Brian Mackey can be described as a singer-songwriter putting a modern swing on the time-tested genre romantic ballad’s. He has released two EP’s: ‘Brian Mackey EP 2009’ and ‘Feng Shui for Slobs,’ both of which can be found on iTunes. His simplistic songs cut to the core, without any of the fluff and over-production found in most singer-songwriters. Brian Mackey lives in NYC, but has played all over from Nashville, TN to Italy. On top of the numerous places he has taken his music physically, one of his singles ‘Painted Red,’ was featured on The Disney Channel’s television show ‘Naturally Sadie.’
His music caught the attention of producer Ron Dante (Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow) who then motivated Ted Pearlman (Bob Dylan) to join him in recording Brian. Brian Mackey’s music isn’t just romantic, there is some humor to be found in his songs like the alt-rock track ‘I Cant Dance’ on the ‘Brian Mackey EP 2009,’ and the acoustic band-based ‘Radio’ where Mackey name drop’s all the over played music of our time.
Written by: Xan Mandell
The Hot Indie Artist Interview:
What is your musical background?
I’m a huge classical music fan, mostly piano music from tortured composers.
I don’t have any formal training on any instrument, but piano and guitar are what I’m most fluent in.
How would you describe your music?
Manic romantic rock
Manic romantic rock
I read somewhere that at a young age you sat down at a piano and played John Lennon. Who introduced you to music back then and do you think it shaped you as a songwriter?
I got a hold of some old cassettes and records, and faked illnesses from, “I can’t go to the bathroom” to “If I stand up I’ll faint” kind-of-stuff to stay home from school. I locked myself in the room and played it over and over until I learned it. I actually thought I was John Lennon for the longest time.
I got a hold of some old cassettes and records, and faked illnesses from, “I can’t go to the bathroom” to “If I stand up I’ll faint” kind-of-stuff to stay home from school. I locked myself in the room and played it over and over until I learned it. I actually thought I was John Lennon for the longest time.
When did you start writing your own songs and why?
Well I started writing little songs about age 8 that kind of sounded like other songs and I would just put my own words to them. Like I heard “A Rhinestone Cowboy” on an AM oldies radio show, and changed the lyrics to a song for my cat: “Like a rhinestone kitty, selling turds at a broken-down litter box rodeo”… I was in counseling shortly thereafter. No lie.
Well I started writing little songs about age 8 that kind of sounded like other songs and I would just put my own words to them. Like I heard “A Rhinestone Cowboy” on an AM oldies radio show, and changed the lyrics to a song for my cat: “Like a rhinestone kitty, selling turds at a broken-down litter box rodeo”… I was in counseling shortly thereafter. No lie.
How was it working with Ron Dante and Ted Perlman? Did you gain a lot of knowledge from them?
Truly an eye-opening experience to work with such iconic producers, and I gained some knowledge, but more of a sense of what I can and cannot do.
Truly an eye-opening experience to work with such iconic producers, and I gained some knowledge, but more of a sense of what I can and cannot do.
What is your songwriting process? (Lyrics before music? How you come up with melodies?)
This is an interesting one that a lot of people have asked me. Sometimes I’ll just dream something, melody, lyrics, everything together and its good, and I want to wake up, but I don’t want to wake up too fast because I want to finish the song. But that only happens about 10% of the time, the other 90% is me pounding some chords out on the guitar or piano and just kind of singing until something makes sense. Or in some cases, doesn’t make sense, but that’s okay too.
This is an interesting one that a lot of people have asked me. Sometimes I’ll just dream something, melody, lyrics, everything together and its good, and I want to wake up, but I don’t want to wake up too fast because I want to finish the song. But that only happens about 10% of the time, the other 90% is me pounding some chords out on the guitar or piano and just kind of singing until something makes sense. Or in some cases, doesn’t make sense, but that’s okay too.
Who have you shared the stage with?
A lot of singer/songwriters, and bands. I opened up for 3 Doors Down at a small club in NJ. A band called, Brother Kane on their way down at a balloon festival, shared the stage with Fountains of Wayne, and a bunch of other bands and singers.
A lot of singer/songwriters, and bands. I opened up for 3 Doors Down at a small club in NJ. A band called, Brother Kane on their way down at a balloon festival, shared the stage with Fountains of Wayne, and a bunch of other bands and singers.
When you play live, how do you try and connect with people who have never heard you?
I try to make them laugh. Because if you make them laugh, you have their ears. And if you have their ears, you can really touch them in places because they are letting you in at that point. And if you can’t make them laugh, eh. Never mind, you’ll always make them laugh.
I try to make them laugh. Because if you make them laugh, you have their ears. And if you have their ears, you can really touch them in places because they are letting you in at that point. And if you can’t make them laugh, eh. Never mind, you’ll always make them laugh.
We have heard that your music was featured on the Disney and Family Channel which is a huge accomplishment. Did it produce CD sales/exposure?
You know, at the time it aired on the Disney Channel, I didn’t have a TV or a way to really watch it. I just kind of heard from family members and friends. I didn’t really receive much in the way of financial gain from it, but I definitely got the interest from other producers and other licensing opportunities because of it which was definitely worth it.
You know, at the time it aired on the Disney Channel, I didn’t have a TV or a way to really watch it. I just kind of heard from family members and friends. I didn’t really receive much in the way of financial gain from it, but I definitely got the interest from other producers and other licensing opportunities because of it which was definitely worth it.
What is next for you?
Well I was just approached by 2 licensing companies for opportunities for placement in 2 separate major motion pictures which I can disclose after the ink has dried.
Well I was just approached by 2 licensing companies for opportunities for placement in 2 separate major motion pictures which I can disclose after the ink has dried.
Have you toured on the road? If so, what is a great story that you would like to share with our audience?
Yes. I played a lot of small towns, and some overseas stuff. When I was in Italy, I rode the train to another city and met some Canadians and we got really drunk on the train (because the staff gives you free wine) and we all fell asleep leaning on each other. I missed my stop and in turn I was late for a show. So I guess the moral of the story is never go to Italy and befriend Canadians because you both feel like you’re long lost brothers so you drink to the fact you are in Italy, you fall asleep and almost miss a show. Fun, but a bad idea.
Yes. I played a lot of small towns, and some overseas stuff. When I was in Italy, I rode the train to another city and met some Canadians and we got really drunk on the train (because the staff gives you free wine) and we all fell asleep leaning on each other. I missed my stop and in turn I was late for a show. So I guess the moral of the story is never go to Italy and befriend Canadians because you both feel like you’re long lost brothers so you drink to the fact you are in Italy, you fall asleep and almost miss a show. Fun, but a bad idea.
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