A Dirty Dozen with MYKEL – October 2025

Photo credit: Jerry Sun

According to a recent press release: “Today, Los Angeles via Salt Lake City indie pop artist and powerhouse vocalist Mykel aims to stay grounded with “How Do You Know.” Her stirring debut EP Hometown Runaway is due out November 7, which wrestles with faith, ego, leaving home and more. With commanding vocals and sweeping, vast production over six tracks, Mykel bravely confronts a range of themes like ego death (and escaping death), self-worth, imposter syndrome, her layered relationship to faith, and more. There’s a reason Mykel’s voice has echoed through Staples Center and Dodger Stadium. A reason her songs have landed in Lifetime movies, your favorite BRAVO shows, and Love Island. It’s not just talent. It’s conviction. Born near Salt Lake City. Rebuilt in LA. Self proclaimed industry outsider, Mykel sings like every lyric has weight, blending the emotional grit of H.E.R. with the power of Adele. Her sound is R&B-rooted, pop-sculpted, and fully felt. Her catalog is a journal of truth, body positivity, emotional healing, and standing tall after the fall. She’s not chasing hits. She’s delivering messages. On the healing debut EP Hometown Runaway, due out November 7, Mykel reckons with leaving home, following her dreams and deconstructing her faith.” We get Mykel to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

I think it might take listeners a few times through before they realize how existential the song is. It’s so upbeat you might not realize you’re jamming out to my mental breakdown ha! Obviously the 405 is a tribute to LA – one of the most iconic freeways, where most of my mental breakdowns occur.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

It chose me. Music has been a non-negotiable part of my life since the beginning. But I didn’t really fully decide that was my path until my senior year of high school. I went to produce my first EP in Los Angeles with my now mentor Brandon Jarrett – and the rest was history. I also saw Beyonce’s Mrs. Carter World Tour when I was 16. She wore a blue sparkly jumpsuit on top of a piano and flew away singing “1+1.” That was the moment I knew I wanted to do this.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Queen’s Greatest Hits CD was the first album I purchased with my own money when I was 12. I’d like to say that had a huge impact on me. From there, it was all big vocals. Whitney / Christina / Celine. I have a flair for the dramatic.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Jon Bellion. I love what he stands for and who he is and the type of music he creates. Who wouldn’t want to work with him (spoiler – everybody does).

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I love being outside. I’m a big hike / beach night girl. I also love coloring, playing switch, legos, going to museums and finding local live music. I really nerd out and heal my inner child when I’m not working. The Huntington Library and Gardens is one of my favorite places on earth.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would describe myself as an R&B leaning vocalist with catchy pop production. A mix of Jessie J, Tove Lo, Adele, and Griff. I get compared to Kelly Clarkson a lot. I cringe because I can’t get myself to accept that grandiose of a compliment haha. I also feel my style doesn’t sit exactly in that pocket.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Oh baby, I’m the designated barista / bartender that’s for sure. We’re usually ordering in or out – it’s LA! There’s too much good food not to.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I like to think that after a decade in LA – I don’t really get starstruck. We’re all just regular people figuring it out and making the most of our opportunities.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part honestly is the catharsis. Being able to express your emotions and process them in the form of songs and caricatures and musical moments is really spectacular. I think my dream job outside of being a musician would be as an entrepreneur, starting my own Matcha cafe, or smoothie shop. That job somehow kinda has found me on the internet @dont.chase.your.d I feel very lucky to have my two dream jobs at the moment.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I don’t like answering about what my sound is. I feel like I can’t be objective enough to answer it… and also… just listen for yourself! Haha. I like when I’m asked about the process or what went wrong during recording. For instance – the vocals you hear on “How Do You Know” are my first scratch vocal. I had a raging cold during the session in Utah and was convinced I hated them – until we realized it gave me a warmth and grit that was perfect – and I couldn’t rerecord or mimic it. So there you go – a happy accident.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I wish I hadn’t white knuckled my dreams so hard in the beginning. I wasted a lot of energy not enjoying the process–trying to rush to the goal. This EP is an accidental byproduct of me quitting the industry and relinquishing control. I think that was the key all along and I wish I’d figured it out sooner.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

No way. This is simply too difficult. I want to say “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” by Celine Dion because who wouldn’t kill to be in the room when that happened.

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Category: Interviews