Indie-pop singer-songwriter katie MAC unveils her brand-new single, “Riki,” a song about finding out the hard way that your romantic partner still thinks about their ex.
Written and produced with Adam Griffith, with whom MAC frequently collaborates, “Riki” is the actual name of her ex’s ex, making the song very personal.
Originally from Kansas and now based in Nashville, katie MAC exploded on the scene in 2021 with the release of her music video, “Not My Ex,” which went viral on TikTok, where she currently boats more than 104,000 followers. On Spotify, “Not My Ex” amassed over one million streams.
Along with her own extensive catalog of songs, MAC lends her songwriting superpower to other artists, including John Harvie, Brooke Alexx, and Caroline Kole.
“Riki” rolls out on percolating washes, followed by the entry of MAC’s edgy, evocative voice, imbuing the lyrics with risky timbres. A syncopated rhythm gives the song potent, urgent momentum as MAC’s posh vocals unleash electrifying tones amidst a torrent of swirling, pulsating harmonics.
Impressed by the vibrancy of “Riki” and MAC’s delicious, expressive voice, Guitar Girl Magazine spoke with Katie MAC to find out more about her.
What inspired your new single, “Riki?”
“Riki” is a true story about a time where I found out I was a rebound for somebody else. I was with someone, and he called me the wrong name…Riki. Of course, I went to look her up on social media and was devastated to learn that she was, in fact, super cool and pretty. I ended up writing the song with her name and had full intentions to change it, but then it sounded so good I just couldn’t find anything better!
How did you get started in music?
It’s definitely been a journey! I have been singing and writing since I can remember, and I started my first band in high school. When I got a little older, I moved to Nashville where I got super serious about songwriting and developing my own artist project. I met my first producer in 2017 and started making electronic pop music and the rest is history!
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Overland Park, Kansas!
Did your hometown impact your sound?
I think that ultimately my sound is a culmination of my full life’s experience, but I do not think that I sound like I’m from Kansas… My personality is definitely midwestern, and I’m sure that comes across in my lyrics at points but other than that I think I sound like a combination of a lot of things!
What kind of guitar do you play?
I write with a Taylor GS mini. I’m pretty short and started playing on it because I thought it looked more normal on stage and just never upgraded! When I play electric, I play a Fender Stratocaster that I borrowed from my roommate and drown it in crazy hyper-pop/ electronic effects.
What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, or other media?
It depends! I write mostly from my personal experience and my songs tend to be really specific to what I’m going through, but every now and again I’ll take something from a movie or a friend’s life.
What can you share about your writing process?
I’m definitely an ‘all at once’ writer, meaning I usually go into a studio and start freestyling melodies and lyrics at the same time. I’ll work with a producer to get a track that inspires me, and I’ll sit there for hours just trying things and going with what feels most natural. Then we normally sort through the gibberish and edit from there!
What can your fans look forward to over the next six months? Music videos? Live gigs?
I’m in the process of finishing a double EP, ‘Emotional Gymnastics,’ which will include plenty of visuals, singles, and a few one-off shows here in Los Angeles and in Nashville.
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