Welcome to our exclusive interview series, where we delve deep into the hearts and minds of exceptional artists who breathe life into the world through their music. Today, we are thrilled to be joined by Jamie Mac a truly inspiring indie musician whose captivating melodies and heartfelt lyrics have touched the souls of listeners around the globe. Jamie Mac’s, journey in music began with the raw, organic magic of a campfire. From those early days, Jamie Mac has been on a remarkable odyssey, crafting a unique sound that effortlessly blends theatrical flair with folk-rock edginess, setting them apart in a league of their own.
When asked about her creative process, Jamie Ma, shares her passion for songwriting, describing it as a profound way of expressing her innermost thoughts and feelings. Armed with her guitar, pen, and paper, she delves into the depths of her emotions, crafting songs that take listeners on intimate journeys.
As an indie musician, Jamie Mac believes in a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and artistic growth. Her long-term goals encompass a journey of learning, collaborating with diverse talents, and traveling to explore different cultures and perspectives. Emulating the greatness of iconic artists like Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, David Bowie, and Amy Winehouse, Jamie Mac, seeks to bring about change through her music, offering a powerful and healing experience to her listeners.
In the next few years, Jamie Mac, envisions a future filled with boundless creativity, channeling her unique voice to make a lasting impact on the world. With her unwavering dedication to her craft, we can’t wait to witness the continuing rise of this remarkable indie musician.
Can you tell us about your journey as an indie musician? What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
My journey in music started around the campfire as a kid. I love stories, and in songs you get immersed in a short but intimate story. Singing is a very raw and organic avenue to the soul. I’ve soothed myself with singing all my life. It’s been my ally, giving me a voice when I can’t quite speak. I was told on orientation day at WAAPA that if you want to be a musician, prepare to be poor. As someone who has been trying to live off music for almost ten years now, I can tell you, it takes its toll. Music and money? It’s a dangerous game.
How would you describe your unique style and sound as an artist? What sets you apart from other musicians?
I am unique, like everyone in this world, and if art is an expression of the soul then my expression, or style, is unique.
I’ve had a music theatre journey into singing, so my voice and songwriting style tends to be theatrical. But I like to think that my early transition into folk and then folk-rock has lead me to an edgier side of theatrics.
Could you share some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an indie musician and how you overcame them?
Trying to be true to myself while facing the industry is the toughest challenge I think. Being drawn into what you think people want to hear rather than sticking to your true sound is hard. But hey, I think in young adulthood we don’t even know our own truth yet… These things take time and now that I’m reaching the end of my twenties I think I’m more comfortable as a person and an artist to simply be me.
What is your creative process like? How do you approach songwriting and composing music?
Oh I love this question. Believe it or not, the reason I wrote my first song was to audition for a WAAPA Music Artists course. The song was called “First World Problem”. It was a pretty lame song that I’m still proud of because, at 21, it began my journey as a songwriter. And through WAAPA and Sydney’s JMC Academy, over 4 years at Uni, I had lecturers and teachers giving me tools and tips so I could improve my songwriting game.
The creative process actually began as assignments for uni. Kind of weird… But it’s left me with an immense adoration for the craft. A craft I love to teach as well as practice.
My process is usually guitar, pen and paper. Free flow writing about the topic of the song gets the ideas flowing. I find it usually begins with a jumbled mess of ideas, lyrics, chords and melodies and then you have to sculpt it, move it around, add or remove things and give it a more concise structure. A song takes someone on a journey. So where does it start and where does it end? Even though the chorus or tag line stays the same it takes on new meaning as the story unfolds. Yeah I could nerd out on songwriting all day long.
Are there any particular themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music? What inspires your lyrics?
I use songwriting as a way of expressing my inner feelings and thoughts. Like writing a journal entry, but instead I pick up my guitar. I’m not afraid to conceptualise the nitty gritty hard stuff. In fact bringing it outside of myself and forming it into a piece of music helps me release the tension that these feelings and emotions inflict. I’ve written about negative self-talk, losing a loved one, not wanting to grow up, deciding to leave my partner, the plastic in our oceans, the morbid unfairness of individual birthright and really anything at all that is concerning me. I guess I mainly write about the difficulties that I can’t seem to get my head around. But don’t get me wrong! My music has been described as medicine. I am not always feeding the concerns with more negative energy. I am merely bringing them into conversation and playing with them so they can play with me and my listeners.
What are your long-term goals as an indie musician? Where do you see yourself and your music in the next few years?
To be learning forever. I want to work with different people, travelling, collaborating, healing and bringing about change. I want to open myself up to different opportunities that see each and every side of the dice. I want to channel the greatness of Joni, the spice of Janis, the genius of Bowie and the sensuality of Amy. I want to create.
