Scott MacKay
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Scott MacKay

Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2012 | SELF

Calgary, Alberta, Canada | SELF
Established on Jan, 2012
Band Folk Country

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Music

Press


"Riveters strike up their madcap, infectious band"

Opener Scott MacKay was another example of the depth of talent here in Calgary. Since relocating from the East coast, he’s gone on in his time here to collect nominations from CBC Searchlight, to the Calgary Folk Festival’s competition for songwriters — and more.

Opting to bring a small 4-piece combo to back him (including twin brother Ben) his set showcased roots folk country, with a voice that is part Chris Isaak, part John Prine.

Songs like If I Could Build A Woman, When The Devil Gets On His Knees To Pray and Pale Flame indicate this gentleman is set to make even more waves in his career.

Making things feel even more authentic, he and his guys played a tight combo, all in one small corner of the stage, like you’d see in those old TV performance of Elvis, or Johnny Cash. His House Of The Rising Sun cover — a bubbling bluesy shuffle — actually felt like you really were right in New Orleans.

Writing witty and visual lyrics like I Need A Heart Transplant (To Get Over You), I don’t know if this is where he’s come from as a musician, where he is right now, or where’s he’s going, but that and more of his captivating originals were just right perfect music. - Dan St.Yves


"Live Show Review"

The vocal quality of this musician was unique in its gravely tone which added an interesting texture onto the notes sung. Scott not only entertained us with the amusing stories and jokes but also shared a piece of himself by explaining the background to a song about his late grandfather. The audience thoroughly enjoyed singing along to “You Are My Sunshine” and seemed to appreciate his unique vocals and talented accompaniment. - Louise Fournier (LimeLighter.ca)


"Live Show Review"

Scott MacKay may enter your venue as a virtual 'unknown' but he will most certainly leave it having made fans for life. If you are looking for a performer who will provide your audience with an unforgettable evening of song, stories, laughter and impeccable musicianship, Scott MacKay is the artist for you. - Rhea March (Artist Development Specialist - March Music & The School of Song)


"First Listen: Scott MacKay "Dressed in Blue""

MacKay is equal parts deep voiced crooner and delicately annunciated soul. There is a certain smokiness and sensual feel to the voice, almost a whisper at points, but it’s also crisp and crystal clear. It warms you up deep in the chest as he sings out his songs, a little bit Roy Orbison and a little bit Nashville songwriter, Keegan Dewitt.

The song itself is beautifully simple. Starting with just steady strummed acoustic guitar, a male vocal, and its female counterpart singing back and forth to one another. Some really beautiful harmonies then come into play, backed by a velvety string section laying down the smooth ice for the duos vocals to skate over. The song ends again with the same male vocal and guitar.

Perfect balance and a leading focus that the buoyant ride that the song trails you along for. It starts down, moves up and opens itself up sonically and there’s a sense of release, before it resolves again with the same sound that it started with. Great resolve, great arrangement, and a really great song.
I get a real “couple talking back and forth to each other here”. The songwriting is great and that “oh red heart, dressed in blue” line is going to be sticking with me for a long time after I take off my headphones. - Red Line Roots


"P.E.I.'s Scott MacKay shows his Twin sides on new album"

P.E.I.'s Scott MacKay shows his Twin sides on new album
Sun, Jul 19, 2015.

A lot of things have changed for Scott MacKay since leaving P.E.I. The singer-songwriter had put out one album while living on the Island, but when his fiancée got a job in Calgary, it made sense to pick up and go as well. He was able to work there as a teacher, and soon found his sound changing along with his address.

"My influences have changed so much," says MacKay, back home in P.E.I. for the summer. "I was more into pop-folk on my first album, and soul. Now I've steeped myself more into the old country singer-songwriters like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and old gospel also."

"It's not even the musical side of things I was drawn to, it's the lyrical side," he explains. "When I got out there, I meant a bunch of people who were into the old country artists, so I started listening to that. The way they song write, you can listen to it, and you understand the song, but at the same time they weave in clever lyrics throughout the song, which I really like."

MacKay's second album, called Twin, reflects that change in his influences. It's a combination of soulful folk, and old-time message songs. MacKay has a vibrato, thanks to his affinity to crooner vocalists, which gives him even more of an antique feel, like he just stepped out of a bus straight from the 1940's.

The lyrics are especially direct, as MacKay has picked up on the power of those fire-and-brimstone country singers he admires. In Magician, he sings "With the devil I'd make a deal, one he'd take without question/I'd sell my soul for a wish come true/I'd burn in hell for life on Earth with you." At the same time, the music has a particular beauty and tenderness.

The beauty/darkness effect is felt throughout the album, something MacKay feels is the central theme. "Towards the end of the writing process I stumbled across the concept of duality," he relates. "I was writing both light and darker songs. I decided to market the album as Twin, because I am one, I do have a twin brother, but also because there are light and dark sides to us all. I wanted the album to reflect me as a whole, instead of one dimensional."

That twin is Ben, and the pair are still largely inseparable. The music goes way back. "My mom used to hold little singing competitions between me and my brother and sister," he laughs. "We used to always sing growing up."

But Scott MacKay's pro career started after brother Ben moved away for university. "We shared bunk beds, we did everything together growing up," says Scott. "Our friends never just invited one of us over, we came together, we were a package deal. He went to Ottawa for school, that was our first separation. Meanwhile I started doing music. But then he decided he wanted to be closer to family, he moved out to Calgary where I am. Then we said, it's stupid for us not to be singing and playing music together, so we started doing that. We play every possible show together. He'll be touring with me for all the Maritime shows."

Yup, the twins are now on stage together, and yes, they look identical. Scott MacKay is thrilled to be able to play the launch shows for Twin while back home, and with his brother. "I come home every Christmas and every summer, but in terms of doing shows and touring an album, this is my first time doing that." His lone New Brunswick date is at the Hollywood Star Room in Clarks Corner, near Grand Lake east of Fredericton, on Wednesday, July 22. - CBC - Bob Mersereau


Discography

Scott MacKay- "Twin" (July 2015)

Scott MacKay- "Dressed in Blue" (July 2012)

Photos

Bio

Oh I’ll forgive her on the day the Devil gets on his knees to pray…

With one dark, cold and chilling line you are introduced to the simple, elegant music of Scott MacKay. MacKay’s country-ish songs are standouts, riddled with one-liners that catch the sun like a freshly polished cleaver. Born in P.E.I. but now living in Calgary, MacKay has made a name for himself playing house concerts & clubs across Canada. MacKay’s album “Twin” (produced by Leeroy Stagger) features fiddle, banjo and the haunting harmonies of Scott’s twin brother, Ben.

Today I can’t deliver because my hearse keeps breaking down. I can’t get the departed to the other side of town. Something’s clearly wrong with this old Cadillac and I think it’s all because the preacher’s lying in the back…

MacKay has a vibrato, thanks to his affinity for crooner vocalists, which gives him even more of an antique feel, like he just stepped out of a bus straight from the 1940's. - Bob Mersereau - CBC - East Coast Music 

MacKay is equal parts deep voiced crooner and delicately annunciated soul. There is a certain smokiness and sensual feel to his voice, almost a whisper at points. It warms you up deep in the chest as he sings out his songs. A little bit Roy Orbison and a little bit Keegan Dewitt, Nashville songwriter. - Red Line Roots (redlineroots.ca) 

If you are looking for a performer to provide an unforgettable evening of song, stories, laughter and impeccable musicianship, Scott MacKay is the artist for you. - Rhea March – Artist Development Specialist – March Music & The School of Song. (schoolofsong.com) 

Achievements: 
• International Songwriting Competition Semi Finalist 
• Calgary CBC Searchlight Finalist 
• Calgary Folk Festival Songwriting Competition Finalist 
• PEI Song Search Finalist 
• Aspiring Canadian Writer’s Contest Finalist

 

Band Members