As a 2x CMA Ontario winner for “roots artist of the year” and recent boots and hearts emerging artist showcase finalist, up and comer Mackenzie Leigh Meyer is already getting industry nods for her unique style and enchanting vocals.
Since the may 2018 release of her debut ep “dive bar diva”, the Hamilton, ON native has caught the attention of quite a few country music fans. Including renowned producer Ken Scott (david bowie, supertramp) who exclaimed “ watch out carrie underwood” after working with Meyer on EP power-ballad “should have known”.
After spending 2019 touring the EP at festivals like boots and hearts, havelock jamboree and lucknow’s music in the fields to name a few, Meyer headed back into studio to create new music. In october 2020 she debuted dreamy-love-ballad “before you” produced by jeff dalziel (2019 CCMA producer of the year), who had invited meyer to work with him after hearing the song at the CMA Ontario’s demorama event in 2019. The song landed Meyer on her first two editorial playlists (spotify – live country / Amazon – breakthrough country) and has garnered over 29,000 views on the accompanying music video.
Trading “lovey” for “sassy”, the pair again teamed up for meyer’s latest single “dial tone”; an audacious, tell-it-like-it-is anthem for those who’ve had to suffer through conversations with dull, boring and ignorant people. Reintroducing meyer to amazon’s breakthrough country , spotify’s live country and newly country favourites playlists, the single has garnered over 1m streams, making it meyer’s highest streamed song to date.
Whether it’s her velvety vocals, or unapologetic lyrics, when Mackenzie Leigh Mmeyer sings, people listen.
Can you tell us about your journey into country music? What drew you to the genre?
I wish I had been one of those artist that grew up with the genre but sadly I was not lol. I didn’t really start getting into country until I was in high school!
My friends at the time were VERY into it and I’m gonna be honest, at first I was kind of a hater hahaha. But then I kept hearing songs that I really liked and began to realize that the music was great and I related a lot to the stories and humour.
So I guess I owe it all to them for falling in love with the genre. I’m sure they’d love to hear that hahaha.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your style?
Kacey Musgraves is 100% my GOAT. Over the course of my career I have been asked this question a lot and no one has yet to come along and remove her from this podium lol. But I will say, this year I really fell in love with Chapell Roan, Megan Moroney, and Zach Top’s stuff, as well as have always had a place in my heart for more Roots-oriented groups like Nickel Creek.
I definitely hear all these artist’s music in my own writing lyrically, musically and thematically. I think it’s shaped my style in a way that has made my music genre-bending without leaving the wide barrier that is Country Music.
I am definitely a happy victim of the saying “art creates art” hahaha
How do you approach songwriting? Do you start with lyrics, a melody, or a theme?
For me, songwriting always starts with an emotion or theme that’s typically followed by some type of chord / melodic idea. Then I try to figure out lyrically how I want to go about that.
I like to say that I don’t write “for sport”, so I am not writing all of the time. Just when I have something that I need out of me (lol) or think is worth saying.
What life experiences have had the biggest impact on your music?
Oh maaaan. Heartbreak and injustice have definitely been the contributors that get me behind a piano the most. But experiences in general that carry heavy emotion usually make me want to express that in creative outlets in some way. Songwriting is loudly my therapy. I am incredibly grateful to have always had that as an outlet.
What has been the most challenging part of being an independent artist?
I think the amount of work that one person has to do is definitely the main hurdle of being an independent artist. I like being heavily involved in all aspects of the creative process (production, music video, single art, writing, etc) which is not everyone’s route. But on top of doing all the administrative tasks, it’s a full time job on top of a full time job.
I can’t speak for everyone but I think I am safe to say that the biggest hurdle is that there aren’t enough hours in the day lol
What’s your favorite part of performing live, and what does it mean to connect with your audience?
Performing live is one of the most rewarding parts of being an artist. Watching in real time that you’re creating joy for people is something that brings me so much happiness, especially when you have spent so much time designing a show that you hope will do just that. It means the world to connect with an audience in that way and is SO important. I always use it as an indicator for what works and what doesn’t and then try to grow a little each time. I never want anyone to feel like they paid for a show that didn’t entertain them.
Tell us about the new single “House Husband”. What inspired this project?
Yessss! I am so stoked to finally be releasing my single “House Husband” on the 24th as well as an EP to follow (release date to be announced). This whole project has been inspired by this era of my life. It’s definitely a fun little cheeky bugger like you’ve seen from me in previous. This part of me will never die. But it’s a bit of a bookend of everything I have been going through in my life over the last 5 years.
What themes or stories are you exploring in this music?
House Husband is a song that celebrates the “hard working man” as I like to say, with a modern twist. As a woman in the workforce, I’ll tell you for free that there is nothing more attractive than coming home to a clean house and a hot meal after a long day’s work. And having a partner that does that for you?! Big yes. Thematically, it’s kind of like “Honey I’m Home”, except I actually say thank you ;P
Did you collaborate with any artists or producers? What was that experience like?
On this song, and quite a few of my last tunes I have collaborated with Adam Newcomb for production. I love him to death. He played every instrument on this single, first of all, but the thing that really blows my mind is how creatively intuitive he is. I had prewritten a lot of the instrument parts ahead of our studio date for this song and I can’t speak enough on how he can take a creative idea and just make it soar. Experience was a blast 10/10 would recommend.
Can you describe a moment in the studio that stands out to you during the making of this project?
Yes! The thing that stands out the most to me is when we were working through the interlude after the first chorus because it needed a little something to make it sparkle. So Adam decided to put down some pedal steel and played the dirtiest line (music lingo for awesome/satisfying) that made that whole part just sound amazing. I smile every time I listen to it now.
Which song on the release is the most personal to you, and why.
On the EP as a whole I don’t know if I have a “most” personal song as everything I’m releasing is personal to me in some way. But I am excited to see what people think of “In Love With a Loser”. It’s definitely the most “ruthless” song I’ve ever released. I hope my audience continues to have a good sense of humour lol.
Are there any live performances, tours, or special events planned to promote this release?
At this time I haven’t worked out anything special surrounding the release. But if my schedule allows, I would love to do a release party at some point. I will say, that there is a music video in the works for House Husband. And if you thought “Dial Tone” was funny, this one takes the cake.
