MACY
Interview conducted on July 22, 2021
By Dan Locke
MACY is a fast-rising Pop artist hailing from the South Wales valleys where she has received support from PRS Foundation funded Forte Project and BBC Horizon’s Launchpad and Help Musicians UK. She has previously gained airplay on the BBC Radio Wales A-List, BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio, and her 2020 single ‘Smoking Gun’ was added to Spotify’s EASY Playlist (379K listeners.) Since her debut single ‘Cinema’ in 2020, co-written with Violet Skies (Mabel/Tiesto), Macy has amassed over 320,000 Spotify streams in total across her four singles.
Hi MACY, how are you? Firstly, we wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS on your brand-new single Rainbow Eyes! Can you tell us what it’s about?
Thank you! I’m doing really well. I wanted the follow up to my previous single ‘Wait’ which was a track born from the frustration, anguish and boredom of lockdown to be fast paced, colourful and catchy. I scribble down loads of words on my iPhone notes that could be good lyrics or song titles. I type a lot of weird things in my notes, sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t; ‘Rainbow Eyes’ is definitely one of the times that worked.
How did you find the creative process for ‘Rainbow Eyes’?
The creative process was an incredible amount of fun and I think you’ll be able to hear that in the track. It was written with LVR over Zoom again. I’ve worked with him for a long time and we’ve got this great connection. Before the pandemic fully kicked in back in early 2020, I’d never written over Zoom but, I’ve embraced it fully and will probably continue to do this once the world is fully back up and running again.
Sounds like you’ve very productive! When people listen to ‘Rainbow Eyes’, what should they keep an ear out for?
I always think people absorb songs in different ways; I’ve been asked a lot if this was written with Pride Month in mind, or about the huge number of rainbows we’ve seen during lockdown. I don’t want to spoil someone’s perception of the song and I love that people have interpreted the lyrics in their own way.
Who produced the track?
So, Dan Evans AKA LVR who helped me co-write the track has also produced it. He’s a Grammy Award nominee for John Legend’s Christmas Album – ‘A Legendary Christmas’ and I am blessed and humbled to be able to work with talented people like Dan.
Tell us about the video, it looks like you’ve had an absolute ball making it!
Yes! It was so much fun; I honestly can’t begin to tell you how much fun me and my band had making it. It was shot in near my hometown of Abertillery in the Local Community Hall over 3 days. We used a huge green screen and wanted to create some nostalgic 80/90’s vibes with the visuals. I think we’ve ended up creating a fun, fast-moving and colourful video. It was fun to make, especially as we had tonnes of balloons, cocktails and lollipops.
What is it like being a pop artist in Wales?
That is a great question. I would have had a different answer 2 years ago for sure. I think a lot of the venues and people in Wales are geared up for indie and rock bands, which is great as I love that too. Pop wasn’t really something people went to see but I think with the emergence of several Pop artists/bands over the past 2 years there are definitely more people aware of the genre. There’re people like Violet Skies, Hannah Grace, HVNTER, Dead Method and more putting Welsh Pop on the map.
I have to add that the support and interest from BBC Radio Wales, BBC Introducing, BBC Sounds in the form of Adam Walton, Bethan Elfyn and Ed Richmond has also really helped. Pop Music is ready to explode in Wales, so keep supporting in your own way.
How long have you been performing and writing as a musician?
MACY: I have been doing this since I was 9 really. Ever since I won my Schools Stars in your Eyes competition, dressed as Jessie J. Since then, I have always been involved in Musical Theatre groups and I started to write songs. Some of my early songs need to remain hidden though haha. But seriously, it was a journey, still is a journey I love and glad I went on. I am blessed to have such good support around me
What is your biggest/proudest achievement so far?
I have had some really nice things happen to me over the years from performing at the 02 Arena, London when I was 10, performing at The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (Now the Principality Stadium), getting onto the Forté Project, funding and support from BBC Launchpad and Help Musicians.
However, I think my biggest achievement is just sticking at it. I just love writing, performing and I am blessed I get to do it for my main job. If there’s anyone wanting to make it in an industry, they are passionate about, just stick with it and work hard.
WOW! Thanks for that great bit of advice, I’m sure our readers will love to hear that. Rainbows have been popping up all across the UK this past year in support of the NHS, how have you coped personally during lock down?
I think it has been a tough period for most people, including myself. I had a few really bad weeks if I’m being really honest. I think it is because I am creative and when that is somewhat taken away, it really hurt me. However, as previously mentioned lockdown did mean that I discovered Zoom! I have had the chance to write a lot of songs, probably over 30, with a lot of different people that I wouldn’t normally have the time to collaborate with. Some songs were for me but some for other people. I love writing for other people, it’s a great process.
Fashion always seems to play a big part in your music, is it? If so, what influences your style?
Yes, fashion is important to me. It is just something I have always been into. I wouldn’t say I have a certain fashion style really, I just wear what I like, like as if it feels good and looks good to me.
During this past year, we’ve seen you’ve been busy in a rehearsal room with some other musicians. Any planned live performances to come?
Well due to lockdown nothing has been planned. However, I have now got a band behind me and rehearsals have started. So, it won’t be long before I take the show out there with my new tracks. It will be tough to choose what to put on the setlist but it’s better to have too many bangers than too little right? It will give me a chance to see people’s reactions to the songs in real life and will help me decide what to put on the EP later this year.
Ahhh an EP? Does that form part of your future plans? Do you have any more of the next 12 months?
I’ve let that one slip, haha. Yes, there will be an EP coming out in the few months with some more brand-new music. Next year will be about going live, fingers crossed. I really want that live feeling back, actually I’m pretty sure everyone does! I love that feeling and have missed it so much. I’ll also be continuing to write songs in real life with others and over Zoom.
Sum up MACY in 3 words for anyone who is yet to listen?
Colourful. Relatable. Pop.
