Different Circle Records (Glasgow, Scotland) are pleased to announce that the old time Americana sounds of “Spare Change and Drinks”, the debut EP from Glasgow’s John Mackay, will be released on the 27th of July 2015.

Featuring four tracks of love and hard times, a singer-songwriter’s usual tool of acoustic guitar won’t be found on this record, with banjo, stompbox and fiddle in its place. This record will appeal to fans of Charlie Parr, Gillian Welch, And the Devil Makes Three, or Old Crow Medicine Show.

Lead single “16 Times Around” sets the scene of the record with its claw-hammer picked banjo and travelling man lyrics, before the tempo is picked up by the pop sensibilities of “Simple Love“. A harsh but simple re-working of the traditional “Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down” plays out before the banjo returns, played like a fiddle, for the stunning EP closing track “Falling Faster“.

John MacKay will be appearing as a special guest for noted bluesmen Dave Arcari and Mick Hargan on the 17th of July at The Glad Cafe in Glasgow, where he will be playing songs from the new EP.

Tracklisting:
1. 16 Times Around (downloadable on pre-ordering)
2. Simple Love
3. Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down (Traditional)
4. Falling Forward