Under the Radar: Mike McKenzie

In 2019, Edinburgh-based Mike McKenzie was named BBC Radio Scotland Singer-Songwriter of the Year by an industry panel including Fran Healy (Travis), Horse MacDonald (Horse), Karine Polwart and Dee Bahl. He has also enjoyed airplay from Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2, Grant Stott on BBC Radio Scotland, Jim Gellatly on Amazing Radio and Ruth Clark at RTÉ, and in 2019 he

Sublime new synth-pop single Treading Water, a collaboration with producer, multi-instrumentalist, composer and teacher Haquim, is released on 14 August. The song received its debut play on the Roddy Hart show on BBC Radio Scotland last week, and will feature on a special live edition of The Quay Sessions on 16 August.

In addition to his solo career, McKenzie is also the lead vocalist for PJ Moore & Co featuring PJ Moore (The Blue Nile) and award-winning composer Malcolm Lindsay. McKenzie’s next headline gig takes place at Edinburgh’s Sneaky Pete’s on 20 August with support from Holly Powers. For tickets and info visit https://www.mikemckenzieonline.com/

Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run music industry seminar and social night Born To Be Wide, www.borntobewide.co.uk Find them on Twitter @olafwide and @newfoundsound

The Musicians’ Union represents over thirty-three thousand musicians working in all sectors of the music business. As well as negotiating on behalf of its members with all the major employers in the industry, the MU offers a range of services for self-employed professional and student musicians of all ages. The Union helps musicians in the live arena, recording and broadcasting, the orchestral sector, in education, and as music writers and composers. For more information, please visit www.theMU.org