Interview

Meet Mandi Kitchen, a Multifaceted Music Producer and Sync Songwriter

In the ever-evolving world of music production and sync songwriting, Mandi Kitchen has made a name for herself with her exceptional talent, dedication, and passion for music. A prestigious Berklee College of Music graduate, Mandi has been playing, writing, producing, and selling music professionally since 2012. With an extensive background in various genres and a deep love for songwriting and film, Mandi has collaborated with numerous artists, producers, and directors to create musical masterpieces for various projects. In this exclusive interview, Mandi opens up about her creative process, the challenges she’s faced in her career, and her thoughts on the future of sync songwriting and music production.

Can you tell us about your background and how you got into music production?

Mandi Kitchen: I started writing music right around the time I started playing music- which, if you ask my Mom was 4 years old. I would play on the top part of the piano when she was practicing, and it would surprise her that it actually sounded good. I’ve been playing, writing, producing, and selling music professionally ever since I graduated from Berklee in 2012.

What inspired you to pursue a career in sync songwriting?

Mandi Kitchen: I am passionate about both songwriting and film. I love both mediums of artistic expression, and when the two work in sync (literally) with each other, it’s magic. I also love the writing process of making music vs. performing and sync is a medium where the song performance happens to be the song recording, which is a perfect fit for me.

Can you walk us through your creative process when composing music for a specific project?

Mandi Kitchen: Normally, I start with harmony, as that gives me an emotional basis for the specific style we’re working with. Melodies come after, and then lyrics. Though I will say there are times when a specific lyric and melody hit at the same time, as if it were that the two together were always meant to go together.

How do you approach collaborating with directors, producers, and other members of a production team?

Mandi Kitchen: Letting people express their vision is important in this industry, whether they are a director, producers, or fellow songwriters. We are all artists of some kind, so remembering that everyone needs their vision considered and heard, regardless of what role they play at the time, is critical. Being willing to give and take on certain things while never compromising on the quality of the production or the integrity of the song is the most important thing you can do with another collaborator or producer. I strive to stay flexible while also making sure my collaborations and I will yield the highest quality possible. Keeping up relationships over time (and I mean years of time!) is also a key element of success in this industry.

Can you give us an example of a particularly challenging project you worked on and how you overcame any obstacles during the process?

Mandi Kitchen: Yes! There are so many to choose from, lol. But recently, I was working on a co-write last winter, and the producer and I realized that our co-writer was going to be very rigid and request many last-minute changes to the track. It was hard and costly to accommodate the changes as the producer had a lot of other projects on the table, and we didn’t always have the time or desire to adjust to the demands. This led to having to re-book studio time, re-writing entire sections of the already written song, and inevitably became a lot pricier than I had hoped the project would end up landing. Instead of giving up on the project, I decided it would be better for everyone if I were okay with forking over a bit more money for the song in the name of getting it done and having the song produced as requested. It was a good learning experience to number one, learn about this person’s workflow, and take note for any similar future situations, and number two, realize that the extra bit of cash was less important than finishing the project we had spent countless hours of time on to everyone’s satisfaction. It’s my philosophy always to finish the song and leave everyone who worked on it satisfied with the end result.

How do you stay up to date with industry trends and technology advancements in music production?

Mandi Kitchen: Honestly, it’s partially thru listening to new releases coming out, keeping your ear to the ground listening to what’s being played in film/t.v. and commercials, and partially having a network to discuss new technology, how technology is influencing the industry and which sounds are coming to the forefront at any given time.

Can you discuss any notable projects you have worked on and what you learned from those experiences?

Mandi Kitchen: During covid time, I had the amazing opportunity to write on the Czech band “Vesna”’s new album – (check them out they’re a contestant on Eurovision this year!) We wrote a song titled “Blizenci.” The experience was super fun but also challenging as the lyrics had to be in Czech, and the lyrics were already written, so we had to write the music to match the vibe and messaging of the lyric. The other challenging aspect is that pop Czech lyrics are much more poetic and deeply written than current pop trends in the U.S., so feeling like we did them justice with the music we wrote with them was our goal, and I feel we succeeded. I would send melodic and harmonic ideas back and forth via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger with the lead singer of the band, and over time we eventually landed on the hooks we loved. The track turned out incredible and has such an upbeat and inspiring feeling. I hope everyone who reads this will go listen to it!

How do you balance artistic expression with meeting the needs and vision of the client or production team?

Mandi Kitchen: I love writing in a lot of different genres because it challenges my creativity and skill set. With this in mind, writing music for sync is awesome because there are many occasions when you get to choose individual briefs to write to, so many different styles can come into play. But where the emotional expression tends to come out for me is usually thru the lyrical content and harmonies chosen in each song.

Can you share with us your favorite piece of music that you have created and what it means to you?

Mandi Kitchen: It’s interesting, but usually, whatever I’m working on at the moment tends to be my favorite. My first single, “Chrysalis,” in the mixing stages of production right now, is a really powerful piece for me. It’s powerful because it started as a piano solo. The way I started my professional career was as a pianist, and then with the help of the amazing GZN Music, we added electronic production to it, and the vocals and lyrics came last, the finishing touch on a very powerful piece. To me, “Chrysalis” represents what a caterpillar has to go through to become a butterfly. Having to bide your time, work on yourself, develop your colors, and wait and work more until you indeed are able to fly. To me, it feels a lot less like a traditional song and more like an art piece or composition.

What do you see as the future of sync songwriting and music production in the industry?

Mandi Kitchen: I think we’re getting to it now. Everyone who wants to can have a shot at working in sync. As long as their sound is at a standard of professionalism, they can customize and be flexible to the client’s needs. Also, AI and technology of sifting thru metadata/moods/genres of tracks is now starting to play a bigger and bigger role, and I’m sure will play more as we go. The one thing artists should do if they want to outperform is increase their versatility and abilities. Yes, I write pop music for sync, but I also orchestrate and notate parts for orchestras, can build choir parts and scores, and sell those for people to perform. Along with writing music, I teach composition and perform locally in the community. it’s giving the world value in a bigger and more creative way that is going to carry a sync or any artist to the top.

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Indie

Interview with Free Mace

Free Mace’s new album “Better off Bitter” is releasing 7/19/24. This new album was independently produced, engineered and funded from a home studio location in Jacksonville, FL. All processes were done by Mason Thomas Staub over 3 years time. Mason sat down to answer some questions in this one-one-one interview…

Mason, your new album “Better off Bitter” is set to release on July 19th, 2024. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this album and what themes, tones, and stories the listeners can expect?

The main inspiration behind this album is the evolution of artistry and production. Free Mace’s previous album, “Media,” was the transition into more Rock and Indie music. “Media” is a genre fusion set in a dystopian, technocratic, and bleak world, inspired by the global pandemic. As soon as “Media” released, I began drafting the early instrumentals to songs (such as Reality). Every album or EP has been a concept and “Better off Bitter” is no different. The main concept of “Better off Bitter” is being better off bitter. Over the 4 years of living in Jacksonville, FL and not being originally from there, I was the new guy in town. Because of this as well as the advantageous disposition of others involved in or surrounding the industry, I’ve faced ageism and superiority, judgment and prejudice, as well as seclusion and loneliness. Add an incredibly toxic relationship that consumed all my mental capacity for a bit (refer to the song Good Time Girl), and you get the varying emotions and experiences of “Better off Bitter.”

“Better off Bitter” describes the tone and tempo of the album, as well as mood of the songs. The goal of this album was to experiment and set a new standard against mainstream concepts, while not being so far removed from them that the music is unrecognizable. I have been describing “Better off Bitter” to people as a “Jazz Orchestra in a Pop-Punk band format.” I’m aware that this is a big claim to make, however, I’m confident that the unique sound that has been created is new and nostalgic at the same time.

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You independently produced, engineered, and funded this album from your home studio in Jacksonville, FL, over three years. What were some of the biggest challenges and rewards of handling every aspect of the production process yourself?

Some of the biggest challenges were motivation, isolation, and insecurity. When doing everything yourself it requires an incredible amount of discipline and vision. There were countless times I found myself vacationing in the doldrums for extended periods with minimal creative output. The beginning of an album always begins as a peak that declines over a period until release. It’s simple and stressless to explore, create and form new ideas, expressions, and feelings. After this honeymoon-like period, then the reality hits of how much goes into the processes of production. The starting production is always hopeful and motivating, so it’s easy to dedicate double-digit hours in a studio. When you start getting to the nitty-gritty, like listening to the same 10-seconds of audio on loop thousands of times, that’s when things aren’t done as jubilantly. That would bring me back to a creative null for a bit, until I felt confident to approach things again with a fresh perspective. The isolation came out of my own doing when I chose solitude to separate myself from distractions, toxic attitudes, limiting perceptions, and peer approval. I prioritized myself and focused on what was important; the completion of “Better off Bitter.” I became more mindful in the process in regards to how I would spend my time in the doldrums. I had a new motivation that allowed me to be more realistic about what songs would make the album (originally 15 instead of 10), what the context and sound would definitively be, and when a deadline would be. After finally completing it, that’s where the insecurity set in when it comes to the acceptance of the album, “Better off Bitter.” 3 years of work is a lot of time to think about how things will be, but I’ll just have to wait and see.

\Which track on the album holds the most personal significance for you, and why? Can you give us some insight into the creative process and meaning behind that particular song?

I would say that the last track on the album, “The Heretic,” has the most significance to me because it’s the finale. This is the last song someone will hear and the last chapter to the story conveyed in “Better off Bitter.” The idea of “The Heretic” comes from the snake-oil sales in the name of religion. The concept that an individual with certainty can sell others with a promise rather than those individuals being at terms with uncertainty. I wanted to provide an image of an interaction between a salesperson and a potential customer. Eventually getting discovered for their fraudulence, the salesperson is forced to lead a vagabond life until the discovery of reinvention.

Over the course of three years, your musical style and influences might have evolved. How do you feel your sound has changed or matured from your previous work to this new album?

The previous Free Mace album, “Media,” was a transition into more up-tempo music. I would see how people would react at the concerts and the up-tempo would always have a better response from what I could tell. It’s not that the audience didn’t enjoy the slower tempo music, it was more about what their body language conveyed. I started to notice people would be involved dancing and moshing to up-tempo music more than standing still with a head bob to a slower tempo. I wanted to do an album that would capture this high energy from beginning to end, while telling a meaningful story about emotions, experiences, and ideologies. “Better off Bitter” is the highlight album of the Free Mace discography, available everywhere 7/19/2024.

As an independent artist, what advice would you give to other musicians looking to produce and release their own music without the backing of a major label?

The best advice I would give to anyone and everyone would be to always stay true to yourself, no matter what.

What are your plans following the release of “Better off Bitter”? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or other projects that fans can look forward to?

Following the release of “Better off Bitter,” there will be 2-3 music videos available in varying cinematic styles. Currently in the process are one animated video (Available 7/19/2024 on YouTube) and one live-action Frank Sinatra/Edgar Allen Poe inspired video. There will potentially be shows in the future, but am needed a backing band on location for performance, so if you’d like a Free Mace show where you are located and have a professional band to provide, I will see you there!

https://freemace.hearnow.com/better-off-bitter

https://linktr.ee/free_mace

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Artist Spotlight

Angie and Chris from Eleyet McConnell Talks “Surrender,” Morphing and New Single

Angie McConnell’s powerful voice and heartfelt songwriting, influenced by icons such as Beth Hart, Janis Joplin, and Merle Haggard, blend seamlessly with Chris McConnell’s soulful musical arrangements, reminiscent of classic 70s rock and blues. Together, as Eleyet McConnell, they create a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.

Since meeting in 2013 and beginning their collaborative songwriting journey, Angie and Chris have developed a musical synergy that is palpable both in the studio and on stage. Their songs reflect personal experiences and universal truths, delivered with an honesty that strikes a chord with audiences.

On the eve of their new single release, “Don’t Tell Me Why” from their critically acclaimed debut album, “Crazy World,” the couple took time out to answer some questions in this EXCLUSIVE interview…

“Surrender” is such a personal and emotionally charged track. Can you share with us the inspiration behind the song and what it means to you both personally?

Angie: Lyrically is a reflection over a very difficult period of time for me. Life was throwing curveballs at me, and I had to reconcile a lot of really hard things all at once. “Surrender” was my way of telling the story of my journey, and those moments when things felt quite insurmountable to me. It was my opportunity to share my belief in a higher power and faith that there is something bigger than all of us in control.

As a married duo, how does your relationship and shared experiences influence your songwriting process?

Chris: Almost every song we’ve written is about our life before and after marriage. For us it’s a magical thing to share the ability to express life through song lyrics and melodies. Writing is almost like the framework that makes us who we are both as individuals and as husband and wife. Angie never wrote songs until she and I met, and I was just waiting for things to click for her and see what could happen. For a couple years I’d noodle on the bass during rehearsals to see if she’d catch on and it took a bit. One day it was like she heard it for the first time and things just took off from there.

Angie, you mentioned that “Surrender” is your “give it to God” song. Could you elaborate on how your faith journey has influenced your music, especially in this song?

I grew up in the church and spent several days every week in service, bible study, or the fun activities our church would have on Saturdays or during softball leagues and things like that. My mom was always playing hymns on the piano and she and my dad would sing those old songs playing guitar. It was definitely part of my foundation. Like many people I drifted away from that life as I got older and while I never forgot those times, I certainly wasn’t active like I was when I was younger.

As I explained, the lyrics to “Surrender” talk about the lowest period of time in my life. So many difficult things happening all at once and I was struggling to deal with it all in a healthy way. Literally, one day I was on my knees just sobbing because I was so overwhelmed and I actually said out loud, “I can’t do this please help me”. I felt a peace that I hadn’t felt in a very long time and not because it had left me. It was because I wasn’t open to receiving it and didn’t even realize it.

All my life I remember hearing people say, “lay it down..give it to God”….. but it didn’t really resonate. This time it felt so natural and so easy. I let it all go and gave my worry, my fear, my sadness, my guilt….all of it to God. It was the best thing I could have done for myself.

“Gettin’ By” was a success, hitting the top 30 on the UK iTunes Rock songs chart. How did you feel about the reception to your debut single, and did it impact your approach to creating new music?

Chris: Believe it or not, we never sit down with the intention of writing a song in any certain fashion. Even with a song like “Getting By” and all its success, we still never went back to write the next tune with the intent to stay in that vein and try and match the success. Maybe we should think about that in the future, but our writing just doesn’t flow like that.

Your debut album, “Crazy World,” seems to touch on themes of overcoming struggles and finding hope. How do you hope listeners connect with the overall message of the album?

Angie: The songs on this album all come from our life together. Chris and I have had our share of struggles, and we still found a way to make it all work and it’s been just amazing. Our lives are crazy and fun and full and challenging, and the world at large feels even more crazy at times. This album shares stories of different struggles like paying bills, falling in love, sadness, disappointment and how unfair life is at times – all the things that each of us deals with on the daily. We found each other and have found a way to get through all the hard times together. Anything is possible. Hopefully, someone else can listen to our story and feel encouraged to keep chasing their dream.

“Don’t Tell Me Why” is your upcoming single, set to release soon. Can you give us a glimpse into the inspiration behind this track and what listeners can expect?

Chris: This song came together in a matter of minutes. We were writing with our friend, Darla, in her basement one evening. I came up with those bass intro notes and just sang the line “Don’t tell me why”. Darla and I just seemed to play the same thing without talking much about it and Angie literally just took off with the lyrics to the song. It was like she couldn’t write them down fast enough. Apparently, she was upset with me about something (chuckling). I might be responsible for a few of those songs when she was upset. More stories for later LOL.

Your music has been described as genre-defying. How do you approach blending different musical influences to create your unique sound?

Angie: Our music is simply a culmination of all the great stuff we grew up listening to as kids. Both of us have grown up with several influences and we love it all. I think it’s why our original work feels like it could live in a lot of places and it’s really difficult to say we live in this or that bucket. Both of us grew up on gospel and country music from our parents, Chris loved the 70s music and so did I. We both love rock and roll and blues and oddly enough, neither of us had a love fest with the arena stuff from the 80s. Sure, we listened and yes, we were in the throes of the vibe like everyone else at the time, but I wouldn’t say that era influenced us much as songwriters.

Both of you have dynamic stage presence. How do you translate the intimacy and emotion of your songs into live performances?

Chris: It’s very easy for me to get lost in the songs. We’ve written about some very personal experiences, from difficult arguments in moments where we didn’t think we’d make it all work to the very happiest times together and everything in between. I feel like we both can mentally go right back to those moments when we perform these songs, and the audience can feel that. Angie can grab a crowd. Some of my favorite nights are in small venues when the size of the place just makes it more intimate. There have been times where everyone is so in tune with everything she says, especially when she tells the story behind the songs. It’s magical.

Angie, you mentioned experiencing some difficult times a few years back. How has music been a form of healing or catharsis for you during those times?

Angie: It saved me. Music gave me an outlet to talk about and confront things that were far too difficult to utter out loud to anyone. When I began writing it was like I finally had this vehicle that let me – actually forced me, to look deep into myself and reconcile a lot of things that I had buried or compartmentalized. I had a lot of things to reconcile and through it all I changed dramatically. Chris will say, “You Morphed!”, and he isn’t wrong.

I took a hard look at myself and realized a lot of habits that I had developed where relationships are concerned, and it dawned on me that I had become someone else entirely. I didn’t hate who I had become per se, but I wasn’t happy nor was I really healthy. I had gained a lot of weight; I had some medical issues and I just felt like a cog in a wheel. My life was nothing much beyond going through the motions.

Writing was therapy in a lot of ways. I found a counselor that helped me with skills and tools to cope with life in more healthy ways. During this time writing music became prolific for me. I have told people that I feel like I finally know why none of us remember being born. Can you imagine how awful that would be? I think I know what birth feels like now. The pain, the physical pressure, the feeling of being transported from a cocooned environment to one where you are completely exposed. It’s traumatic. That time for me was traumatic but transformative.

I don’t look the same. I don’t deal with things the same. I feel like I’ve learned so much and I’m more at peace right now than I’ve ever been. Music was my outlet, therapy, healing—all the things. That line in “Surrender” that says, “I’ve changed so much that I don’t recognize when I look in the mirror, but I know I needed the change”….. that line is powerful for me when I reflect on that time and absolute truth.

Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for Eleyet McConnell as a musical duo?

Chris: We would love to take some time to branch out and take the show out of our local region. We’ve been planning about how we can do that and still take care of everything we’ve got going on here at home. We can’t wait to get back into the studio. Angie and I have written so much material and we want to get it recorded as soon as possible. New singles will be released soon, and we can’t wait for that. This year we have stumbled into some cool opportunities to play in larger venues, and we’d love to see a lot more of that. We are blessed. We are grateful and sometimes still can’t believe all that’s happening.

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“Don’t Tell Me Why” delivers a compelling blend of raw emotion and introspective lyrics, wrapped in the rich musical heritage that Angie (Eleyet) and Chris McConnell bring from their diverse influences. The single follows their successful Top 5 UK iTunes hit, “Surrender,” and continues to build on their reputation for creating music that resonates deeply with listeners. The new release comes on the heels of the duo’s recent Josie Music Awards nomination for Best Multi-Genre Duo.