When you think of Coachella, you might imagine a sea of festival-goers swaying to the beats of their favorite artists. But for Mckee Thatcher, Coachella reminds him of his hometown, Indio, where the festival was birthed. Growing up surrounded by the diverse sounds of Coachella, Mckee discovered his love for music at a young age, picking up various instruments and becoming trained on the piano. But it wasn’t until a life-changing service mission to Japan that Mckee realized the true power of music.
For Mckee, music had always been a way to escape from negative thoughts and self-consciousness. But in Japan, where access to his usual musical refuge was limited, he was forced to face himself head-on. It was during this time that he discovered that music was not only a way to hide but also a means of expressing himself to the world.
After returning from a life-altering trip to Japan, Mckee set out on a musical journey, unleashing his debut single “Bridges and Planes” in July 2020, swiftly followed by “I’ll Take Back My Heart.” Despite initial support from loved ones, his father and others urged him to keep music as a hobby and pursue higher education. Heeding their advice, Mckee enrolled in Utah State University, but he couldn’t shake the pull of music. He continued to pour his heart into his craft, releasing the EP “Mosaic Floors” and single “Moonflower” in April 2021.
Mckee’s emotional journey was not just limited to his music. In fact, a falling out with a love interest led to the creation of the raw and emotional songs “Watch You Fall In Love” and “Feeling Sunny.” Later on, his most recent singles, “Tryna Be Like You,” “I Guess That’s Love,” and “Sweet Psychosis,” show the influence of artists like Beach House, Goth Babe, and Ritt Momney and serve as a reflection of Mckee’s own emotional journey.
Mckee is now on a mission to get his music to the ears of people who don’t know they’re fans yet, and to his underground fans who have been supporting him throughout his journey. He has big aspirations for the future, including putting out a debut album, collaborating with some of his favorite artists, and performing across the nation. But one thing’s for sure: he’s got his sights set on one stage in particular – the Coachella stage in his hometown.
