Michaela Slinger is known for crafting songs that exist at the intersection of pop, indie, and singer-songwriter. Her stop-you-dead vocals and poetic observations about love, aging and selfhood feel at once timely and timeless, and her new single “Just This Once” (604 Records) is a synth-pop anthem with a retro feel. In a sea of attempted virality, Michaela Slinger is a life raft: she knows that at the end of the day, it all comes down to excellent songs and meaningful connections with each other.
Name:
Michaela Slinger
Genre:
Indie Pop
Founded:
Unofficially since, like, 1997. Officially since 2018.
# of Albums:
1
Latest Album:
Panorama
Latest Single:
Just This Once
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
I was a Hilary Duff megafan in elementary school. She was my first concert. I also loved John Mayer and Taylor Swift throughout high school.
Favourite musician now:
This question stresses me out. I’m unabashedly very into Harry Styles. Maggie Rogers and Holly Humberstone are a couple of my indie-pop queens. I still really love John Mayer, too.
Guilty pleasure song:
It used to be “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall and Oates but I think I wore myself out. I don’t really feel guilty about listening to anything. I’d say I can still get super hyped listening to 2000s bangers, like “The Way I Are” by Timbaland. The embarrassing part of that is I most definitely made my MSN status the following lyrics from this song in middle school: “I ain’t got a motorboat, but I could float your boat.”
Live show ritual:
I steam my voice and drink a lot of tea and try to pretend like I’m super chill while anticipating the show the whole day. I’ll run through a recorded vocal warm-up from my vocal coach Jill Samycia and find a quiet place to hang beforehand. I get a bit antisocial until it’s over.
Favourite local musician:
Don’t do this to me! I think there are so many amazing local artists. Vox Rea, Prado, Dacey, young friend, Desiree Dawson, Sam Lynch, Mathew V…I’m truly just scratching the surface.
EP or LP?
In my perfect world, LP. Living in the world that social media has built, I think EP. It depends on where you’re at in your career.
Early bird or night owl?
Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a night owl. I love getting up early and starting my day with a workout or a walk. Unless there’s an occasion to dance or go out or a great, late dinner reservation, nights to me are for tea and chatting or reading or watching something good.
Road or studio?
I haven’t really had a chance to be on the road all that much, but I think being in the studio and playing shows are equally meaningful and fulfilling in different ways. I think I cap out at about 6-8 weeks away from home before I really need to come back and get grounded again.
Any shows or albums coming up?
I just released a single “Just This Once”! It’s the first song off my sophomore project with 604 Records, and the first release since my debut album “Panorama” came out in April of last year. I’m also playing a bunch of upcoming local shows in July: Surrey Canada Day, Laketown Shakedown and Filberg Festival on Vancouver Island, and Khatsalano Street Fest.
Where can we follow you?
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Website
***
Rapid Fire Vancouver Qs
Favourite local restaurant:
Oh god. Too many. Savio Volpe for a special night. Anh and Chi is amazing. My friend’s restaurant Aleph is incredible and so cozy. I hit Hime Sushi fairly frequently for a quick and delicious dinner.
Favourite street in your city:
I’m biased, but probably Main Street! It’s where I live, and there’s so much to do and always a lot of life happening.
Favourite park in your city:
Obviously, Stanley Park is world-renowned and incredible, but I don’t get there as much as a should. I think Douglas Park is amazing. It’s tucked away in a residential neighbourhood but also close to great food. That soft track is nice for running, the fields are big enough to accommodate a Little League game and a bunch of picnics and beer drinkers all at once, and there are always a lot of cute families and dogs.
Favourite music venue in your city:
I’ve been to some incredible shows at The Commodore.
Favourite music store in your city:
Neptoon Records!
