Mykah released a single that crosses boundaries and pushes envelopes while sticking true to a unique and passionate sound that's both radio friendly and alternatively edgy.
"Pick Your Poison" is addictive and haunting with a guitar driven pop sound and some outstanding lyrical phrasing that crawls under your skin and makes a home there.
Honest and up front, the track has personal struggles and outcries and it's all done with a realness that you can't really shake.
This single shows a character vocally and displays such a visual and living form of songwriting that bleeds outside the box but stays pop the whole time somehow.
Mykah is a powerhouse of a songwriter and comes with a youthful energy and emotionally drive that's unstoppable so far.
With such a killer release, we wanted to have a talk with the artist about the single and what's next for her.
RAG: Okay let's start with "Pick Your Poison". This track has a great radio pop feel but it also has this edge to it that gives it a slight darkness. Where did this track come from"?
Pick Your Poison is a very special song for me. This single was written about my mothers struggle with alcohol and drugs. At the time I wrote this, I was really frustrated over the mother daughter dynamic we had created together. I could never understand why she couldn't just choose me over alcohol. Why couldn't I be enough for her to change? My entire life I had dealt with this and I was at my boiling point. She had called me drunk while I was at work, and I was so upset that when I hung up the phone with her these lyrics pretty much wrote themselves in that moment. I think that's where you get the sense of "darkness" is me lyrically saying "I'm done, and I won't let you take me down with you" type of mentality. It was the first song that I had ever written, believe it or not, and it really empowered me and paved the way for me to write meaningful music.
RAG: I'm hearing several styles of pop on this one. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
I have a few artists and bands that have influenced me as an artist. Alanis Morisette is an artist I have always admired. Her lyrics seem to be so edgy, raw and real. You can feel her emotion through each song she writes (You Oughta Know is my favorite). Paramore is another musical influence I have grown up with and followed. Their album "After Laughter" was such a new sound for them as a band and I really admired the chance they took trying something new when they were originally pinholed into this alternative rock/pop rock band genre. I have so many others, but the last that I will name is Tove Lo. She finds a way to bring in new sounds to her music and make them incredibly sexy. She is bold as an artist and I love that she isn't afraid to showcase a sexy side of music and herself as an artist.
RAG: How did all of this start for you?
When I first moved to Utah 3 years ago, I joined a rock band called "Act Of Denial". Although it was very fun, the majority of the band was wanting to keep it more low key. I've always seen my music reaching people and I knew with that band, I unfortunately couldn't reach that goal. After seeing what I was capable of when writing "Pick Your Poison" I decided to leave the band to pursue being an independent artist. RAG: What kind of things inspire you to write songs?
I have lived a really interesting life that has offered me a lot of inspiration in writing music. I have suffered loss, death, happiness, grief, sadness, perseverance - you name it! I have not had the easiest life and I am able to make something beautiful out of that by sharing my experience with those who want to listen. For awhile I was stuck because I got in the headspace of "What does everyone want to hear?" or "What would be played on the radio?" and I realized that it's never about that. It's about my truth, my words, and my own experience. That's how I feel I write music, is by listening and tuning into my own truth. RAG: Did you used to perform live? Will you be focusing on live shows again when the time comes?
Yes! I love performing live more than anything! It's wild because with this COVID pandemic really putting a halt in performances and gigs for many artists, although it has been a bummer, it has really given me detailed time to focus on writing new music and creating my goal of releasing an EP! I was playing a lot of covers with a few of my own original songs when I would perform live, but now I have been able to create and practice so much new content that my shows will now consist of the majority of my music with a few covers - which is ultimately what I want. Covers are fun, but nothing will ever compare to performing your own music that you shed sweat and tears over. I can't wait to start booking shows for 2021 and 2022. RAG: What's actually next for you?
I will be dropping an EP around July/August! I can't spill too many details - but it will be AWESOME! You won't want to miss it. I have really been trying to narrow in on my sound as an artist - it's been so beautiful seeing myself grow and thrive in certain sounds and genres. I'm finding my sweet spot as an artist, and it is such a fun process. RAG: What are you listening to right now?
If you opened my Spotify RIGHT now and viewed my most recent listens...you would see Wild Rivers, H.E.R, Miley Cyrus' new album plastic hearts and the one and only Tove Lo (always) - She will always be in my listening cue, because I may or may not have a huge lady crush on her :) RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
If I'm not working on music, I am usually working my 9 to 5 marketing and advertising job helping different types of businesses grow! If I am not working my day to day job OR working on music, you can usually catch me playing sand volleyball! I love sports and being active. RAG: How do you write your songs really? Is it lyrics first or melodies maybe? How does it work for you?
It truly just depends! Sometimes it could be a melody, but other times it could be a certain lyric that starts everything. If you listen to my voice memos on my phone (which would be horrifying haha), most of them I will be driving to work or driving to the store and I'll hear a melody in my head. I'll start humming that into my phone so I won't forget it! Then later I will go back and listen to it and figure out what type of emotion I feel when I hear it. Is there something I am wanting to say at that moment or a memory that is coming up? A word or lyric that really resonates? The process is somewhat a mess - but it's a beautiful experience :) RAG: What kind of advice would you give to other up and coming bands and artists out there?
I would just say don't give up! I feel like it all can seem very overwhelming at times. The best thing I ever did was ASK questions and make sure I made connections, networked and above all else had the courage to even try. Sometimes taking the first step can be the hardest. Honor time for yourself and your craft. Life can get really busy - but make sure to give yourself the creative personal time needed for what makes you happy. The last thing I will say is don't let anyone tell you what you should sound like. Your own sound makes you unique - trust that. RAG: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
I appreciate you guys tagging along on this journey with me. I want to give a HUGE thank you to everyone for all the pre-saves, shares, follows, attending gigs and performances - it means more to me than you will ever know. It has been a beautiful ride this far and it is only the beginning. Stay tuned for an EP release this year along with TONS of dates for single releases, local gigs and overall content on getting to know me, and a chance for me to get to know you better!
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