Meet Alex Mackenzie-Low of A-Mac & The Height

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Mackenzie-Low.

Alex, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been a songwriter and avid multi-instrumentalist from around age ten. I self-released seven albums in my teens by multi-track recording my songs, layering drums, bass, guitar, keys, vocals, etc. I went on to get a bachelor’s degree in Music Business and Recording Arts (dual major) at the University of Colorado Denver. I performed in numerous bands in college, including Green River Vibe, Eddie Knolls and A-Mac DZ (later to be rebranded as my current band A-Mac & The Height).

Halfway through college, I decided to leave the restaurant and pedicab industry in hopes of becoming a full-time, self-employed musician. I found the transition into this lifestyle from working as a music instructor at School of Rock for a few years. This allowed me to open up my schedule to gigging as a musician and also take on live sound gigs as an independent engineer, which I still continue to do.

In my final year of college, I decided to organize and promote my own music festival called Spread The Word Music Festival on the premise of bringing together Colorado musicians, artists, supporters and media outlets. This festival went on to take place annually for seven years, growing substantially each year eventually including acts such as BoomBox, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Jeff Austin Band, SunSquabi, etc. at venues like Denver Coliseum, Levitt Pavilion, Cervantes, etc.

Throughout these past seven years, I’ve also been the head talent buyer/concert promoter for Moe’s Original BBQ. This job allowed me to book thousands of bands from across the country as we host shows many nights of the week with multiple acts on a bill. The knowledge and networking opportunities that arose from Moe’s fueled Spread The Word Music Festival as well as the growth of my band A-Mac & The Height.

My nickname is “A-Mac” and I eventually rebranded the band to be “A-Mac & The Height” to highlight the amazing group of musicians that perform with me. We average 100+ performances per year with over 500 shows spanning 24 states since the band began touring. We’ve released three albums and have multiple viral music videos. The band recently signed with Flow Life Entertainment and is my main focus currently in the music business. Lastly, I recently started a solo looping project where I live record and layer multiple instruments, including guitar, keys, vocals, bass and beat pads. This has brought about many more solo performance opportunities as well as an outlet to share my music in full effect online via live streaming.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There have been plenty of challenges on the journey here but I feel that they have all brought about positive growth and resilience in an industry that takes a great deal of perseverance. I could write a book on all of the individual challenges but overall, they stem in making music a sustainable living through music. Many challenges have come from filling venues with concert attendees, whether its for Moe’s, StW Fest or my band’s shows.

I have certainly lost money on some tours, festivals and concerts that I’ve promoted but they all showed me what doesn’t work so that I can use the future to focus on what does work. I’ve also learned a lot from failed relationships in the business and what it takes to sustainably build bridges with others and develop a good reputation in the music scene.

Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I have multiple businesses in the music industry that collectively have allowed me to make a living doing what I love. I am known as a musician, concert promoter and sound engineer. I specialize in grassroots, DIY-style implementation of the music business. Many know me as a go-getter that is actively creating opportunities for myself and others to spread music in a financially stable manner.

I am very proud of recent of years of Spread The Word Music Festival, my band’s newest record ‘Finally Woke’ and the wide range of successful shows I’ve promoted at Moe’s. My approach is determined, detail-oriented and genuine with a thorough love for music and the people I get to work within this ever-changing industry.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as the ability to make a living doing what you love in a way that benefits humanity. There are of coarse many degrees of this but ultimately, the satisfaction of sharing your gifts in a way that benefits others is what I think we should all strive for. I know plenty of people that live a more fulfilled life making a modest living following their passion than those that slave away in a field they don’t want to be in just for excess money or fame.

My criteria is that you’re happy, using your fruits to help others and can sustainably survive. When you have people showing appreciation for your work and you’re compensated fairly, that is a marker, however small or large each of those markers may be. The consistent accumulation of these markers is what makes for a successful career in my perspective.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amacandtheheight.com/
• Phone: 719-964-0203
• Email: alex@amacandtheheight.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amacandtheheight/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amacandtheheight
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/amacntheheight
• Other: https://moesdenver.com/

Image Credit:
Charla Harvey

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