Micachu

Micachu
Micachu; photo by Steve Legere
Background information
Birth name	Mica Levi
Born	February 1987 Surrey, England, United Kingdom
Genres	Experimental pop, avant-pop, lo-fi, indie, noise pop, grindie, film score
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, electronics, found objects
Years active	2006-present
Labels	Rough Trade, Milan, Accidental
Associated acts	Brother May, Dean Blunt, DELS, Ghostpoet, Kwes, Matthew Herbert, London Contemporary Orchestra, Oliver Coates, Tirzah
Website	micachu.biz

Mica Levi (born February 1987), known by her stage name Micachu, is an English singer, songwriter, composer, and producer. She is classically trained and since 2008 has released experimental pop music with her band Good Sad Happy Bad (formerly known as Micachu and The Shapes). In 2014, Levi branched out into film composing, creating the score for the Jonathan Glazer film Under the Skin. Her work was widely praised and Levi received a European Film Award for Best Composer and a BAFTA Award for Best Film Music nomination. Her score for Pablo Larraín's Jackie received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score.

Levi was born and raised in Surrey, England. The daughter of two musicians, she started writing and playing music at the age of four.

Levi performed as a DJ in London, and released a mixtape titled Filthy Friends, which was posted on her official Myspace page. For Filthy Friends she enlisted the help of friends and musicians of various backgrounds including MCs Baker Trouble, Brother May, Man Like Me & Ghostpoet, singer-songwriter Jack Peñate, jazz band Troyka, London pop-band Golden Silvers as well as producers Kwes and Toddla T. Following its release, Filthy Friends became sought after on the London club scene.

While a student at Guildhall, Levi was commissioned to write an orchestral piece for the London Philharmonic Orchestra which was performed at the Royal Festival Hall in April 2008.