Erin McKenzie On New Album 'Chores'

Erin McKenzie has long since proven herself to be one to watch.

Though only twenty, McKenzie’s star has been steadily on the rise; hers is already a name that inspires respect and admiration within the variegated Adelaide music scene. Her commitment to constant creation, her DIY production skills, and most of all her lucid, tender songwriting have solidified her status as an artistic mainstay.

McKenzie first made a name for herself as part of the three-piece folk-rock band Perfect 50, who have been relentlessly participating in the gigging circuit and electrifying audiences with their mesmerising sound.

In mid-2024, McKenzie released her first solo album under the artist name Swan Reach. SUN BEGIN was a quiet triumph. The Music described it as “dreamy, introspective, touchingly romantic, with the kind of simple, timeless lyricism that makes you think, ‘Of course. Why haven’t I phrased that sentiment like this yet?’ Listening to the album feels the same as having a giddy, silly little crush.”

Early 2025 saw her release a collaborative EP with Maxwell Elphick, key member of indie-rock darlings Swapmeet. And now, she has just announced that her sophomore solo album, ‘chores,’ is to be imminently unleashed upon us. Whenever news of a new McKenzie project rocks the world of Instagram, it is always a good day in Adelaide.

In honour of her upcoming album, read on for Erin McKenzie’s exclusive Q&A with The Music.

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How do you think you are different as an artist now to when you put out ‘SUN BEGIN’? 

I think it's hard to say - hopefully listening back to the two albums in a couple of years I'll be able to pinpoint some stylistic differences and trail that back to personal growth of some sort, but for now the songs just seem to be a bit edgier and sadder, maybe less optimistic and gentle than the previous record. 

Where did the idea for the title ‘chores’ come from?

One of the tracks is called ‘Chores’, and I think it's a good title because that's what the majority of life really is beyond all the poetry and art. Every single day there's just a never-ending pile of dishes and laundry. And it reminds me of being at home, unmotivated and alone, which is mostly when my best writing and recording happens. 

You just put out an EP with Maxwell Elphick, Perfect 50 is another prolific project of yours, you only just put out a Swan reach album last year and you’ve got this new one coming. How do you stop yourself from being spread too thin creatively?

Honestly I still feel super lazy. I've considered that I've actually been quite prolific but it really doesn't feel like it. I think it's because everything is quite quick to make. An alternate title to the album was ‘First Try’ because it captures the nature of my recording technique. Kind of like, eh, good enough. I think I have some sort of idea that if it naturally comes out of me then it's the most stream-of-consciousness-like way of writing and recording. 

Do you prefer the elements of music creation that are collaborative or the ones that are solitary, and why?

I think that I need both in my life. I find that the stuff I make by myself is more stuff that I would listen to, and then my music with other people is technically better. I definitely care about it more when it's with other people, but that can sometimes make it feel more difficult than it is and lead to collective band procrastination. Solo stuff is good because when I'm in the mood for creating stuff, I'm the only person that needs to be in the mood, there's no stars that need to align. Group stuff is good because you have to teach yourself how to kind of lock in even when you don't feel creative. 

You only announced the album three days ago, and it’s coming out on May 30th, which is quite sudden. How long have you been working on this collection of songs, and how come you decided to make the announcement so shortly before the release? 

All the stuff was already recorded and released on Soundcloud, which I like to do so that I can easily listen to them. I decided to make it come out on May 30th, because why not? I'm excited for it to be out! I think I'm more excited for it to be out than anyone else lol. Maybe if I was a bigger artist, I would allow a longer waiting period to build anticipation. 

How do you think your music is affected/is different by virtue of the fact that it is being made here in Adelaide, rather than in a bigger, more bustling city?

I don't know because I've never lived anywhere else! I do feel the pull of Melbourne as an artist, but every time I go to Melbourne I always feel incredibly relieved when I get back home. Too many cars, not enough nature for me is the main factor. I would be curious to see how my music would evolve with a more expansive lifestyle. Maybe right now it does have a little cooped-up, unconfident sound to it. 

Give me some of your general thoughts on the Adelaide music scene right now. Do you feel fulfilled as an artist here?

I don't feel fulfilled as an artist here but I think I could be if I didn't have some sort of ‘unmotivatedness’ problem. I've heard that there are Adelaide music grants to be applied for, artist showcases to be in, connections to make, emails to send, social media promo to do, and so on. If I'm not doing that here, who says I would do it if I was in Melbourne or London or somewhere? I like the idea of stumbling into a music career in a big city but I just don't know if that is a real thing!

‘Chores’ will be out everywhere at midnight, May 30th.