Canadian Mackenzie Leigh Meyer recently talked to ai love music via email about her musical influences, her history, and the release of her newest single “Dial Tone”. Since releasing her debut EP Dive Bar Diva in May 2018, Mackenzie has been getting industry nods for her unique style and enchanting vocals, while catching the attention of country music fans, including renowned producer Ken Scott (David Bowie, Supertramp) who commented “Watch out Carrie Underwood” after working with Meyer on her EP Should Have Known.
Her vibrant stage presence and dynamic live show has been wowing audiences on some of country music’s favorite stages such as Boots and Hearts, Havelock Jamboree, Lucknow’s Music in the Fields, and landed her a finalist spot in the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase and a CMA Ontario nominee hyperlink to the CMAO website for “Roots Artist of the Year” in 2019.
Check out Mackenzie Leigh Meyer’s answers below and see what is the meaning of the song “Dial Tone”. Also, check out Mackenzie’s newest single down below, and let me know what you think!
Hey! Thanks for letting me interview you! Could you introduce yourself?
Thank you for the interview! I’m Mackenzie Leigh Meyer; a country singer/songwriter from Hamilton, ON, Canada.
How did you get into music? What has that journey been like?
I got into music through piano! I grew up taking lessons and as I got older that led to writing songs and singing. When I was about 15 I entered my city’s Rising Star contest where to my surprise I placed third. I was stoked! After that, I decided that I wanted to pursue music as a career and the journey since then has been wild! I decided to get a degree in music, so I moved to Toronto and attended Humber College where I met the band I still hire now.
After graduating, I released my debut EP Dive Bar Diva, which got me nominated for “Roots Artist of the Year” at the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards and got me onto some really fun stages. Based on the journey so far, I’m really excited for what the future holds!
What musical genres and artists influence you and your music?
I’m definitely influenced by all sorts of country, roots, and folk music, but I’d have to say the top 3 artists that inspire me are all country; Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, and Maren Morris. I just think these ladies really contribute something unique and meaningful to the genre and are wonderful songwriters to boot.
You have worked with some prominent producers and been on various stages. What is one thing you have learned from these experiences?
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned from my experiences so far is that letting people influence your art always makes it better. For the most part, I am a very self-contained artist; I like writing my own songs, I like inventing their guitar hooks, planning my own show, etc. And I love being that way, but every time I’ve let someone else jump in on the creative process with me, the result is always better.
Let’s talk about “Dial Tone”. What is this song about?
Don’t worry, “Dial Tone” is not a song about the sound a phone makes. The word is actually slang for “dull or boring person” ie) John has all the personality of a Dial Tone. This song is about having to sit through a conversation with someone who is so boring you wish they’d just stop talking.
Well, It came from the heart LOL. I’ve been caught in a few conversations recently where I felt like the person I was talking to had nothing to offer to the conversation. As far as the word “dial tone” goes, I first heard the term on a show we have here in Canada called “Letter Kenny”, so I can’t take credit for inventing it, but I sure love using it.
What was the production of the song like?
The production of the song was a lot of fun. I originally brought the idea to my co-writers Jesse Slack and Daryl Scott in March and by July I was with my producer Jeff Dalziel recording it. We really wanted this song to be fun and sassy and I think Jeff really knocked the production and mix out of the park.
What do you want listeners to listen for in your music?
Honestly, I just want listeners to have fun while listening to this track. This is a vibey, sassy party tune where I’m throwing a ton of shade. So if this song puts people in a sassy mood, or makes them laugh, or makes them want to have a good time, then it’s doing what I want it to.
Any future plans?
Yes! I may or may not have some new music in the works ;). Over the course of the pandemic, I’ve been really honing down on what I’d like to say as an artist, and have been creating a ton. I’ve narrowed down what I want to release, and I’m excited to say that production is getting underway!
