We have a new artist for you to add to your radar \u2013 Vancouver-born songstress Cassidy Mackenzie. Releasing her debut single \u201cWish\u201d today (Feb. 22), Mackenzie is already a star in the making, boasting a unique sound that blends together pop, electronic and R&B influences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The result is high-energy, radio-ready tracks that touch on love, loss and lust. If you like what you hear on \u201cWish,\u201d keep an eye out for Mackenzie\u2019s breakout EP \u2018One Look,\u2019 due this spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We caught up with Cassidy to get the inside scoop on finding the one, working with Carly Rae Jepsen\u2019s producer and the song she\u2019s most nervous for Grandma Mackenzie to hear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Happy release day! How does it feel to be releasing your debut single?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m unbelievably excited about it. It\u2019s kind of surreal too. I keep thinking about it being like, oh wow, this is happening!<\/p>\n\n\n\n What inspired \u201cWish\u201d and how did you know it was the one to make your debut?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I recorded six songs in the summer and this was actually the last one. Ryan Stewart, the producer and co-writer, and I listened to it and we were like, holy crap. You could tell that this was the one. It\u2019s about a really surreal moment that happened the night before we wrote it, so it was also in the moment and real and honest. It is a very special song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ryan has worked with stars like Carly Rae Jepsen and Bif Naked. What was the best piece of advice he gave you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n He is so cool about everything and said to go with your gut and trust yourself and the vibe that you want. The whole process that he took me through was super inspiring and a big lesson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019re studying music at Belmont University in Nashville. How has that helped prep you for where you are today, and where you hope to be in the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m in my third year right now and it\u2019s been insane. I would not have been able to do what I did with Ryan if I hadn\u2019t gone to Belmont because the classes I take like songwriting and music business have given me valuable information and skills. I highly recommend music school if you want to go into music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What kind of artist do you want to be?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I want to be known as an honest artist, if that makes sense. I think everything that I have put out there and will be putting out there going forward, especially in the next year, is very 100 per cent true to who I am and I want to continue to do that throughout my career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve started working on your debut EP, \u2018One Look.\u2019 What can we expect from it, and when?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s definitely very similar to the vibe of \u201cWish.\u201d It\u2019s just a bunch of poppy, electronic songs that tell stories similar to \u201cWish\u201d in the sense that they revolve around the theme of desire, relationships and heartbreak. You can expect that in the next 3-5 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is there a particular song you\u2019ve written that you\u2019re most excited, or nervous, for people to hear?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a song that should be the second single coming out called \u201cPractice Kiss.\u201d It was one of those songs that I wrote\u2014maybe my grandma shouldn\u2019t hear this [laughs]<\/em>\u2014but it\u2019s, next to \u201cWish,\u201d my favourite song off the EP and it\u2019s about being with someone while thinking about and being hooked on someone else. It was one of the more interesting topics that I\u2019ve written about. I\u2019m nervous to share it, but it was fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s talk \u201cwishes\u201d! \u201cWish\u201d musical collaboration?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s too many! I\u2019d go with The 1975 or Taylor Swift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWish\u201d music video co-star?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Can I dream big? Avril Lavigne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n