James Mackenzie
James Mackenzie Where We Are Going out now!! First play BBC RAPAL
Now living between Germany and the UK, Inverness singer-songwriter James Mackenzie has been on our radar for a couple of years now, we featured him as our Artist of the Week in The Scotsman in September last year.
Beginning 2021 with a coveted slot as the first Single of the Week for his sweet boy/girl duet Champion on BBC Radio Scotland’s flagship culture show The Afternoon Show with Janice Forsyth and Grant Stott he enjoyed a lot of publicity last year including having his music featured on the telly, BBC 1’s football programme Sportscene plus airplay from BBC Radio nan Gàidheal / Rapal, Amazing Radio, as well as numerous German stations and publications.
Taken from his crowdfunded debut album The Honeymoon (out 4 June 2021 <click to preview / pre-order) his brand new single is the stunning single Where You Are Going which was written about moving to Germany (read about it ⬇️). On the album Mackenzie was fortunate enough to work with two of his favourite songwriters Matt Novesky of Blue October and by Glenn Sarangapany from Birds of Tokyo. Find out more https://www.jamesmackenziemusic.co.uk
Picturesque drone video footage of James’s hometown Inverness and the Scottish Highlands plus+ a Q&A with the songwriter click HERE or press play ⬇️
Facebook: @Jamesmackenziemusic | Instagram: @jamesmackenziemusic | Twitter: @_Jamesmackenzie | Spotify HERE
New single Where We Are Going from James Mackenzie
Can you introduce yourself briefly?
I'm James Mackenzie. I write and sing melancholic songs about my journey through life.
What is your new single Where We Are Going about?
I booked my first tour of Germany in 2017. I had just come off my biggest UK support tour with Runrig and the drummer, Iain Bayne, insisted that I make the trip. I played my first show in Bonn, at a small Irish Pub called Fiddler’s. There was an instant connection, some kind of heartwarming appreciation that was missing for so many years. This continued throughout the tour, into deep Franconia where I was met by people waving Scotland flags and handing me locally brewed beer. That was it! I knew I had to make a change and follow this exciting path. Sitting in my hotel room, thinking of some way to tell my friends, family and fans back in Scotland that this was going to be my future home, I put pen to paper and started writing some lyrics. I wanted to say, “Goodbye, Scotland, but just for now” and “Hello Germany” without cutting any ties. This song epitomises that journey, the feeling of elation and achievement that can only be found by doing something (or somewhere) new.
How have you found the pandemic, do you think it's different in Germany compared to the UK, and if so in what way?
Well, Germany has certainly fallen behind in terms of vaccinating. Doesn't look like there is an end to it all here.
When do you think live music will return?
I've got some shows booked for this summer so I really hope that it is then!
You're booked for some cool festivals, including one of our favourites Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, do you think festivals will happen this year, what have you heard?
I haven't heard anything yet. I’m hopeful with Bella, since it’s on Belladrum estate it doesn't require months of building and preparing the site so they can react faster maybe? I'm sure they're in talks with the Scottish government. My UK tour hinges on whether Bella happens or not. So I'm keeping fingers and toes crossed.
What are your plans for this year (all going well of course)?
After this song comes out I'll be preparing for the album release - I've shipped out a couple batches of CDs that fans have pre-ordered. Hitting the road in the summer then I’ll start writing album number 2!
What do your career highlights look like?
All of it to be honest. This year got off to an amazing start being interviewed by Janice Forsyth, and the response from everyone for my last single Champion is really humbling. Getting to tour with Runrig is top of the list, though. I won an award in Inverness, met Fran Healy, flew to Sydney and Austin and I’ve seen a lot of Germany playing so many shows. I feel incredibly privileged, I really can’t complain!