Mallory Johnson
I remembered Mallory Johnson after her feature with Twin Kennedy so I was happy to get to interview her. I LOVE country music and featuring her totally made sense. Her new single “Married” is out now and it’s a song a lot of women could relate to. I love the message behind the song and I love those infectious melodies. It’s an anthem for every single woman out there and it definitely makes you want to party and be happy :)
Now based in Nashville, the Canadian artist is continuing to create country records that delivers fun melodies and an authentic storytelling.
“Married” is out now :)
Photo credit: Alyssa Barker
Introduce yourself - What’s your story?
Hi! I’m Mallory and I’m a singer/songwriter originally from Conception Bay South, Newfoundland, but now based in Nashville, Tennessee! I grew up singing Celtic music with my family band The Cormiers, but for the past 10 years or so I’ve been pursuing country music!
“Married” is your new single - what’s the inspiration behind this single?
I’m the kind of gal who has a whole lot of dusty rose bridesmaid dresses hanging in her closet and leftover decorations tucked away for the next bachelorette party she has to plan. As fun as it is to “always be the bridesmaid,” I sometimes dream about what it’d be like to have the shiny diamond on my left ring finger, a pretty white dress, and my dad walking me down the aisle. I haven’t found my person yet so I’m not ready for that kind of commitment. I wanted to write a singles’ anthem for those in the same boat as me. “Married” is a wedding song for anyone who just wants the party!
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this single? Who helped you create it?
I wrote this song with two songwriting powerhouses — Patricia Conroy and Jason Blaine. It was actually our first time writing together so I wanted to make a good first impression and go into the session with a solid idea. I had the line “I want the wedding but I don’t wanna get married” in my phone for a while and just as I’d hoped, Jason and Patricia were totally on board for diving in!
When we wrote this song, I was also in the middle of pre-production for my new album. It fit the theme perfectly and it just kind of organically fell into place. My producer Kent Wells added some swing to the arrangement and then Jay Tooke’s mix of the track just elevated the song even more. I also invited a bunch of friends and fellow artists to sing gang vocals on the song.. so that was pretty cool!
What did you feel when writing this song?
I felt like I was writing my truth while not taking myself too seriously at the same time. Of course I fantasize about finding “the one” and maybe someday tying the knot, but I think it’s important to celebrate being alone too. When you’re a woman in your thirties, there’s always so much pressure to get married, have kids and have your shit together, but everyone’s timelines are different. Different or unconventional doesn’t mean wrong.
What’s your favourite thing about this song?
I love the humour. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love a good comedic moment and I think this song showcases that playful side of me. It’s always really fun to play live and hear the audiences’ reactions to some of the lines.
What made you want to release “Married” as a single?
Even though “Married” is technically the third single off this new album (My previous singles “Hungover” and “Drunk Mind, Sober Heart” are also on the record), it’s the first solo project I’ve released since 2019 and I wanted this new music to come out with a bang. It’s honest, playful, maybe a little edgy, and it’s a fun party song for the wedding season! I also really wanted to shoot a music video so I could wear a wedding dress and have a husband for a day.
How would you define country music?
I’ve always defined country music as storytelling. It doesn’t matter if you have steel guitars, twin fiddles, synthesizers or drum machines, the heartbeat of country music is always the storytelling. Country music has a way of delivering emotion better than any other genre (in my opinion).
As an artist, what is the hardest part? What is the best part?
One of the hardest things about being an artist is accepting that not everyone is going to like what you create. Music is subjective and you’re never going to appeal to everyone’s musical tastes. Comparison can also be killer in this industry. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your milestones to somebody else’s and that’s the last thing you should do. Success isn’t linear and sometimes what works for one person, doesn’t work for another.
The best part about being an artist is getting to create something that didn’t exist the day before. It’s really cool to see a song grow from just a simple hook to a fully produced track. It’s even cooler to hear people sing that song back to you. Music has a beautiful way of expressing what someone is feeling who may not have been able to find the words themselves or have the courage to say them.
What are your thoughts on today’s music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I feel that we’re slowly losing sight of what the most important part of the industry is, and that’s the music. We’re overwhelmed by things like TikTok trends, social media followers and streaming numbers that the industry has become more business than art. Don’t get me wrong, social media is a wonderful marketing tool we have at our fingertips and I think all artists should take advantage of that, but it shouldn’t be the driving force behind a booking, a signing or deciding an artist’s worth. If I could change one thing, it would be to see more truth behind the phrase “the best song wins.”
What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
I don’t know if I would pinpoint a specific moment, but I feel like now more than ever I know what kind of artist I want to be, what kind of music I want to make and what kind of people I want to surround myself with. I’m more confident now than I was even a year ago and I’m really proud of that.
What advice would you give to artists out there?
This may sound like a broken record statement, but authenticity is key. If you’re trying to chase someone else’s sound, you’re too late to the party. Just be you!
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Be kind and help the next person coming up!
What biggest life lessons have you learnt so far?
If we’re talking about the music industry — no one will work harder for you than you! Don’t be afraid to ask questions or speak up when something doesn’t feel right. At the end of the day it’s your name on the music and your songs that you’ll have to sing every night on stage so make sure it’s something you’re proud of.
Connect with Mallory: