Cranston native Autumn Mackenzie is a recent graduate of Berklee College of Music and is planning to grace the stage for local, regional, and national audiences. The 23-year-old grew up in a creative household that loved music. She would listen to country artists like LeAnn Rimes and The Chicks, while with her mom played classic rockers Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, and Carole King with her father. Those bands helped develop her love of music during her toddler years.
“When I was around five years old, I heard Taylor Swift on the radio,” Mackenzie says. “At seven, I started writing my own songs based on all these influences.”
MacKenzie used her singing, playing, and songwriting skills to earn acceptance to Berklee, prompting her to move to Boston. She majored in Songwriting with a minor in Music Technology. She learned about the multitude of aspects that go into music (business, production, live events, etc), which gave her a well-rounded understanding of the music industry. She met Ellie LeBar at school, who became a co-writer.
“I created less music in my personal life during my college years,” Mackenzie says, “Once I graduated, I felt the spark for writing and performing again, and I had all these new tools and skills I had learned at Berklee. I could not have created my recent releases without those experiences.”
Hi, My Name is Autumn was released in October 2025 and features three songs that Mackenzie wrote at different times during her teenage years. The songs have an adolescent yet mature feel, portraying Mackenzie as an artist who has always been a step ahead. They blend classic country and well-respected current country artists with a hint of folksy pop. The approach is simple – let the songs breathe and the hooks shine while the music adds subtle nuances from the backseat.
“The making of Hi, My Name is Autumn, was one of the most fun and biggest learning experiences of my life,” Mackenzie says. “The hands-on experience of creating a personal project in the studio and collaborating with other musicians was invaluable. I was so lucky to record at The Record Co and work with such amazing musicians.” Mckenzie recorded with a who’s who of Berklee talent: Soraya Rafat (Guitar, Mandolin), Matthew “Steady” Ricetti (Drums), Jaxon Lane (Bass), Matilde Heckler (Violin), Regan Kulig aka Gage Kay (Comping, Mixing, and Mastering), and Kiara Nothhaft (Recording).
January 2026 saw Mackenzie drop a new single, “Girl in the Mirror.” The folk-pop song is just Mackenzie, her smooth guitar playing and passionate voice. There is a relaxing aura with a deep meaning.
“It is a song about looking in the mirror and recognizing yourself again after a long time of not knowing who the person was staring back,” Mackenzie says. “There’s a floodgate of emotions that accompany coming back to yourself, and that is exactly what I wanted to capture in this song.”
Mackenzie has been inspired by Japan-born and New York-based Mitski as of late. She notes the minimalist production of Mitski’s first two albums and plans to pursue a similar path for her first album, with “Girl in the Mirror” a precursor of what is to come. She is also influenced by local standout Allison Rose, who was her high school songwriting coach.
“Her [Rose’s] first album, All the Difference, came out in 2023, and I’ve listened to it on my CD player whenever I need inspiration ever since,” Mackenzie says.
“I may have mentored her, but I’ve learned so much from her as well,” Rose says. “She’s always been wise beyond her years, never hesitated to put herself out there and share herself and her music; she writes honestly and is never anyone but her amazing self.”
Mackenzie has been playing the Boston area to promote the EP. She has more music in the works, along with live shows booked for the Spring. She thrives off the connection that she has with people through her songs, even if it’s their first time hearing them.
“Music is such a vital tool in capturing fleeting moments,” Mackenzie says when asked why music is important. “Live music is especially important because it connects us in ways we lack, especially in such a digitally focused world. Social media is an incredible tool for finding your audience, but live music is where you really develop a deeper connection.”