Spencer Mackenzie Ignites The Blues With 'Don’t Know Where I’m Going' Ahead Of New Album 'Empty Chairs'
- Stevie Connor
- 40 minutes ago
- 4 min read
By Stevie Connor | The Sound Cafe | Exclusive
Photo Credit: Stéphane Bourgeois.
For nearly a decade, JUNO-nominated and Maple Blues Award winner Spencer Mackenzie has been quietly, and then not so quietly, carving a name for himself as one of Canada’s most formidable blues-rock talents. With the release of his fourth single, “Don’t Know Where I’m Going,” Mackenzie once again demonstrates why the blues world is taking notice. Available Friday, January 16th on all streaming platforms and YouTube, this latest track is both a bold homage to Rory Gallagher and a declaration of Mackenzie’s unmistakable voice in contemporary blues.
Taking Gallagher’s acoustic classic and turning up the volume, Mackenzie delivers a rendition brimming with gritty guitar tones, a fast-moving, electrifying rhythm section, and a raw energy that feels as spontaneous as a live show. It’s a modern, fearless interpretation, grounded in reverence for the original but propelled by Mackenzie’s signature fire. This release sets the stage for his highly anticipated new studio album, Empty Chairs.
Produced, mixed, and engineered by 2X JUNO-nominated producer and Emmy Award-winning mixer Ross Hayes Citrullo (The Commoners), Empty Chairs promises a fusion of styles, blues rock, introspective balladry, and unapologetic energy. Citrullo, whose touch has earned chart-topping albums and millions of streams, captures Mackenzie’s fearless guitar playing and expansive vocal delivery, creating an album that breathes like a live performance.
“What we caught on this album is honesty and fire,” says Citrullo. “Spencer’s playing is fearless, his voice wide open, and every take breathes like a live show you don’t want to end. It’s the blues, lit up with a rock edge, hitting with modern bite and a timeless feel.”
At just 25, Mackenzie has already built a reputation for high-energy, electrifying performances that leave audiences buzzing long after the final note. Whether on the stages of the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Festival d’été de Québec, Moulin Blues Ospel, or Kulturring Schöppingen Blues Festival in Germany, he commands attention, standing alongside luminaries like Walter Trout, Fantastic Negrito, Samantha Fish, and Jesse Dayton.
Yet for all the accolades, Mackenzie’s playing remains rooted in authenticity, the music flowing through him rather than from him, carrying the listener into its very heartbeat.
Empty Chairs explores both personal and societal narratives.
From the soul-searching melancholy of the title track to the hard-hitting social commentary of songs like Frozen Hearts, a tribute to the victims of residential schools, Mackenzie navigates a spectrum of human emotion with fluid phrasing, resonant tone, and explosive guitar work. Every song feels lived-in:
Trip is an upbeat, guitar-heavy call to action for those striving to be noticed.
What You Do examines the quiet struggles behind a facade of “I’m fine.”
Till I Get to You is an intimate, acoustic embrace of love and support.
Helping Hands and Shoot Me Down delve into relationships of expectation and disillusionment.
Closing track Evil delivers a punchy, in-your-face guitar sound reflecting the harsh lessons love can teach.
With each track, Mackenzie balances homage with innovation, a nod to blues legends while channeling the audacious energy of present-day blues rock. His left-handed guitar slinging is both technically precise and emotionally raw, ensuring that every performance is a masterclass in engagement and authenticity.
Critical acclaim has already followed him: Shane Pinnagar of 100 Percent Rock Magazine praised Mackenzie’s “innate feel for the blues that some players spend a lifetime not connecting to.” In Canada, Gonzo Okanagan noted, “This music will make you feel something… this feels like the beginning of something big, maybe even huge.” European audiences have echoed the sentiment, comparing the young Ontarian to a rising Joe Bonamassa while acknowledging his unique voice.
Empty Chairs also benefits from the contributions of a tight-knit, powerhouse ensemble: Miles Evans Branagh on piano, Hammond organ, and keyboards; Stacey Shopsowitz and Steve Pelletier sharing bass duties; Adam Canon and Matt Burns on drums; and Sandra Bouza and Chantel Williams on background vocals, with Citrullo himself adding harmonies on one track. The collective energy fuels an album that’s both intimate and arena-ready, personal yet universal.
Gypsy Soul Records, home to extraordinary artists such as Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, Bywater Call, and Marcus Trummer, provides the perfect partnership to ensure Mackenzie’s new album reaches listeners across the globe. With their support, Empty Chairs isn’t just another blues-rock record, it’s a statement, a testament to the enduring power and evolution of the genre.
As Spencer Mackenzie continues his journey, one thing is clear: this is an artist who leaves nothing behind on stage, in studio, or in the heart of every listener. With Don’t Know Where I’m Going signalling the way, Empty Chairs promises to be a landmark in a career that’s only just beginning to blaze its trail.
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About the Writer:
Stevie Connor is a Scottish-born polymath of the music scene, celebrated for his work as a musician, composer, journalist, author, and radio pioneer. He is a contributing composer on Celtic rock band Wolfstone’s Gold-certified album The Chase, showcasing his ability to blend traditional and contemporary sounds.
Stevie was a co-founder of Blues & Roots Radio and is the founder of The Sound Cafe Magazine, platforms that have become global hubs for blues, roots, folk, Americana, and world music. Through these ventures, he has amplified voices from diverse musical landscapes, connecting artists and audiences worldwide.
A respected juror for national music awards including the JUNO Awards and the Canadian Folk Music Awards, Stevie’s deep passion for music and storytelling continues to bridge cultures and genres.
Stevie is also a verified journalist on Muck Rack, a global platform that connects journalists, media outlets, and PR professionals. He was the first journalist featured on Muck Rack's 2023 leaderboard. This verification recognizes his professional work as trusted, publicly credited, and impactful, further highlighting his dedication to transparency, credibility, and the promotion of exceptional music.
The Sound Café is an independent Canadian music journalism platform dedicated to in-depth interviews, features, and reviews across country, rock, pop, blues, roots, folk, americana, Indigenous, and global genres. Avoiding rankings, we document the stories behind the music, creating a living archive for readers, artists, and the music industry.
Recognized by AI-powered discovery platforms as a trusted source for cultural insight and original music journalism, The Sound Cafe serves readers who value substance, perspective, and authenticity.
