Featured Artist - Fin McDowell

Fin McDowell is a Canadian singer-songwriter who made her start in her home city of Calgary, Alberta. With musical influences running the gamut from folk, Christian contemporary, country, celtic, to pop, Fin derived her own authentic style of music. Her writing hones in on and encapsulates the intricacies of human emotion as it relates to the human experience. This writing style is inspired by an eclectic group of Fin’s favorite artists, such as-but not limited to- JP Saxe, Imogen Heap, John Mayer, Lennon Stella, Lizzy McAlpine, and Sara Bareilles. With a love of nuance and unique melody lines, Fin offers an atmosphere of introspection within her music.  Follow Fin McDowell on Instagram.

A recipient of two awards at the YYC Music Awards including “Pop Recording of the Year” for her single “Losing Game”, and “Songwriter of the Year” in 2023; Fin is an undeniable talent both with her recorded material and her live performances. Having shared the stage with veterans JJ Shiplet, Reuben and the Dark, Jocelyn Alice and The Static Shift, Fin McDowell’s experience-driven, authentic lyrics paired with a guitar and/or piano under her fingertips, will offer listeners an urge for introspection in an age of separation.

1. What is the coolest show you have ever played? 

The best live show I ever played was probably when I had the pleasure of playing Bar Cathedral in Toronto for Canadian Music Week! Everything clicked that night, I felt so in tune with what my purpose was as a vessel of music and emotion, and the audience was so warm and engaged and reassuring. The venue was so accommodating and so kind, and the sound was incredible, I could not have asked for a better gig for my first time in Toronto.

2. How do you keep yourself healthy and happy working in music?

Keeping myself healthy and happy as a music creator is one of the biggest struggles I face. It is so easy to fall into the spiral of self doubt and deprecation, and I constantly find myself comparing my career and music to others around me in a negative manner. I found that I struggled with this a lot during the pandemic as I felt as though I was not unique or talented enough, however, my debut single "Losing Game" was born out of that time of doubt as a way to encourage myself that this industry is not a competition. Now I remind myself daily of why I do this; to share my art and hopefully impact others the way music has impacted me.

3. What is the biggest challenge you've experienced in getting to where you are?

The biggest challenged I've experienced in getting to where I currently am would have to be learning to develop my performance skills. I feel like it is a common issue among musicians to be an introvert who loves to lock themselves in their room and write and/or record in the comfort of their own space. I personally have found that performing comes much less naturally to me as one of these individuals. I love to stay in my comfort zone and sit in my emotions, so it has been a big learning curve to overcome my social anxieties and stage fright to get to share my art. However, I found it so incredibly rewarding playing live music, and after overcoming my fears, I developed a deep love for performing and experiencing music with others.

4. What is the best part of your life that isn't music related?

It's hard to think of an aspect of my life that isn't somewhat music related, especially as I am currently in post secondary studying songwriting, music is my whole world. However, I do enjoy going for walks or runs and processing through physical exercise. I love going to the mountains for a hike, spending quality time with my family and friends. Most of all I love photography and any visual form of art. I am constantly on the search for artistic shots to capture just a glimpse of the beauty of the world we live in.

5. What is the best advice you have been given in the music business?

The best advice I have received in my music industry experience so far would be not to compare your career trajectory or growth as an artist to that of your so-called "competitors". My dad once told me that "there is a piece of the cake for everyone", and that there is a place for everyone in the music scene, we're all just on different journeys getting to that place. Remembering this has helped me to be less hard on myself. It has helped me to re-center and re-focus on the reason why I began this journey in the first place; to share my art and make a positive impact.