Mishka

Mishka Adams’s aesthetic roots include the literary, visual and musical arts. The daughter of Filipina visual artist, Agnes Arellano and British writer, Michael Adams, was born on May 19th 1984 in Manila. At her tender age she was already associated with the Philippine literary scene, when her dad was publishing the Caracoa literary journal along with the Philippine Literary Arts Council. Mishka does her share of writing as well, of poems that later turn into songs. “A lot of my songs start out as poetry. My dad was a big influence on me” – she enthuses. She began taking saxophone lessons at the age of 10, and by 14 she was signing jazz standards.



She took her A levels at King’s School in Canterbury then flew back to Manila to continue her studies at the University of the Philippines, College of Music. There, she was invited to perform at a musical spectacular 'Jazz in Time' organised by the British Council (Manila) featuring the UK jazz legend Courtney Pine and Cameron Pierre, one of Candid’s artists. Her impeccable rendition of Billie Holiday’s signature song ‘God Bless the Child’, earned the immediate admiration of the audience, which included a representative from the CANDID Philippines office. A demo was immediately sent to Alan Bates in London and within two weeks, she was signed and given a budget for her debut album, 'God Bless The Child'.



Now a graduate of London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama, 2007 saw the release of Mishka's second album, 'Space'. She is due to release a compilation called "Willow Weep for Me", with songs chosen from her first two albums, including four previously unreleased tracks.