Austin, TX singer/songwriter McKenna Michels released her latest single for “Monster,” which is accompanied by a “Game of Thrones”-esque fantasy drama video directed by Nick Peterson (Dorothy, Evanescence). The song is available now on all digital outlets and the video can now be seen on her official YouTube page.
In the video, Michels portrays herself as a female warrior to save the world and free her friends from mental illness, while battling her inner demons that are embodied in a dark Witch. Following the events portrayed in Michels’ ‘ENLIGHTENMENT’ visual album as well as her Survivor and Monster comic book series, the trio of McKenna, Miles and Hendrix embark on a harrowing journey. They seek to find the Witch, who was revealed previously to have significantly altered the course of our heroes’ lives, whether by possessing loved ones or falling under her magical curse. Vengeance boils within them, but will it be enough to put an end to the Witch’s tyranny?
A slow loping beat played by staccato guitar chords, kick drum and bass opens “Monster,” in which Michels delivers her vocals in a matter-of-fact tone, telling a friend she can recognize the monster inside of them, because it’s a reflection of the traits that used to rule her emotions. Written by Michels and produced by Jon Muq, the melody blends country and R&B, with a gospel-like bridge halfway through. Her lead vocals are subtle, an inner voice submerged in the wordless harmonies of the backing singers.
“’Monster’ is a song about working through self-deprecating or negative traits of my own, and following a long period of growth, noticing those old traits of mine presenting in people around me,” explains Michels. “It can be difficult to have a mirror reflected onto your past actions or behaviors that you didn’t like or wanted to change. The song addresses the hypocrisy of being frustrated by seeing those characteristics in someone else, as well as offering my own awareness of said hypocrisy and understanding others probably felt similarly towards me in the past.”
“Monster” is the follow-up to “I Don’t know,” which was released last September 20, 2024 via Arching Dog Productions with distribution by Burnside Digital Distribution/The Orchard. The catchy breakup song about loss and learning to love herself (and others) again is available for purchase or streaming on all digital outlets. The video can be seen on her official YouTube page (which currently has over 188k views).
Upon its release its first week out, “I Don’t Know” was the #3 Most Added song at Adult Contemporary Radio among some of the biggest names in the business (Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Teddy Swims, Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars), and it debuted on the Mediabase AC Mainstream Chart at # 28* after less than one week of airplay. She’s currently touring in Europe with WizTheMC and Leon of Athens, and she performed two shows in the U.K. last month with Spencer Sutherland.
Monster is also the name of the sequel in her very own comic book series which launched with the first book, Survivor, in 2022 that’s based on her song of the same name. For Michels, who describes herself as “18th Century Fashion Obsessed” on her official Instagram page and is an avid cosplayer, creating a comic book was a logical step for the musician to be portrayed in a story about survival and life lessons while being entertained in a Mister Rogers and Sesame Street kind of way. She wanted to have a creative outlet to bring awareness to abuse victims and how to deal with bullies, two subjects she unfortunately knows about first-hand.
A video for “Survivor” that was made as a partner visual to the comic book can be seen on Michels’ official YouTube page (which currently has over 338,000 views), while an ‘ENLIGHTENMENT’ “Visual Album” video can be seen here. The Survivor comic received the backing of Epilepsy Foundation of America, In Your Shoes – The Sophia Capo Memorial Foundation, and Michels has given the books to patients at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, where they play “Survivor” regularly on their playlist in the cancer ward.
Monster and Survivor’s co-creator and main character, Michelle Patrick (aka “Mishi.Chu”) the daughter of a good friend of Michels’ manager, developed epilepsy and cerebral palsy after suffering a stroke when she was only five weeks old and has become quite the expert in anime art. The comic book team is complete with writer Drew Edwards (Halloween Man), artist Terry Parr (Aerobicide The Extreme Ninja Workout), Marvel artist Brandon Peterson (Ultimate X-Men), Marvel and Dark Horse artist Harvey Tolibao (Star Wars: The Dark Republic), and Marvel and DC Comics artists John Lucas (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #39, Batman: Streets Of Gotham) and Vo Nguyen (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, GI Joe).
Ever since her 2021 debut EP, ‘RENAISSANCE’, Austin’s McKenna Michels has been making waves and grabbing at fans’ heartstrings all around the world with her melodies and lyrics that resonate deep within the soul. Her heart-driven songs tell stories of profound resilience and strength, often discussing her journey through an abusive situation in her childhood, as well as navigating life as an autistic woman and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She aims to give voice not only to the traumas she endured, but to countless survivors who have faced similar challenges in their own lives.
While developing a reputation as an opera singer earlier in her career, she’s already had the honor of performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in 2017. Now, throughout 2024, McKenna Michels is continuing to make a big impact with her fans, getting them excited and ready for her new music. She’s had the honor of opening for three accomplished musical artists on the European legs of their tours, including Echosmith (“Cool Kids”), WizTheMC (South African-German rapper best known for his TikTok hit “For a Minute”) and L.A.-based pop artist EMEI (recently featured by Spotify during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month). During a recent stop in Belgium, she did a secret free show of her own in Brugge at an intimate venue, Villa Bota, for fans who packed the venue, some coming from hours away just to catch one of her ethereal, unapologetic, and haunting performances up close.
