[Cover photo credit to Yvette Marie Dostatni]

Chicago-based musician and singer/songwriter Bill MacKay recently announced his forthcoming album, Locust Land. The album serves as the follow up to MacKay’s 2019 solo effort, Fountain Fire. Now MacKay has shared the second single from the upcoming album, the psychedelic “Glow Drift.”

On the new track, Mikel Patrick Avery handles the percussion while Sam Wagster plays bass.

Speaking on the new song, MacKay says:

‘Glow Drift’ appeared in this sunny melody and celebratory vibration. A song to lift you. I like the surfy guitars, a hint of joyful release. Like remembering a particular drive with special characters to the sea. The stops and starts of a journey, space for an organ note to linger, then things start galloping again. It jumps.

The album is out on vinyl, CD and digital streaming platforms via Drag City Records on May 24, 2024, with a tour in June to follow. Bill MacKay will be kicking off the tour in support of the album with a full-band show in Chicago on May 23rd at Hideout, before he heads out for solo dates stretching into June.

Discussing Locust Land, MacKay shares:

While making Locust Land I had a breakthrough. I saw that I could truly let a lot of things go, without losing the joy in them, and make something new in a huge way. So it is really about clearing a new path. Making a revolution of my own in life and song.

With cover art also by Bill MacKay (the third of his albums on Drag City to feature his work), Locust Land stands as “a thoroughly personal statement.”

Bill MacKay Tour Dates:

5/23 – Chicago, IL @ The Hideout

6/3 – Indianapolis, IN @ State Street Pub

6/4 – Asheville, NC @ Eulogy

6/5 – Charlotte, NC @ Tabor

6/6 – Washington, D.C. @ Rhizome

6/7 – Brooklyn, NYC @ Public Records

6/8 – Northampton, MA @ 90 King St.

6/9 – Rochester, NY @ Bop Shop

6/10 – Detroit, MI @ Moondog Café