Hi everyone! StreamLINE brings you another stellar edition of our in-depth interview series as we check in with the multi-hyphenate talent, Mandi Macias. Continue reading below to learn more about Mandi’s background in Music, her career journey, upcoming releases and other interesting tidbits about her personally. Enjoy!

Hi Mandi, please tell us a bit about your background, where you’re from etc.  What were your early music influences?

Hi, I’m from Los Angeles, California and my earliest music influences are a little bit of all genres. My dad played classic rock (Doors, Aerosmith, Rolling Stones, U2). My older sisters liked Usher, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, and Rihanna. My mom loves all music but mostly Motown, Earth Wind & Fire, Smokey Robinson etc. My older brothers were into rap such as Nas, Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Lauryn Hill, Ice Cube, Wu-Tang, DMX, UGK, OutKast, Tribe Called Quest, DJ Quik, Master P, Bone Thugs, Missy Elliott, Eminem. So, I guess I have a lot of early influences because my brothers are 22 & 12 years older than me, and my sisters are 9 & 7 years older than me.

What was the defining moment or time in your life when you decided to pursue music on a professional level?

I was roughly 14-15 years old and I was in my freshman year in high school. I dropped my first EP “Sixteen” when I turned 16 and then toured that year with HSN & Plain White T’s.

How would you characterize your sound and what inspires your creativity? Is it sparked by actual life events/experiences or just a vibe that you get into? How has your sound evolved since your 2018 debut “Sixteen”?

My sound falls under several genres. They would be Alternative Pop, Indie Rock Pop, Dark Pop, Punk Pop. I’m inspired all the time. I wouldn’t even know how to explain it. I just love all aspects of music and I do use some of my life experiences in my music, however, I embellish the lyrics some, so it’s not all based on true facts. My voice has definitely matured lol. My music has evolved with my age, like a lot of my lyrics in my Sixteen EP talks about me partying in my back yard and teen stuff. Now my music is a bit darker with a positive ending. Also today I use live music and play with my band where before it was with a track.

Congratulations on the upcoming Teenage Eulogy EP release! Please tell us how the concept of the EP came about and what inspired it? How was the recording process? How did the collaboration with producer Marky Style develop?

Wow 3 great questions! I’ll answer in order.

#1: ‘Teenage Eulogy’ is a deeply personal album that explores the challenges and experiences of growing up. My lyrics are honest, vulnerable, and relatable, capturing the feelings of confusion, excitement, and fear that come with leaving adolescence behind. Each Song represents a different aspect of my journey, from the bittersweet memories of first love to the unbearable pressures placed on me as I mature. I wanted to create an EP that captures the emotions and experiences of transitioning from a teenager to becoming a woman. It’s a period of growth, change, and self-discovery, and I wanted to share my journey with others who may be going through the same thing.

#2 : The recording process was amazing! Working with my producer Josh (Redeye) is always a blast, we just get each other! He knows exactly what I want and we just have fun making music.

#3: I’m kind of known now as the artist who stalks my producers haha (it’s an ongoing joke now). I listen to artists on Spotify and look at the songs credits to see who produced their song. From there I seek the producer out on social media and DM them letting the producer know I have a song I would like them to work on with me. I had already worked with this producer named Bardo from the band Beauty School Dropout who had produced one of the artists I listen to (Royal and the Serpent).

Bardo produced my last single “When You Were A Virgin”. Then I saw Marky was a producer on a song I loved by Royal & The Serpent, so I DM’d him on Instagram. He reached back out to me and heard my scratch that I’d sent him. Marky said “I would love to work on your song” so our managers handled the rest and the birth of Teenage Eulogy happened!

What’s the concept/backstory behind the “When You Were A Virgin” single?

That’s actually a funny story. I was sitting with a friend in the car just chilling listening to music and we started talking about our exes and I told my friend I liked my ex better when he was a virgin because he was a nicer guy then. My friend said “When You Were A Virgin” would be a great title to a song. That evening I went inside my house and started to play melodies on my piano. I found a melody I liked and started writing my song and finished it that night. I played it to some friends and they said I should record it, so I did.

Is there a particular live performance or venue which sticks out to you as one of your favorites or most memorable?

This is the easiest question so far to answer! My favorite was performing at the Troubadour in West Hollywood! I can sit and talk about that night forever. First off, I sold out my show. Everything about that night was magical. I loved the stage, the sound system, my outfit, make up, hair, my band, the fans everything was perfect.

What is the best advice that you’ve been given; either personally or professionally? 

I’ve been given great advice from several amazing mentors. Just follow my passion, work hard, eat right, get sleep and take care of my mental state. I work very hard, but I know how to slow down when it’s necessary. I just keep pushing forward, stay in my own lane, and keep educating myself. I was told to network and collaborate, and to surround myself with a team who has my best interest.

What activities do you enjoy outside of your music and entertainment industry-related endeavors? 

I love snow boarding, hiking, dancing, camping and hanging with good friends & family. I love to travel and see interesting places. I’m close to my family and like our time together.

We love to ask artists what type of music they’re vibing to outside of their own. What are a few of the songs or artists that fill your personal playlists? 

Oh man, I listen to a lot of artist, The Marias, UPSAHL, The Neighbourhood, BORNS, Queen, Royal & The Serpents, Paramore, Miley Cyrus, Willow, The Cranberries, Harry Styles, Sad Park, Rihanna and so many more!

What else is in store musically for you for the rest of 2023 and beyond? Any projects, music videos, features or solo live shows on the horizon?

I’ll be performing at Bar Lubitsch in West L.A. on 04/20/23. I’m coming out in a movie late in the year (2023) called Youn’G. I play Danielle as the supporting actress to Youn’G. We are at pre -production on a music video to one of my songs off the EP. For now I’m mostly focused on getting ready to release my EP “Teenage Eulogy”.

Connect with Mandi Macias

You can connect with Mandi via her various social media platforms at https://zez.am/officialmandimacias.