The first time we heard Holly Miranda sing we were riding round Williamsburg in a black London taxi, for her upcoming Black Cab Session—and even being jostled around in a sweaty little space, we got goose bumps. Whether she’s performing a cappella or surrounded by a full, warm fuzz of music—as on her Dave Sitek–produced forthcoming debut—Miranda is a rare talent. And no, we’re not the first to hear it—she’s already been hyped by Kanye (always Kanye!), The New York Times and Vanity Fair. But being fans of Holly’s excellent blog, we had an idea that she’d be good to talk to.

Read on, to hear about her earliest singing experiences:
“I used to sing so loud on the way home from church when I was little that my two older sisters made me lie down on the floorboard of the car if I wanted to sing.”

On leaving home and coming to New York:
“I said, ‘Mom, I’m not coming back.’ She said, ‘I was wondering why you packed your Wonder Woman poster.’”

And that Sitek-produced album:
“It probably sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard…that’s not a back-door brag either.”

Hey, Holly! How is your day shaping up?
My day is shaping up fabulously, thanks for asking. I’m on Day Five of a raw-food cleanse, and yesterday was reallly freakin’ hard, but today everything is bright and I can taste everything so much more than before! Whoa! Like, I can even taste this interview!

We were blown away by the Black Cab Session you recorded. How was it for you?
I was in fact “blown away”; seriously, Timmy and I had so much fun that afternoon. I think we both had perma-grin for about three days. Why was that so much fun? I love Brits!

Which singers inspire you and why?
Oh geez… Well, first one that pops into my head is Nina Simone, she is always so honest and always trying trying trying to be a little more free than the last night. There is this interview with her where the guy asks, “What is free to you?”—actually, wait, I’m just going to link you to it…

Right? Look at her, she isn’t keeping up any walls. She isn’t trying to be cool. She inspires me more than anyone. For sure.

When did you fall in love with singing?
I have been singing and loving it for as long as I can remember. In fact, I used to sing so loud on the way home from church when I was little that my two older sisters made me lie down on the floorboard of the car if I wanted to sing, ’cause they said it felt like I was inside of their head. I couldn’t really help it, though. So I laid on the floor and sang.

Are you a born New Yorker? If not, how did you end up in Brooklyn?
I was born in Detroit, and then lived in Tennessee for four years (where I learned to speak) before moving back to Michigan. When I was 16 I dropped out of high school and moved to New York to start playing shows in the East Village. I told my parents I was going to visit my sister for a few weeks, but I packed everything I could in suitcases and called them when I got here. I said, “Mom, I’m not coming back.” She said, “I was wondering why you packed your Wonder Woman poster”…which I still have.

I have been here for ten years now. Wow. So I think that makes me a New Yorker.… I have lived everywhere you can in New York. Soho, Bed-Stuy, Williamsburg, even Jersey! Ha! But now I live in Prospect Heights and I really love it here.

I mean, this dude was just sitting in the sidewalk the other day?!?

I think I will always be a New Yorker… with Los Angeles tendencies. :)

You’ve been adored by Kanye, Vanity Fair, The New York Times—how does that feel? Who would you most like to get into your music?
Its all ridiculously surprising and flattering and wonderful…of course! I am always at a loss for words when I think about it. There are so many people I respect and would love the chance to collaborate with…but on the top of my list would be Leonard Cohen. I mean, come on, that’s never gonna happen. I am however heading out to Coachella next week, mostly just for him. Maybe I will try and slip a song in his pocket. ;)

Dave Sitek has produced your record. How did you guys meet? Can you describe how the album sounds?
Dave and I have been friends for a few years. We met at Headgear recording in Williamsburg and started hanging out. I would give him my little demos I was making in my bedroom and he would put in requests of songs he wanted to hear me cover…like “Goddamn the Sun” by the Swans…so this album was something we’ve been planning for years. Just waiting for the right equation and timing between other projects.
It probably sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard…that’s not a back-door brag either.

How does your solo work affect your band, Jealous Girlfriends? Are they themselves jealous? (We had to ask).
Hee-hee.

You have a great blog—it reads like you love doing it. Which sites are you always checking?
I love Newsmap, Hypebeast, Muthafunka, Abandoned Lighthouse… I’m also following Steve Buscemi on Twitter…that is a funny man!

Are you excited about your show next week?
Yes! I adore Nada Surf! Really great guys, good friends, amazing musicians. Yes, I am excited. Also, sometimes I get up and do “Killian’s Red” with them.

“This time next year, Holly Miranda will be…”
really really tired from touring? I hope.

Extra pic credits: Pizza by Daisy Lowe, the Statue and Holly by Megan Ghiroli, Holly and Nada Surf from Paste Magazine