This Mad Desire

“Neil Young on David Bowie drugs.” That was one reviewer’s description of This Mad Desire, and it stuck. Behind the name is Mackenzie Kristjon, an Icelandic-Canadian songwriter from Hamilton, Ontario. His heartfelt, rootsy rock songs take unexpected turns into glam, art rock and a touch of the cosmic. The new album, Passing Lanes of Fate, is out now. Its songs touch on love and loss, John Wayne, Medusa, Valhalla, politics, life and death. They were recorded with musicians from Canada, the U.S. and Europe: Dan Konopka of Grammy-winning OK Go on drums, producer Chris Birkett (Sinead O'Connor's “Nothing Compares 2 U”), Toronto Symphony Orchestra violinist Leslie Dawn Knowles, singer Jessica Magoch and banjo player Sarah Tolle. Start with “Passing Lanes of Fate,” followed by “The Aliens Have Arrived” and “Paradise.” Mackenzie has toured North America, the UK, Europe and Iceland. It started with a toy guitar and a doctor who said he would never play piano. His mother signed him up for lessons anyway. For fans of Neil Young, David Bowie, Pearl Jam or OK Go, new music and Secret Covers keep coming. Real musicians. No AI. Life is too short. Enjoy it.