Meet Ian McNair | Songwriter & Data Analyst

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

Hi Ian, is there something you believe many others might not?
I feel like no one really knows anything for certain so I think I disagree with most conventional advice (haha). Actually practicing that through action is a different story… but I do think convention helps with being accepted in society or as a form of insurance on our decisions. From a more general standpoint I think our convention of over-analyzing and trying to come up with the best plans before doing things is pretty disagreeable. It’s like exercise, or investing – just getting started will get you 90% of the way there. Easier said than done though, obviously.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been writing/making music forever, from writing super weird “acoustic metal” songs with my friend Austin in middle school, to making electronic music in high school and playing in a couple cover bands as well. I’ve always been really into everything, which I think is a strength. One hard lesson I’ve had to learn though is that focus and sticking to one thing for long enough is crucial. If I don’t just pick a path for a while, I’ll be spinning my wheels for too long and go nowhere, because I get so excited about every possibility.

I’m not totally sure what else sets me apart (if anything), but I would like to say think it’s my drive/ambition too. Releasing music is something I’ve wanted my whole life and I kept putting music on the back-burner until it started to literally eat away at my soul (not literally, but kindof). This past summer I was challenged to write a song every week (thanks Kinnie Dye!), and after successfully doing that for a bit, I decided to challenge myself to release a song every month. From June 2023 to September 2023 I released 4 songs, and then I started working on an EP project that I released in early January. I’m really proud of my dedication to consistency because it’s a quality I really had to generate for myself – I am not one to stick with things but it’s proving to pay off.

I have so much in the works and I’m so excited about the seemingly infinite creative possibilities in my future – this is really it for me. I don’t want anything else as much as I want to continue creating music, to be honest.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love when people visit because it gives me a chance to see San Diego with fresh eyes again. I’m really into boats and being out by the water so I’d definitely take them out to somewhere like the marina at shelter island or something, maybe have some coffee while getting a good look at the city in the morning, and hang with some boats. I am a (very) amateur sailor, so maybe some sailing would be in the cards. For drinks or small local shows I always recommend Kensington Club or Whistle Stop. They’re just really unassuming and always quality. There’s this mexican-style restaurant in Little Italy that I can’t remember the name of (I think it’s like Riviera?) that has really good food and drinks that’s a bit upscale if my guest wants that vibe, but if someone is down for something more unconventional I would take them to either Alforon or Awash (which are Lebonese and Ethiopian, respectively). I know it doesn’t mean much, me saying this, but those two are the best restaurants in San Diego. I don’t care what some “food and drink magazine” list says haha. They just are.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I definitely want to give a shout-out to the book “The Artist’s Way” (as well as the book “Big Magic”, which I actually read first). It’s probably going to be a lifelong journey for me, but these books have really helped me identify how critical I am of myself and start to let that part of me have less of a voice, while also appreciating why it’s there. I also feel like I have a lot more freedom to call my art “art” because of these books. I appreciate my taste more while also realizing that there’s no right or wrong – anything goes. That’s so freeing. It’s like finding immortality.

Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5BRFdogCCIzkZy63K3ThJu?si=5KL49HZLTaOW0r0jpBmhIg

Instagram: www.instagram.com/somberwestern

Other: I’ll shout-out my online creative community as well, if anyone is interested. We meet bi-weekly and keep each other inspired and accountable on our creative goals. https://theheartunion.podia.com/

Image Credits
Nahla Valdez (on the mirror photo where I am wearing a striped shirt)