BIO
Mike McKenna Jr is a Canadian singer-songwriter, originally hailing from the remote, musical island of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. His minimalist acoustic soundscapes and raw, soulful vocal give his folklore-infused, down-home inspired songs a contemporary touch.
His newest album and first full length record 'Pacific Northwest Bound' garnered him positive reviews, radio charting, and festival spots including a release show at Vancouver Island Music Fest, a Main Stage appearance at Montreal Folk Fest sur le Canal, and a Sunday performance at the 25th Anniversary of RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. The record's dark, introspective and haunting title track was recently added to Spotify's curated playlist 'Currents: Contemporary Folk', featuring a strong lineup of lyrical heavy hitters like John Prine, Cat Stevens, Sting, and Rose Cousins. Spotify Community's own Melody Causton said it best when describing Mike's unique and highly-listenable songwriting style:
“An authentic, golden, raspy voice that sings comfortably over folk-driven rhythmic guitar lines. His personal, nostalgic lyrics are wonderfully descriptive giving his music a relatable and also gorgeously humble tone.”
Spring 2020 will see the anticipated release of his second full-length album 'At the Edge of the World', produced by 23-year-old Berklee graduate Quinn Bachand (Rosier, Kittle & Co, Brishen) and featuring a familiar lineup of musicians along with several new names. Colin Savoie-Levac (Rosier, the Duhks) is back on electric and bass guitar, as well as Béatrix Mêthé (Rosier) on backup vocals, with the addition of 19-year-old Benjamin Vallee (Bule) on pedalsteel, and Oli Bernatchez (Rosier) on drums. With a young band, a rising-star producer, and an all round bigger studio sound, Mike's newest project is set to release on April 17th, followed by a string of album release shows across Europe and North America.
SOCIAL MEDIA
PRESS & RADIO
Aesthetic Magazine Toronto: Video Premiere 'At the Edge of the World'
Off Your Radar: Issue #193 - Pacific Northwest Bound Reviews
Main Line Today: Philadelphia Folksong Society with Mike McKenna Jr
Top Country: 5 Country Artists from the East Coast
CKCU: Live on Canadian Spaces with Chris White
Roots Music Canada: Five Quebec artists at Montreal Folk Fest
Sault Online: Master Performers Max Marshall & Mike McKenna Jr
Les Quartiers du Canal: Festival Folk sur le Canal 2019
Exclaim!: Montreal Folk Fest sur le Canal 2019 Lineup
Cape Breton Post: McKenna Jr at Guitar Night, Centre 200
Exclaim!: East Coast Music Awards 2019, Charlottetown, PEI
Canadian Beats: Noah Derksen & Mike McKenna Jr in Montreal, QC
Exclaim!: Ottawa's RBC Bluesfest Unveils 2019 Lineup
Stingray Music: Top Folk-Roots Airplay (US) Year End 2018
Gnarles: 5 Songs for your Roadtrip Film
Sooke Mirror: Dynamic Vocal Styles Performing in Oak Bay
The East Mag: Living Roots Festival 2018 Lineup
Leesta Vall Records Direct-to-Vinyl Office Session
Johnny's Garden: Pacific Northwest Bound Album Review
Hearth Music: Best Celtic Music of 2017
Root Music Report: Top 50 Canada Album Chart 2017
Spotify: Currents - Contemporary Folk Playlist
Vancouver Island Music Fest: Performer Review
Spotify Community: Featured Artist on 'The Tip-Off'
Halifax Bloggers: Pacific Northwest Bound Album Review
Roots Music Report: Top Contemporary Folk Albums 2017
Roots Music Report: Top Folk Albums 2017
Blues & Roots Radio: Under the Radar Album Preview
CKCU 93.3 FM: Top Albums - June, 2017
International Americana Show: 'America' on Episode 1721
CJLO 1690 AM: Interview with Genaro Pena - Pacific Northwest Bound Album Release
CBC: East Coast Music Awards 2017 - Off the Beaten Track
Canadian Beats: East Coast Music Awards 2017 - Bluebird North Stage
Folk Roots Radio: Interview with Jan Hall - FMO 2016
Earshot! Campus Radio Report: CHSR 97.9 FM - Charting on Fredericton Top 30
Spincount: Mike McKenna Jr at Lunenburg Folk Harbour & Festival Summer Tour 2016
CTV Atlantic: Interview with Heidi Petracek
CBC: East Coast Music Awards 2016
CKUT 90.3 FM: Interview on 'Wednesday Morning After'
Quick Before It Melts: Travelin' Man Album Review
International Americana Show: 'Die in the West' on Episode 1625 - Long Songs Edition
Quick Before It Melts: Favourite Songs of 2015
Grayowl Point: Travelin Man Album Review
Modern Folk Music of America: Travelin Man Album Review
Sea and Be Scene: SOCAN Songhouse Participants
VIDEOS