BBC Radio Scotland’s Singer/Songwriter of the Year 2019
Mike McKenzie creates an eclectic combination of old meets new with extensive songwriting influences from Elton John to Brandi Carlile, Billy Joel to Tobias Jesso Jr. Growing up in a musical home Mike began writing on a banged-up piano, passed down over the years, as soon as his mother taught him the basics. Throughout high school and college he began his discovery of the music scene as a drummer for Edinburgh band JAKIL.
In 2010 he threw himself into songwriting and production behind the scenes, working with other singers he’d encountered along the way. It was after being influenced by his partner in 2018 that he began to explore the possibility of releasing material as a solo artist and found himself back at the piano where it all began.
Some people keep a journal to process their lives. Some work out or take long walks to clear the air and reset their minds. Mike’s way of navigating his labyrinth of thoughts is to write. When sitting down at the piano it always becomes an outpour of how he feels now or has in the past.
The Mash House
