(Halifax, NS) – Named one of Reverbnation’s top new artists to watch, Makayla Lynn is a fresh face in the industry with her vocals, songwriting ability and stage presence that many call unprecedented for her age. With more than 700,000 video views, from more than 17,000 social media fans, Makayla Lynn is quickly becoming a household name. She has penned more than 70 songs to date and recently released her Nashville recorded and produced album “Daydream” that has already seen two 2015 ECMA nominations (Rising Star Recording and Country Recording), 2014 Music Nova Scotia Country Recording nomination, and 2014 IMEA Country Album nomination. Produced by Nashville’s Smith Curry (musician for Taylor Swift, Randy Travis and many others) and Nova Scotian Darryl Landry (Publisher/Songwriter), with vocals produced by Star Search winner Dave Demay, the album was backed by some of the top players in the industry. Makayla Lynn wrote or co-wrote 6 of the tracks from the album using hit writers from the Maritimes and Nashville. The first single “Don’t Quit Your Daydream” was released across Canada with great success making the DMDS top 5 for most active indies.
“Makayla Lynn has it and it’s just the beginning. She can hold a crowd of thousands with her singing/songwriting and playing. Can’t wait to see what her budding career will bring the world of country music” -Russell MacKenzie, FX101.9fm – Halifax
Not only can Makayla Lynn navigate her way around some of the top studios on Music Row, but she is also no stranger to the stage, performing for the past 5 years around the Maritime’s, Ontario and Nashville. She has opened for artists such as Ricky Skaggs, Kira Isabella, Charlie Major, Dallas Smith and Chad Brownlee, and has shared stages with some of country music’s biggest names including Carrie Underwood, Alabama, Brad Paisley and many more. Performing in front of crowds as large as 30,000 comes naturally to Makayla Lynn, having played some of the most iconic stages. She has enjoyed performing in venues such as Hugh’s Room, Stage On Broadway, Legend’s Nashville, Commodore Grill, Hotel Indigo, Boots and Hearts Festival, The Halifax Metro Centre, Cavendish Beach Music Festival, Stan Rogers Festival and hundreds of others.
“This girl (Makayla Lynn) is absolutely amazing. Everyone should follow her!” – Dallas Smith
Not only is Makayla Lynn a talented musician, she is also incredibly smart with a huge heart. The Premier’s Power of Positive Change prize winner can be found writing songs for various causes such as anti-bullying and the Canadian Cancer Society and performs on a regular basis at charity events and fundraisers for many foundations. Two of the songwriter’s songs have been picked up by the Red Cross for use in internationally distributed videos (“The Joke’s On You” for an anti-bullying campaign, and “Fallen Hero” for a tribute video for the 4 fallen New Brunswick Mounties).
With regular co-writes with hit writers, key festival tour dates, and social media numbers on the climb, watch out for this rising star!
I was introduced To Makayla Lynn through a mutual friend, one of her guitar players Kris Richards. Kris knew I would be at the NSMW’S and suggested that I check out her show. I’m glad I did. I find when I cover these events there is always one musician that stands out for me above the rest. Makayla Lynn was the one this year. She is barely a teenager and yet her stage presence and musical ability are far beyond her young age. I’m going to look forward to following her music career.
I had the opportunity to speak with Makayla Lynn about her life and music career. What follows is our conversation.
Dave – Makayla , thank you for agreeing to speak with me.
Makayla – you’re welcome.
Dave – When and why did you start singing?
Makayla – I’ve been singing my entire life. It always seemed that wherever I was , whether it was at a campfire or just going about my daily life I was surrounded by music. I started singing professionally at eight years of age… My grandmother taught me how to play three chords on the guitar at the age of seven. I guess I was just destined to be into music.
Dave – You are a songwriter as well. What do you write about?
Makayla – Most of my songs are from personal experience. Some of my songs are based on what I’ve heard on the news, for example my song “Fallen Hero” was based on a current event that was happening that I was touched by.
Dave – How old were you when you wrote your first song?
Makayla – I wrote my first song when I was seven or eight. I still remember it. It was called ” I’ll just keep being me”. It was a silly song.
Dave – What is the song you’re most proud of so far?
Makayla – It’s hard to say for me . The song I’m most proud of recently, just for the value and the meaning behind it, is “Fallen Hero”. It’s just one of those songs that every time I play it in front of an audience, it seems to touch people. It was written based on the happenings in June where three RCMP officers lost their lives in Moncton, NB.
Dave – I hear you do a lot of charity work.
Makayla – I do like to do a lot of charity work. I’m a big supporter of anti bullying, The Canadian cancer society and the relay for life. Two of my songs I wrote were picked up by the Red Cross for internationally distributed videos ” The Joke’s On You ” for an anti bullying campaign and “Fallen Hero” for a tribute video for the fallen Mounties.
Dave – You’re thirteen years old so you’re still in school. How are you balancing your schooling with your music career?
Makayla – I’m in grade eight right now. Having a music career is very time consuming but having a school system that has been so supportive, they support me to the ends of the earth. They catch me up all the time when I have to be out of school. It’s really helpful to have a supportive school system.
Dave – How do your classmates react to you pursuing a music career?
Makayla – My classmates are so supportive and they have my back. I have a small group of close friends. My sister is the social butterfly of the family.
Dave – How is your family support?
Makayla – Words can’t even describe how supportive they have been of me and what I am doing. They go to every show. My grandparents haven’t missed a show that I have played. My mom does everything, I call her my momager because she’s my manager too.
Dave – How do you describe your music?
Makayla – As far as genre, I’m definitely in the country range. I listen to a lot of Kacey Musgraves. I love her music and style.
Dave – What can people expect at your live shows.
Makayla – Depends on the show. If it’s a show with a full band, I play a lot of my own songs and a few covers that people can relate to.
Dave – What instruments do you play?
Makayla – I play guitar and I’m really into piano right now. I also own a mandolin and a ukulele.
Dave – I understand you are taking piano and voice lessons. Where are you studying?
Makayla – At the Maritime Conservatory in Halifax, NS. I’ve been taking piano and voice lessons for five years now. I like studying these because having a background in theory really helps when you go down to Nashville. They respect you more when you have a background in music.
Dave – Speaking of Nashville, you were there.
Makayla – I’ve been to Nashville twice. The first time I was about ten or eleven. We drove down from Toronto and I went three days straight playing the honky tonks and bars. It was really fun. The second time I went was to record my album “Daydream”. It was a great experience for me. The people there are amazing.
Dave – When are you going back into the studio?
Makayla – I have been writing a lot. Hopefully next year.
Dave – What do you do for fun?
Makayla – I bake a lot, I paint , I do artsy stuff. If I’m not writing I’m usually in the kitchen or have a canvas in my hand.
Dave – What has been your biggest break or opportunity so far?
Makayla – One that has been a real milestone, aside from recording my album in Nashville, was playing the main stage at the Cavendish Music Festival. It’s incredible to walk out onstage and play in front of twenty thousand people.
The ECMA’S are just around the corner. What are you going to be doing there?
Makayla – I’m really excited. I’m nominated for “country recording of the year” and “Rising Star”. I’ll also be playing two show cases. it’s going to be a crazy, busy time but it’s going to be fun. I’ve never been to Newfoundland.
Dave – Good luck in Newfoundland and thank you for speaking with us.
Makayla – You’re welcome.
Written and Photographed by David Hodges
For more information please visit:
http://www.makaylalynnmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/musicalmakayla?_rdr
https://twitter.com/musicalmakayla
http://www.makaylalynnmusic.com/-contact.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMnFyUkxZjY&feature=player_embedded
