Unfiltered and unapologetic, Mackenzie Day is an open book with a lot to say. Emotional, vibrant production highlights her daring, lyric-driven alternative style. Not one to shy away from topics like toxic relationships, moving across the country, and waking up from denial, she hopes to heal and empower others through her therapeutic writing process.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Mackenzie about the latest music, technology, surviving the pandemic and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do You describe your style of music?
I’m from San Diego, California. My style has always been difficult to put in a box, as music is a growing evolution within ourselves and our own inner change. I would consider most of the music I’ve released to be pop or alternative pop, however, the new music I’m now putting out is in a whole new direction of alternative/indie/pop.
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music and the music biz?
Ever since I can remember, music has been the only thing that’s made sense. I was constantly being pulled to dancing or singing as a child, or writing love songs for the boys I had crushes on in middle school. Then I dove deeper into music therapeutically when my family dynamics were changing; the divorce of my parents, my dad getting cancer — writing seemed to be the only safe space I had.
How does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
There’s always consistency in my art which is meaning and symbolism — every date, the cover art, or my lyrics. However, I finally feel like I’ve spent the past 4 years at Berklee trying to find myself and through that, how I want my music to sound. For the first time in my life, I have a vision of what I’m trying to say and how I want it through sound.
This new single incorporates the consistency I try to always keep in my art — the power of collaboration. My friend Noah Leong played strings and my friend Jackson Trapp played piano, and I gave them complete creative freedom to be able to feel my music and connect to it, and from that create their imprint of art within my art. That’s what I try to do in everything I put out; incorporate collaboration within emotion and connection. It’s what makes art so powerful and universal. This song feels like the first step into my new sound and style.
Name the biggest challenge you faced as a creative during these unprecedented times? How did you adapt? How have you kept the creative fires burning during all this?
I actually wrote this song in November 2020 during the depths of the pandemic. I was trying to write 10 songs a month, and I had a chalkboard in my room that I used to try to keep myself accountable, because for the first time in my life I had never felt less motivated to create. It was also my first time being in therapy for a couple months at the time, so there was a lot of self reflection and realization going on, which contributed to how this song came to be.
What was the last song you listened to?
Truthfully, it was my newest rough mix of a song that’s going to be on my next EP! It’s called “Excited For Your Twenties?” The last song I listened to that wasn’t one of my own was “Little Things” by Moonchild!
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
I grew up collecting CDs. I love all music in all forms, and I think it’s really powerful how many different ways we are able to stream music these days but I always love a good old-fashioned vinyl or CDs in the car. Love my Spotify always.
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey?
My website and Instagram: mackenziedaymusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/mackenziedayy/
Also my Spotify for keeping up with my music! https://open.spotify.com/artist/5mL20rZhkGAtjGLvlpIeJW?si=s2lM3G_zQM-kdsFR3Z7ITQ
