Mike McKenzie releases a new single, ‘Saving Grace’, on Mr. Bang Records.

The track from the Edinburgh singer/songwriter is available to download or stream, and follows his debut single ‘Love Like This‘, from late 2019.

‘Saving Grace’ previously appeared as an acoustic version on the EP ‘Songwriter Vol.1’, released in June 2020, but the new take on the song – mixed by Liam Narrie – is augmented by strings arranged by Elspeth Mackay and upright bass from Ruairidh Morrison.

McKenzie’s musical education began at Balerno High School and Edinburgh College and becoming drummer for Edinburgh act Jakil, before leaving the band in 2010.

He was named as inaugural BBC Scotland “Singer/Songwriter of the Year” in 2019, before playing headline shows at King Tut’s, Sneaky Pete’s and Rosslyn Chapel as well as opening for Horse at The Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh.

However, in 2020, like many he spent much of 2020 in lockdown, using the time to work with a variety of fellow writers from around the world – “literally from London to Melbourne”.

The fruits of these sessions are set to appear as new recordings throughout 2021.

Of ‘Saving Grace’, McKenzie said: “I wrote this song during the first lockdown, where my husband and I were stranded either side of the Atlantic due to travel restrictions spending more than eight months apart.

“When I released the acoustic version of the song on EP ‘Songwriter Vol.1’ it seemed to strike a chord with so many people about their own experiences of hope, loneliness and support during these trying times and I knew the studio version had to be my first single of 2021.”

More at mikemckenzieonline.com / www.facebook.com/mikemckenzieoline