at Heather Faye’s open mic, and then I got to perform for Artists in the Plus music festival 2012, and for its In the Spotlight last March.

It is a great joy and honor to be part of Artists in the Plus community. There is a fresh new energy here.

Last year’s festival was a huge success and changed a lot of things about music on the net. Were you a part of that?

Yes! It was a lot of fun. I performed right after I woke up (yeah, I’m a night person J) but after my set, I got wide awake and stayed excited for the whole day, haha. 

What would you like to see as a result of the festival, this year?

I would like to see Artists in the Plus community, both artists and music fans, become stronger and more influential in whatever their styles and in whatever they do.

Have you been using services like Hangouts On Air, U-Stream, Street-Jelly, or others to perform live via video on line? What kind of reaction are you getting?

I have been using them, through Artists in the Plus shows, and other off-line shows that also do U-Stream at the same time. I could meet with genuine music lovers, in various fields, and reactions have been very encouraging, and eye-opening towards wider horizons beyond local limitations.

Village Studios in LA will be hosting the festival, this year and there will be a studio stage in North Carolina and another in Norway. Will you be travelling or performing remote from your own studio?

Me and my band will be performing in the Village Studios in LA!

If you could ask one performer to join you on a record, who would it be?

Kanye West

What one thing would you change about this world, if you could?

I would like to see people from different cultures to mingle better and to live happily with each other.

Where can we find you and your music?

http://www.Facebook.com/Mina0912

http://www.Twitter.com/Mina_MinaS

http://mina.bandcamp.com

http://www.Youtube.com/MinaMinaTV

http://www.Youtube.com/MinaKooVevo 

In closing, is there anything you would like to add or anyone you would like to shout-out to? 

Please join my new campaign that when you purchase my album @ mina.bandcamp.com, $2 out of each purchase will go to keep-a-breast foundation, to help fight breast cancer. Plus, you will be credited in my next album, and you will get my personal note of thanks.

Big shout outs to my family, band mates, dear friends, and my beautiful people who have supported and walked with me on my musical journey. Big hugs to you!!