On August 16th, Alberta-based & CCMA-award-winning (2023 Alternative Country Album of the Year- A Traveler’s Lament) Americana/alt-country singer/songwriter Kyle McKearney, released his soulful-yet-bittersweet single, “Wedding Day”. The song also sets the stage for his upcoming third studio album.
Recently, I spoke with McKearney about how he got his start in music, the single, his upcoming album and more.
Kyla Pearson: For those who are unfamiliar with you and your music, can you tell us a bit more about how you got your start in music? Why did you decide to pursue Americana/alt-country music specifically?
Kyle McKearney: I grew up in a small northern town called Fort St. John. My grandfather broke his back when he was 45 years old and was stuck in a wheelchair the after. My grandpa and grandmother always played music but started doing it for a living after Papa‘s accident. My father grew up playing in the family band, and it passed down to me as well. There was always music around me and I was on stages at a very young age. They played bluegrass and country & western. I always liked blues and rock music… specifically, southern rock. I think I love playing in the Americana genre because it’s sort of a mixing pot for all the styles that are close to me.
Kyla Pearson: On August 16th, you released your latest single, “Wedding Day”-- which you co-wrote with fellow Canadian country artists, Lydia Sutherland & Aaron Pollock. Can you tell us a bit more about it, as well as the songwriting & recording process?
Kyle McKearney: “Wedding Day” is one of my favourite songs from the new record. It’s a story song with a great fiddle hook and harmonies. There was a really extra magic day in the studio when we were making this record. We were all in the room and tracked, “Broken Hearts Hide”, “Wedding Day” and a song called “Skeletons”. Somehow we hit the ether and I’m not sure why, but I’ll never forget it. The song was written earlier this year with Aaron and Lydia. I think I brought the hook and verse melody, but I didn’t have a title or an idea of what it was about. I definitely knew it was special once written and I was pumped that we may have beaten the song from the day before lol.
Kyla Pearson: You also co-produced the track alongside Juno-awarding-winning producer, Russell Broom (Paul McCartney, Lindsay Ell). What was it like being a part of that side of things and working with Russell?
Kyle McKearney: I love working with Russell. It’s always easy, and I feel like the more we do together, the farther we go into it and the deeper it gets, if that makes sense. Russell is the kind of producer who tries to figure out ways to inspire you to reach for more and get weird. I’m not sure if I could not co-produce at this point. I love producing and being a part of the creative.
Kyla Pearson: According to you, what is the ideal setting for fans to listen to the song in order to fully experience it?
Kyle McKearney: That’s a tough one. I love when people buy my vinyl, so that would likely be my first choice, but I also know that listening on a great pair of headphones is an awesome way to get into my world.
Kyla Pearson: “Wedding Day” also sets the stage for your upcoming third studio album. Can you tell us more about your new artistic direction and how your sound has evolved since your previous releases? Can you give us some insight on what fans can expect from your upcoming record?
Kyle McKearney: Yeah, for sure. I think one of the major differences on this record was having Fence Powell mix it. He just adds so much to the project and makes things feel like you imagined they should. I also wrote 100 songs and selected 12 or 13, so I think the song quality has increased on this record. I also had the idea of putting fiddle and not steel guitar or Dobre. Everything is very intentional and thought out, but it is still an exploration. The record has dark, deep stuff, but also fun stuff and some of my favorite ballads to date.
Kyla Pearson: Lastly, do you have any upcoming shows where fans can catch you playing “Wedding Day” live?
Kyle McKearney: I don’t have anything coming up for the rest of the year. We had a very busy summer, but I’ll be back in full swing come January. The best way to keep tabs is to watch my socials and check my website.
Barnes, Matt. “Featured: Americana/alt-country singer/songwriter, Kyle McKearney. PC: Matt Barnes.”. Courtesy of management team. Accessed Sept 23 2024.
Barnes, Matt. “Featured: Americana/alt-country singer/songwriter, Kyle McKearney. PC: Matt Barnes.”. Courtesy of Phase Management. Accessed Sept 23 2024.
McKearney, Kyle. Interview. Conducted by Kyla Pearson, Aug 25 2024.
McKearney, Kyle. “Wedding Day.” Spotify, Kyle McKearney Music. Lil Snug Publishing Inc. Aug 16 2024. <https://open.spotify.com/track/0OhIS0J4yuGaHrE03OTn66?si=f58eb759cfc949ef>.
Phase Management. “Featured: Official cover art for Kyle McKearney’s latest single, “Wedding Day”.”. Courtesy of Phase Management. Accessed Sept 23 2024.
