Singer-songwriter Brian Mackey returns with the release of his heartrending new single and video for Saturday Night Sleeping, out now!
The song embodies the deep sentiment of losing a loved one in the battle against addiction and opioid abuse and draws from Mackey’s loss of his own son, Brian, to a heroin overdose on a warm Saturday night in May. The powerful single has now been accompanied by an equally poignant video, featuring Mackey himself as he battles with his grief whilst playing the piano. With this release, Brian’s hoping to raise awareness for Mental Health, Opioid Dependency and Addiction which has continued to grow exponentially during the Covid-19 pandemic due to isolation, loneliness, loss of work and global normalcy. According to Our World In Data, illicit drug use is responsible for over 750,000 deaths per year worldwide, nearly double the number of deaths from homicide (400,000).
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Brian about the latest release, challenges, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
I’m a musically nostalgic with a multiple genre personality. I find inspiration from the smallest of sounds and can dwell on them for days ..
My styles have transformed primary due to influences such as spending lots of time in Nashville and New Jersey both opposite ends of the spectrum but both can work together nicely.
How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?
12 years
Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?
I’m a huge fan of the singer songwriters who would take to the stage with a acoustic guitar and story tell…
They did it with heart it translated and made a larger foot print on the soundscape of time
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
Both actually, My son had passed away and the depression and grief was making it very hard to focus for long periods of time so in turn this new batch of songs are small peeks into what my feelings were… This time around I’m taking the lead on the production end and also working with Jim Kimball (Reba McIntyre Brooks and Dunn)w ho’s doing the edits and engineering. Jeff King is back working with me also on guitars and His wife Tammy King (Steel Drivers Chris Stapleton) on Fiddle.
What was the last song you listened to?
Dance Monkey
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
This is a tough one because each has a different value… From a listener stand point I head over to you tube it’s just faster… From an artist’s prospective here’s where the value comes in. Apple Music is the sales end and Spotify can drive the sales by casting a wider net into the crowded ocean of others hoping to gain exposure.. So I think the two can work in tandem.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music?
Times change, tastes change. It’s a recycling dilemma really… I think you have to work always on your craft and take it serious enough to be taken seriously.. What you put in will help what ultimately comes out.
Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?
Yes x 5!!
Since the pandemic I’ve been putting the finishing turns on the album.. I’ve got some shows in Houston coming up in November more to come ! Would love to get back to the UK and EU I’ve been touring there ever year with the exception of the 2020 – 2021 since 2015 I’ve been in so many cities , traveled and broken down on your motorway with a sprinter and full band and gear heading to a last show in Manchester dang I miss touring / On the live stream front over on https://www.facebook.com/brianmackeyfans
And on Instagram @brianmackeymusic
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?
And
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
Thanks y’all for the interview appreciate the support!
Wisdom for the day:
Be open minded but not so much that your common sense falls out ☮️
