Meet Mackenzie Day

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mackenzie Day and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mackenzie, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued my artistry because it’s been the gift and calling I’ve been unable to refrain from my entire existence. Since I was a little girl, I was jumping around on some energy that was unknown to others. Singing, dancing, finding the creativity in the room. I remember being at my grandmas Christmas parties and older generations asking me what I wanted to do with my life, i’ve just always known…”be a rockstar” I would tell them…they always seemed so amazed that I had it “figured out” in this society a lot are lost within what they think they should do and what they truly feel called to do, and I guess its also just different for everyone. Sometimes passions can just be passions, but I want to live a life of fulfillment, and being paid to pursue my passions is the dream. I’m pursuing this life style and journey and artistic vision because it’s the only way I want to live. Through creation, through art, through my self expression. Ive always known im here to make a difference, with my words, with my sounds, my personal perspective. I think were all given a gift into this world, to be here living amongst the reality we are, is quite a surreal experience, and to do what were good at, what were called to do, I think is the goal of life at the end of the day. Theres no plan B, and there cant be, I dont believe in quitting, just in divine timing. Its been a journey, a journey of ego, a journey of reflection and contemplation, but its worth it, so be living this life and to be doing what I love, despite how many people listen. The greater purpose, is for myself, is to find my sanity in what I love. To write, to create with other amazing creators and to live a life of fulfillment.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
From the moment I could i’ve been writing, putting the thoughts down, curating the feelings into poems and stories and using my imagination to deep dive into my artistry. Artistry and going after it, in such a society that focuses on capitalistic approaches to life and success, has not been an easy journey at all. I’ve been in LA for almost two years now, and it’s come with so much, but overall so much growth. I am the kind of artist that doesn’t see obstacles as problems but opportunities to grow. If one path is closed I’ll find another. I am ambitious and wise beyond years, sometimes I wonder whose living in my head because it feels like someone whose been here before to be honest. Theres a depth within how far I want to go in my art, to bring out discomfort in self and others, to force a mirror to your face and have your ego leave your body for a moment in time. I dream big with a desire to help change this world for the better. With an extreme drive and determination, along side my unique creative melodic tones and perspectives.

Lessons along the way would be to just keep going, theres so many tests as you really commit to this journey of being an artist, an independent artist, slightly starving, i’ve been living in really uncomfortable realms of instability and patience and just being open to learning through it all is the only way through. So many things are bound to happen to bounce you off the path or track but it’s important to real self back in, remember who the hell you are and just keep going.
this life is not meant for everyone and to be a women, a hustler and a strong minded individual with specific visions, it takes constant reminding to the self that you are worthy of it all. And no one is gonna convince you of that, but yourself. You have to be your biggest fan, that it something huge iv’e bene learning, especially in times when I dont feel that external support as much as I wish in this current time of my life…but ive watched how people turn their heads once “societal success” hithers your way, people catch on once everyone else has, and its hard to be ahead before anyone else truly sees you, but you need to see you and thats something i’m really honing into right now.

I am fearlessly diving into the depths of the human psyche, bringing forth a compelling narrative that echoes the universal journey of self-discovery. My work serves as a mirror to societal norms, urging listeners to think beyond the ordinary and participate in the dissection of self and humanity. I emerge not just as an artist but as a storyteller, an activist, and a guide through the intricate pathways of existence. Bringing an authentic voice to the forefront of the music scene, inviting us to confront the uncomfortable truths and embrace the beauty of the human experience.

I’m most excited about my upcoming Project Addict in my Attic, 6 songs, some of the best songs ive ever put out!! I am the “Girl with No Curtains” (last album) introducing the “Addict in My Attic” — get ready.. no one is

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hanks Bagels, love a good bagel in the am, get some coffee from any local LA spot, Cafe 27, go to eat, journal, sit amongst the nature in topanga canyon… drive the 1, along the coast go up to Malibu in a hidden beach I cannot disclose cause I want the parking to LAST there! I love the beach and tanning with my cheeks out! Go to some of my favorite parks, in Los Feliz area… take some hikes in Griffith park.

I love being in nature and I love how much nature LA has, it’s really been something grounding me through the hustle this city comes with as well.

We’d stay in to catch up, light insects, and candles and talk deeply about the way life is changing and the ways were changing with it. Go dancing some nights out in West Hollywood, silver lake… any place with a dance floor, dance floors are a must.

Go thrifting, walking around, just letting the flow of life take us. Order pizza from dominos, eat it on the floor, with a joint in hand. yes.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Theres so many to shoutout, I feel so grateful for those who see my vision enough to work with me, and help elevate my art. Through the power of collaboration we grow so high.

Big shoutout to Tyler Thompson, who I reached out to almost a year ago, I was a fan of some of the songs I had heard him produce and it felt like an honor to get the experience to meet him and then him really help me with this whole new EP project I have coming out August 16th! Tyler has not only been such an honor to work with, but such an inspiration, he reminds me that theres brilliance in the unknown and not knowing what you’re doing, but doing it anyway. He’s someone who has helped my art and sound elevate in ways I never could’ve imagined, and we always have such beautiful conversations about the world, being on this floating planet, the moon and our goals in this life. He deserves so much more recognition for his work and the sounds he creates and i’m so excited to keep creating with him.

Another person I want to shoutout is Noah Leong, he’s an amazing string player and arranger, any strings you hear in my songs are live and recorded and arranged by him, I believe in giving true creative freedom to the instrumentalists that record for me, and noah always kills me in the right ways. He has such an emotional ear that just nails the feeling of the songs everytime. Some songs you can catch him on “Your Ceilling’s Cracking” “Stuck in the wrong movie” “does she know” “spiral” “Stay Naked” , and the last song of my upcoming EP, “Mere Existence” I just couldn’t be more grateful for Noah playing on my songs, he elevates the emotion with his brilliance, and is another person whom sees a vision enough to work with me.

Another person is one of my former teachers at berklee college of music and has been a mentor in my life ever since graduating, Rodney Alejandro. We get on zoom every so often, talk about life, the industry, the crazy uncomfortable yet beautiful journey, and he gives me his wisdom and thoughts as I show him my upcoming songs. He gives me feedback, he gives me support and the reminders that I am capable and timing is of the essence.

Lastly, I want to shout out my family but more so my father/manager — Mark Batliner, He grew up in LA, was in a couple hands, playing on the strip and almost getting record deals, then went back to college when it didnt work out, met my mom and here I am, fulfilling the long over due legacy. He believes in me like no one else, he pushes me, he supports me and I am so excited to have him play a guitar solo one day when I hit one of the stadiums. All I want is to give my dad a moment of what he almost had, and also help him and my family finically. But overall he keeps me going, and I feel really grateful to have that kind of support and motivation in my life.

Lastly to some of my girls who just really help this journey go by easier, not only are they my girls but artists who inspire me and uplift me and my art. Zami Inez, NIKOLE, Lizzy McAlpine, ROSIE, Ella Atkinson, just to name a few. They inspire me to keep going, to know anything is possible and in the power of women, going after the damn thing and having powerful voices.

Website: https://mackenziedaymusic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mackenziedayy/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRB6BccHoAI21LJ14fsinzg

Other: spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5mL20rZhkGAtjGLvlpIeJW?si=GtFM_H6dQ7-ahEomjMIWBg

Image Credits
black and white// blue eyeliner shots – joey Wasilewski// portrait in purple in the grass // blue outfit against red — Cole Nelson imagination book and red leather — Tiffany Mortenson