Montclair vibrates with global rhythms as Miu delivers an “Unphased” experience

By  Fredner Cayemitte
MONTCLAIR, N.J.— As the sun set over Montclair Brewery, a friendly crowd gathered on July 5, buzzing with excitement for a night of live music. The energy in the air was palpable as Murielle Augustin, known as Miu, took the stage, guitar in hand, ready to share her dynamic mix of country, R&B, French and Haitian rap music. 

The intimate concert, part of a series of small-venue shows, showcased songs from her latest album Unphased, featuring collaborations with artists from around the world. Miu seamlessly weaves English, Creole, French and Spanish into her music, earning her a growing international following.

She launched her music career in 2006 after becoming a finalist in a talent contest organized by the Haiti-based record label Soley Sounds. She quickly gained attention with her song “Hot Boy.”

Growing up, she was deeply influenced by her father, a saxophonist with the group Jazz des Jeunes, as well as by many of the successful singers she admired.

Miu’s 2016 trip to Chicago for a music conference led to a pivotal encounter with The Sunset Kings, sparking a collaboration that included a Boston performance in summer 2017, a national tour spanning more than 50 cities from summer 2018 through fall 2019, and the release of their single “Come By” and its accompanying music video—cementing their musical legacy.

Former Reuters photographer, Jeanty Augustin, became a fan of MIU, noting their shared last name and stating, “I have seen her musical progress since Solèy Sound; she has become an accomplished and well-experienced artist.”

Change starts with community

The performance not only celebrated her newest work but also highlighted her message of resilience and hope at a time when Haiti continues to face political and social upheaval.

“I’ve never in my whole life seen my country in a state as it is right now,” Miu said. “I didn’t think it was possible back then that things could get worse, but apparently, it did.”

For her, instead of attempting to fix issues in Haiti, individuals in the diaspora should shift their attention to areas where they can make a difference.

“Focus on what we can do ourselves for our families, our friends, and our communities because change starts somewhere,” she said. “What you can do, how you can impact your community, that’s what matters now. That’s how we grow, that’s how we get out of this situation.”

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