Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Peyton McMahon

Singer-songwriter Peyton McMahon may have taken the road less traveled, but there’s no doubt he’s on the right one. After overcoming stage fright, Peyton McMahon found his place in this world through music. With each new release, Peyton is showing off his growth as both an artist and a man. Pop Culturalist caught up with him to learn more about his new single, “Higher,” and his upcoming EP.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Peyton: My grandmother taught piano lessons when I was a kid, so that’s how I was first introduced to it. Something about music just hooked me, and I got really into it—writing, playing, singing, and listening to it 24/7. Even then, it took me a while to get over my stage fright and perform in front of people. Nobody even knew I could sing until I was sixteen, when I decided to get over my stage fright and audition for an American Idol attraction at Disney World while I was on a family trip. I ended up somehow winning the grand finale of that day, and I’ve been hustling ever since. That experience—performing for a big crowd like that—pretty much made me sure that this is what I want to do.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Peyton: It’s hard to pinpoint one thing or person, but I guess I would say the modern artists I’m inspired by. I’ve always been so inspired by people I’m close in age to that I watch actively living the dreams I want to live; it’s like I can almost see myself in them. It motivates me to get there.

PC: You have a new single out now. Tell us about “Higher” and the inspiration behind the song.
Peyton: I wrote this song about feeling pressure or judgment when you take the road less traveled. Where I’m from, it’s not the most common thing to pursue a career in music, and you’re on a different life trajectory than almost everyone around you. There’s no step-by-step guide on how to do it.

There would be times I’d run into people that I hadn’t seen in a while, like former classmates or whatever, and have some quick small talk to catch up, and I would always leave those conversations feeling a little bit down because they’d be talking about all the amazing things they’re doing in their lives/careers, and I wouldn’t really have the same things to say just yet. And it’s such a dumb thing to feel because you can’t worry about what other people think when at the end of the day, it’s your passion, but sometimes you can’t help it. This song is about how you kind of have to learn to tell yourself to snap out of it.

Harper James produced the song, and I had a blast working with him on it. He really got what I was going for and we were totally on the same wavelength.

PC: You released your debut EP in 2017. How does this new body of work differentiate itself?
Peyton: That EP was my very first time releasing songs I had written, and I’m definitely still proud of it, but it was a pretty big learning experience about the whole process of things. This time around, I was much more confident in how I work. I think this song definitely shows that growth and my growth as a songwriter.

I was also lucky enough to have more time to work on the production this time around, and I really had enough time with Harper to bring the song to life and fine tune it to my sound. So, I think it represents me as an artist well and is something I can spring off of.

PC: What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned about yourself since you released your self-titled EP that you’ve been able to apply to your career moving forward?
Peyton: I’ve written a lot more since the first EP and I’ve gotten much more experience, so I think it’s just overall knowing what I want with my songs and being more sure of myself. Each song is a different experience, but I’m now much more secure in myself as an artist and my sound.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Peyton: Sheku Kanneh-Mason. He’s an incredible cellist. I actually love listening to classical music and string arrangements. They’re big stress relievers.

PC: First album you bought?
Peyton: Hanson’s Middle of Nowhere

PC: First concert you attended?
Peyton: Jazz Fest 2006—Keith Urban

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Peyton: Gavin DeGraw’s Chariot. I was eleven when it came out, and it was the first time I heard big, soulful male vocals on contemporary pop/singer-songwriter music like that. It definitely helped shape the kind of artist and vocalist I am.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Peyton: I have a few! My Top 3 are Red Rocks, Wembley, and the Acura Stage at New Orleans Jazz Fest.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Peyton: Good headphones. Beats to zone out to, and I switch to AirPods when I’m on the go.

To keep up with Peyton, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify.