BBC RADIO SCOTLAND SINGER-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR 2019

MIKE MCKENZIE

Mike McKenzie (he/him) is an award winning, queer, independent singer/songwriter and producer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. His writings manoeuvre their way through an eclectic background of pop, folk, Americana and singer/songwriters landing somewhere between Tom Odell, Maggie Rogers, David Gray and Brandi Carlile.

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Finding his feet in the quiet listening rooms of Edinburgh, he won the inaugural BBC Scotland “Singer/Songwriter of the Year” in 2019 and went on to play some of Scotland's most iconic venues including headline shows at King Tut’s, Sneaky Pete’s and Rosslyn Chapel as well as opening for “Horse” at The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh. When things shut down in 2020, he spent 18 months exploring the world of co-writing, practicing his craft alongside writers from around the world remotely. He returned to live music in July of 2021 supporting "Horse" at Albert Halls, Stirling followed by two sold out solo shows at Eden Court: Under Canvas, Inverness and then opening the King Tut's Stage at TRNSMT in Glasgow. Hitting the scene with a brand new Live Looping set, Mike has a multitude of collaborative projects planned throughout 2022 as well as an abundance of new music waiting to be released.

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Mike has been featured by Jo Whiley on her BBC Radio 2 show and has received huge support from Grant Stott, Roddy Hart and Janice Forsyth on BBC Radio Scotland as well as Jim Gellatly on Amazing Radio, Ruth Clark at RTÉ and countless online stations across the UK.

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CREATIVE SCOTLAND

"Changes" - Creative Scotland Project

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Changes is a Creative Scotland Funded collaborative writing project by Mike McKenzie. Working with independent Scottish Songwriters Finn Brodie, Liv Dawn, Liam Narrie and Jamie Robertson he will write and produce 4 original songs using "change" as an overarching theme to explore the inward reflection faced by storytellers. 

The collection of songs will then be developed with string arranger Elspeth Mackay and recorded by Paul McInally at 45/a Side Recording Studio in Glasgow with additional strings performed by Nicola Boag and Katie Rush.

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Click here for more information about the project.

LATEST RELEASE

"For The Record" - EP

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This brand new collection of tracks mark a new beginning for Mike as an artist and having arranged, performed and recorded nearly every instrument on the record himself in his home studio in Edinburgh, the end result truly captures an honest representation of his thinkings as a writer and sensibility as a musician.

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He grew up listening to my parent’s record collection (Queen, Billy Joel, Cat Stevens, Simon & Garfunkel) and wanted to explore how those influences could sit alongside modern production, showcasing where he is heading as a recording artist while staying true to his “story song” roots.

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Available on all major platforms HERE!

"Saving Grace" - Single

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"Saving Grace" was his first studio release of 2021 and was written while he and his husband were separated due to covid travel restrictions for more than 8 months. It explores the hopeful loneliness we have all experienced through this challenging period; spending so much time apart from our families and loved ones.

The single received multiple national radio plays including BBC Radio 2 with Jo Whiley, BBC Radio Scotland with Grant Stott, Janice Forsyth and Roddy Hart as well as being featured on Amazing Radio with Jim Gellatly.

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Available on all major platforms now!

Mike's focus over the last couple of years has been to expand his songwriting and production portfolio from his home studio in Edinburgh, continually seeking new projects with upcoming artists and writers. Get in touch for writing enquiries or collaborations by messaging here.

TAMZENE

FIN DAVIDSON

ELEANOR KANE

VIDEOS

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