MIKE MCKENZIE

Mike McKenzie (he/him) started his career as a founding member of award winning Edinburgh band JAKIL in 2003. After leaving the band in 2010 he began his journey as a freelance songwriter and producer working, with vocalists and local artists around Edinburgh. He began pursuing music as a solo artist in 2017 and in 2019 won BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Singer/Songwriter of the Year’ as judged by Fran Healy (Travis), Horse McDonald, Karine Polwart, Geoff Ellis and Dee Bahl.

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While the live sector struggled throughout the pandemic in 2020 Mike reverted back to focussing on songwriting building a solid reputation as a co-writer and collaborator, working with a broad range of writers around the world remotely as well as developing his sound as a solo artist in his own right. Landing somewhere between Luke Sital-Singh, Ben Abraham, Maggie Rogers and David Gray, he has released 3 solo EP’s including his Creative Scotland Funded ‘The Art of Change’ and self penned ‘For The Record’ from which his single ‘Saving Grace’ was described as “Gorgeous” by Jo Whiley and received multiple plays on her BBC Radio 2 show.

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The last couple of years have seen Mike playing in multiple cities around the UK, selling out his own headline shows in Edinburgh, co-curating Sofar Edinburgh’s Pride Shows and performing on BBC Radio Scotland’s iconic live music show ‘The Quay Sessions’ with Roddy Hart. Described as “An Outstanding Talent” by Jim Gellatly and "Absolutely Stunning” by Grant Stott, McKenzie’s honest, heartfelt lyrics are always front and centre in his music. 

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​Outside of his solo work, Mike also provides lead vocals for collaborative studio outfit ‘PJ Moore & Co.’ with legendary synth player PJ Moore (The Blue Nile) and award winning composer/producer Malcolm Lindsay. Currently working with Marty Hailey at Metro 13 Studios in Edinburgh, Mike’s debut solo album is well underway and set for release in 2025.