I'm Here With Magazine Issue 2 August August 2016 | Page 19

Based out of Calgary, Alberta, Mike MacKenzie is an original blues-rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. He devotes most of his effort towards honing his guitar skills, advancing his songwriting craft and building his live band. Inspired by guitar-heavy groups such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Jimi Hendrix among many others, he has found his own sound and niche in a progressive styling of blues-rock.

Mike's musical experience is shaped through being in original rock bands, studying at jazz college, writing, recording, teaching guitar and plenty of live performances. Currently, the Mike MacKenzie Band maintains a steady itinerary of shows all over Western Canada and he is also at work on the follow up to his debut album. His first release "Natural Causes" is a collection of eleven original songs he put out in 2014 and offers an eventful listening experience through several veins of rock. Being called "a richly diverse selection but always interesting" by Classic Rock Society and "a substantial level of songwriting craft" by Blues Matters Magazine, Mike was able to create something he says he is proud of but plans to further and enhance. He aims to do just that with his upcoming album (untitled as of yet) which is expected late 2016.

Despite a full schedule with the MMB, Mike also plays live in Canada's only Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band Swamp Music and he has plans to embark on another original project soon. Always churning out new music at his home studio and working towards his next best song or performance, he strives for continued and increased success in Canada and beyond.

Band: Thomas Hart, Kurtis Downs, James Wise.

Music

I'm Here With Magazine

Mike MacKenzie

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Grant Cooper