Alannah McCready’s “Easy” dives into the complexities of relationships, exploring themes of honesty, transparency, and the yearning for simplicity.
Blaine, Minnesota native. Country music played in your family home with your mother sharing the songs she listened to growing up in Oklahoma, including ones by Trisha Yearwood and Martina McBride. “These individuals exemplified who I wanted to be, and that’s when I knew what I wanted to do.” You shared that you learned to sing by watching the techniques they used. What stands out about their vocal styles for you?
I think the biggest thing that stood out, and continues to stand out, to me about those artists is their confidence when singing and their strength to be completely themselves in an industry where it is very easy to try and fit into a mold. Trisha, Martina, Jo Dee, Sara all sing with such power in their voices and that is something I strive to do as a vocalist as well. Shania Twain in particular because when she first came into the industry she had a look & vibe like no one else and embraced it so fully and I think that is one of the reasons why she is still just as successful decades later.
You went to the University of Wisconsin — Madison on an ice hockey scholarship and were part of two NCAA Women’s Hockey National Championship teams. Majored in Sociology and communications. Worked in public relations for a sports management company in New York after college. How has your athlete’s mindset (team player, mental toughness, passion) helped you in your music career?
I love this question! It might sound crazy but I think my athlete mindset helps me now as an independent artist more than I could ever imagine. The mindset is so similar! From having to be self motivated to succeed and have the ability to create my own schedule and be accountable for my own success to being a part of a team or band but also being responsible for the well being of everyone around me because I was the goalie back there by myself in hockey and now its my name on the line whenever we play a show,
I think the biggest piece of the athletic mindset that helps me now as an independent artist is the mental toughness. In sports, especially at such a high level, it is very important to learn how to lose and also learn how to win and stay mentally tough and stable through both. As an independent artist this industry is such a roller coaster that one day could be your best day and the next could be your worst and to be able to stay focused and mentally tough through both in order to stay the course is something I am so grateful to have gained from my years in athletics.
Performed at SummerFest, CMA Fest, CRS, SXSW, Americana Fest and Nashville Meets London Festival in London, England. How do you approach preparing for such a wide variety of shows?
Honestly it might sound weird to say but I prepare the same whether I am playing for a crowd of 8 or a crowd of 10,000! I think this is also something I learned from sports is to never underestimate any team (show). If you treat every game/show like it’s your biggest, it puts you in the right mindset to succeed! On the logistical side, my band is AMAZING and we make sure to be as rehearsed and polished as we possibly can because you don’t have to get ready if you stay ready! Haha
Residency at Tin Roof Nashville. The venue opened in 2002 and has since gained a following of both established and up-and-coming artists. Favorite cover to play and why?
I think my favorite cover to play and the crowd’s favorite cover we play are probably different haha. My favorite cover to sing live is “Tin Man’’ by Miranda Lambert but the most requested and fun cover song is definitely “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood. Most of the time I barely get to sing the words because the crowd is screaming it so loudly lol.
“I think that music is the most healing thing on earth, and I think that the majority of people use music as an emotional healing pathway. … Writing and singing these things helped me process things in my life, so I just hope that it’s relatable.” Can you share a fan story of how your music has impacted their lives?
My most impactful moment with a fan was actually in 2016 at SXSW in Austin, TX. I played an acoustic set and had just released my album Ricochet Heart, so I sang the title track in my set and I noticed a girl in the front start crying which in turn made me cry! After the show she came up and told me about how she had just gone through a really tough breakup and hearing my story of writing “Ricochet Heart” and naming my album after it was helping her process her situation and realize she is going to be okay. That was a moment I will absolutely never forget.
“Easy,” co-written with Emily Vaugh and Nia Hendricks. The track dives into the complexities of relationships, exploring themes of honesty, transparency, and the yearning for simplicity. What is the backstory to the co-write?
Emily and Nia had started this song and then they asked if I’d like to be a part of it because it seemed very me and I loved where they had taken so I jumped on board and finished the song and cut it! Emily is my best friend and knows me and my life very well so as soon as the concept came to be she knew I’d love it and want to be a part of it and she was right. I love writing/releasing music that depict my life or the lives of those around me as transparently as possible and I think “Easy” is the perfect first single off my new project to show that.
What’s ahead?
More new music! “Easy” is the first of multiple singles I plan to release off of my new project and then the full project later this year! I have residencies at Tin Roof Nashville and Barstool Nashville and will continue with those this year as well and couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come!