A Mother's Intuition: How Lily McKenzie's Pregnancy Shaped Her Best Music Yet

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Armed with turntables and a child bump, Lily McKenzie is redefining the sounds of resilience.

The South London-based DJ, producer and singer-songwriter just lately launched Stress, her debut EP, through Warner’s Main Recordings label. Influenced by impending motherhood, the venture palpitates with the uncooked power of creation—each musical and maternal.

In Stress, McKenzie crafts haunting but energetic dance music that echoes the complexities of her twin roles. With a rising life internally and a burgeoning profession externally, she’s turning strain into energy and vulnerability into artwork.

The surging triple-threat, who just lately carried out twice at Glastonbury whereas pregnant, spins tales of self-worth and resilience in her new report. Via the sensual slink of “Satellite tv for pc” and the aching twinge of the UK garage-inspired “Center,” amongst different tracks, the EP serves as a reminder that we’re far more than the sum of our struggles.

McKenzie is at present using the wave of a breakout after nabbing help from Capital Dance in addition to BBC Radio 1’s “Future Sounds” and “Future Dance with Sarah Story.” She’s additionally landed on main playlists akin to Spotify’s “New Dance Revolution” and “The Loft.”

We caught up with McKenzie to debate her new EP and the adversity that comes with navigating the music business as a pregnant girl.

EDM.com: Earlier than we get into the brand new EP, let’s discuss Glasto. What was your expertise like performing not as soon as, however twice this yr?

Lily McKenzie: Glastonbury was superb. It is all the time such a privilege to carry out there and I all the time discover that anybody I converse to—at no matter stage they’re of their profession—there’s a way honor but in addition strain to placed on an ideal present.

I performed on the Stonebridge bar, which was packed and such good power—I used to be anxious I wouldn’t be capable to get to the stage because it was so crowded! I additionally performed The Temple, which is one in every of my favourite venues, in order that was positively one to recollect.

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EDM.com: With this EP, it is all within the title. How does the idea of strain relate to your private {and professional} life, particularly within the context of your present journey as a pregnant girl?

Lily McKenzie: Stress is about navigating your means by the strains of life, specifically throughout the music business. I positively really feel these pressures, and being pregnant your feelings and hormones are heightened in order that provides one other layer!

The EP discusses these ideas, but it surely’s about figuring out you might be sufficient, seeing by what doesn’t serve, and popping out stronger. When you find yourself true to your self, all the things ranges out and you’ll be able to thrive underneath strain.

EDM.com: The monitor “Satellite tv for pc” explores detachment and our pleas—even determined at instances—for human connection. From the place did you pull inspiration to jot down these profound lyrics?

Lily McKenzie: I believe all of us really feel a bit misplaced at instances—the world may be so noisy and it may be exhausting to really feel related. I wrote this track with two superb producers, Andy Sheldrake and Ross Quinn, and after chatting we discovered we had all skilled these emotions in some unspecified time in the future in our lives. We thought again to instances we’d felt that means and from there the lyrics simply flowed.

EDM.com: There’s been a rising dialog across the stigmas that pregnant artists face within the music business. What have been a few of the greatest obstacles you’ve got encountered, and the way have you ever navigated them to remain true to your imaginative and prescient?

Lily McKenzie: I did really feel at first that I needed to conceal being pregnant for so long as doable as I used to be anxious individuals would suppose I couldn’t be booked for reveals, or wouldn’t be capable to launch music. However to be trustworthy, the response has been actually constructive and I believe there was a shift.

As quickly as you present you are able to do it (actually carry out pregnant) then it’s normalized and the alternatives will hopefully preserve coming. Ladies are proving we are able to do all of it and I believe it’s such a strong and galvanizing factor—I for one really feel so lifted once I see different ladies doing the identical.

EDM.com: How have you ever been managing the bodily and emotional challenges of being pregnant alongside the calls for of your burgeoning profession?

Lily McKenzie: Being pregnant for me has positively been bodily and emotionally difficult and I’ve simply needed to go at my very own tempo. I’ve made certain to be variety to myself and relaxation once I’ve wanted to. Staying busy with my profession has helped although because it’s been a distraction once I haven’t been feeling nice. It’s necessary to remain constructive and music has all the time been my comfortable place too.

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EDM.com: What recommendation would you give to different anticipating musicians navigating this territory?

Lily McKenzie: I’d say that there’s no guidelines. Individuals have totally different experiences and the precedence is ensuring you and your child keep wholesome—9 months is a extremely brief time should you take a look at the larger image. You’ll be able to solely do as a lot as you’re feeling sturdy sufficient to do.

I’ve been actually fortunate to have had nice individuals round me at my reveals, or in my studio classes, so if I’ve been drained or unwell they’ve completely understood. I’d say that’s so necessary, make sure that the individuals you’re employed with on this journey have that very same understating and compassion.

EDM.com: Trying forward, what sort of affect do you suppose motherhood might have in your artistry? Do you see your self approaching lyricism, manufacturing or different processes by a distinct lens?

Lily McKenzie: I write from a really trustworthy and delicate place and I believe if something motherhood will improve that. I don’t count on my sound or course of to vary an excessive amount of as that’s already a powerful a part of me, however that is my first time having this expertise so I’m certain I’ll discover any adjustments as I’m going alongside!

EDM.com: What’s subsequent for you? With out stepping into an excessive amount of hassle, are there any thrilling issues within the Lily McKenzie pipeline you may divulge to our readers?

Lily McKenzie: It’s positively been go, go, go main as much as the EP which has been nice, however I’ll be taking the following few months to get pleasure from being a primary time mum for certain. It’ll even be good to spend that point listening to music and crate-digging at a slower tempo.

I’ve been writing plenty of new music that I’m enthusiastic about and I’m planning to drop some new information in the direction of the tip of the yr. I’ve additionally began reserving in some reveals for then too—so it’ll be good after a bit break to return again with a recent perspective!