Meet Milani Rivers | Musician
We had the good fortune of connecting with Milani Rivers and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Milani, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Working in music can feel like a constant job. Whether creating songs or pitching myself, I find it hard to separate Milani, the musician, from Milani, the person, at times. Since music is my career and passion, a steady balance is hard to maintain. I think it’s important when working in something you are passionate about to find ways to continue to enjoy the art. When everything I do is for music as a career, it can begin to feel stifling to do what I love. To combat this, I go to a lot of live music and concert events because it allows me to be a part of music, separate from my own work connection.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. I wrote my first full song when I was 10 and haven’t stopped since! I recently released my first solo song, “The Only Song”, on all streaming platforms on November 11th, 2023. Having written over 1,000 songs, I am proud of myself for finally feeling brave enough to put my music into the world. It has not been an easy journey to pursue a music career. I had to overcome medical, financial, and mental health issues to be where I am today, but I think those challenges allowed me to grow into a more confident and determined person.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love giving recommendations for places in Los Angeles! The Farmers Market at The Grove is always a good choice for groups since there is sure to be something to satisfy anyone’s cravings. As a Japanese curry fan, I love exploring Sawtelle. If you check it out make sure to visit Bsweet. It is a cute place that has a changing menu of unique desserts. For my fellow music lovers, the Grammy museum is a cool place to visit. They also host ticketed special events and panels. If you are looking for a place to take a break I recommend Urth Caffe – specifically the one on Melrose!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am so grateful to Moana Dherlin of the Los Alamitos High School Show Choir program for fostering my interest in music and guiding me as a young musician. I attended her Alma Mater, The Berklee College of Music, with her recommendation. Her advice has significantly shaped my early career path. I also want to thank my friends and family for listening to my music over the years. Sorry for all the late night practicing!
Website: milanirivers.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milanirivers/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzMPacU223fiz8RTlRAZGqQ
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
