Meet Theo Macmillan | Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Theo Macmillan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Theo, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
After graduating college in 2016, I moved to Nashville to pursue a dual career in music and software. My time was quickly split into three main categories: corporate, musical and social. Roughly 8 hours a day was spent at a corporate software engineering position, leaving me little time during the day for musical endeavors. Like most musicians with a day job, I dedicated my evenings to music. However, a good portion of that time was spent trying to drum up musical opportunities. My sister and I started a band and would try to book long-shot gigs, or spend money on expensive content and ads to try to build our following. The biggest change between then and now is that I spend more time doing what I love in the musical arena: writing songs with incredible writers, going to local shows to see my friends play, and recording in the studio. Admittedly, I’m able to do this because of the connections I formed over the last 8 years, but if I could go back and change anything, it would be to spend less time in the theoretical and more time creating. That’s what drives me now, and as a result I’m more excited than ever about making music.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love writing songs. It’s a natural process for me, one which I do whether or not I have something or someone specific to write for. I’ve been lucky enough to make connections with an ever-growing group of artists in the bluegrass world, and I love to hear their take on the songs I write with them and for them. I often hear from artists and friends that my songs sound unique and catchy. This isn’t something I purposefully try to do, so I think that might be one thing that sets me apart as a writer. If I could come with a reason for this, I’d say it is because of my influences, which range from 90s Christian music to 80s rock to 80s country. Though I have less direct involvement in genres other than bluegrass, my songs will often land in other styles. For example, I’m currently creating a rock record that includes some of my favorite songs I’ve ever written. I feel unbound by any one style of music, but I like that genres exist. They represent moods and personalities and traditions; and I like writing in many of them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Whenever my friends come to town, I want to spend time with them enjoying the beautiful natural scenery of Tennessee, as well as the delicious coffee shops and restaurants all over Nashville. Whether it’s a staple tourist location like Hattie B’s or a hole in the wall coffee shop like Headquarters, there are great options all over town to sit and catch up with a friend. My wife and I will often take out-of-town friends to a local farmer’s market as well. And of course, music! I pop into several venues around town, where there is almost always amazing music being performed. This is always a unique treat for visitors to Nashville- and it beats the madness of Broadway!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my sister, Brenna MacMillan, who told me about this great outlet! Brenna and I spent several years recording and touring as brother-sister bluegrass do act, taking our band around the country to play shows. We are both now making solo projects, and I’m so excited to see how far we have both come starting our band in 2018.

Website: https://theomacmillan.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/theomacmillan

Image Credits
Scott Simontacchi