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.
everything at once
mothica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know that you’re just assuming
I’m better now, not bleeding out
Get outa bed on a good day
Lately that’s all I can do, hey
I go through hell, to hide myself
But don’t want my mother to see
It’s not that I feel undeserving
Just blame it on the chemistry
That’s why
I can’t cry
Im too anxious
Restless mind
I can’t shake this
Said I’m fine
but we both know I’m faking
I’m not feeling numb,
I’m just feeling everything at once
Whatever I do I can’t slow down
Please don’t leave me alone now
Cuz when I stop, my demons talk
I’m coming off apathetic
I play it off like it’s an aesthetic
Clearly I care too much, but I’m fooling everyone
I think about new ways to hurt me
But don’t want my mother to see
It’s not that I feel undeserving
Just blame it on the chemistry
That’s why
I can’t cry
Im too anxious
Restless mind
I can’t shake this
Said I’m fine
but we both know I’m faking
I’m not feeling numb,
I’m just feeling everything at once
In Mothica's song "Everything at Once," the lyrics explore the struggles of dealing with overwhelming emotions and the pressure to put on a mask of happiness and strength. The singer expresses a frustration with being asked how they're doing because they know it's merely an assumption and they feel the need to pretend they are better and not "bleeding out."
The song portrays a daily struggle to get out of bed and the constant battle to hide their true emotions. The lyrics hint at a self-destructive tendency, as they think about new ways to hurt themselves but don't want their mother to witness it. The singer explains that it's not about feeling undeserving, but rather blames their emotional state on "chemistry," suggesting a reference to mental health issues.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the internal conflict and emotional turbulence the singer experiences. They feel too anxious to cry and have a restless mind that they can't shake. They acknowledge that they are faking being fine, but deep down they are not numb; in fact, they feel everything intensely all at once.
In the second verse, the singer highlights their inclination to play off their apathy as an aesthetic, fooling everyone around them into thinking they don't care too much. This reveals the struggle of internalizing their emotions while trying to maintain a facade of detachment. Again, they mention thinking about new ways to hurt themselves but not wanting their mother to witness it.
Overall, "Everything at Once" delves into the complex emotions and challenges of dealing with mental health issues. It highlights the pressure to conceal true feelings, the daily battle to function, and the overwhelming experience of feeling everything intensely.
Line by Line Meaning
Hate when you ask how I’m doing
I dislike it when you inquire about my well-being
I know that you’re just assuming
I am aware that you are making assumptions
I’m better now, not bleeding out
I am currently in a better state, not visibly suffering
Get outa bed on a good day
On fortunate occasions, I manage to get out of bed
Lately that’s all I can do, hey
Recently, that is the extent of my accomplishments
I go through hell, to hide myself
I endure hardships just to conceal my true emotions
I think about new ways to hurt me
I contemplate different methods to inflict pain upon myself
But don’t want my mother to see
However, I do not wish for my mother to witness my struggles
It’s not that I feel undeserving
It is not that I believe I am unworthy
Just blame it on the chemistry
I attribute it solely to the workings of my brain
That’s why
That is the reason
I can’t cry
I am incapable of shedding tears
Im too anxious
I experience excessive anxiety
Restless mind
My mind is constantly unsettled
I can’t shake this
I am unable to overcome these feelings
Said I’m fine
I claim to be okay
but we both know I’m faking
Yet, both of us are aware that it is a facade
I’m not feeling numb,
Contrary to popular belief, I am not emotionally numb
I’m just feeling everything at once
Rather, I am experiencing an overwhelming flood of emotions
Whatever I do I can’t slow down
No matter what I do, I cannot reduce my pace
Please don’t leave me alone now
I implore you not to abandon me in solitude
Cuz when I stop, my demons talk
Because when I pause, my inner demons torment me with their voices
I’m coming off apathetic
I may appear indifferent
I play it off like it’s an aesthetic
However, I pretend that it is merely a stylistic choice
Clearly I care too much, but I’m fooling everyone
Evidently, I possess deep concern, yet I successfully deceive everyone
I think about new ways to hurt me
I contemplate different methods to inflict pain upon myself
But don’t want my mother to see
However, I do not wish for my mother to witness my struggles
It’s not that I feel undeserving
It is not that I believe I am unworthy
Just blame it on the chemistry
I attribute it solely to the workings of my brain
That’s why
That is the reason
I can’t cry
I am incapable of shedding tears
Im too anxious
I experience excessive anxiety
Restless mind
My mind is constantly unsettled
I can’t shake this
I am unable to overcome these feelings
Said I’m fine
I claim to be okay
but we both know I’m faking
Yet, both of us are aware that it is a facade
I’m not feeling numb,
Contrary to popular belief, I am not emotionally numb
I’m just feeling everything at once
Rather, I am experiencing an overwhelming flood of emotions
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ELLEN MURPHY, MCKENZIE ELLIS, MICHAEL MACALLISTER, ZOE MOSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sarahmccoy7096
Lyrics
I can't cry, I'm too anxious
Restless mind, I can't shake this
Said I'm fine, but we both know I'm fakin'
I'm not feeling numb
I'm just feeling everything at once
Hate when you ask how I'm doin'
I know that you're just assumin'
I'm better now, not bleeding out
Get outta bed on a good day
Lately that's all I can do, hey
I go through hell to hide myself
I think about new ways to hurt me
But don't want my mother to see
It's not that I feel undeserving
Just blame it on the chemistry
That's why
I can't cry, I'm too anxious
Restless mind, I can't shake this
Said I'm fine, but we both know I'm fakin'
I'm not feeling numb
I'm just feeling everything at once
Oh-oh, oh-oh
I'm just feeling everything at once
Oh-oh, oh-oh
I'm just feeling everything
Whatever I do, I can't slow down
Please, don't leave me alone now
'Cause when I stop, my demons talk
I'm comin' off apathetic
I play it off like it's anesthetic
Clearly I care too much, but I'm foolin' everyone
Oh, I think about new ways to hurt me
But don't want my mother to see
It's not that I feel undeserving
Just blame it on the chemistry
That's why
I can't cry, I'm too anxious
Restless mind, I can't shake this
Said I'm fine, but we both know I'm faking
I'm not feeling numb
I'm just feeling everything at once (Once)
Oh-oh, oh-oh
I'm just feeling everything at once
Oh-oh, oh-oh
I'm just feeling everything at once
Oh-oh, oh-oh
I'm just feeling everything at once
Oh-oh, oh-oh
I'm just feeling everything at once
@anjenigilliam-salman5844
I love this!!!! The song is so catchy and well written. But it also has all the insinuations and meaning of how people live through so much....a lot of that being something versus another.
I love the duality of the video and that was portrayed perfectly!!!
I just found you as an artist recently and I’m so, so glad I did!!! You are such a huge inspiration!!!
Cannot wait to see what the future has for you!!!
Forever a part of the “swarm” (if that is the fan base name 😉).....but also forever a fan!!!
Love it!! Amazing! 💙💙💙
@mirandamyers4055
I feel like this describes how it feels to have “good” days mentally vs “bad” days mentally so well. No matter if you have a “good” or “bad” day you still feel depressed/numb/everything at once. It’s wild how accurate this is.
@fatema2466
totally agree
@PsychoticQueen
You couldnt have said this better!
@fable_enthusiast
I feel like that's the result you get from not treating major depression properly...
@MysticalGalaxy23
I was just thinking the same thing.
@Ashley-jz2fi
Agreed
@iamsmol9054
Most songs talk about how people are numb when depressed, they feel dead inside. But when I’m having an episode I don’t feel numb I feel overwhelmed with anxiety and the hopelessness of my depression. I always pretend to be fine but honestly, I’m not, and I’m not breaking down because I’m legitimately too anxious to cry. Thank you for this song, it really helped me understand myself a bit better
@deadsoon
This is gonna sound a bit outta pocket but anxious depression is often a sign it might be actually mixed bipolar episodes.
@tenyaiida9581
I hate when they say it's an aesthetic I have attempted and I felt alot don't tell aizawa sensei
@thatperson278
I remember one time I was having a really rough day, started having thoughts of suicide. My grandmother happened to text and asked if I wanted to call. Normally I would say I'm fine but I guess the joke of everyone feeling like they can tell her everything is true. It was a short call, but after we hung up I cried harder than I have in a long time.