We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jo MacKenzie. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jo below.

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

Every time I tell the story of how I got into producing music, I am overwhelmed by gratitude for my father. Although his life as a physician does not reflect his 11-year-old self’s dream of being on stage with Mick Jagger, it did not stop him from entrusting his passion for music to me and my sister. I remember when I was around 10 years old, obsessed with Elton John and creating music on Garageband, my dad popped into my bedroom: “Hey Jordin, come check out this production software I found! I think you should try it out.” Excitedly, he introduced Studio One to me, a production software on which I developed my nascent production. skills. My dad’s enthusiasm ushered me into an age of learning. After school, he would spend hours driving me to and from music lessons (piano, voice, guitar), and when I got home I would spend my nights learning how to use various production softwares such as Logic Pro X and Ableton Live. On our rides to my lessons, my dad was always eager to hear my new productions, encouraging me through his words and actions. When I had my first experience in a “real” recording studio in Nashville, my whole family drove up with me to support my music and help out. I will be forever thankful for my dad’s initial zeal and continuous backing; without it, I would’ve never made it to where I am now.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi! My name is Jo, and I’m a 19-year-old songwriter, producer, and artist. I started writing music when I was 7 years old, and I started producing when I was 11. I began my career by releasing my own music under the “Jo MacKenzie” name. I’ve released four EPs so far, and new music is on the way! I was also in a duo called “Baby and the Brain” and we released our debut album, called BrainBaby, in September 2021. Besides producing my own music, I also create music for film and tv. Most recently, I’ve had my music featured on The CW, Hulu, and the official Abercrombie + Fitch store playlist. I also work with other artists to produce music for their creative visions. I think all aspects of my career are extremely fulfilling and each project challenges a different part of myself. When I was younger, I felt very intimidated by the creative process and the idea of collaborating. As such, when I work with others, whether it be for a sync placement or for an artist project, I always try to curate a very welcoming and pressure-free zone. Nothing kills creativity more than judgment, and if I can make my collaborators feel comfortable and safe, then my first job is done! In my work, I also always strive to bring forth a unique sound or texture. I do this by making my own sounds in my room or manipulating sounds I’ve gathered throughout. my life. For example, I recorded my friend brushing their teeth with an electric toothbrush and later manipulated it to sound like some sort of buzzy percussive shaker. Another time, I recorded the sound of an automatic paper towel machine and used it as an impact effect in a song. In other words, I try to capture the creativity that’s all around us and bring that into my creations. As a result, my music has the sound quality of professional recordings with the warmth and creativity of homemade cookies!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Working as a creative necessitates a balance between work and creativity, but that’s a hard lesson to learn. It was difficult for me to notice it at first, but gradually the insidious thoughts of “Is this catchy?” or “Are other people going to like this song?” influenced my creativity and confidence. Many times over I have had to unlearn my stubborn tendency to write for other people—or what I think other people want—instead of myself. While writing in any commercial sense inherently contains an element of complaisance, I’ve found that the creative process will fail to “work” unless it comes from a genuine place. I like to believe that if I connect emotionally with the song someone else will inevitably connect with it too. This frees me from expectations and allows me to create from the heart. *Note this is easier said than done and requires practice!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There is a scene in the movie Garden State where Natalie Portman demonstrates her character’s solution to remaining special: make a totally weird and unique sound and movement that no one has ever done before. Or, in her character’s words, “do something that no one has ever done before and that no one will copy again throughout human existence.” This silly and endearing scene comes to mind when I think about making music. There’s something magical about connecting the dots between the perfect lyric, melody, harmony, instrumentation, and vocalization… How they all come together to create something totally and completely unique… A creation that in some cases can hold infinite meanings for infinite listeners—with every one of them being unique to that person. This seemingly impossible power that music holds is one of the many rewarding aspects of my job as a creative.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thejomackenzie.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejomackenzie/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theofficialjo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-mackenzie-10a984169/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thejomackenzie
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOKUtkcZBfohR_iKbpInYoA

Image Credits
photos in blue jumpsuit / outside — Mica Vitug photos on the performance stage — Devin Hayden + Dylan Pérez