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Introduction:
Meet McKenna Alicia, a soulful vocalist and songwriter hailing from the Bay Area. Her journey as a music artist began at the tender age of 8, and her path was strongly influenced by her attendance at an arts high school in Oakland, California. Here, she started honing her live performance skills and nurturing her overall musicianship. Afterward, she moved to New Orleans, where she further developed her unique sound and songwriting abilities. Currently based in Los Angeles, McKenna has released two records and participated in numerous collaborative projects. For her, music is therapeutic, a language that provides freedom and openness. Sharing her music and connecting with others through it is what fuels her passion.
Musical Style:
McKenna's musical style is continually evolving. She refuses to confine herself to a single genre, embracing the freedom to explore new sounds. Her music caters to the emotions and stories she wants to convey, rather than adhering to a specific genre. While she has delved into R&B, Jazz, and Neo-soul in the past, she's recently ventured into indie rock and folk-inspired music. Her songs often touch on themes of romance, relationships, personal struggles, and questions about life's purpose and nature.
Inspirations:
McKenna draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists, including Madison Cunningham, India Arie, Japanese House, Jazmine Sullivan, Jordan Rakei, Erykah Badu, Emily King, Moonchild, Radiohead, SZA, Terrance Martin, and Hiatus Kaiyote. These influences have shaped her creative vision and contributed to her unique musical identity.
Songwriting Process:
McKenna's songwriting process is fluid and adaptable, varying from one song to the next. She typically begins with a clear idea of what she wants to express in a song, ensuring that the emotion or message is well-defined. Her songs draw from her life experiences, both the beautiful and challenging moments. She aims to be vulnerable and honest in her lyrics, using a mix of literal and metaphorical language to convey her ideas. For McKenna, songs often write themselves when she creates a safe and open space for the music to flow.
Career Highlights:
For McKenna, the release of each new project stands out as a significant career highlight. She cherishes these moments where she can share her music with the world, knowing that she poured her heart and soul into each project. The process of creating, completing, and releasing music is what feels truly special to her. Additionally, the connection she forms with listeners who enjoy and relate to her music is invaluable.
Visual Artistry:
Visual elements in music are essential to McKenna. She aims to represent the message of her songs visually, often incorporating subtle yet meaningful elements into her music videos and album artwork. She carefully selects colors that match the emotional tone of her songs. Nature, an enduring source of inspiration for her, frequently plays a role in her visuals, as it aligns with her artistic sensibilities.
Artistic Growth:
McKenna has witnessed significant growth and evolution in her artistic journey over the past four years. She's moved away from confining her sound to a single genre and has explored various sonic and lyrical landscapes. Her music now fuses indie rock influences with her jazz and neo-soul background. She's excited about the creative directions she'll explore in the future and looks forward to the continued evolution of her music.
Live Performances:
Live performances hold a special place in McKenna's heart. She finds magic in the energy shared between herself and her bandmates on stage. These moments are fleeting, never fully predictable, and exist only in that particular instant. As an artist, she values the opportunity to immerse her audience in the world she's creating. Having performed since a young age, the support and love of friends and family during her shows are treasured memories, especially after a period of reduced performances due to the pandemic.
