Mackenzie Shivers
By Sean Maldjian, Contributor
Photo by, Lissyelle Laricchia
Meet Mackenzie Shivers
An introspective writer, and charming vocalist Mackenzie Shivers continues the strong NYC tradition of singers and songwriters.Throughout the pandemic many of us were affected by isolation. Mackenzie Shivers found themselves far away from their home in NYC in Cape Cod. While in Cape Cod the singer wrote what is to be their 2021 album. ‘Rejection Letter’ comes out April 2nd. In the meantime we chat with Mackenzie Shivers about Cape Cod, smells, and NYC.
“NAPOLEON” fill in the blank with Mackenzie Shivers
Although he was Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte was actually a Corsican, born on a small HORSE in the Mediterranean Sea. When he was just ten years old, Napoleon was sent to a military COCKTAIL in France, where his FASHIONABLE stature earned him the nickname of "The ARDUOUS Corporal." At 24, he was made aN AGITATED General and married Josephine, the daughter of a well-known Parisian GHOST. Soon after that, he defeated the Italians at ALLORA and in 1804 was proclaimed Emperor of all the SUPERHEROES. But he made a PUNITIVE.mistake and attacked Russia. He reached Moscow, but the SEASHELLS had burned all their BATTLES, and his men got frozen GUITARS. In 1914, he was REGRETTED and sent to Elba. But a year later, he came back to France and for 100 days was again the BLACKSMITH. However, he was defeated at Waterloo and imprisoned on the island of St. Helena, a HANDSOME place that resembled NYC.
Would you rater
have to perform a cover of the cha-cha slide, the macarena, or cotton eye joe? How would you do it?
Definitely Cotton Eye Joe as an acoustic murder ballad type arrangement. I’d reharmonize it and play it on the piano which would ideally be adorned with long taper candles.
Some questions with Mackenzie Shivers
What are your top five favorite animals?
Goat, fox, snow leopard, owl, Dory from Finding Nemo
What was it about the time spent in Cape Cod that inspired this latest album?
It was the first time in years that I’ve allowed myself to slow down and just be. Part of that was due to the slower pace of being on the Cape versus NYC, and part of that was the pandemic screeching everything to a halt.
I ended up being a prolific writer during those months, but not because I was forcing myself to write. I was playing the guitar for my own enjoyment, trying to relax and soothe my pandemic-induced anxiety, and the songs just started flowing.
If you could bottle the smell of one of your live performances what would it smell like?
Whiskey with a hint of nerves.
Have you returned to your space in NYC? If so, how has life been adjusting to the new normal?
I have been back in NYC since the summer. It’s been nice being back home but weird not being out and about in the city. I’m mostly holed up in my apartment or taking walks around my neighborhood, grabbing take-out from my favorite restaurants. I’ve escaped upstate a few times to get some fresh air and a change of scenery. New York apartments just weren’t made to be lived in 24/7.
With this being a solo project. How important is collaboration to you through the creative process?
Very important! This is a solo project, but that doesn’t mean I do it alone. One of my favorite parts of creating music is collaborating with other people and seeing what they bring to the table.
Which one of your new tracks are you most looking forward to playing live? Why?
I’m excited to play “Martha’s Vineyard” and “Mess” (both off my forthcoming album ‘Rejection Letter’) with the full band, because they are ones where we can really rock out, and I feel like that will be very cathartic.
If you could rename New York City what would you call it?
I’d go back to its OG name, New Amsterdam.
Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)
My new album ‘Rejection Letter’ will be out everywhere April 2nd, and the first single “Martha’s Vineyard” is out everywhere now! You can find me on instagram at @nykenzie, and you can pre-order the record on Bandcamp or my website.
Thanks for the interview, TFR!