Growing up in the suburbs of Oklahoma McKenzie was a part of a classical guitar ensemble at an arts-focused public high school. At home, she would write original songs over arpeggios she learned in guitar class and uploaded her original songs and covers on YouTube. She was determined to trade the great plains for a more populated skyline. After receiving a scholarship to Pratt Institute for visual web programming, McKenzie moved to Brooklyn, New York in 2013.
Between classes, McKenzie wrote music as a form of catharsis from rigid school assignments. During the second semester, she showed a classmate some of the songs she had been making and her classmate introduced her to several electronic music producers on Soundcloud, lent her a midi keyboard, and encouraged her to buy a real microphone. Her first released on Soundcloud, ‘Starchild’ (prod. by melodrama) received 100,000 plays in 24 hours.
Mothica is an alter ego that isn’t afraid of honesty even if it means showing weakness. Her distinct raspy yet honey-soaked voice is not one of vocal training, but of heartfelt emotion. Her storytelling writing style and unexpected melodies have set her apart in an music scene that is overrun with sameness. She lends her voice to many genres via collaborations, bringing electronic elements to life with the emotions she shares.
McKenzie desired the skill to produce her own instrumentals, so she learned Ableton and released an entirely self-produced EP called Mythic in 2013. Her somber song about self-empowerment, “No One” reached No. 6 on the US Viral Spotify Charts. The collaboration and record label requests came pouring in but she carefully hand selected her music partners and released the smash "Clear" with Canadian producer Pusher. The song currently sits at 12 million plays on Spotify put her on the radar for everyone from Spotify execs to VSCO to Teen Vogue.
Turning down every record label offer, Mothica remained independent and began performing around New York. She performed her first show solo, and it was completely sold out. She finished up a second solo EP called Heavy Heart about her experience with depression. She continues to grow into her writing style while collaborating with the likes of Tennyson, Crywolf, Said The Sky, and Electric Mantis.
Like her music, Mothica's live show continues to evolve. Playing from coast to coast with several headlining shows, 2017 saw the first iteration of a live music experience for Mothica with three additional band members interpreting lively versions of the songs her fans know best.
She started out 2018 with one million monthly Spotify listeners anticipating the upcoming release of two EP's throughout the calendar year. On Valentine’s Day, she will release her next single, Lovetalk, accompanied by a music video and is planning a late April US tour.
THE RECKONING
mothica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Til she passed out and woke up in the lion's den
Now she always looks over her shoulder
Won't let anybody get closer
A stranger's a villain you haven't run away from yet
But when she falls asleep
She controls everything
Rose from the chaos
So don't get in the way
'Cause she's a tidal wave
Here comes the reckoning
You made your bed, now lie in it
Wash the blood, Lady Macbeth
Used to be an optimist
Now she's a loaded gun, what you runnin' from?
Pop a melatonin, sweet dreams in three, two, one
'Cause when she falls asleep
She controls everything
An emerald hurricane
Rose from the chaos
So don't get in the way
'Cause she's a tidal wave
Here comes the reckoning
What you runnin' from?
The lyrics to Mothica's song "The Reckoning" tell the story of a girl who used to trust everyone she met until a traumatic experience changed her perspective. She once trusted people without hesitation, but after waking up in a dangerous situation, symbolized by waking up in the lion's den, she became cautious and constantly looks over her shoulder. She no longer allows anyone to get too close to her, viewing strangers as potential villains she hasn't escaped from yet.
The chorus introduces a contrasting element to her character. When she falls asleep, she gains control over everything. This dream state empowers her, represented by the line "An emerald hurricane rose from the chaos." It signifies her inner strength and resilience. The following lines caution others not to interfere or stand in her way, as she becomes a force to be reckoned with, like a tidal wave.
The second verse alludes to Lady Macbeth from Shakespeare's play, expressing the idea of washing away guilt and the consequences of one's actions. The girl used to be optimistic, but now she is like a loaded gun, harboring unresolved issues and a sense of danger. The mention of popping a melatonin suggests her desire to escape into sleep and find solace in dreams, where she retains control and power.
Line by Line Meaning
There once was a girl who trusted everyone she met
There was a girl who used to have blind trust in everyone she encountered.
'Til she passed out and woke up in the lion's den
Until she experienced a traumatic event that made her realize the danger she was in.
Now she always looks over her shoulder
Now she is constantly vigilant and wary of her surroundings.
Won't let anybody get closer
She refuses to let anyone get too close to her, emotionally or physically.
A stranger's a villain you haven't run away from yet
In her eyes, any stranger has the potential to be a harmful person she has yet to escape from.
But when she falls asleep
However, when she goes to sleep
She controls everything
She gains control over her life and surroundings.
An emerald hurricane
A powerful force, symbolized by the color emerald, that brings chaos and change.
Rose from the chaos
Emerging from the disorder and turmoil
So don't get in the way
Therefore, it is advised not to obstruct her or hinder her progress.
'Cause she's a tidal wave
Because she becomes an overwhelming force, like a tidal wave.
Here comes the reckoning
This marks the arrival of the consequences and the settling of scores.
You made your bed, now lie in it
You have created your own situation, and now you have to deal with it.
Wash the blood, Lady Macbeth
Try to cleanse the guilt, like Lady Macbeth, who famously tried to wash away her guilt for her actions.
Used to be an optimist
She used to have a positive outlook on life.
Now she's a loaded gun, what you runnin' from?
Now she is a dangerous and unpredictable force, asking what the person is trying to escape from.
Pop a melatonin, sweet dreams in three, two, one
Taking a sleeping aid to induce a peaceful sleep, counting down before drifting off.
What you runnin' from?
Once again, questioning what the person is trying to escape or avoid.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Maize Olinger, Matias Mora, McKenzie Ellis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sara
omfg this feels like a gift from the universe what did we do to deserve this 🖤
Nick D.
yooooo FACTS!!!
TheGirlNamedJessica McCown
How I felt from the first line 😍😭🤤😘🥰💜
Meagan
MOTHICA FT. POLYPHIA!!! ugh the crossover I never knew I needed. Loving the album so far!
Mothica
🥲🥲🥲♡♡♡♡
Nate
Definitely the best on the album. Polyphia is amazing as always. Glad I found Mothica because of them
Alita
And I found Polyphia because of Mothica lol!
Toy Bonnie SFM
Same, how peculiar lol
Iñaki Arzálluz
@Alita same, and it was the best discovery ever
JACOBO CURREA HOYOS
Bro, I knew them separetly and three days ago I saw they have this colab hahaha