image creds
an echowave visual; base imagery courtesy of mykel
the singer grapples with mortality and what it means to be alive
for many artists, songwriting is a cathartic opportunity to take control of past events and the significance they hold. This rings especially true in mykel’s case, as the singer-songwriter confronts the concept of mortality in her powerful new ballad, ‘brace for impact’.
mykel, who currently resides in los angeles, couldn’t have possibly known that setting off to the city of angels would result in a nearly-fatal car accident – and when it did, she found herself in a state of fragility she hadn’t known before.
events of such nature would lead many of us off course, but mykel weathered the storm and is now able to address it on her own terms – through music. ‘brace of impact’ sees her revisit a time that is not only extremely tender but also an essential part of her healing journey.
to honour the new single, mykel has listed out the five things that inspire her the most.
check ’em out below.
nature (the mountains & the ocean)
As someone who gave up the mountains for the ocean (the entire premise of my EP Hometown Runaway), I used to think I had to choose between the two. But now I have fully embraced my identity as both a mountain child and an ocean queen. Both shift my perspective and make me feel small.. in all the good ways.
anyone who knows me finds that the first thing I’ll want to do is go watch a beach sunset and walk, or drive American Fork Canyon in Utah, where I would escape growing up to write, cry, or reset.
matcha
Matcha has become more than a morning reset and gratitude ritual for me. As the creator of the viral beverage account @dont.chase.your.d, it has become a symbol of how the Universe will always take you down unexpected paths and open doors you did not anticipate.
That account is the reason I could stay in LA and pursue my dream (ironic given the name of the account).
breathwork
Not to be totally woo woo, but when I started doing consistent breath work my entire life changed. Something about it reset my nervous system completely and I was really able to get past my personal blocks. Weird miracles came of it and now I recommend it to everyone I meet.
Beyoncé
Literally duh. She’s the Tom Brady of performers. There’s nobody that does it like her.
Other musical inspirations of mine include Etta James, Griff, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Reneé Rapp, Celine Dion, Tori Kelly, and Adele.
My Grandpa Pay
My grandfather passed away when I was 16 from cancer. He was a calm lighthouse in the storms of life. His motto was always “You’ve got to relax to be a star.”
And while I definitely did not listen at first, I’m learning the wisdom in letting go and he will always be that guiding light in my life because of it.
echowave 