Exclusive Interview with EMILY MAC

Emily Mac’s seductive vocals are something to savor and are best enjoyed in large quantities, similar to a strong glass of whiskey. On October 14, 2022, the singer-songwriter from Toronto made her debut with the release of her new single, “Whiskey Like Me.”
The song “Whiskey Like Me,” which was co-written with Jay Stolar (Demi Lovato, Hall & Oats), was recorded at Noble Street Studios in Toronto as well as Dajaun Martineau’s home studio, earning the producer a gold certification. In “Whiskey Like Me,” Emily channels classic female-fronted rock acts like Heart (Ann Wilson), Stevie Nicks, and Janis Joplin while delivering the song with a forcefully contemporary voice. Emily has performed at many festivals over the course of her career, including the Niagara Wine Festival, Beaches International Jazz Festival, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Canadian Music Week, Indie Week, and Indie Week. Other notable live performances have taken place at the Opera House in Toronto, The El Mocambo, and most recently the Horseshoe Tavern. They have even performed internationally at The Bitter End and The Rockwood Music Hall in New York City.
Nothing is more defiantly rock n roll than a woman speaking her mind in a society that wants her to keep quiet and be attractive. Emily Mac empowers and liberates her audience with her fiery voice. Check out the song and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

EMILY MAC: I’m a blues rock singer and songwriter from Toronto, Canada. I started out performing as a teenager in cover bands in clubs. I learned how to hone my craft in real time in front of a live audience. Although I had fun singing a lot of different styles of music like jazz, blues, funk and soul I felt like I really found my voice once I started singing rock n roll.

2.Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

EMILY MAC: I’ve studied with a lot of different vocal coaches over the years. I’m fascinated by the voice. I always like learning and discovering more. As a kid before I started taking lessons I learned from singing along to my Dad’s motown records: Aretha Franklin, the Temptations & Otis Redding. I also use to dance and sing along to

Canadian singer Alannah Myles song “Black Velvet” on repeat in my living room.

3. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

EMILY MAC: I was bullied pretty bad in high school so I can sometimes come up against a wall of fear in my head and shy away from things. But then I remind myself of the quote “I’d rather be someone’s shot of whiskey than everyone’s cup of tea”. It’s not my business to make everyone like me, it’s my business to make my art the best it can possibly be and to trust that the people who are my people will get it and love it!

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

EMILY MAC: I love classic rock and 70s rock. I do my best to put that old school vibe into my music while writing modern confessional lyrics. My songs have real instruments: heavy guitar riffs, fat bass lines and pounding drums. My sound is inspired by rock divas like Janis Joplin. Stevie Nicks and Ann Wilson. I write songs about the things I have trouble expressing in my day to day life, the things that drive me wild and keep me up at night.

5. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

EMILY MAC:

LIVE AUDIENCE!!! This is where I started and what I’ll always come back to. When I’m writing songs or in the recording studio I try to think of my audience and what gets them excited and I do my best to try to bring the live music energy into the studio with me. I love how when you perform music live it’s never the same twice.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

EMILY MAC:

I like a mix of both. My favourite artists do this. Like the Rolling Stones have songs like “Gimme Shelter” and then songs like “Let’s Spend the Night Together”. I think the deeper songs hit harder when they are mixed in with more fun sexy songs, that way you are taking the audience on more of an emotional journey.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

EMILY MAC:

I’ve gotten to do some amazing things with my music and perform at some historic music venues like the Horseshoe Tavern, El Mocambo and the Bitter End. I feel really grateful to everyone who listens to my music and comes to see my live show. Music is the best medicine ‘ cause you can get completely immersed in it, lose track of time and forget your troubles. In the future I’d like to tour all over and play live shows for my fans & friends in different countries.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

EMILY MAC:

I start with melody and lyrics. Sometimes I get my ideas while doing other things like walking, sleeping or taking a shower. I do like to co-write, it’s really refreshing to be able to bounce your creative ideas off of another person and you tend to come up with ideas that you wouldn’t on your own.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

EMILY MAC: The pandemic. The shutdowns. Wondering for the first time in my life if I would be able to perform live again. It felt so weird and scary to be thinking that. Thank goodness things are better now.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

EMILY MAC: Releasing “Whiskey Like Me” was a huge deal for me, it’s been a long time coming. It just hit over 10000 streams on Spotify! That is a goal I really wanted to hit and I feel super happy that people from all over the world are listening to and enjoying my music!