Diandra Interviews Cassidy Mackenzie: The First Move Is Always The Debut

Cassidy MacKenzie has released her debut single “Wish,” and it marks two truths about her. She is a dreamer and is using music to sift through her realities.  With a voice that is comparable to her current icons such as, Julia Michaels, she has the determination and style to be a rising, pop queen, as well. Thus, our interview is about discussing the first move every rising artist must make: their debut. 

Diandra: What was the inspiration behind “Wish,” and what is your greatest wish for this year? 

Cassidy: The inspiration for Wish literally came from the night before Ryan and I wrote and recorded it. I was playing a show in a bar in Vancouver, last summer, and I met a guy. It felt like something out of a rom-com or a Taylor Swift song. We had this crazy connection and he said he felt it too. Then after an hour of talking he said, “It sucks though because I have a girlfriend.” I was pretty crushed but it made for a good story for the song. 

Diandra: After moving from Vancouver to Nashville, what has the changing music scenes taught you about your artistry? 

Cassidy: Moving to Nashville was a huge culture shock; mainly because there is music everywhere here. You pretty much see live music everywhere you turn, and I go to a university that has a huge focus on music, which is so fun. It threw me into this scene where all I have been doing for the last three years is finding and developing myself as an artist and learning from the incredible people who are based here. 

Diandra: Your upcoming EP is based on your feelings of both heartbreak and happiness. What has you feeling heartbroken and what has you feeling happy? 

Cassidy: Mostly love and the people in my life. It sounds crazy, but I kind of love heartbreak. I love people and find connecting with them the most exciting part of life. So the extreme ups and downs that come with that is what inspires the music I write. 

Diandra: What can we expect from this EP, and what is its title? 

Cassidy: The title of the EP is One Look, which I took from lines in the first single, “Wish”. It represents that first look you have with someone you connect with that’s so intense that you’re instantly attracted to him/her. Each song on the EP is a follow up to that almost uncomfortable look. So you can expect stories of love and desire and introspective expression of how I deal with love that makes me both extremely happy and drives me insane. 

Diandra: You have the tendency to create in-the-moment while in the studio. What about the present inspires you to make music?  

Cassidy: I love writing about situations that are happening in the moment because I think the songs end up coming out extremely raw and honest. I’ve always used songwriting as a way to work through intense emotions so, when I’m in the studio writing about something, I’m going through then, there’s so much to work with and so much truth to what’s going into the music.  

Diandra: Avril Lavigne, Taylor Swift and The 1975 are all artists that inspire you. What do you feel connects the three to each other, in style, and how do you wish to emulate that? 

Cassidy: They all give an extremely powerful, authentic feel to their music, which I have always really admired. They’re so incredible at telling super engaging stories in such unique ways. No matter what I’m doing, if I hear any of the three of them come on, I am immediately captivated. I aspire to write and perform songs that have that effect. 

Diandra: You have released 5 tracks so far. In one word, emotion, and/or sentence, can you describe what each one means to you?

Cassidy:

Wish – Overwhelming and inappropriate romantic desire. 

Overrated – Love that is so strong that you’re not sure if you can take it. 

Compass – Independence and support. It’s about being there for someone in a way that lets them be their own person. 

I’m Onto You – I know your secret, and I love it. 

Practice Kiss – I’m with him, but he’s just practice, because of course I’m thinking of you. 

Circles – This is so hopeless but I’ll never stop loving you. 

Diandra: If you could describe your music according to moods and messages, what would it be? 

Cassidy:  Songs that come from total happiness, crushing heartbreak, and intense desire and lust, and show that feeling all of these emotions is beautiful and exciting: whether they are good or bad. 

Diandra: What is one current pop and R&B song that you wish you would have written and why? 

Cassidy: There’s No Way by Lauv and Julia Michaels. That song is pure magic and so real I drop everything I’m thinking every time I hear it. 

To learn more about this future, reigning radio queen, i.e. Cassidy Mackenzie Click Here.