Hitherto known as an instrumentalist, MacKay sings two songs. Tompkins Square and Ryley Walker teamed up to produce a reissue of guitarist John Hulburts 1972 private press LP, Opus III, released in 2015. Performing in support of their October 20 release SpiderBeetleBee, the alt-folk guitar duo of Bill MacKay and Ryler Walker will play a November 24 concert at Rozz-Tox, and consequently demonstrate why Paste magazine raved, Walker and MacKay do nothing less than dazzle with interlocking melodies and modes that can carry your spirit away or stir up long-dormant memories. Swooping slide licks push back the horizon on “Pre-California” and “Arcadia” a galloping tempo and strategically situated organ harmonies invite you to imagine the anticipatory journey that preceded the jaunty salutation of “Welcome.” And when MacKay stretches out, as he does on the layered, lyrical “Dragon Country,” there’s enough tension in the exchanges between echo-drenched lead and tempo-pushing rhythm tracks that you’ll want to hang in there and see who wins. Fountain Fire, his second solo recording for Drag City, showcases both MacKay’s knacks for cohesive self-editing and elegant arranging, which make his instrumentals feel like complete songs.

In fact, he’s been a fixture of Chicago’s music scene for years as both a versatile sideman and a recording artist in his own right. Bill MacKay Hypnotic Pulse Of The Reindeer Range (w/ Ryley Walker). The visibility afforded guitarist Bill MacKay by his recent run as Ryley Walker’s right-hand man might create the mistaken impression that he’s new on the scene. Bill MacKay cut his teeth in various bands and projects spanning genres across the.

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