Up next is singer-songwriter Letitia Mackenzie, who is studying Music at Massey.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
My name is Letitia Mackenzie, my friends call me Tesh. I am a singer-songwriter from the Coromandel Peninsula, living in Wellington and studying Music at Massey University. I would describe my sound as an Indie-pop/Soul blend. I first fell in love with performing when I played a role in my first ever musical production ‘The sound of music’ when I was nine. During Highschool both the Playitstrange songwriting competition and Smokefreerockquest became my life and were my favourite events to be involved in. On my final year of High school (2018) I created a self made album in my bedroom titled ‘Transparent’ which I uploaded to Soundcloud. Since then I haven’t looked back, I’m always writing and producing music.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
Currently I am working on weekly covers and originals for my Instagram and Youtube pages. I enjoy piecing together electronic soundscapes with an acoustic base. I have also just finished writing a few songs I have worked on over the past two years and am planning on recording and releasing them this winter!
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
The main platforms you will find my music on are:
Instagram: @letitiamackenzie
YouTube
Facebook: @letitiamacz
Soundcloud
Spotify
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
Growing up I listened to all genres, especially pop, blues, countryrock and a good amount of electronic dance music. To be honest I’m surprised I haven’t become a country singer by default as I was obsessed with the albums ‘Home‘ by the Dixie Chicks and ‘Speak now‘ by Taylor Swift when I was around 12. I also have always adored Amy Winehouse‘s music. I remember these artists and their albums the most as my sisters and I would dance and sing in the lounge to them; performing for my mum.
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
I would love to work with Estère! I think she’s awesome and I like her creative approach to writing and production.
What is your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
MEOW! I love the stage setup and the warm vibe. Also, the Welsh Dragon Bar is my favourite bar to both hang out in and perform at as they are so welcoming, like a second family.
In your songwriting or composing how do the compositions and songs take shape?
I usually start by sitting down and playing random chords, creating vocal and lyrical improvisations over the top. Its all about improv for me. I often come up with my most weirdest, creative ideas late at night. Things that inspire me to write are people and nature. I find collecting samples of found sound in Wellington fun and often play them on loop or arrange and distort them to form the hook for a composition. (I also use voice notes on my iPhone religiously).
Where/when is your next gig?
I played from home on Friday 10th April at 8pm, for an awesome platform called The House is open – Live on Zoom. ‘The House is open’ is a live online show that presents Music, Theatre and Poetry Tickets are only $10 and support artists who have lost their upcoming shows due to cancellation in relation to the pandemic.