McKenon: Gonna Go To California
A veteran to Utah’s local music scene, McKenon recently launched a foray into the solo music world with his idiosyncratic EP Gonna go to California. McKenon who was the former frontman of Meldrum House, sheds the skin of the band's early 2000s sound, in favor of nostalgia. The titular track is a restless call for adventure lined with dissonant pop punk textures. “Gonna go to California” pertains to the fallacy of leaving one’s difficulties behind for a new place while still romanticizing California. “Rinse, Wash, Repeat”, the second song on the EP, holds a similar vibrating resonance to its predecessor, though it is much more straightforward in sound.
Salt Lily Magazine recently sat down with McKenon to discuss his new EP and the new direction he is headed.
How did you start playing music?
I started playing music because a friend and I in highschool wanted to be in a band, but neither of us played any instruments (which was a slight problem haha) so we quickly remedied that.
What inspired your sound?
I have always loved music across many different styles and genres so I am always wanting to give different things a try in terms of sound. That may not be easy to see in the short term if you pay attention to my previous project, and the stuff I have been working on at the beginning of this solo endeavor, but over a longer span of time, it will come across more.
What is your usual song writing process?
The cliche answer that I see a lot of artists say is “It depends on the song” and there is a lot of truth to that, but generally it goes pretty similar every time for me. I usually start with the music and let that inspire the emotion/subject matter of the lyrics.
Do you have any message or question that you are trying to beg through to the audience?
I have no particular message. I just try to say my piece as honestly as possible and hope that people relate or find [it] entertaining.
What is it like releasing an EP during a pandemic?
It’s scary because usually I would play songs live and workshop them and see how people react to different parts and see what works and what doesn’t. Without live shows there isn’t that feedback, so it’s a little bit more intimidating.
You were in a band before this, what was it like transitioning into a solo act?
Honestly, I have been liking it so far. I have the freedom to play with different musicians (including some of the members of my old band) as well as the freedom to just play by myself.
How is your upcoming album different from other things you’ve played before?
It will feature different musicians than before which will naturally impact the sound/feel. As well as-- I think that I have been improving as a songwriter, so each song I write I feel as if I get better and better.
Is there a certain theme or story behind your new EP?
I would say the recurring theme would be discontent and naively thinking that once external circumstances change than internal ones will get better.
What do you want your audience to get out of your music?
I just want to one day have people get the same feeling from my music as I do when I hear a really good song/album. That’s the dream.
Do you have any exciting projects/shows coming up?
I am working on my first full length album which will be out in winter hopefully. In terms of shows I have my first socially distanced show with an audience on September 25th at The Beehive.
Check out McKenon’s new EP on Spotify and follow him on Instagram.
