JUNO nominated and Maple Blues Award winner Spencer Mackenzie releases his third single “Frozen Hearts” from his upcoming studio album Empty Chairs. The single is available from Friday November 21st on all streaming platforms HERE. Watch the lyric video HERE.
“Frozen Hearts” – “Emerging from the depths of grief and resilience, I wrote Frozen Hearts as a personal tribute honouring the victims of residential schools,” says Spencer. With searing guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and a rhythm that echoes both sorrow and defiance, this song became my memorial in sound –ensuring that the voices of those who never made it home are forever heard.”
Continues Spencer, “Writing Frozen Hearts meant confronting the painful legacy of children taken from their families, children whose laughter was silenced, whose lives were cut short, whose culture and identities were stripped away. Through every chord and lyric, I tried to transform that mourning into remembrance, to carry forward the voices silenced by history. This song is my promise to remember them – with love, respect and truth.”
Mackenzie’s new album Empty Chairs will be released by Gypsy Soul Records on February 20th, 2026. The album is produced by 2XJuno nominated producer, mixer and engineer and Emmy Award winning recording mixer Ross Hayes Citrullo, the guitarist of The Commoners.
Spencer’s passion for the genre deepens as he explores the works of blues legends while simultaneously being influenced by the bold energy of renowned present-day blues rockers in this highly anticipated new album. This fusion of styles along with Spencer’s unique sound in his new upcoming album Empty Chairs embodies this gritty, introspective style with electrifying guitar, punchy riffs, soaring organ, dynamic vocals, and an explosive rhythm section.
With his fluid phrasing, resonant tone, and expressive performances, one could believe Spencer Mackenzie was born on Beale Street. That, however, would be wrong. The lauded JUNO-nominated blues-rock artist hails from Southern Ontario and has steadily earned accolades, and the attention of blues aficionados from around the world. Leaving nothing behind when he steps to the stage, Mackenzie offers show goers a powerhouse performance, commanding his guitar with sophistication and prowess beyond his years.
For nearly a decade, Maple Blues Award winner Spencer Mackenzie has been writing and recording true blues, showcasing the raw emotion and honesty the genre demands. There’s a familiarity and ease with which he approaches the music, almost as though it flows through rather than from him. The energy of his work is infectious, permeating through the listener until they, too, feel the heartbeat of the blues.
Mackenzie’s high-energy, captivating performance is one that grabs the audience from the moment the first note is played. With numerous Canadian, European, and US shows performed, some of his most notable performances include the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Festival d’été de Quebec, Moulin Blues Ospel, Ribs & Blues Raalte and Kulturring Schöppingen Blues Festival alongside acts such as Walter Trout, Fantastic Negrito, Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton, just to name a few. With an electrifying presence and his new album on the horizon, this left-handed guitar slinger shows no signs of slowing down, delivering performances that leaves the audience buzzing long after the final note.
Empty Chairs is just that, the fusion of styles along with Spencer’s unique sound while simultaneously being influenced by the bold energy of renowned present-day blues rockers embodies this gritty, introspective style with electrifying guitar.
As previously mentioned, the new album is produced by Ross Hayes Citrullo, a 2X JUNO Award–nominee and Emmy Award winner. With a career defined by passion and creativity, Ross has earned multiple accolades for his work on albums that have topped charts and garnered millions of streams worldwide.
Citrullo’s distinctive approach to production blends artistry with technical mastery, bringing out the best in every project he touches. Now, Ross brings this wealth of experience and vision to this new album, infusing it with the same energy and dedication that has made his previous work celebrated worldwide.
“What we caught on this album is honesty and fire,” says Citrullo. “Spencer’s playing is fearless, his voice wide open, and every take breathes like a live show you don’t want to end. Producing it was about chasing moments you can’t fake—tone that tells the truth, stories that cut deep, and performances that live in the room. It’s the blues, lit up with a rock edge—hitting with modern bite and a timeless feel.”
EMPTY CHAIRS – ALBUM TRACK LISTING
1. Empty Chairs (4:29)
2. Trip (3:25)
3. What You Do (4:28)
4. Don’t Know Where I’m Going (3:11)
5. Till I Get to You (3:57)
6. Frozen Hearts (4:09)
7. Helping Hands (3:18)
8. Why (3:58)
9. Shoot Me Down (4:08)
10. Won’t Find Her (3:18)
11. Evil (3:57)
PRODUCTION & WRITING CREDITS
All songs written by Spencer Mackenzie and Co-Writer Richard Mackenzie on tracks 1,2,6,11
Exception on Track 4- ‘Don’t Know Where I’m Going’ music and lyrics by Rory Gallagher
© BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a BMG Firefly / BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited / Strange Music Ltd. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Spencer Mackenzie – Guitar and Vocals
Miles Evans Branagh – Piano, Hammond Organ, Keyboards
Stacey Shopsowitz – Bass on tracks 1-5 and 8-11
Steve Pelletier – Bass on tracks 6, 7
Adam Canon – Drums on tracks 1-5 and 8-11
Matt Burns – Drums on tracks 6, 7
Sandra Bouza and Chantel Williams – Background Vocals
Ross Hayes Citrullo – Background Vocals on track 2
Recorded at RHC Music, Toronto, Canada
Produced, Mixed and Engineered by Ross Hayes Citrullo – RHC Music
Assistant Engineers – Gavin Sharman, Marc Pallascio, Andrew Champion
Mastered by Kristian Montano
ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK
1 – Empty Chairs
A soulful blues rock song that expresses anger and frustration from the perspective of friends and families, who have lost innocent people they love due to gun violence. This can’t be the new normal! It’s got to change!
2 – Trip
An upbeat, guitar heavy anthem for the people who just want to be noticed and for people who are crying and screaming trying to get out! Whether it’s a dream or reality, let’s go on a trip!
3 – What You Do
When we say that we’re fine. Are we really? Or are we just trying to save others over ourselves? ‘What You Do’ is a high energy blues rock song that’s meant to bring your attention to the guessing game we all play.
4 – Don’t Know Where I’m Going
A nod to one of the greatest guitar players to ever do it, this rendition of Gallagher’s acoustic blues folk number cranks up the volume and takes you down a road with deep, gritty guitar and an exciting fast rhythm section.
5 – Till I Get to You
All the pressure you carry is lifted when you get to the one you love with this soulful acoustic style song about the person that is always there for you, understands you, gets you, and helps you through it all.
6 – Frozen Hearts
This heavy blues rock song is a tribute to the victims of residential schools, who were taken from their way of life, family, culture and stripped of their identity. May the story of the ones who never made it home forever be heard and remind us to carry their memory with love and respect.
7 – Helping Hands
In life there are people who only do something because it benefits them. Sometimes they are the closest to us. “Helping Hands” is a funky blues rock song about moving on from the person that thinks you need them, but they need you more than you need them!
8 – Why
You can do the best job you can, but for someone who doesn’t know themselves, it often becomes a thankless job. “Why” is a sad song filled with soulful licks and harmonies that’s about doing everything right and getting hurt in return. You can solve all their problems just to be thrown out and left behind wondering why.
9 – Shoot Me Down
How can you hold up both ends if you’re the only one? A relationship has two sides. This bare bones slide guitar song is about coming up with every idea for someone, them saying no, then never telling you what they really want. You can’t spend your life making up someone else’s mind if all they do is shoot you down.
10 – You Won’t Find Her
It’s not you, it’s all me. We both know that’s a lie. This heavy riff driven blues rock song leaves you questioning how someone you once loved could go so wrong. You’re left confused, searching for answers, until you finally realize you’re better off without them.”
11 – Evil
No matter how many people tell you to stay away or tell you, you’re wrong, sometimes we won’t listen, and we find out for ourselves. “Evil” is a song with a punchy rhythm section and an in-your-face guitar sound, that’s about learning how much someone can twist your mind or how blind love can really be.
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