Where are you currently based?
I am currently based in Etobicoke, ON (just outside of Toronto), but Hamilton, ON is my hometown.
How did you start playing music?
I got started playing music in my hometown at Hamilton’s yearly music awards. Each year they held a Rising Star competition for up and coming artists to enter, and when I was about 15 I decided to give it a go with a song I had written. Having grown up playing piano, I always enjoyed being musical, but had never performed for the public out of fear.
That year I ended up placing third, and I don’t know what it was about that moment, but I decided right then and there that I wanted to pursue music as a career. A music degree and a bunch of milestones later, I’d say it’s going pretty good so far!
What’s been happening recently?
Recently I’ve been doing a lot of writing! The whole “pandemic” thing has really dwindled down the opportunity to perform live, so I’ve been trying to use the time to figure out what I want to say musically and work out a new show and material for 2022!
Your new single ‘Dial Tone’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
The idea behind “Dial Tone” actually came from an episode of Letter Kenny. It’s slang for “a dull, boring person”: ie) John has all the personality of a dial tone. When I heard it used in that show I always thought that would make a good song title. Fast forward a few years and a couple boring conversations I couldn’t escape from; “Dial Tone” was born!
How did you go about writing ‘Dial Tone’?
When I decided to finally write it, I reached out to my friends Jesse Slack and Daryl Scott to co-write it with me because I knew the way they wrote would be a good fit for the tune. We really wanted to go for something lazy feeling but also sassy and luckily this was one of those songs that just seemed to come together really easily.
Where and when did you record/produce/master the single and who with?
“Dial Tone” was actually recorded this July! I was so excited about the song after we wrote it in March that I wanted to get it out right away. So I reached out to my producer Jeff Dalziel (who also mastered it) and we got cracking! Everything was recorded at his house, other than parts from the players that didn’t live locally who just recorded at their own houses. It’s crazy how much you don’t need a studio anymore to get the job done.
How did you approach the recording process?
This recording process was approached in what I would call a very typical modern country way. I sent Jeff a demo of the song with the idea and vision I had for it and he worked his magic! By the time I came to record my vocal, the track was basically completely put together. Atypical to that, is me getting to play the acoustic line in the song and add some creative input, which I really enjoyed getting to do on this track.
What’s the weirdest gig you’ve ever played and why?
OH MAN, just one? Lol. I’ve played in a few dive bars where I’ve gotten to see some pretty interesting things but I think the weirdest gig I ever played was the first gig I ever did with my band.
Right when I was first starting out, my college roommate, who I admittedly didn’t know very well, had her relatives in our dorm one time and they asked me if I wanted to play a private party they were throwing. I told them I’d love to, but my band didn’t yet have enough material to fill an evening. We knew 6 songs, to be exact. However, they said that that would be enough and hired me for the evening.
A few weeks later, my country band and I showed up to their event and proceeded to play 3, 2-song sets, where in between they had a classical pianist perform. It ended up being a really fun night but it was definitely the weirdest event I’ve ever performed.
How do you prepare for shows?
To be honest, I don’t really have a ritual that I do! Performing has become pretty second nature to me now (trust me, it never used to be) and usually I just show up and do my thing. I am lucky enough to have a band that I’ve been playing with for years, so that really takes away any worry that I might get before stepping on the stage.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I am ALWAYS listening to Kacey Musgraves. I am pretty sure she will be my favourite artist until the day I die. But aside from her new album, I’ve been really digging what Ingrid Andress is saying, as well as Tennille Townes.
What do you like to do away from music?
I really like being creative, so in my time off I find myself doing things like scrapbooking, photography, web design, interior design, etc. Pretty much anything with the word “design” after it lol. I’m also a huge environmentalist, so I’ll spend a lot of time trying to make my lifestyle a bit more waste free, or educating myself on ways an individual can create a positive impact on sustaining this big ol’ body of water we call earth.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2021 going into 2022?
Most of 2021 will be about getting “Dial Tone” to as many ears as possible, but I will say that I’ve also got a little EP in the works that I’m hoping to get out to the world sometime in 2022.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Ouuuu. A few different answers. My favourite place to “get” food is Valiant’s in Barrie, ON. My favourite food in general is pizza, and my favourite place to hangout I’d have to say, is my local watering hole TJ Osheas Irish Snug in Etobicoke, ON.
Twitter: @DiveBar_Diva
Facebook: /MackenzieLeighMeyer
Instagram: @divebar_diva
Website: www.mackenzieleighmeyer.com
