Guitarist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter McMillin reflects on the difficulty of the change he’s experienced growing up in Nashville, Tennessee with his funky, pop-rock single ‘What It Was.’ It is a tough pill to swallow realizing nothing will physically be the same forever but the memories will always remain. McMillin said “It is an acceptance that time changes all things but it won’t stop the love you had for how things used to be.” Check out the single here.
The song is quick to catch your attention with four powerful strums from an electric guitar quickly followed by a groovy bass line and a steady beat. The instrumentation pulls back as McMillin sings the opening lines, “Maybe it’s just better off this way / Some say you begin to die when you refuse to change.” His voice is smooth and unique, pairing nicely with the funk-rock vibe. The pre-chorus hangs on the same handful of notes, waiting to be resolved, building anticipation for the release of the chorus. Finally, with the crash of drum symbols, the chorus comes as McMillin passionately sings, “And then it hits you all at once/It never will be what it was.”
While the tone of the lyrics is melancholy, the silky synth textures and tremolo guitar patterns keep the song light, joyful, and easy to bob your head to. McMillin shows off his creativity as a producer, adding interesting, unconventional components, like distortion and fades. He takes creative liberty by having the guitars act as backup singers to the chorus, mirroring McMillin’s vocals and adding complementary ad-libs.
Hailing from the music capital of the world, Nashville TN, McMillin has been playing in clubs and bars in the heart of music city and beyond. Combining the elements of poetic dark pop with funk and rock components, McMillin creates a truly immersive, revolutionary musical adventure.
Currently, McMillin is representing Rolling Stone as the frontman for the Rolling Stone Rock Room featured on Holland America Cruise Lines. McMillin describes the guitar as “his one true love” and this is clear as his talents of lead guitar playing, as well as his impressive rock vocals, are on full display in this electrifying show. Their itineraries include the Mediterranean and Scandinavia, as well as most of the Caribbean.
Stay up to date with McMillin on his website!
