Georgia native Mackenzie Carpenter has just released her self-titled EP via The Valory Music Co. This collection of tracks is an accumulation of the first songs she ever created, displaying a candid reflection of Carpenter’s honesty, delivering both humbling confessions and unwanted advice. I sat down with her at CRS in Nashville to discuss the EP and its songs.
Carpenter has already released several successful singles, including “Can’t Nobody,” TikTok viral hit “Huntin’ Season,” the vulnerable “Jesus I’m Jealous,” and the anthemic “Don’t Mess With Exes.” The release of “Throw You Back” and its accompanying music video marks the completion of the EP. Written by Carpenter alongside her brother Micah Carpenter and Ben Williams, “Throw You Back” takes the perfect mix of attitude and amusement from her previous tracks and adds a sprinkle of serotonin. In the song, Carpenter encourages her listeners to kick their man to the curb, reminding them that he’s no more than a beer she’d pour out or a fish she’d throw back.
“I’m really excited for this whole body of work to be out together,” she began, “just so people can see all the different sides of me in one place. You know, I hope that people can relate to it.”
The EP is a true representation of Carpenter’s talent and authenticity, showcasing her ability to connect with her audience through her unfiltered lyrics and relatable themes.
Listen Now
Watch the “Throw You Back” Video
The Importance of Family and Music
Growing up, Mackenzie Carpenter and her brothers were preachers’ kids who all played in the band. It was around the time her brothers started playing the guitar that Carpenter began expressing interest in writing songs. She needed to figure out an instrument to play, and her grandmother, who had recently passed, provided the inspiration. Her brothers taught her how to play, and every night they would sit down together and learn new chords or practice by themselves.
Today, Carpenter’s brother Micah travels with her and plays in her band full-time. They write a lot of songs together, and he does almost all of her demos. The two work closely together, and Carpenter feels that he understands her better than anyone else, allowing her to be herself without worrying about making mistakes or trying something new.
She’s now challenging the norm for women from small towns, fearlessly singing and writing about her personal experiences. Carpenter recognizes that everyone has a little bit of a “hot mess” in them, regardless of how perfect their exterior may seem. Additionally, she embraces the eccentric and “tacky” aspects of life that make it all the more captivating.
Connect with Mackenzie Carpenter
For more information on Mackenzie Carpenter, visit https://www.mackenziecarpentermusic.com/.
