Meet Mia Salazar Bungard

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mia Salazar Bungard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mia, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Growing up with migrant parents—and now sharing my life with a Swedish-German family—I know deeply what it means to feel uprooted and how invisible we can feel. In modern society, we don’t need to move continents to feel like we’ve lost our tribe. And in multicultural realities, representation really matters, because the number of people who feel completely alone in this is only growing. Living abroad isn’t just “an adventure”; it’s a complex, ongoing process of adaptation that can take a heavy toll.

When I presented my first documentary, In the Middle of Norway (2019), I realized just how powerful this topic actually is. Audiences found healing and recognition in it, and that response became the driving force behind my creative path. That’s why I decided to make music and share my story—so we don’t feel alone, because we aren’t.

Since then, I’ve written a book, conducted interviews, and collaborated with therapists and specialists. Very organically, a collection of songs emerged. My current project is my music project as Mia Salazar (@miasalazarartist). These songs give voice to experiences of migration, belonging, and resilience—an artistic space to transform the invisible weight of displacement into shared meaning and connection.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Nothing about being a woman, a mother, and a migrant in the creative industry is easy—or something to sugarcoat. But those challenges have also made me stronger, more resilient, and more determined than I was before.

Like many professionals trying to build something meaningful, I’ve learned that careers rarely follow a straight line. Like life, they shift, change, and circle back. We change our minds and passions, and that’s not uncommon—although it’s often seen as a fault. I’ve learned that what feels like a block is often just a redirection—a chance to grow in a different way. Use it, because things come to us when we are ready.

My own path has moved naturally between music and film, and now back to music again. This return feels right and especially exciting because I see it with fresh eyes. I wouldn’t have been able to grow without my years in film. Media taught me to approach creativity differently: I now understand processes that once felt intimidating, I speak “marketing” and “branding,” and I’ve developed a clearer, more concise way of creating, shaped by my experience in video editing.

That journey has also changed the way I stand on stage. A new confidence comes not only from performing, but also from teaching creativity and speaking publicly.

Of course, I know there is still a lot of work ahead. Composing and writing music is an intimate process—one that demands time, patience, and the courage to go deep. But taking risks means allowing the work to unfold slowly, because what is worth creating is worth publishing, and that can’t be rushed.
We may live in an era of fast food and instant gratification, but true creativity requires space to breathe. There are no shortcuts to quality.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I very recently moved to Hamburg, so I still don’t know the city very well. What I do know is that John Lennon found a lot of inspiration here—and it must be here somewhere, because it got me too.

I think just taking a walk around the Speicherstadt is enough to love this city. The brick walls, the changing skies, and the culture all around feel like a “Barcelona meets London” postcard. And the Elbphilharmonie is absolutely spectacular. My dream is to see Radiohead there, but honestly, even a child with a flute would make the place worth it.

My favourite café isn’t in the centre; it’s actually in a great neighbourhood called Eimsbüttel. I couldn’t even tell you which metro stop it’s near, but just wandering around makes me happy. There are so many special spots and plenty of flea markets where you can stumble upon hidden gems. And if you’ve had enough of the city, just take the train to Ohlstedt and go for a bike ride around Wohldorfer Wald. It’s like a little jungle, with hundreds of paths where I often cycle and hum new songs. Never underestimate the creative power of a bike.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
What a good question to ask first. It truly takes a village to build a career. As a musician, I’ve learned so much from different studios—from small rooms in London and Stockholm to some of the best spaces in Barcelona. But in the end, it’s never just about the equipment—it’s about the people who ask the right questions and make you feel seen. Alberto Pérez from Sol de Sants Studios in Barcelona is a perfect example: someone who empowers you through teaching and can change your life in the process.

I’m also deeply grateful to the people around me who have helped me return to music. My drummer, Simon Caringer, my partner, Georg Bungard, who is an amazing film editor, my friend Pablo Maestres, a brilliant director, and my mother, an inspiring artist—all have given me strength and perspective. But right now a big shoutout goes to Víctor Velasco, my manager. He’s an old bussiness partner and a good friend and I am very lucky to have him back in my professional path, because he understands very well what drives me, my transformation and my art. His expertise, support, and advice are helping me build something truly solid. Right now, I couldn’t do this without him and I hope he stays by my side in the years to come.

Website: https://www.miabungard.com

Instagram: miasalazarartist

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mia-salazar-bungard-3395b629/

Image Credits
Photos by Pablo Maestres and my son.