2010 proved an outstanding debut year for James Mackenzie and The Aquascene, with the young Highland band delivering across a series of festivals including goNORTH, RockNess, Belladrum and a triumphant main stage appearance at Loopallu.

July 2010 saw the release of the their debut EP, Frase and Phable, and the band embarking 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 also saw the band gaining support from a host of regional media, receiving airplay on BBC Radio 1 in Scotland, but more importantly, establishing a strong, coherent identity, and frontman Mackenzie developing into a charismatic and engaging presence in the live environment.

The band closed 2010 with a winning home town show at Inverness’s Ironworks and have since been invited to share billing with the likes of The Boy Who Trapped The Sun for his Highland & Islands tour, Emma’s Imagination, The Dykeenies and at an aftershow for Mumford & Sons as part of their recent Highland tour..

The band have continued to develop this early artistic drive, and now boast an inventive maturity of craft which suffuses strong traditional elements and interesting instrumentation with a fresh and credible contemporary swagger.

James Mackenzie and The Aquascene will release the mini-album, ‘A Day At The Office‘on May 2nd 2011, with lead single ‘In Too Deep’ available for download from April 18th. The release was recorded with acclaimed producer Andy Miller ( Arab Strap, The Delgados, The Fratellis) and will feature 6 tracks showcasing the bands blend of pop hooks and contemporary folk.

James Mackenzie and The Aquascene Spring Tour 2011

April 15th – GoSurf, Newmarket Bar, Thurso

April 24th – Market Bar, Inverness, afternoon performance (acoustic)

May 3rd – Bloc, Glasgow (acoustic)

May 6th – Rock The Fort, Fort William

May 7th – Album launch at Bogbain Farm, Inverness with special guests Kitty The Lion

May 13th – The Jager Room, Stornoway

May 15th – Hazy Recollections at Stereo, Glasgow (afternoon gig)

May 21st – The Cellar Bar, Aberdeen

May 26th – The Bedford, London (acoustic)

Source: Steve Robertson