Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there?
I am currently based 50/50 between Nashville and Alberta, Canada. The music scene in both places is great! Obviously in Nashville, it’s very amplified with it being Music City after all, but Alberta has a great scene and some amazing music festivals.
How did you first start playing music?
I have been singing ever since I was a little girl. My mom likes to tell the story of how I could “hum” before I could talk! My first shows were at Christmas concerts when I was about 5 years old which then led to singing competitions and starting a band when I was in high school.
What’s been happening recently?
I recently released my brand new single “Dream Catcher” to all digital streaming platforms and to Canadian radio! We also just released the music video for it recently. It’s been a fabulous journey so far and I recently drove across the United States to return home to Alberta to spend the summer with my family.
Your new single ‘Dream Catcher’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting for this track?
I am originally from Alberta Canada and growing up there was a big Native American cultural influence. I have always loved making Dream Catchers since I was a little girl and while performing at a festival two years ago, I had the “aha” moment that I needed to write a song about me going out and catching my dreams, thus “Dream Catcher” was born! It’s been such an incredible journey of inspiring those around me to go out and catch theirs as well.
Where and when did you record and who with?
We recorded “Dream Catcher” in Nashville about a year and a half ago. I was able to co-produce the track with my producer Simon Gugala and it was an incredible experience to hear this song come to life!
How did you go about writing Dream Catcher?
When I had the “aha” moment to write “Dream Catcher”, I knew that I needed to co-write it with one of my best friends Andrew Beason. He is so incredibly talented in every aspect of songwriting and I held on to the idea for about three months until we were able to get in the writing room together. I fell in love with what we wrote and about a month later during a morning meditation, the bridge just came to me and the song was complete!
What programs/instruments did you use?
We wrote “Dream Catcher” on the guitar and in the studio, we used guitar, drums, piano, bass and the program Logic Pro.
Please tell us about the album that you’ve been working on and what we can expect:
I am so excited about my album and cannot wait for everyone to hear the new songs! These are tunes that I’ve written and co-written over the past 5 years! While recording them, we allowed each song to have its own moment and blossom into exactly what it should be, instead of keeping the overall album in a specific genre box. The songs range from pop and country to beachy and a little rock and roll.
You have a music video out that was shot in the desert, how did the film concept come about?
I have been drawn to the Arizona desert for years now and went out to Phoenix for a “Dream Catcher” – inspired photoshoot in the spring of 2019 that turned out amazing. During my time there, I had some beautiful spiritual realizations and I knew in my heart that I had to go back to film the music video and get inspired by the magic all over again.
Where did you film and who did you work with?
We filmed the “Dream Catcher” music video in Tucson, Arizona. I had never been to Tucson before, but Angela – my stylist and also one of my best friends – suggested it and after seeing pictures and videos from a trip she took, I knew in my heart that it was perfect! As a crazy coincidence, my videographer Jenny is from Tucson, so we had access to some amazing shoot locations. It was all meant to be!
What did you find most challenging and rewarding during the creation of the music video?
Most challenging would be making sure the weather was just right, which is obviously out of our control, so there were a lot of positive vibes going out to Mother Earth. The weather was the most rewarding aspect! The sky was stunning with light clouds. It was an incredible view!
Please tell us about your podcast:
Yes! I’m so excited about this! 🙂
I started a podcast based on my song “Dream Catcher” and knew 100% in my heart that my friend Carli Kahl was the perfect person to host it with me. Carli has been on my team for the past three years helping me out on the road as tour manager, assisting in projects, and being an amazing cheerleader on my team! We started working on the idea last summer and wanted to have a platform where we could share other people’s stories of them catching their dreams thus the Dream Catcher Podcast started up! It’s been such a great project and to receive messages on how we have inspired those around us is incredibly rewarding!
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Right at this moment, I am listening to my friend Zack Dyer! Zack and I have played shows, written together, and been on a music journey for the past four and a half years. We’ve travelled around the US and Canada performing and as of this past year, he recently signed a deal in Nashville as a songwriter! I’m so proud to see his career take off, as he is incredibly talented. Zack and I recorded a cover of Brothers Osborne “Stay a Little Longer” and put it up on YouTube a few years ago, which gained us both a bit of attention. Make sure to check him out!
What do you like to do away from music?
I love to be in nature, so hiking, biking and spending time on my longboard are at the top of my list. I am also a lover of yoga, meditation and all things spiritual. When I’m not directly doing music, I am planning out my next adventure!
What’s planned for 2020?
2020 is the year for adventure, family and spending some much needed time with myself.
I am spending the summer in Alberta in my own trailer that I have decorated myself with a Bohemian theme. One of my sisters just had her first baby and my other sister is expecting her first later this summer. So I’m so happy that I can be here for them on their journeys as moms. I can’t wait to sing lullabies and get in all the aunty snuggles. I feel like I’ve been warming up my vocals in Nashville for the past 8 years for this moment to sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to my niece and nephew. 🙂
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Favorite food spot would be The Wild Cow Vegetarian restaurant in Nashville! It’s the place that launched my love for vegan food and propelled me on my plant-based journey! If you ever go, make sure to order the vegan nachos!
Website: www.mandymcmillan.com
Spotify: smarturl.it/
YouTube: @MandyMcMillan
Facebook: @MandyMcMillanMusic
Instagram: @MandyMcMillanMusic
Twitter: @MandyMcMillan
