Col’s Chat – Locals through my Lens – Mia Goodwin

Col’s Chat –

Locals through my Lens

Mia Goodwin

Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you did. But they will never forget how you made them feel.”

There are few things more uplifting than a chat with Mia. There’s an energy that fills the room when she walks in, a presence that breathes life into the day. And this isn’t a show. I’ve met Mia on many occasions, and not once have I seen her any less than charmingly incandescent.

Born in Maleny, Mia Goodwin was surrounded by music and performance at a young age. Her father played a big role in local theatre, and inspired a young Mia toward the shining spotlight. Early stints in hospitality laid the marker for one aspect of future life, but singing was the cornerstone of a creative future.

“I discovered my passion for music when I was at school. I really loved performing, and I was really lucky one day when a singer from Queensland Opera saw me perform, which led to me studying opera as a teenager, with a passion for musical theatre.”

Mia’s path may have been predetermined; but her heavenly voice, and the influences of post punk, and bands like The Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees meant no musical genre was off limits. “I really like all music. My partner, Jamie is perhaps my biggest influence. He has introduced me to so much amazing music.”

It was at this point that hospitality and music really fused. Mia and Jamie decided to start a bar in Ashgrove. In a famously ‘dry suburb’ that must have been a challenge. “In 2010, we started The Junk Bar together after a newly created small bar liquor licence was introduced. In fact, we became the first venue to operate under the new licence, which was very cool. We expanded into music four years later.”

The Junk Bar became a focal point for community. “I grew up in a small town where community was a big part of my life. Once I moved to Brisbane, I gained strength form the people around me, especially the music community, which has been so important to me. The Junk Bar was built on community spirit. For me, it is all about friendship, love and – most importantly – support.”

Whether you ventured into The Junk Bar then, or have met her since, there is always one commonality, and that’s Mia’s infectious, generous and warm greeting. “I want everyone to be treated like they matter and that they were special because… well, everyone is. And in hospitality that can often be rare.”

Having given up the reigns of The Junk Bar three years ago, Mia has been far from sitting on her laurels. A second album with her band, It’s Magnetic, with partner Jamie, and Ben Ely from Regurgitator is soon to be released. “I am really proud of it. And, in addition to that I have upcoming guest vocal spots with a number of artists and yet more vocal projects in the pipeline”.

But isn’t the live music scene in a bad way? “I think the music scene is in a time of great change and it’s been really sad to lose some local music venues, but there are still some holding strong and people are still supporting local music. So, whilst I thinks it’s a really tough time for artists and venues, I still truly believe in the power of live music.”

Regardless of the time and place, or the circumstances, a meeting with Mia is always an uplifting experience. She is – to quote Maya Angelou again – always a rainbow in someone’s cloud.

You can learn more about Mia and It’s Magnetic on Instagram at @mia_magnetic or @itsmagneticmusic

The Junk Bar remains as vibrant as ever @thejunkbar

Author & Photographer: Colin Bushell / Colin Bushell Photography