Pearl

Miriam ‘Pearl’ Kinloch is an up and coming artist with a small stature and a big voice. One listen, and you’ll be wondering why you hadn’t heard of her before!  She is currently raising support for her second EP Reflections, and in between planning her wedding, she sat down to tell us more about herself.

Tell us about your journey.

I grew up in a Christian home, went to church every Sunday and accepted Christ at age 7. Somewhere down the road I began to survive off of memorized scriptures and lacked true intimacy with my Father. I tried hard to be a good girl and keep up my grades, but it wasn’t fulfilling. At 14, my dad challenged me to write my first song; he knew I loved English and music. I loved the challenge and was forced to express my heart to the Lord. Addicted, I kept writing and found a desire for intimacy with the Lord growing in my heart.  That led to me making a personal commitment to live for Him alone, accepting His grace and being sanctified by His Spirit. In 2009, during my summer music project with the Impact Movement, I distinctly remember realizing how passionately the Lord desired my heart. He challenged me to abandon personal fears, take up my cross and follow Him in new ways (outside of my comfort zone), pursue biblical community, and love and serve others in my community.

When did music become a part of your life?

As long as I can remember I’ve been singing, mimicking songs I’d hear on the radio and eventually started taking piano and voice lessons. During grade school, I joined different choirs, an a cappella quartet, and praise teams.

Who are some of your past and present musical influences?

I grew up listening to a random mix of classic oldies, Gospel quartets, and somewhere in there Joann Rosario Condrey became one of my favs. Eventually I was exposed to the beauty of authentic instrumentation and craved a creative, pure, organic sound. With that, I’d say I’ve been influenced most recently by: Jeremy Camp, India Arie, The Afters, Lauryn Hill, Kim Walker, Kari Jobe, Corrine Bailey Rae, Chrissette Michele, Jimmy Needham, and Lisa Gungor.

What type of artist would you consider yourself?

This is something I’ve gone back and forth about and have concluded this: I am a believer in Jesus the Christ who sings to proclaim His name and share His love with the world. I do this sometimes in a sultry, soulful manner, a fun folk tune, or even a big band groove. Either way, I’m grateful to be His vessel; He can choose to use me in whatever style He deems necessary. I’m the type of artist that personally loves so many styles of music and enjoys using them to sing about Jesus.

What would equal success or failure for you as an artist?

My success would equal glorifying the Lord by clearly communicating the Gospel and presenting Christ to the world for exactly Who He is–nothing more, nothing less. Failure for me would be just the opposite of that. If my music exalted myself, anyone else, or anything above Christ, the Lord would not be glorified through me, my listeners would not be edified, and souls would not be saved through my music.

How do you plan on mastering your arena for the glory of God?

I plan to do so by continuing to invest in my relationship with the Lord, sharing what He’s teaching me and continuing to serve Him as an artist. I believe that growing in intimacy with and the knowledge of the Lord did not start at age 14 and end in the summer of 09,’ it is a life long process. As I grow, I believe I’m being further equipped as a servant of the Lord. I also look forward to launching new facets of the ministry He’s given me, Pearl Projects, as His glory can be proclaimed in other forms like: art, blogging, and simply being an example of a woman, daughter, sister, wife-to-be, friend, and follower of Christ.

If you would like to donate to Pearl’s fundraiser visit: http://www.indiegogo.com/pearlprojectsreflection

For more info on Pearl and to get some free music visit: www.pearlprojects.org