We caught up with the brilliant and insightful M’Lynn Musgrove a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, M’Lynn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents are some of the most interesting people I know. My dad is a full time lawyer by day, and rock pianist by night supporting my vocal power house of a mother in bands around Dallas. Music has always been in my blood, so I started piano lessons at a young age. When I started writing music around age 12, my parents nurtured my passion and creativity, and supported my in my endeavors by inviting me on stage with them, and encouraging me to apply for different music programs. They always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. My parents raised me and my sister to follow our dreams, and without there support I’m not sure where my music career would be.

M’Lynn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a soul singer songwriter from Dallas, Texas now living in Los Angeles. I attended a performing arts high school, Booker T Washington, where I was trained in Classical and Jazz singing, but my true passion has always been in writing and recording R&B music. After highschool, I recorded my first EP, Grounding, the summer before starting college at University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. Since graduating in 2021, I have been releasing a series a single to really solidify my sound. Most recently, I won the grand prize for the Dallas Songwriters Association’s international competition for my song Fade Away.

Music became my world when I was in middle school. I was a pretty sad kid dealing with undiagnosed depression, and the only way I knew how to cope with the intense feelings was writing music. When I would perform those songs, I realized so many people had the same kind of feelings I did. Connecting with the audience like that and helping a community feel less alone solidified my passion, and I knew I was made for this.

I think what sets me apart from other artists is my training, and my tone. I have always been drawn to music that sets and maintains a mood, as well as the mental benefits of listening to and creating music. I also really believe in honesty and authenticity in my music. There is a piece of me in every song I write and release, and I hope the audience feels that.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I think to pursue any kind of creative career, you have to have an tremendous amount of strength and resilience. I don’t think there is one specific story of resilience that stands out to me, but instead over a decade of rejections and self doubt that I have fought through to be where I am today. I have read quite a few books on creativity over time, and a common theme I come across is how fear impacts creatives. The strength of the fear often parallels the strength of the passion and need to create.
I so often question my path, but the doubt never does anything but slow me down. It manifests in writers block, in depressive episodes, in fear of performing, in obsessing over likes on social media or streams.
Even with all the doubt and mental loops I get trapped into, I have never given up on music, and I don’t think I ever will. That doesn’t take the fear away, but I work every day at quieting those voices and pushing forward.
I think the mental resilience of soldering on through ones own doubtful thinking is the most important thing for any working creative.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

My academic career ended with a Bachelors of Music in hand and a graduation featuring social distancing and face masks. I had landed an internship in London that fell through during the pandemic, so instead I decided to spend the summer of 2021 in New York City where some of my best friends were living. My boyfriend at the time lived in Albany which only encouraged my desire for a NYC summer. I was subletting a shoebox in China town, and despite my best efforts, I could not seem to break into the dwindling music scene of the city. I was working for a music blog at the time earning a criminally low wage, and the hustle of the city exhausted me. My depression and anxiety took over and before I knew it, my summer adventure had turned into a year in a city that I had no business being in. I felt hopeless and couldn’t really see any path forward. At the time, I was working on a song with Josh Goode, the producer from my first EP. He showed the song to LA based producer Emile Ghantous, and the two joined forces to create what would become my production super team. I few months later, I flew out to LA to write a bunch of music and shoot some music videos. A management team became interested in the project and told me that Los Angeles was where I should be.
I didn’t need much convincing after that and though the management deal fell through, I was already selling all my furniture and planning my transition to LA.
The first few months in a new city were extremely difficult as any major life change can be. As I write this now, I have just passed my one year anniversary living in LA,. It was the best decision I could have made for myself. I now have a team of people around me supporting my career, and I have never felt healthier or more hopeful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mlynnmusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlynnsta/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mlynnmusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MLynn

Image Credits
Voodoo Visuals