Get intimately acoustic with Miki Hahn

MANILA, Philippines - Her first album had more of a bubble gum pop sound. By contrast, Intimately Acoustic, Miki Hahn’s (photo) follow-up effort under Viva Records, is not only “more real and more raw,” but more important, it’s an accurate reflection of who she is musically.

This, says Miki (born Mikaela Miriam Leticia Hahn to a half-German father and a half-Spanish mother) is the album she always wanted to make. Although her first one did well and earned her a Best Performance by a New Female Recording Artist nomination at the 21st Aliw Awards, it fell short of her goal.

“I wasn’t disappointed; it was just that the songs weren’t me. I was just given the songs and told to sing them,” says Miki, who adds that experience-wise, that first album was a good stepping-stone because it gave her the opportunity to get into the studio and become acquainted with every stage of the recording process.

With Intimately Acoustic, she was more hands-on, which is why she feels that the album is more a reflection of what she is as a singer. Miki’s musical influences are old school: Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, Billie Holiday, Joss Stone, Corinne Bailey Rae, John Mayer and Michael Bublé. All of that can be felt very strongly in the new album.

“Here, we really studied every aspect of the album. It was more of anong kanta ba ang nababagay, ano ang feel ng song, how the band is supposed to sound — more hands-on talaga,” she says.

The album contains 14 tracks of varying musical genres, but all rendered acoustically: Never My Love, What Can I Do, Yellow, Ain’t No Sunshine, Dream A Little Dream, Tom’s Diner, You Won’t See Me, Whenever I Call You Friend, Son Of A Preacher Man, Midnight At The Oasis, With Or Without You, Annie’s Song, At Last and the carrier single The Sign, originally popularized by the Swedish pop group Ace of Base.

Intimately Acoustic is sponsored by San Mig Coffee, Business World, Jam 88.3, 96.3 Easy Rock with the help of Beverly Hills 6750 and Hahn Manila. Miki, who is currently in the thick of the hunt for the next MYX VJ, promotes the album.

Miki is brand ambassador of Urban Time, a watch store located inside SM Department Stores. She is also studying Fashion Design at La Salle International. Miki also used to act — she was part of the cast of the TV5 show Lipgloss — but gave it up in favor of music. She was with the show for two seasons, but declined to return for a third one because she wanted to concentrate on Intimately Acoustic. The gamble has paid off, because she now has an album she can really be proud of.

“Singing is really my main goal,” says Miki. “I love the feel of acting. I love being able to take on a character and making it your own. When I’m singing, I’m in my own world.”