Armed with turntables and a child bump, Lily McKenzie is redefining the sounds of resilience.
The South London-based DJ, producer and singer-songwriter lately launched Stress, her debut EP, by way of Warner’s Main Recordings label. Influenced by impending motherhood, the venture palpitates with the uncooked vitality of creation—each musical and maternal.
In Stress, McKenzie crafts haunting but energetic dance music that echoes the complexities of her twin roles. With a rising life internally and a burgeoning profession externally, she’s turning stress into energy and vulnerability into artwork.
The surging triple-threat, who lately carried out twice at Glastonbury whereas pregnant, spins tales of self-worth and resilience in her new file. By the sensual slink of “Satellite tv for pc” and the aching twinge of the UK garage-inspired “Center,” amongst different tracks, the EP serves as a reminder that we’re rather more than the sum of our struggles.
McKenzie is at present driving the wave of a breakout after nabbing help from Capital Dance in addition to BBC Radio 1’s “Future Sounds” and “Future Dance with Sarah Story.” She’s additionally landed on main playlists reminiscent of Spotify’s “New Dance Revolution” and “The Loft.”
We caught up with McKenzie to debate her new EP and the adversity that comes with navigating the music business as a pregnant girl.
EDM.com: Earlier than we get into the brand new EP, let’s speak Glasto. What was your expertise like performing not as soon as, however twice this 12 months?
Lily McKenzie: Glastonbury was superb. It is all the time such a privilege to carry out there and I all the time discover that anybody I converse to—at no matter stage they’re of their profession—there’s a way honor but in addition stress to placed on an excellent present.
I performed on the Stonebridge bar, which was packed and such good vitality—I used to be apprehensive I wouldn’t be capable to get to the stage because it was so crowded! I additionally performed The Temple, which is one in every of my favourite venues, in order that was undoubtedly one to recollect.
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EDM.com: With this EP, it is all within the title. How does the idea of stress relate to your private {and professional} life, particularly within the context of your present journey as a pregnant girl?
Lily McKenzie: Stress is about navigating your means by way of the strains of life, particularly inside the music business. I undoubtedly really feel these pressures, and being pregnant your feelings and hormones are heightened in order that provides one other layer!
The EP discusses these ideas, however it’s about understanding you might be sufficient, seeing by way of what doesn’t serve, and popping out stronger. If you find yourself true to your self, the whole lot ranges out and you’ll be able to thrive beneath stress.
EDM.com: The monitor “Satellite tv for pc” explores detachment and our pleas—even determined at instances—for human connection. From the place did you pull inspiration to put in writing these profound lyrics?
Lily McKenzie: I feel all of us really feel a little bit misplaced at instances—the world will be so noisy and it may be exhausting to really feel related. I wrote this music with two superb producers, Andy Sheldrake and Ross Quinn, and after chatting we discovered we had all skilled these emotions sooner or later in our lives. We thought again to instances we’d felt that means and from there the lyrics simply flowed.
EDM.com: There’s been a rising dialog across the stigmas that pregnant artists face within the music business. What have been a number of the largest obstacles you’ve got encountered, and the way have you ever navigated them to remain true to your imaginative and prescient?
Lily McKenzie: I did really feel at first that I needed to cover being pregnant for so long as attainable as I used to be apprehensive folks would suppose I couldn’t be booked for reveals, or wouldn’t be capable to launch music. However to be sincere, the response has been actually optimistic and I feel there was a shift.
As quickly as you present you are able to do it (actually carry out pregnant) then it’s normalized and the alternatives will hopefully preserve coming. Girls are proving we are able to do all of it and I feel it’s such a strong and provoking factor—I for one really feel so lifted once I see different ladies doing the identical.
EDM.com: How have you ever been managing the bodily and emotional challenges of being pregnant alongside the calls for of your burgeoning profession?
Lily McKenzie: Being pregnant for me has undoubtedly been bodily and emotionally difficult and I’ve simply needed to go at my very own tempo. I’ve made positive to be form to myself and relaxation once I’ve wanted to. Staying busy with my profession has helped although because it’s been a distraction once I haven’t been feeling nice. It’s necessary to remain optimistic and music has all the time been my blissful place too.
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EDM.com: What recommendation would you give to different anticipating musicians navigating this territory?
Lily McKenzie: I might say that there’s no guidelines. Folks have completely different experiences and the precedence is ensuring you and your child keep wholesome—9 months is a extremely brief time in case you have a look at the larger image. You possibly can solely do as a lot as you are feeling robust sufficient to do.
I’ve been actually fortunate to have had nice folks round me at my reveals, or in my studio periods, so if I’ve been drained or unwell they’ve completely understood. I might say that’s so necessary, be sure that the folks you’re employed with on this journey have that very same understating and compassion.
EDM.com: Wanting forward, what sort of impression do you suppose motherhood could have in your artistry? Do you see your self approaching lyricism, manufacturing or different processes by way of a special lens?
Lily McKenzie: I write from a really sincere and delicate place and I feel if something motherhood will improve that. I don’t anticipate my sound or course of to vary an excessive amount of as that’s already a robust a part of me, however that is my first time having this expertise so I’m positive I’ll discover any adjustments as I’m going alongside!
EDM.com: What’s subsequent for you? With out moving into an excessive amount of hassle, are there any thrilling issues within the Lily McKenzie pipeline you possibly can divulge to our readers?
Lily McKenzie: It’s undoubtedly been go, go, go main as much as the EP which has been nice, however I’ll be taking the subsequent few months to get pleasure from being a primary time mum for positive. It’ll even be good to spend that point listening to music and crate-digging at a slower tempo.
I’ve been writing numerous new music that I’m enthusiastic about and I’m planning to drop some new information in the direction of the top of the 12 months. I’ve additionally began reserving in some reveals for then too—so it’ll be good after a little bit break to return again with a contemporary perspective!
Comply with Lily McKenzie:
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Instagram: instagram.com/lilymckenzie
TikTok: tiktok.com/@lilymckenziemusic
Fb: fb.com/lilymckenziemusic
Spotify: tinyurl.com/2s4pjx3t
