Natalie Lynn
Toronto-based artist Natalie Lynn unveiled her debut single “One” on March 15th.
Inspired by the 80s, the smash single was produced by Natalie Lynn, John Mullane and Ryan Worsley.
“The whole vibe of “One” is like the feeling of being at the top of a roller coaster. Not the part when you actually start going down, but right before that. Pure excitement and vulnerability. The feeling like you might just be on the top of the world,” expresses Lynn.
The pop/rock artist is delivering an explosive debut single. Fusing big melodies and soaring vocals, “One” is a timeless record.
“One” is now available worldwide.
Photo credit: Ryan Perry
Introduce yourself - where are you from?
My name is Natalie Lynn. I’m a pop/rock artist based in Toronto ON. I grew up on the East Coast in Nova Scotia.
What's your story?
I just released my debut single “One” and I’m super stoked. I’ve been active in the industry since I was about 15 - my first time trying to record a record. I spent the last five years in and out of the studio and on the stage, working on my songs and my live show, collaborating with creative folks and finding my place in this industry. All kinds of ups and downs and growing in between, all happening behind the scenes, but I’ve always been a songwriter and seriously passionate about what I do. The one thing about me that has never changed is that I love rock and pop, and when I perform live, it’s going to have everything that a rock show ought to, even if I make pop music - guitar in hand.
Could you tell us a little bit about your childhood? What were you passionate about? Any favorite childhood memories?
I was always passionate about music and art. My father was an artist and my mother sang in a band. I can remember (I was probably 5 or 6) going to see my mom front her band at a local show in my hometown, looking like a superstar. Totally rocked my world haha.
What did you grow up listening to?
I think I idolized Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne and Sheryl Crow growing up. Pop/punk bands like Fall Out Boy, Sum 41 and Blink 182 practically raised me and then all the classics that my parents got me into like Bryan Adams, Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, etc.
When did you realize you could sing?
From an early age. I just went for it sort of hoping I got handed down the gift like the rest of my family. I thought I had an okay tone of voice but the rest was shit. I didn’t know how to sing properly for the longest time, I was nothing but tension and no power despite having a great ear for music and pitch. The combo of getting my first vocal coach when I was 20, and playing show after show with my full band, often 2-hour sets through awful sound systems, trying to sing louder than three blaring guitars...I think that’s what contributed a lot to sort of unlocking the belty thing I’ve got going on today.
At what point did you know you were good at what you do?
I must have been pretty young, still in the comfort of my own “bubble” - thinking I was good at something didn’t take much at that stage. I know I started taking piano lessons when I was 5 and I didn’t like it at all, so when I picked up a guitar (I was probably around 10 or 11) I was really good at it, so it totally clicked and I just got all the feelings. It came way more natural, and I was willing to work way harder to be good. I started writing around then and comparing my songs to the great music that I loved at the time, so lots of riffs and some mild but cool hooks, I felt like I was doing something right.
When did you decide to pursue music as a career? What did your friends and family think of it?
I definitely made up my mind about it at a young age. I’d always tell my parents and my family “I’m going to be a musician”. (PERIOD). It’s probably written in any and every diary entry ever haha. But after High School, I took a Recording Technology and Music Arts program in college for three years. After graduating, that’s when things really started rolling. My family were always great about it, and always told me to work hard and I could do whatever I wanted. They definitely have gotten me through some hard times and this career choice is definitely mentally draining so I’m sure wouldn’t have minded me going a more traditional route, but I know that they trust me and that they’ve accepted that it just isn’t me to do that.
Photo credit: Ryan Perry
You recently released your debut single "One". What's the story behind the song?
This song was always in the back of my mind. I feel like it was being written for years before it became a real thing. I had the chords, I had the melodies, I just wanted to get the song’s story right, so I fumbled over lyrics for months. Even playing it live to audiences in a ton of different forms before we nailed it out. It’s one of those songs that people probably would have said, “Throw it out. It’s taking too long. You can probably write a better one. Move on.” But bottom line was that it meant something important to me so I stuck it out.
What did you feel when writing this song?
The timing of this song was really funny. I always compare it to a roller coaster I think, because I started writing it during this huge high point that turned to a very huge low I was having in my career for the first time ever. We kind of got a little boost in our local scene, and some industry folks started to know my name, so that was amazing, but with that came a lot of opinions and a lot of pressure. It was all important in getting me to the place I am today, but I was getting all this advice from different angles and I was disbanding with my friends at the time so things were just up and down like that for the next three years. This song coming together sort of encompassed that. Though it was heavily a love influenced write, I just feel like there was so much of the story going on in the background that drove the song home for me.
You worked with John Mullane and Ryan Worsley on this song. How was it like to work with them? How did you meet them?
John Mullane fronts a band named In-Flight Safety that I had been a fan of since my early teens. It was a really rad moment getting to meet John later on in my life and with my own career taking shape along with his new role as a producer. We ended up bonding over many things in the industry and decided to give it a swing on a collaboration with this project. John, Ryan Perry (long-time drummer) and I worked really hard to find out what sound and vibe we wanted for this track so when I met Ryan Worsley, he came just in time to help us take it to the next level. It all just sort of worked out and I’m so thankful for everyone being such great team players throughout the entire process.
What made you want to release this song as your debut single?
I felt like this was the song that I had been needing to release.
"One" is heavily influenced by the 80s. What are your favorite records from the 80s?
THERE ARE SO MANY but...
Don Henley - Building The Perfect Beast (I could listen to Boys Of Summer once a day)
Bryan Adams - Cuts Like A Knife (Can I just be Bryan Adams??)
Loverboy - Get Lucky (Everybody’s Working for the Weekend…)
Stevie Nicks - Rock a Little (the queen)
What appeals you the most about making music?
It’s a pretty huge thing, making music. If you can do it or it’s in you the way I feel like it’s in myself and all my musical and songwriting friends, there's nothing more appealing, even through the worst of the worst. You just love it unconditionally. It also comes, I think, from being a fan of other artists and music too.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
My inspiration is all over the place. Life experiences. Feelings. Dreams. Stories. Clothes. Pictures. Surroundings. People. Moods. Sometimes, you just get it when you get it, and you have to whisper into your phone voice memos, or jot it down in the middle of a convo with your buddies.
What makes a good song?
Simple base/chord progression with a sky high chorus and hook. I’m all about the big chorus and the bangers.
How's it like to be a woman in the music industry? What message do you want to give to every woman in the music industry?
I’m sure a man would like to tell you ;)
I think it’s already gotten way better from maybe the way it was when I was first started out. There's definitely a glass of wine and a time to share all the unreal stories… but here’s to hoping it can continue to change and women are heard, as more and more females knock the effing doors down and give people a piece of their mind for once. I think just being honest and allowing ourselves to be our own people because what makes me a woman is different than what makes someone else a woman. So who effing cares. Boys have been doing whatever the FUCK they want for years, so now it’s our turn. We’re going to confuse everyone anyway, so let’s do it.
Any advices to anyone who'd like to pursue music as a career?
Be your most genuine. I think being strong is great, but this “you’ve got to have a tough skin” BS is a joke. Just don’t quit, that’s the bottom line. Being nice, and finding people that are secure enough in their own careers to support you is huge. This is not a competition, though it’s easy to feel competitive. Also, lots of people will tell you that you can’t just to see how easily they can sway you. Those people suck.
What makes you proud?
I’m most proud of the things that make me the most insecure and how that shit hasn’t stopped me yet. I’m proud to be a female, to have an amazing family and that I still have a ton of work to do.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
The planet is in mega trouble, as is our society. I think that powerful people need to make an effort, even if that means they have to live less comfortably… in order to have a future at all. And how many more times do people have to choose guns over people and children?! I think we’ve lost that privilege people. Give it up.
What biggest lessons have you learnt as an artist and as a human being?
As an artist (and maybe as a person too), don’t get too comfortable, because once you do, you won’t challenge yourself and you’ll get praised for doing one thing that anybody can do. Do something only you can do, and never try to be the “NEXT” anything. Trust yourself and don’t settle.
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