Kaia Mac Visits Section 36 Music!

It's time for a visit from Kaia Mac! Kaia has an EP that you need to listen to to believe. I was so excited she was willing to visit with us and discuss her music, her goals, and a bit more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

So, let's see what happens when Kaia Mac visits Section 36 Music!

What can you tell me about your EP, “Journal Entries for my Therapist?”

Journal Entries for My Therapist is a collection of songs I wrote over my four years at Berklee. Each track came out of some of the hardest moments I faced, whether with my mental health, love, friendships, or just trying to grow up.

What’s special is that every song began the same way: I’d sit down to journal during a rough moment, trying to sort through my feelings, and the entry would naturally turn into a song. I didn’t originally intend to make an EP, this project found me. Honestly, they really were journal entries for my therapist.

After writing each piece, I shared it with the three people I trusted most: my mom, my therapist, and my best friend. By the time I graduated, I realized I had a cohesive, deeply personal collection of music. Recording it over two years with so many of my friends made it even more meaningful.

To me, this EP represents the community that’s grown around me! People who show up for me and create with me, even in the hard times. I’ve never loved a project as much as I love this one.

Do you see more studio work in your future?

Absolutely! I definitely see more studio work in my future. I’m currently recording two new singles that I’m really excited about. One of them is a song I wrote with my friend Nikki Orrick (@nick.nooodle on IG), and it wrestles with the idea of not always having the capacity to give, even to the people we love most.

The other track was written with my friend Marco (@balthazard on IG), and it taps into my ongoing ‘curse’ when it comes to love. I’m really proud of where both songs are headed and can’t wait to share more soon.

You’re a graduate of Berklee College of Music. What’s the biggest thing Berklee did for your career?

Berklee pushed me in ways I never expected. It didn’t just make me a better songwriter, it completely reshaped how I see myself as an artist. I grew so much there, both creatively and personally, and I found an incredible community of musicians who continue to inspire me and grow with me.

It wasn’t perfect, no school is, but it was my dream since fourth grade. Getting to actually live that dream still makes my heart feel full. I’ll always be grateful for what Berklee gave me and for the person it helped me become.

What would you say is the biggest challenge for your music career?

I think the biggest challenge in my music career, and probably for most independent artists, is simply finding the strength to keep going. Being a small artist can be incredibly discouraging at times. It takes a lot of willpower to keep creating, keep believing in your work, and keep chasing dreams when the progress feels slow or even invisible.

But I also know it would be a disservice to myself to stop now. I’ve come this far, and I owe it to myself to keep pushing, even when it’s hard.

If you could cover any Disney song, which one would you choose? Why?

Oh my god, this is the best question ever! You’re a diva for this. I’d choose either ‘I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)’ from Hercules, or ‘Almost There’ from The Princess and the Frog.

I’d pick ‘I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)’ because I went through a very real phase in middle school where I watched Hercules every single day after school. I’m genuinely emotionally attached to that song in an unhealthy way (lol).

‘Almost There’ has always stuck with me because of the impact the movie had when it came out. It was the first time I saw a Black princess on screen, and she was working so hard for her dreams. I lowkey want to be Tiana when I grow up.

What are your immediate musical goals?

Right now, my main musical goals are to play as many shows as possible, stay consistent on social media, and release the singles I’m currently working on. Long-term, I’d love to release a full album, but that’s a goal for the future. I'm focused on building the foundation first.

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Those sound like perfect goals to me!

As always, I want to thank Kaia for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview. 

I'm sure you’ll all want to follow her and see what she has going on. I would follow her on Instagram and Spotify to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again, Kaia, and good luck reaching your goals!