This week, I had a chance to catch up with Mackenzie Porter and if you’re a fan, you know she dropped Drinkin’ Songs; The Collection earlier this month. We got to talk about Drinkin’ Songs, quarantine, and some of her influences.
Porter has been quarantining in Nashville throughout the pandemic, and after the adjustment period of being off the road and not being able to play shows or write in-person, she’s gotten somewhat used to the current situation. You may also know that earlier this year, she and her now husband, Jake Etheridge eloped.
After adjusting to 2020’s various curve balls, Porter has been taking time to enjoy being home. Typically she’s on the road for weeks or months at a time, and over the pandemic she’s been able to enjoy those things that she looked forward to in between- like Netflix and cooking dinner at home. All this to say, she’s definitely ready for an opportunity to hit the road again, play live music, and connect with fans.
Mackenzie Porter has been eager to connect with fans, and unfortunately given the circumstances, the only way to do that right now, is through social media. She takes time every day to go through her direct messages. It’s important to connect with people- she says listeners and fans are the only reason she’s in the position she is. When I asked her what she wants fans to know about her, she said she just wants everyone to know how truly grateful she is. Without the support she has, she wouldn’t be able to get to do her favourite thing in the world- her fans truly make her career.
Drinkin’ Songs: The Collection was released November 6th. After teasing fans with the release of her next single, “The One,” Mackenzie Porter delivered her collection of songs from the last two years, in one collective release. As she wrapped up her current project, she wanted to ensure she included new music. The One is a song she wrote a few years ago, and finally had an opportunity to record. The song didn’t start off easy. The day The One was written, there were a few ideas bounced around before “the one before the one” made its way to the surface. Once they came to that idea, Porter says, the song pretty much wrote itself.
Porter connects with her fans through honest, emotional breakup songs- and not every track is a ballad. She loves a good party song that’s up tempo, and that doesn’t mean it can’t be a sad song. She really has found the perfect combination of music you can dance, drink, and be sad to, all at the same time.
The Alberta Native cites Shania Twain, Alanis Morissette, and Tenille Townes as her favourite Canadian artists. Dallas Smith has had a huge impact on her career, acting as her mentor and really enabling her as a performer. She’s a huge fan of female singers, currently listening to Ingrid Andress, Sasha Sloane, and Julia Michaels.
So what’s in store for Mackenzie Porter in 2021? She is hoping with everything she has, that she will have an opportunity to return to the road and perform next year. She’s looking forward to working on her next album, and hopefully having her wedding!
You can connect with Mackenzie Porter on Twitter and Instagram.
Stream Drinkin’ Songs: The Collection By Mackenzie Porter
In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.
