WR869: Jennifer Machado

[00:00:02] Speaker A: If you're like me, you probably have a closet full of local band merch. And whether you know it or not, a lot of that band merch is probably made by Divine shirt company right here in Winnipeg. Divine Shirt company has made all of the great witch police merch from our hoodies to our tooths to our t shirts. And if you're looking to get anything done like screen printing, embroidery, graphic design, digital printing, go to see Divine shirt Company at Divine Yourcompany, CA and tell them which witchpolice radio sent you. One of our colleagues, Sam Thompson, who if you saw him, you'd sort of right away assume he was a hippie. [00:00:47] Speaker B: Get up of your ass and get up on the bar. [00:01:07] Speaker A: Welcome to Witchpolice radio. I'm here with a guest who is new to me and I gather you're fairly, relatively new to the music scene as well. I have a lot of questions about your music and specifically around the genre of music you play. And I know everyone hates that question. Before I launch into that, maybe the best way to start this off is if you want to introduce yourself and give a bit of background about what it is you do as an artist. [00:01:26] Speaker C: Yeah, for sure. So my name is Jennifer Machado. I guess I'm considered an indie artist just because I'm not signed to any kind of label. Sure. But I'm more like singer songwriter kind of pop sounding. And I recently, I guess last year now released my first ep. So I'm brand new to the industry and I am local in Winnipeg. So. Yeah. [00:01:48] Speaker A: Cool. Well, that's obviously got to be exciting to have that ep out. And finally people can sort of hear what you're doing. And I guess what I was asking right off the top with the genre thing, I was listening to the ep and it seemed to me like this is very, very much pop music. I mean, it's extremely pop, I think is the sound of that record. But then listening to the songs, they struck me as songs that would probably work in more of a stripped down acoustic singer songwriter kind of vibe as well. And then I went to your Manitoba music page and you had yourself described as folk pop on there. So that seems like to me it made a lot of sense. What do you think of it as? I mean, do you think of it as more of a singer songwriter thing or straight up pop music or something in between? [00:02:28] Speaker C: Well, the way that I think I wrote the songs were more in like an acoustic kind of sound, so they felt very bo pop, but kind of a mix of the two. Once I actually got into studio to record, and I had help with production and stuff. It kind of went more in a pop direction, which I find that I do appreciate pop music more so than other genres. So naturally, I kind of just leaned into that direction. But I don't feel like I would strict say that I'm pop, you know what I mean? I'm still in a very experimental stage in my music, I would say, well. [00:03:00] Speaker A: How long have you been doing this? I mean, I know that, again, your ep just came out in the summer, but as far as actually writing your own songs and then playing music, how long has that been in the works? [00:03:09] Speaker C: Well, I've been singing my whole life. When I was growing up, I actually didn't think that it would be an option for me just because I assumed that people that were successful in the industry grew up with parents that had experience or family lessons, unfortunately, were not an option. But I've always loved singing. I started playing the guitar, I think, when I was about 13, in a school class, actually middle school, and then I would say I started writing maybe high school, and then during COVID is when I started really taking that very seriously. I have been doing open mic since I was about 17, I would say. And I actually took part in the young performance program through folk Fest. [00:03:50] Speaker A: Yeah, I saw that on your social media. That's very cool. [00:03:53] Speaker C: Yeah, so that was really exciting. And I ended up playing many fest as well, like the food truck battles and some night markets and stuff. I performed at Folklorema last summer, too, so I've been getting a lot more exposure lately. But in terms of singing, I'd say, like, since I could talk playing guitar, 13, and I've been songwriting since roughly high school, I would say cool. [00:04:15] Speaker A: Well, at all those shows you mentioned, I mean, especially the folk fest young performer thing and some of those other festivals and big outdoor events and stuff like that. Folklore. Emma, how did you get those shows? Because those are all very high profile. What do you think it is about your music that has enabled you to get shows like that? Because I think a lot of artists starting out, they don't necessarily get shows like that. They might be playing small, like you said, open mics and things like that, but you have seemed to have managed to jump to sort of relatively high profile gigs fairly early on in your music career. So do you think that there's something about your songs that sort of appeals to that kind of? Because I think a lot of those events are sort of aimed at a very wide audience. Right. Like a very broad sort of cross section of people are going to those things. So what do you think it is about your songs that maybe makes you a good fit for that kind of an event? [00:05:02] Speaker C: Honestly, I don't know. I mean, I'm so thankful for all of the opportunities that I've gotten. I know for sure the young performance program was something that I've been wanting to get into for a long time. I know that there are artists that I really liked, such as, like Taylor Jensen, Olivia, Lenny. They've gotten in. And so at the time I was thinking, like, if I want to pursue music, I need to do these things. I need to follow in their footsteps. I got rejected, I think, twice from the young Performers program. And then COVID happened. So that took away another opportunity. The year that I took part in it was the last opportunity I had in the age category. Okay, because you can only do it until you're 24 or 23, right? [00:05:39] Speaker A: I guess after that point you're not considered a young performer anymore, right? [00:05:42] Speaker C: No, I guess not. Now I'm an old performer. So getting into the young performers program, it was surreal. I had no words to describe the way that I felt getting in. I did send them demos because that was before my ep came out. I guess they accepted my application because of the demo, so it must have been the music. After that, that's kind of when more doors started opening for me. So I did play manifest based on the folkfest program. Once I actually released, I started getting a lot more attention from local radio. I got CBC to play my songs, which was really cool. I did an interview with the University of Winnipeg station. Like the campus radio? Yeah. And then, yeah, I'm portuguese, so I feel like in the community a lot of people started hearing my stuff and they invited me to sing for different events, which eventually led to folklore. [00:06:34] Speaker B: Emma. [00:06:34] Speaker C: Which was cool. So I did play some of my own songs as well as in Portuguese, just to appeal to the crowd. But, yeah, it's been so cool and I'm so thankful. [00:06:46] Speaker A: Over the course of doing the show, I've talked to people from all different backgrounds. In mean, there's large music scenes, there's the overall music scene, but then there's sort of little pockets. There's a big francophone music scene. There is a big filipino music scene. There's a huge indigenous scene. Is there a big portuguese music community in Winnipeg? I mean, that's sort of a community I don't really know much about, though. [00:07:06] Speaker C: I think that there are, like. I appreciate portuguese music. I don't particularly enjoy it. There's, like, different genres that are very popular. I'm definitely more in the pop direction. Like, I was singing pop covers. [00:07:20] Speaker A: Okay. [00:07:21] Speaker C: But there are a few. I mean, I would say that they're not widely known just because I think that non portuguese speaking people wouldn't really listen. But, yeah, I think there are some local bands that are just portuguese music. But I definitely don't think it's like a direction that I'm going to go into as a permanent thing. It was just kind of something I was experimenting with. [00:07:43] Speaker A: Well, I guess you have that in your back pocket, kind of being from that culture and that community, if something comes up in the future. [00:07:49] Speaker C: Yeah, for sure. [00:07:50] Speaker A: So what is a lot of fun, I bet. Yeah. And there's a lot of people there, too, right? Just getting to experience yourself for the. [00:07:55] Speaker B: First time caught your eye but I was in looking for the chase I felt too hard to wait before you could go and mess it up I just. I did it to myself. Cause anyone like that goes around breaking heart so I wrote down a second I thought spark and the last felt like that it threw me apart I darked it at the start I were too down perfect to be true and I was terrified to fall in love with you I was good, you messed it up but once again it's not the time I ruined it myself cause anyone like that goes around breaking heart so I stop it down second I thought and the lesson felt like that it told me apart the dark sat there on that bed I strike a club in the late night summer air sober me, nothing but a mistake don't need another heartbreak let's call it a clean break, no harm done I don't want to go down the road again it's all fun and game till someone falls in love every girl in that room was wondering what someone like me was doing there with you anyone who looks like that goes around breaking heart so I burnt that bridge down the second I saw a spark and the last it at the side. [00:11:14] Speaker C: Now that. [00:11:15] Speaker A: It'S been a number of months since the ep came out, what's the response been? I mean, obviously getting these shows. So someone out there is digging your stuff. But like, some people, you know, people who maybe didn't realize that you were making music or were hearing you for the first time. What's the reaction been to sort of this now? Being out in the world and people getting a chance to listen to it? [00:11:34] Speaker C: Yeah, it's been really great. I know that when I released my first single, it was called Lorelai. I didn't tell anybody I was going to do it, I mean, other than close family and friends and stuff. But I just released it, and then I posted on Instagram, like, surprise, my debut single is out. And a lot of people that I grew up with, friends, they were all like, whoa. They were so excited. It's not that they didn't know that I was making music, but I guess they didn't ever have a chance to hear what a fully produced recorded record could sound like. So, yeah, that was really cool. I didn't really have a fan base. I would say when you're releasing, there's people waiting for it. So it was just something that I decided to do. Once I released the ep, I feel like a lot more people were expecting it. I didn't actually end up getting any CDs. I'm still planning to, maybe for the one year anniversary, but it's all streaming, so I did end up doing a poster campaign with Adam, who was kind of a co writer and a producer on the record. He helped me through the whole release. We actually got into it was like a mentorship program through creative Minnesota. [00:12:37] Speaker A: Oh, cool. [00:12:38] Speaker C: So we got into that, and he basically acted as, like, a release. You know, he walked me through the whole process of getting distribution, know, the promotion of it, all that stuff. So that was super helpful. I don't think I could have done that without his help. And I think that that's a big part of the reason that it's just been so know, and, like, even doing different interviews, getting ads and newspapers, and it's. It's just been so helpful to have Adam helping me with this. [00:13:08] Speaker A: And that's Adam from House of. [00:13:11] Speaker C: Actually, I know that you've interviewed with lots of artists on his label. [00:13:17] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:13:17] Speaker C: It's a really good. [00:13:21] Speaker A: Of having worked with him. Were you already interested in some of the bazz that he's been in or has produced or has released on that label, or did you come to this sort of meeting him for the first time and then getting introduced to what he does for the first. [00:13:33] Speaker C: Yeah, well, actually, I'd heard of yes, we mystic, which she was the singer of probably when I was high school, early high school. I didn't really know a lot about the local music scene in Winnipeg. I'd known different artists, like I mentioned before, but not to the extent that I do now. [00:13:49] Speaker A: Yeah, sure. Of course. [00:13:50] Speaker C: I think that I've always really wanted to record and release music, but I just didn't really know how to go about it. So during COVID I feel like because I was home for six months and I didn't go anywhere. All I was doing was writing. And I got to a point where I was thinking, I need to do something with this, because I have notebooks and notebooks full of know. So I started researching studios in Winnipeg, and House of Wonders came up, and it just seemed like such an amazing opportunity. So I did reach out on instagram. I sent some demos. I asked if he'd be willing to work with me, and of course he said yes, which was amazing. And working with Adam, it made everything possible, I would say, because up until that point, I didn't know what I was doing. I just knew that I wanted to make music. So, yeah, once I started working with him, I started to get to know other artists, too, and kind of how things are. But up until then, I feel like I went into it blind. [00:14:51] Speaker B: It all makes sense now. All that I went through, every heartbreak, every mistake let me say to you and all I know now is that it works out in this game called love that we always seem to lose it's like my soul's looking in the mirror every time he looks at me the rain is clear now I can finally see it was all up to fate not a second late you were handmade just for me this is it this is what we're living for the kind of love people stand in there now that I found you I know that you retrofact it all makes sense it always comes for circle in the end before I met you thought love was all alive and you came along and changed my whole entire life it always comes when you least expect it that red string does your thing when the timing bright it's like my soul's looking in the mirror every time he looks at me the smoke is cleared and now I can finally breathe it was all worth the weight and every ounce of pain was meant to be, will be this is it this is what we're living for this kind of love people like thirsty now that I know that it right, just like it all makes sense it always comes for circle in the end I can see it now many versions of you on Sunday morning dancing round our room not jingle the reason, your last name and the nesting fell love in our old age and when that does the court I'll hold you close to my heart and promise to do it again in every life could forever, could never be enough time this is it this is what we're living for the kind of love people now that I found I know that in retro always jump for circle in the end, it always comes in the end. [00:18:07] Speaker A: I guess working with him, too probably opened up some doors for you as well in terms of what opportunities come up after the ep was released, because House of Wonders is a known quantity. I mean, a lot of those bands he's worked with have done very well in Winnipeg and beyond. And so that's got to be kind of nice to have his credit on your release, just because that stood out to me as well. When I saw it, I was like, oh, cool. I mean, I've had him on my show. I know a lot of the bands that he's produced. So, yeah, it's very neat that you're sort of a part of that overall group of musicians that kind of is based around that label and studio and all the stuff he does. [00:18:43] Speaker C: Definitely. So I'm not actually signed to House of Wonders, like the label, but it's kind of like a sister company, I guess. There's a label and then there's the studio. Yeah, the recording, because we worked together through the creative Manitoba mentorship program, that's part of the reason that it was so hands on. I would say that I don't know if it's the same way for people who just go and record with him. So the whole process after releasing that was all because of the program, but having his name on it and having his reference definitely opened a lot of doors. He taught me who to send emails to and all that stuff, so that for sure helped. But I just wanted to say that it's not label related. [00:19:23] Speaker A: I just wanted to be clear. I think there's even more people that have just gone in there to record, aside from the bands he's put on the label, for sure. What you just mentioned, too, is that who to email and all those steps kind of what to do. I think we're in an era now where that is all part of it. You can't just be a creative person anymore who's writing songs. You have to be your own manager and publicist and all these different things. How is that? [00:19:46] Speaker C: I had no idea about any of that until I met Adam. That's what I mean when I say I don't know what I would have done without him. Because there's so many things that you just don't realize. Go into releasing thought, you know, I'd go into a studio, I'd record, I'd release. But you have to master the tracks. You have to mix the tracks. You have to find a distribution company, you have to release it, you have to have different campaigns for advertising it, and there's so many connections that you just don't have starting out for the first time. So having him there to help, it was invaluable, I would say. [00:20:18] Speaker A: Do you feel that for whenever you have a follow up come out, you now have kind of the tools to at least start that process on your own and knowing just the basics of who just add this to and who to contact about that, definitely. [00:20:32] Speaker C: Yeah. I feel like a lot of artists that are on his label, maybe they don't see the stuff that's happening in the background. He does it all for them. But I think that doing that with him as a partnership to the program, it taught me how to do that again in the future. I have all the tools now to be able to do that myself, which I, again, appreciate so much. And it's definitely something I'll be using for more releases to come. For sure. [00:20:59] Speaker A: Do you have any releases in the works? I imagine based on what you said about the amount of stuff you were writing during COVID I mean, obviously you probably have more going on in your life now that the pandemic is hopefully over. You're not just sitting there writing all day, but have you been kind of actively working on new material since the release of this ep? [00:21:16] Speaker C: So I haven't gotten back into the studio yet. I do have tons of songs that I'd like to eventually record, so I'm getting married this year. [00:21:24] Speaker A: Oh, wow. Congratulations. [00:21:25] Speaker C: Thank you. So I feel like the process of wedding planning is kind of, like, making me crazy. [00:21:30] Speaker A: Sure. [00:21:31] Speaker C: But we've kind of been talking about it, and he was saying that maybe we're going to be applying for different. What's the word? I'm thinking grants. Funding. Yeah, and grants. We're going to be doing that together. And so in probably about January, we're going to start getting back into the studio, and hopefully, maybe next year I can release something, maybe the following year, if not. So it's definitely something I'm planning on doing, but I don't have anything quite yet. [00:21:59] Speaker A: Well, that's a fairly kind of long timeline between releases there. I mean, you'll have a number of months, even a year, maybe even, to kind of work on new material. How do you think your songs will change or will already have changed sort of from that previous record to what's going to come next? [00:22:17] Speaker C: Yeah, well, I definitely think that I'm still going to kind of tamper on in the pop kind of area. I think that I really love concept albums. So for me, this last one, the retrospective heart, to me, it's a concept record, for sure. It's like, kind of exploring the history behind other past relationships and where they went wrong to the ultimate conclusion of the last track, in retrospect, of just finding yourself and the person that you're meant to be with, as easy as that sounds. So I feel like it kind of had, like, a double entendre a little bit about finding myself in my music because it came full circle for me. Like, if I hadn't been through all of those things that happened that I have been writing about, I wouldn't have songs to sing. Right. And also, it was the realization that going through all of what I did brought me to the person that I'm now ultimately going to marry. And it was really an amazing time for me. So that's kind of where that came from. I think that a lot of stuff that I write has been really just ultimately sad. So I don't know what's going to be for the next one, but I know that it's going to be, for sure, like a story and, like, a concept that will fit together so it'll be similar in that way. I'm definitely interested in exploring different sounds, but I think it's going to definitely be in the same pop genre, for sure. [00:23:37] Speaker A: Cool. Well, I like the idea of the concept albums, too. That kind of brings up a question for me, though, is we're in an era now where people mostly listen to music. They have very short attention spans for music. [00:23:47] Speaker B: Right. [00:23:47] Speaker A: I mean, people are listening to things on shuffle or whatever streaming service they're using, and they hear maybe a full song before they go on to something else. If you're trying to put together a record that has that kind of overarching storyline, and it is dealing with maybe more deeper and significant emotions than just kind of the typical two minute pop song. [00:24:08] Speaker C: Right. [00:24:09] Speaker A: How do you get people to listen? Well, I guess to what you're putting out there when you know that the odds are someone's going to just keep hitting next next, and maybe they'll hear one of your songs, if you're lucky. [00:24:22] Speaker C: Right. I think that there's not really anything that an artist can do about that, even, like, the big artists signed to universal. And for me, I love just listening to an album from start to finish. I feel like most of the time that's how the artist intended for it to be listened to. But then you have your singles and what gets radio play. So people might only know one or two songs, right. I think that I want to write music. I want all my songs to be something that anyone can relate to and find something in. So maybe they might not like all my songs, but there's one that really stands out that they can connect with. I feel that once you start to have a solid fan base, if you have the people that really actually love your music and they're not just skipping on a playlist on the radio, I want to create something that makes them want to dive deeper into it, to actually listen to all the songs. And if they take the time to really think about it from start to finish, what is the artist trying to say? I think that's just kind of a universal experience with listening to music. The artists that you love, if you really pay attention, you can find things that you didn't realize before. And so if they take the time to actually pay attention and listen to the storyline, it'll have kind of a conclusion in the end. But also my goal is that individual songs are also good and something that they want to listen to because they're all about something else at the end. [00:25:44] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:25:44] Speaker A: You want them to stand alone outside of the larger story and also be kind of an integral part of the whole. Yeah, definitely. Well, I'm glad to hear that. I mean, I'm definitely old and set in my ways, and I still only listen to physical music. I don't know how to use Spotify or that stuff, so for me, sitting down and listening to a record start to finish is the way you're supposed to listen to music. So I love hearing that people are still doing that because it seems so much focus on singles now. I mean, there always has been, I guess, in certain genres of music, and pop being a big one. [00:26:11] Speaker C: Right. [00:26:11] Speaker A: But, yeah, it's nice to hear it. The idea of making a concept record is still out there and people are still embracing that. [00:26:17] Speaker C: Yeah, I think it's really important to me just because of the way that I've grown up listening to music, because I also do like to listen to physical. I'll put CDs in my car, and I do use Spotify and stuff, especially because I have my music out now. I had to make an account on Spotify. I've always used apple music, though. But, yeah, like CDs, records, I like to listen to them and I feel know there gets a point where you know what songs coming next and you'll start singing it before it starts. I've always loved that, and especially with certain albums. I grew up listening to Mariana's trench a lot, and they have some albums where the song will fade into the next song. It's seamless, like you can't tell where one ends. And that's always fascinated me so much. So it's definitely something that's important to me. I know that probably not very many young people these days would agree with me there, but to me it's very important. [00:27:06] Speaker A: Yeah. Again, it's good to hear. I think the art of sequencing an album and putting the songs in a specific order and intending it to be listened to a certain way is. I think we're losing it. And it's always good to hear that people are still. There are people out there who still want to make music heard that way. [00:27:20] Speaker B: Yeah. Lately I feel like we've been running in circles. I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel running round and around just to end up here right back at the start but if losing me is your biggest fear why do you leave me in the dark? I'm tired of trying I'm dizzy lower lie why do you lie to me? Lord? I love you and I want to shout it from the rooftop I can't keep waiting for you to figure out what you want give me to go around when I bring it up like it doesn't mean a thing why are you so terrified of what other people think? I'm tired of fighting for nothing Laura. Lie why do you lie to me? Tell me about the light that I will never see Lord, I do you like me? Lord, you say we're just friends while I make it as I don't. Even worse hurting your goddamn why should I why do you lie to me? It's a bit light. Tell me about the light that I will never lie why do you lie lie to me Lord? [00:30:04] Speaker A: If people are new to you and hearing you about you for the first time on the show, or maybe they've heard one of your songs or seen a poster or whatever, what's the best way to find out more about what you're doing? This is a podcast. Someone could hear it the day it comes out, or they could hear it like a year and a half from now, at which point maybe have a new record out. What's the best way to kind of keep in touch with you, find out what you're up to, and most importantly, hear your music. [00:30:25] Speaker C: Yeah. So I don't have a website or anything yet. I'm thinking I'm probably going to start working on one eventually. I'm very active on Instagram. I don't use Twitter. I have a rough Facebook account that I've started just like a page, but Instagram for sure. My menace with the music account from the website would be also very helpful. If I have any shows or anything happening, I'd probably post on there as well. But for now, yeah, I'd say just Instagram is like the main thing I use. [00:30:53] Speaker A: Cool. And then is there anything coming up in the relatively near future, as far as shows or any other interesting events happening for you? [00:31:01] Speaker C: Nothing I'm planning right now. I'd say in the summer, probably I'll do open mics a lot, too. There's always just little things that come up. Like, I played Holiday alley a couple of years ago in Kilkirk. That was in the winter, but kind of random. But hopefully if manifest comes up again, maybe I might play there. Young performers. Unfortunately, I'm not young anymore, so I don't think so. But I mean, the goal would eventually be to play on the main lineup. Like that would be a dream come true, 100%. [00:31:28] Speaker A: Yeah, I think a lot of people in Manitoba who play music of any kind kind of share that dream. Right. I mean, it's always exciting, too, to see a local artist who has kind of come up through the ranks and at some point in their careers, they are playing that main stage or they are getting that kind of exposure because we have so many good musicians here. [00:31:46] Speaker C: Yeah, for sure. And again, not knowing the music scene of Winnipeg up until, you know, creating, we have so much talent. And I think people don't realize just how much talent comes out of, like, from a Canada wide perspective, our music scene is really incredible, actually. [00:32:02] Speaker A: Yes, we definitely punch above our weight for music. And I think you're right. People in Toronto or Vancouver or Montreal, they don't necessarily know just how vibrant the music scene is here until they get here. And then it's just like, where did. Where all these bands come from. [00:32:15] Speaker C: Yeah, I know it's crazy, but I guess Winnipeg is just full of talent. [00:32:20] Speaker A: Yeah, I think the usual excuse people make for it is that we're indoors six months of the year because the weather. So nothing else to do but write music. [00:32:29] Speaker C: Yeah, I guess. And that goes through to what I was saying about COVID too. I was home for six months and I wrote music. [00:32:35] Speaker A: Awesome. [00:32:36] Speaker B: What is the point when all we do is fight? And I'm more in love with the memories than the person by my side what do I do when I temper with you? And I'm more in love with the dreams and the piss and I'm sleeping at you how do you know when it die to go? Tell me, how do you walk away? Tell me, how do you walk away? How do you know when to let go of the road? Because my bleeding hands can't take no more and my heart is broke? How do you decide to give up on the fight? When you spent so long pouring yourself into something that just wasn't right? How do you know when it's time to walk away? From all the memories? How do you know when it's time? Tell me, how do you walk away? Tell me, how do you walk away? My heart on my sleep begging me not to leave? And I'm looking for a reason not to go? But the devil on my shoulder knows that it's over? And I'm hanging by a thin thread of hope looking in the mirror. I don't recognize her either. I don't know who I am anymore. But it's not just me, not who we used to be. I don't know what we're still doing this for. How do you know when it's time to walk away? From all the plan memories from the Disney? How do you know when it's time to throw yourself away? Tell me, how do you walk away? Tell me, how do you walk away?