MIA.

german

MIA. (alternate spelling: Mia.) is a German rock/pop band from Berlin. MIA. originally formed in 1997 when TV host Sarah Kuttner introduced schoolmates Mieze and Andy Ross to Robert Schütze and Ingo Puls. They took on Hannes Schulze as drummer and one year later the band, then called Me in Affairs signed a contract with independent music label R.O.T. - Respect or Tolerate. They soon abbreviated their band name to MIA., but now claim the letters do no longer stand just for Me in Affairs, but also for things like Musik ist Alles (Music is everything) and that there is no such thing as a correct translation of their name. In 1999 the band released its first single Sugar My Skin on major label BMG, but due to artistical differences the members soon asked to be released from that contract. In 2001 they followed up with their second single Factory City via Sony Music. At the same time Gunnar Spies replaced Hannes Schulze, who had left the group due to private reasons. Afterwards MIA. released their debut album Hieb und Stichfest, which saw moderate success in Germany. 2003 saw the band being heavily criticized for their song Was es ist, released on an EP of the same title. The lyrics featured romantic references to Germany and the colors of the German flag, topics that due to Germany's violent history, many political leftists are uncomfortable with. MIA. claim the song meant to provoke a discussion about Germany as a home and as a place to change and design. Furthermore, they c...