Five Minutes With: Vancouver Indie-Pop Singer and Songwriter Michaela Slinger

Michaela Slinger is somewhat of a spirituality skeptic, but her sister convinced her to have a FaceTime session with a psychic in 2021, who foreshadowed the following year and a half of songwriting and travel that ended with her completed sophomore album, This Can’t Last Forever. After her debut LP ‘Panorama’ (604 Records) received US and CAN radio play, a #2 peak on Stingray Indie, and her first festival stage performances, Michaela had this gut feeling to leave Vancouver and “force myself to be really small fish in these big, intimidating ponds.” To her, those ponds were major music markets like Los Angeles, Nashville, and Toronto, where she would ultimately complete nine separate songwriting trips in just over a year.

Michaela’s found herself in writing rooms with collaborators like Khalid Yassein (Wild Rivers) and Ryan Stewart (Carly Rae Jepsen). And although this year of suitcase living and couch surfing was new for her, Michaela’s artistry is self-assured, mature, and effortless across This Can’t Last Forever. She’s settled into her voice in the studio, continuing to come up with mind bending melodies and harmonies that set her apart in the indie-pop landscape.

Michaela Slinger
Photo by: Sydney Robertson

Name:

Michaela Slinger

Genre:

Pop, Indie-pop

Founded:

2018

# of Albums:

2

Latest Album:

This Can’t Last Forever

Latest Video: 

Favourite musician growing up:

Hilary Duff, John Mayer, Taylor Swift

Favourite musician now:

So many. HAIM, Maggie Rogers, John Mayer (still)

Guilty pleasure song:

Dancing On My Own – Robyn

Live show ritual:

Straw warm-up, tons of Throat Coat tea

Favourite local musician:

Prado, Sam Lynch, Mikey Jose, and Bungalow the Band!

EP or LP?

Honestly, I think both can be exciting. It all depends on the songs/story

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird—I have a puppy

Road or studio?

I’ve spent more time in the studio than the road so far, but I’m embarking on my first North American tour this summer. I’ll let you know!

Any shows or albums coming up?

June 10, 2023 – Seattle, WA – SoFar Sounds
June 11, 2023 – Portland, OR – SoFar Sounds
June 15, 2023 – San Francisco, SF – Amado’s
June 17, 2023 – Los Angeles, CA – Hotel Cafe
June 18, 2023 – San Diego, CA – SoFar Sounds
June 21, 2023 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFar Sounds

Tickets here

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions

What is your favourite local restaurant?

This is impossible. Como, Oca, Anh and Chi to name a very select few

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

John Street. It’s a hidden little gem full of amazing houses. We walked there a lot during the pandemic.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

Douglas Park! It’s underrated. Wonderful location, close to the action but removed, nice soft track for running, and very multi-functional.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

I love the Fox, and I’m so excited to play there for my biggest show in Vancouver to date!

What is your favourite music store in your city?

Neptoon Records

 

 

About Demian Vernieri 592 Articles
Demian is an Argentinian retired musician, avid gamer and editor for the Montréal Guardian, Toronto Guardian, Calgary Guardian and Vancouver Guardian websites.