James Mackenzie has released the mini-album Curtain Road and it’s available on iTunes and at HMV in Inverness. The five track offering was recorded at London’s Strongroom Studios and was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Steve Orchard (Travis, Chris Cornell, Bela Fleck).

Mackenzie launches into 2012 on the back of another strong year, which saw the young Highland artist continue to develop his craft and build on his impressive live CV. Particular highlights included his main stage performance at Scotland’s second largest festival RockNess, appearances at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Insider Festival, Loopallu, and receiving media support from the likes of Jim Gellatly, BBC Introducing in Scotland, STV and BBC 3.

Initially coming to widespread attention fronting James Mackenzie and The Aquascene, 2010 proved an outstanding debut year for the band with impressive displays across a range of key festivals including goNORTH, RockNess, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival and Loopallu. Releasing their debut offering, Frase and Phable, in July 2010, the band embarked on a series of dates and small tours which ensured the initial press quickly sold out and generated a significant fan base. This blizzard of activity saw the six-piece gaining support from a host of regional media, establishing a strong, coherent identity, and frontman Mackenzie developing into a charismatic and engaging presence in the live environment.

Going solo in 2011, Mackenzie has continued to develop this early artistic drive, boasting an inventive maturity of craft which suffuses strong traditional elements and interesting instrumentation with a fresh and credible contemporary swagger.

This year James has already supported Gallagher and Lyle,  will be playing on the main stage at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival and touring the UK.