Interview: McKenna Michels looks towards a busy 2025 with new music, new comics; discusses advocacy, fashion, touring and much more
Austin, Texas indie pop artist McKenna Michels has fans marking their calendars and looking forward to 2025 as the singer-songwriter prepares for a productive and busy new year: The continuation of her storyline advocacy comic book Survivor—a follow up titled Monster will be released early next year along with a future third installment of the series, Queen of Venom—the release of her much anticipated new EP, Revolution, and possible touring.
In 2021, the openly bisexual, autistic musician and childhood abuse, trauma advocate, broke ground with the release of her first EP Renaissance, followed by her debut full length album Enlightenment in 2022. Michels recently completed a European tour.
Sharing some time with OOTB for an extensive in-depth and personally open interview, Michels previews and details the upcoming EP and her latest single and video “I Don’t Know” (watch video here), and she discusses songwriting, touring, fashion interests, inspirations, hobbies and much more, while closing with inspirational words of encouragement.
How did you approach the upcoming EP Revolution, which features introductory single “I Don’t Know,” differently compared to Renaissance and Enlightenment?
I think Revolution represents a more complete version of myself than my previous two projects. It's the first time my songwriting feels the most authentic to who I am right now, whereas the others were reflection pieces on who I used to be before I wrote the songs or who I was in the moment of writing the songs.
Revolution by far gives the most insight into the way I think: the feelings I have surrounding being autistic, the lack of fear I now have about speaking my mind, the confidence I've gained as a songwriter/person in general, as well as my newfound ability to stick up for myself in my relationships.
Are there plans to release more music videos with the EP before its 2025 release?
The “I Don't Know” video came out with the release of the single and showcases a bit of what life is like on tour.
There will also be a video for the follow-up single, “Monster,” that is accompanied by a sequel comic book to Survivor. This video helps to finish the story told in the comic book and brings the previously animated characters into a live action world.
Finally, there is a video for the release of the EP in its entirety for the song “Queen of Venom.”
Your lyrics are very personal and revealing. Has music helped you personally heal? If so, in what ways?
Music is the primary way I heal. I'm very open about two things specifically on my platform: the first being autism and the second, childhood abuse.
I was taken away from my mom when I was 15 and while we are on great terms now, for about 10 years we didn't speak to each other; during that time, I had a lot of pain, sadness and resentment I didn't know how to deal with until I found songwriting.
Now, I often find that I can't write a song until I've processed a situation or feeling fully and often don't know what feelings needed processing until I re-read the lyrics post-writing.
A few of my songs—“Ghost” and “Survivor” come to mind immediately—I wrote when I was in a very bad mental space and can say confidently that I would not still be here without those songs.
Having any sort of outlet for emotions, be they negative or positive, is extremely healthy for everyone and I'm grateful my outlet lies in my music.
Considering your comic book themes of heroism, awareness and defeating odds and addressing misrepresentations, who are some of your personal heroes or heroines that inspire you and why them?
The main person that comes to mind is Michelle, who is one of my real-life friends as well as the protagonist in my comic book series.
She had a stroke when she was 5 weeks old and has cerebral palsy and epilepsy as a result. Though she has faced many challenges in her life, she has never let them stop her from living life to the fullest and she is someone who inspires me greatly and reminds me never to give up no matter how difficult things may seem.
Why and how does 18th Century fashion and art appeal to you?
My first and continuing love for music and fashion in general was the 2004 Phantom of the Opera movie. My grandma used to play the Broadway recordings of Phantom of the Opera in the car when I was a toddler and it stuck with me so much I decided I NEEDED to be a singer one day, if not just to be able to wear big fancy ball gowns.
My second love was Elizabeth Swann's attire in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, and then Kiera Knightley in any period drama following that.
Once I discovered stage Opera it was game over for me and I decided as I was starting my career that I needed my appearance to reflect my truest and most authentic interests.
To end my ramble, 18th Century fashion is beautiful, soft and intricate, but also fun and exciting to wear and look at. I've never been more interested in fashion than looking at the 1700s and early 1800s, and what a wonderful privilege to wear such attire in a time when I as a woman have the choice to do so.
You just recently finished touring parts of the UK and Europe. What have you taken away the most from touring internationally?
The biggest thing I've gained is a greater sense of self and higher confidence while performing. I've gotten to watch and learn from the headlining artists at each show and incorporate things I love about them into my own shows in my own way.
Touring has also reinforced my decision to pursue music and shown me how wonderful it is to get to have face-to-face time with my fans in ways that wouldn't be possible without being on the road.
2025 looks quite busy for you with a possible tour, the EP release, the comic book series. How do you spend any of your down time, outside of music?
I have been a cosplayer for 10 years and I LOVE going to comic cons in my free time. I am also a physical artist, my primary medium being acrylic paintings.
Finally, I really enjoy cooking and finding challenging new recipes to test out.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
To everyone out there going through a hard time: never give up on yourself or your dreams, and know you are not alone. I know it seems like everyone says that, but at the end of the day you have to be your own biggest fan and advocate to get there, and you can absolutely get through anything you set your mind to. Nothing is easy, but everything is possible.
Follow McKenna Michels
https://linktr.ee/mckennamichels
https://www.mckennamichelsmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/mckennamichelsmusic/
https://m.facebook.com/mckennamichelsmusic/
https://m.youtube.com/channel/
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