While growing up on the northeast coast of Canada, Mallory Johnson was raised on music – country and Celtic. Her mother sang country as a solo artist while also performing in their Celtic family band that Mallory too joined at a young age, putting her desire for music into high gear. But while she adored the history and sounds of Celtic music, it was the sounds of Music City that beckoned her home. Her incredible vocals caught the ear of one of the industry’s best, leading to her self-titled debut EP in 2018. Last year she released two songs “Hungover” and “Drunk Mind, Sober Heart,” which she co-wrote with fellow Canadians Tenille Arts and Krystan Bellows. Both received high praise and nominations (“Drunk Mind, Sober Heart” – 2019 International Songwriting Competition finalist & nomination Best Country Song at the 18th Annual Independent Music Awards; “Hungover” honorable mention in the 19th Annual NSAI Song Contest presented by CMT and Martin Guitars and Strings).
We caught up with Mallory to talk about the history of her home province, her music and an upcoming project.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little about yourself?
MJ: Hi! I’m Mallory and I’m a recording artist and singer/songwriter originally from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. I grew up playing a broad range of music (country, celtic/folk, musical theatre), but I’m currently based in Nashville pursuing the genre I love most — country music.
CN: With everything that’s going on in the world in regards to COVID-19, we hope everyone in your circle is safe and healthy. How are you holding up?
MJ: I’m happy to say that my family and I are safe and healthy. I feel very lucky considering that many others are not in the same situation. I flew home to Newfoundland in March to kick off a nation-wide radio tour as well as an east coast tour with Canadian country duo “The Reklaws”, but like every performer on the planet, shows were cancelled and postponed. Even though that was a bummer, I’ve loved being able to spend this extra time with my family.
CN: When did you realize that you wanted to pursue a career in music?
MJ: I knew I wanted to pursue music at a very young age. My mom recorded, toured, and performed country music so I used to watch her play “Coat of Many Colors” and Coal Miner’s Daughter” on stage and just wanted to be up there too (fun fact: she recorded at The Sound Emporium in Nashville in 1982, and this year I recorded new music there as well). As a kid I took piano, vocal, and dance lessons which led me into the musical theatre world. I loved being on stage. At 11, myself, my mom, my uncle and my cousin formed a Celtic family band called The Cormiers. That was the first time I was in a studio recording my own songs. I think that’s when I was really bit by the bug and wanted to pursue music as a career.
CN: Growing up in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada you have a passion for Celtic music in addition to country. What is it about Celtic music that you enjoy? Do you have any Celtic influence in your country music?
MJ: Celtic music and Irish/Traditional music has always held a special place in my heart. Newfoundland is rich with the culture and traditions of Scotland and Ireland, so I grew up playing and listening to that kind of music. My aunts and uncles could all play instruments and we’d have kitchen parties where everyone would take out their accordions or guitars or fiddles and play along to jigs and reels. Bagpipes were also a staple at every wedding and funeral. There’s just something so magical and haunting about that instrument. I definitely think that the Celtic spills into my new music, especially with my vocal inflections. There’s a lot of similarities between the two genres, with the biggest similarity being the storytelling.
CN: As it is believed that the Vikings landed in Newfoundland and Labrador, do you have any interest in Norse mythology or Viking history?
MJ: I love that you know that! Newfoundland is a cool place to be if you’re interested in Viking History. L’Anse aux Meadows on the Northern Peninsula is a certified Norse settlement. I believe it’s actually the only certified Norse settlement on the continent to date. A couple of years ago, my mom’s hometown of Codroy Valley was thought to be another potential Norse Viking settlement, but I don’t believe they found any evidence of that to confirm. I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never been to L’Anse aux Meadows, but I definitely want to visit. I’ve binge watched the show Vikings.. does that count? Haha
CN: Which musicians, country or not, have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
MJ: My answer to this will always be my mom first and foremost because she introduced me to the stage and always encouraged me to pursue music if that’s what I loved. My dad too. I’m lucky to have very supportive parents. Then I’d have to say Dolly Parton. Dolly is unapologetic, a brilliant storyteller, and has stayed relevant throughout her entire career. I’m also a huge fan of the great songwriters of my generation — Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves, and Brandy Clark to name a few.
CN: What was the first album you ever owned?
MJ: My first cassette was Spice Girls and my first CD was Britney Spears.
CN: Your self-titled debut EP was released in 2018 and produced by someone very well known in the music industry who also has praised you from day one. What was it like to get such a compliment from Sammy Kershaw and then to have him produce your debut EP? What must have been very humbling yet empowering. How did his words affect you going forward?
MJ: That entire experience is one I’ll never forget. It’s one thing to have your family and friends believe in you, but when you have somebody of that caliber in the industry believe that you’ve got something special, it’s extremely validating. I cried many happy tears in the studio! Victories come few and far between in this business, and having Sammy produce the EP and praise my work was a big victory. He opened a lot of doors for me including the door that brought me to Nashville.
CN: This past September you released a digital 45 titled Double Shot which featured two songs “Drunk Mind, Sober Heart” and “Hungover” and both received several nominations and accolades. There is a common theme between the title of the 45 and the two songs. What was your idea behind this release?
MJ: My debut EP was recorded in 2015, so I wanted to be strategic about releasing new music. In some ways I’ve been re-branding because I’ve grown so much as an artist and a songwriter. I tested out a bunch of new songs with my team and a few friends and family members. “Hungover” and “Drunk Mind, Sober Heart” were the obvious favourites, so one of the guys on my management team suggested we release a digital 45. That way, I could release a fun, lighthearted “radio-friendly” A-side “Hungover”, and still showcase my vocals with the stripped down B-side ballad “Drunk Mind, Sober Heart”. The title was obvious because both of the singles referenced alcohol. I think they pair nicely together! 😉
CN: Can you take us through your songwriting process? In what ways has the current COVID-19 situation affected your craft? Perhaps even in regards to inspiration (providing some or a lack of?)
MJ: The process is always different. It depends on the dynamic in the room and the ideas that are brought to the table (whether they’re hook ideas, melody, or lyrics etc.). I particularly enjoy co-writing because you have different strengths working towards the same goal. Co-writing forces you to get out of your comfort zone and that’s what makes a song great. The COVID-19 situation has definitely shaken things up. Thankfully technology allows for continued collaboration but it’s more challenging. It’s difficult to sing along with each other or play instruments when there’s a lag in the feed. When you’re in the same room face to face, there’s a different energy that you can’t get behind a computer screen.The motivation comes and goes, but it’s nice to still have that musical outlet to reflect and process everything happening in the world.
CN: You also have another exciting project expected to be released this year. You wrote music for an upcoming film, and you also have an acting role in it. Please tell us about it.
MJ: My manager called me one day and asked if I was interested in auditioning for a movie. Why not? I had a little bit of acting experience so I decided to audition. After all, the worst they could say was no! I did a cold read for one of the characters (which did not go as smooth as I’d liked haha) and sang a few original songs for the director and producers. The film I was auditioning for is called “Into the Wilderness” which is based on the Battle of the Wilderness during the American Civil War. One of the songs I sang for them was an old war song that I recorded years ago with my Celtic family band. A few days later we were contacted by the team and they told us that they were going to write a part for me so I could sing live on set, and they wanted me to write music for the film! The release date is still TBD.
CN: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
MJ: Dolly Parton
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
MJ: My mom :P! My first concert in an arena was Backstreet Boys.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
MJ: That’s a tough one. Maybe “Passionate”. I think anybody who pursues music has to be passionate about it because it’s a rocky, unpredictable road. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
CN: What’s the next on the horizon for you? Can fans expect any new music?
MJ: As soon as I’m back in Nashville, my plan is to head to the studio and record new music. I have a handful of songs that I’m excited about and a new album is definitely a priority. I’m also excited to get back out there and perform on a stage. Live stream shows are fun, but it’ll be nice to play for a live audience again.
For more information on Mallory Johnson, visit her website at www.malloryjohnsonmusic.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.