Mikalyn
The first time I listened to “Prisoner”, I instantly fell in love with the melodies. Mikalyn delivered a captivating, catchy and magical record with “Prisoner”. Her soothing and warm vocals make the song stand out. A brilliant song, without a doubt. Go stream “Prisoner” here.
Thank you so much Mikalyn for the chat !
Hi Mikalyn :) How are you? What's your story?
I’m great! Thank you for asking:)
I’m a singer songwriter from Guelph, Ontario (for those who don’t know where Guelph is, you’re not alone! It’s a city about an hour outside of Toronto). I grew up writing stories and turning them into songs. Over the years I’ve tried out a bunch of different genres, from adult contemporary to EDM. Now I make/perform indie pop music. It’s been quite the journey so far, and it’s only the beginning!
What did you grow up listening to?
I grew up listening to a wide variety of music. I listened to a lot of 80s synth pop, alt rock, or even classical music because of my background in choir and classical voice training. As I got older, I started listening to more jazz, and finding specific artists I really loved, like Marina. I feel like she really influenced my early writing. I also listened to a lot of Coldplay!
When did you know you could sing?
I always loved singing, and when I was very young people around me started pointing out I didn’t have any trouble staying in tune, or finding rhythm. I remember doing my first live performance when I was 4 at my school talent show, and I went on to start competing in festivals like Kiwanis. When I did well in those, it definitely was validating.
When did you know you had to be an artist and release your original music?
I’ve always had the drive to create my own music! I started writing songs when I had just turned 7. I used to tell stories on my school bus to entertain my friends, so those stories eventually turned into songs. It was like I got to combine my 2 favourite things: storytelling and music. It was a pretty natural transition for me, and something I’ve loved my whole life.
Who was the first person to ever believe in you, professionally?
My dad was the first person to ever believe in me. After that, I would say Don Grierson. Don never sugar coated the harsh truths of choosing a career in the creative industries, but he always believed in me and supported me. Don was an amazing man, and I miss him dearly.
I also had many amazing co-writers and teachers who helped me get started and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
“Prisoner” is your new single - what's the inspiration behind this song?
Prisoner is about a toxic relationship cycle. You know the person you’re with isn’t right for you, but you are struggling to let go and walk away. It’s about the internal battle that causes, and deciding to choose yourself.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this song? Who helped you create it?
I wrote and produced this song with my best friend, Chris Grey. Chris has worked a lot on my music, and I’ve worked on a lot of his. It’s always fun writing with Chris because I can take a lot of chances creatively, and be very open in my writing. There’s no hiding with Chris because we know each other so well - I know his tells when he doesn’t like a line, or when I could sound better. This all leads to the song being better!
What's your favorite lyric on “Prisoner”?
I would say either:
“And I should have known not to lose myself in you - learning how to breathe on my own again”
or:
“sending a message in our silence, filling the void with all my vices.”
What did you feel when recording this song?
I think I definitely get into a specific mood when recording, where I’m very zoned into whatever emotion the song I’m saying conveys. I don’t need to be feeling a specific way before, when I start recording, I can take on that mood and really feel it in a genuine way. For this song, I felt very nostalgic, and tapped into some sad emotions so I could portray the meaning well.
What made you want to release “Prisoner” as a single?
I knew pretty quickly after recording Prisoner I wanted it to be a single! I felt like the song represented me and my sound well, and I thought it was relatable to many people. I showed it to a few of my friends and it was really well received. It was a natural progression and I’m so glad it’s out now.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
I shot the cover art with my producer, Chris Grey. We went to Mild Studios in Toronto, which we had booked out for 2 hours. It was super fun! We shot on film which was cool - you don’t know the end result until it’s developed, so it was a waiting game! I’m really glad it turned out well.
What do you want people to feel when listening to this song?
I want people to be able to apply it to their situations. This song can be used to reminisce on past relationships, or to evaluate current ones. I hope it gives listeners some perspective, or helps them feel less alone.
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
They best part is creating, and all the people you meet along the way. I’ve made lifelong friends, and there's something so fulfilling and intimate about creating with other people. Its unlike anything else, and I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to collaborate.
The hardest part for me is time management! When you’re an independent artist, you wear a lot of hats and it can be a balancing act. I’m an artist, but I’m also a full time student, do part time work, go to the gym daily, have to balance my social life and other hobbies. Making enough time for everything can be hard, but that’s life!
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I think there’s something so special about the music industry. There are so many smart, creative people, putting their heart and soul into their work. The combination of passion and work is unlike many other industries, and so many musicians are very multifaceted in their abilities. I think if I could change anything, I would love for it to be an easier way to access information on making your music career into a business - the sync side, the publishing side, the PROs, how to pick a distributor, etc! I’m very lucky to have the resources I’ve gathered over the years, and how many people have helped me figure it out along the way. I know so many new artists who would benefit from information that’s just hard to compile into one place.
Could you list a few records that influenced the music you are making today?
My earliest influences would be the entire Electra Heart album by Marina, known at the time as Marina and the Diamonds, Coldplay's whole X&Y album, Pet Shop Boys song “Domino Dancing,” Tears for Fears “Head Over Heels”
Some current influences are Beach House, The Japanese House, Charlotte Cardin, Lennon Stella, and many more!
Besides music, what are you passionate about?
I love love love to read! I’m passionate about film (I’m minoring in film studies!), travel, fitness, and love to bake while watching long form video essays. I’ve recently gotten into painting!
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
I think we all need to practice more compassion and communication. You never know what somebody else is going through.
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