JS: How did doing “As I Go” change you as a person and as a creator?
KELSI MAYNE: “As I Go” being my first album, this really challenged me in finding my voice and really discovering who I am and who I want to be as an artist. I’ve learned to just trust my “gut” above all else, which sounds simple but can be really difficult at times.
JS: What might others not understand or appreciate about the work you produce or do?
KM: I’m completely independent and am involved in every step of the process. From writing the songs, to sitting in the studio with my producer and experimenting with the production, to running my socials, to designing my merch, to booking our shows, rehearsals & travel, to producing and editing my music videos and even on occasion making my own performance clothes.
JS: What are the most important parts of yourself that you put into your work?
KM: Everything has to be genuine. If I don’t believe in something, my audience sure as hell ain’t gonna believe it either!
JS: What are your biggest challenges as a creative person?
KM: Deciding when something is finished. You can tweak forever, but nothing will ever see the light of day. At some point you have to learn when to stop and move on.
JS: Please describe at least one major turning point in your life that helped to make you who you are as a creative artist.
KM: When I was in university, I worked as a “bevertainer” at a country bar (The Bull & Barrel). I would jump up on the bar or a table sing a song then jump back down and continue serving. It helped to pay for my education and I had a blast at the same time. It wasn’t supposed to be anything more than that, but it got me hooked on performing. Around the same time I was graduating, I had two different patrons on back-to-back nights tell me the exact same things: 1) What are you doing here? and 2) You need to take this to the big city. I was flattered by the first patron because a stranger has no obligation to compliment you or provide advice. Then when another patron says the exact same thing the very next night, I took that as a sign I could not ignore.
JS: If you could re-live your life in the arts, how would you change it and why?
KM: Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I pursued music before I graduated university, but then I realize all of the life experiences I’ve had which inspire me now, so I wouldn’t change a thing.
JS: In your creative life thus far, what have been the most helpful comments you have heard about your work?
KM: “I don’t like country, but I like your music” is the recurring comment I love every time I hear it. Country is such a small genre, so to gain recognition both by country fans and non-country fans, it makes me feel really good as both an artist and songwriter because I know I’ve connected with a variety of people. Growing up in Windsor, I was influenced a lot by Detroit music and loved hip-hop, rap, r&b and country equally, so comments like this makes me feel successful in embodying all of my inspirations.
JS: Finally, what do you yourself find to be the most intriguing and/or surprising things about you?
KM: Pretty random but I grew up as an elite highland dancer and also ran track while at the University of Windsor and have a U-Sports national bronze medal in 60m hurdles.