EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MISHELL IVON

February 03, 2026

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MISHELL IVON

Mishell Ivon is a singer-songwriter based in Munich, Germany, whose music style is an blend of different genres with a nostalgic touch of disco and boogie funk music. Along with San Francisco-based music producer Vincent Kwok, Mishell has produced her new EP, ESCAPE, comprising 8 tracks of funky soul, dance, and groove music with an elegant and uplifting touch. In this interview, Mishell shares her views on her music, her collaboration with Vincent Kwok, and her take on women in music.

1. ESCAPE is your first collaborative EP release with producer Vincent Kwok. What was the first creative spark or feeling that led to the creation of this project?

It wasn’t actually the first collab EP that Vince and I have worked on, we have been working together for quite a while and have multiple song collections that have been grouped together by mood and genre, the ESCAPE EP however we created from the ground up for HITMINT when we were approached on if we would be interested in working with the Label.

2. The project is rich in emotions and unashamedly positive. What were some of the considerations in balancing emotions and positive vibes in this project?

Going into a project like this where the goal is to create a body of work that gels and makes sense together .. we did what we do best... “Go with the flow” :) We just let it come as it did and because of the mood and timeframe it was written and produced, the message and feel of the moment is what spilled onto track ideas that then became finished songs.

3. Your style incorporates funky soul, dance, and groovy elements in a way that is both elegant and forward-thinking. What inspires your interest in these specific genres of music?

I grew up in a musical household where soul and funk were listening staples if not some sort of a welcome requirement. Feel good music has been and always will be the soundtrack of my life. Vince also grew up with a lot of the influences that you mentioned above and he has been out and about for ages DJ’ing with a focus on these genres.

4. Your solo projects draw inspiration from nostalgic disco and boogie funk elements and blend them with your “nu-school” freshness. What do you do to make your style both nostalgic and fresh?

My past sonic influences shaped my music world .. they were the essential building blocks to my taste profile but as you grow, learn and discover new things your toolbox expands .. you always go back and grab the tools you know best but I purposely look for tools that I am not too familiar with or don’t know how to use at all and try to incorporate them into my creative journey .. it’s all part of the process to fine tuning the sound that genuinely is me .. my voice, my message, my unique.

5. Your projects range from funky jams to soulful house productions and display incredible genre-bending and boundary-pushing versatility. What inspires your creativity in this regard?

Versatility in my opinion helps me continuously grow. I keep my ears and eyes open and take in the most random inspirations that develop into songs lol.

6. Vincent Kwok is known for his highly crafted grooves and melodies, and your voice is recognized for your storytelling and emotional depth. What has this partnership brought out in your style and creativity that has surprised you the most?

Vincent and I have a very similar working style that helps immensely with our productivity level. Musically we just have an unspoken understanding that works for itself. He recently said to me that he was talking to a friend about the music that we make and he came to realise that he really has never complained about working with me ..so I guess that’s a good thing! Creatively we throw a lot of stuff at the wall and somehow 95 % of it sticks and comes to life because we are able to mold it into what we feel it needs to be. The most surprising thing is how big our catalog has become.. I think originally Vincent and I were brought together for a funk project for a label and the idea was 2 songs .. Now.. 100 songs later lol.

7. This partnership brings together San Francisco and Munich in a truly global musical partnership. What has this partnership brought to your style and creativity?

I’m all over the place and the world is so open now for music making with not having to be in the same city or country anymore to get projects done.. the digital world speeds all that up .. hmm I do not think our settings so much have influenced our music making venture or how we work together .. it's normal. All is shaped by our experiences and we both travel fairly frequently ..so lots of impressions = lots of inspiration.

8. You’ve been in the business since you were 13 years old. What do you think about the current status of women in the music business and in positions of power in the creative industries?

I believe it is ever changing and we have taken big strides but there is still work to do be it for women, people of color and many other groups of humans that deserve equal shots and representation. I myself have over the years taken so much into my own hands and not leaving my destiny up to others, being my own boss and advocate has truly lifted me into other hemispheres so that alone is quite something for me. The industry will evolve and I see a positive light in this tunnel we artists travel through but the question is ... at what pace? .. I don’t know... I can just do my part by speaking and standing on truth from my position, my music and art.