Q&A: McCall
BRUTALLY BOLD AND HONEST - McCall brings the unbiased truth of being a 20-year-old woman from Atlanta, Georgia. Her lyrics and music in her arsenal, McCall moved to LA to study music and showcase her unique sound of Southern blues and pop. Taking influences from all different genres, she is ready to jump right into the industry with no hesitation.
In her debut EP, UNDER THE REIGN, McCall gives listeners a chance to fully grasp all that is McCall. The fierce artist is ready to let the world in and wants to her music to resonate with those that get the pleasure of listening. Read on to get a better sense of what got McCall into this scene, her experience as a woman in the music industry & more.
LUNA: Can you give us a lil backstory about yourself & how you started making music?
MCCALL: I grew up in Atlanta, GA and have always been singing. I started with theater and fell in love with it because it was the best way to get as much attention as possible. But then I started playing guitar and writing songs when I was 9 and I haven’t done much else since then.
LUNA: What made you attend university before pursuing music full time?
MCCALL: I didn’t think I’d get into USC at all, so when I got my acceptance letter it was definitely an opportunity I wasn’t willing to pass up. I know a lot of people think that going to music school is a waste of time/money, but school has given me so much. Managers, band members, producers, directors, friends, etc....everyone I work with I either met at USC or through someone at USC. So fight on I guess...
LUNA: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in your career?
MCCALL: Do not hesitate. When you have a good idea, start working on it immediately. I used to spend so much time planning, moodboarding, etc. and thought that the fact that I had the IDEA was good enough - but it’s not. Making good content and putting it out consistently is everything.
LUNA: Has your creative process changed since you started making music?
MCCALL: I think the library of references I’m pulling from and the musical knowledge I’m calling on has grown a lot in the last couple years, but in terms of the process itself, it’s always been the same. It starts with a faint melody that I fit some chords to, and then once I get the first lyric down and figure out what I’m trying to say, it’s just a waterfall of ideas from there. I usually write my best songs when I’m alone in my room before I fall asleep or sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night.
LUNA: Do you think your experience in the music industry has ever been hindered because you are a woman in a predominately male field?
MCCALL: Hm how do I keep this short... Let me start by saying MOST men I’ve worked with are talented, kind, and respectful people. The hardest part about being a woman in this industry is not fighting off the sleazy men in it. The hardest part about being a woman in this industry is the way it gets in your head. Do you want me to come to your party so you can actually introduce me to that person I should know or because you think you can get somewhere if I get a couple drinks in me? Do you wanna do this session because I’m a good writer or because you wanna get me alone? Am I NOT getting this opportunity because I’m woman? Am I ONLY getting this opportunity because I’m a woman? Would flirting back help my cause? Am I even good at all or am I being babied through this whole thing cause no one thinks I can take criticism? Am I actually just as good as my male peers but just not getting taken as seriously?
At the end of the day I have to tune it out and trust that if I keep becoming a better writer and performer it will happen.
LUNA: From what I’ve gathered, this is your year! What do you hope this year will bring you?
MCCALL: This year is gonna test me, let me tell you what. But I’m excited! We have A LOT of music ready for you and are focusing on making the shows bigger and better. If we accomplish even half of what we want to get done this year, then this year will nearly kill me. So I guess that’s what I’m hoping for, in a weird way. I hope I’m so busy with music this year that I almost collapse.
