New Interview With Laila Mack

Q: “One lane road” has such a personal and visual title, what moment or memory first inspired this song?

A: Yes, it started as a question I asked the mirror and ended up becoming a lyrical letter to my future self. I wrote it in a moment of quiet reflection, trying to picture what it might feel like to chase a dream that takes you far from everything familiar. Being from the countryside, it felt symbolic of home and the roots I come from, also a symbol of the journey and looking ahead. 

Q: If “one lane road” was a scene in a movie, how would you describe what’s happening in that moment?

A: Okay, here goes my directorial debut…it would be that quiet moment you fade into right before someone leaves home—maybe they’re sitting in their driveway, keys in the ignition and a guitar case in the backseat. They tilt the rearview mirror and look back one last time. The road ahead is full of possibility, but the comfort of everything they’re leaving behind is heavy and uncertain. It’s a pause, a deep breath before everything changes. 

Q: You’ve always balanced storytelling and emotion in your songs, what story were you hoping people take away from this one? 

A: This song is about chasing big dreams while trying not to lose where you came from. It’s about being stuck in the middle, when everything around you is changing but you’re still holding onto the pieces of home that shaped you. I hope anyone who relates feels seen when they hear it and remembers that God has a beautiful plan for them. The road ahead might be long, but there’s so much good waiting along the way. 

Q: Did the creative process for this track feel different compared to your last releases?

A: Definitely. It came from a quieter, more honest place. I knew when recording it that the instrumental needed to stay simple to let the lyrics breathe, so I recorded the piano and guitar each in one take. I even kept the string noise and room resonance in the mix. I wanted the soundscape to feel as raw and real as the story behind it. This one felt more personal and reflective than anything I’ve released before. I wasn’t just writing a song, I was looking back at my own journey while asking myself what the road ahead might look like.

Q: Your fans often connect to the honesty in your lyrics. Was there a line in “one lane road” that was hardest for you to write or share?

A: The line “think about your street” was the hardest for me. It was a moment when I put the pen down and thought, “Is this too personal to put in a song? Is this relatable?” Even though I’ve moved several times since, I still miss the street I grew up on sometimes. It’s where I first started writing songs, where I grew up and taught myself music. That line is deeply personal—but I think that makes it powerful. 

Q: If you could pick one word to describe how you felt while recording this track, what would it be?

A: Nostalgic. While recording this song, I kept thinking about the little moments that inspired the lyrics—late-night bedroom writing sessions, hometown streets, and the familiar faces I’m always so happy to see at my shows. I’ve always loved how music connects people, and with this song I feel more connected to my listeners by sharing a more personal side of my story. When I finished recording and mixing, I paused to listen to the track and see if the song felt truly complete. It still felt unfinished. Later that day I was scrolling through my phone and found a video of one of my first live performances playing an original. The idea struck me to use a soundbite from that video in the song and that was the last piece of the puzzle. It brought everything together perfectly. 

Q: How does this single reflect where you are right now, both personally and musically?

A: Musically, I wanted to keep things simple and honest so the emotions and story could take the spotlight. This song is a place of vulnerability and authenticity, which is exactly where I want to be as I move forward toward the full album. Personally, I’m at a place of reflection and looking forward. There are big things on the horizon, a ton of possibility, and so much gratitude to all of the people and places that shaped my path. 

Q: What’s the biggest difference between writing a song for yourself versus writing something you know your fans will sing back to you?

A: Writing for myself is raw and unfiltered—I jot down whatever feels honest in the moment, even if I know it’s unpalatable as a lyric. When I write something for the fans to sing back, I am more focused on the shared experience and the emotions that connect us all. Writing this song felt more like journaling than songwriting, and I wasn’t even sure at first if I would release it or if it was even relatable enough. I’m so glad that I did because I’ve heard so many people say how they relate and feel the lyrics. It’s something I’m proud to share. 

Q: If someone is hearing “one lane road” for the first time, what setting would you want them to be in?

A: Wherever they feel most themselves. 

Q: Looking back at our past interviews and your journey so far, what do you think this single says about your growth as an artist?

A: I am so grateful that you asked! Every mile of the road has been paved with so much love and support. There’s a deeply personal and authentic album upcoming. Without dropping too many hints, it’s about my country life, roots, and growing up with muddy boots and reins in my hands. There’s a rodeo punk in my soul. This song is just the beginning of a new era of music, genuine lyrics, and heartfelt recording style. I can’t wait to share the album! 

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