Skip to content

Sony spotlight: James Mackey

November 18, 2016

As we continue to turn the spotlight on the devoted men and women of Sony Legacy, please meet Legacy Marketing Assistant, James Mackey…

 

WHAT WAS THE FIRST RECORD YOU EVER BOUGHT?
I think a cassette single of ‘Back for Good’ by Take That was officially mine when I was 3, but having no income, I can’t say I bought it. I do remember, bizarrely, buying CD singles of ‘Ignition (Remix)’ by R Kelly and ‘She Hates Me’ by Puddle of Mudd with money from my first paper round. I think the first album may actually have been Permission to Land by The Darkness, which remains amazing.

 

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE SONY ARTIST AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SONG/ALBUM BY THEM?
Sometimes it’s Miles with ‘On the Corner’, sometimes ‘Bringing It All Back Home’, sometimes ’36 Chambers’, sometimes it’s ‘Transformer’ or ‘Street Hassle’, sometimes ‘Horses’, sometimes ‘Lady in Satin’, sometimes The Clash, sometimes ‘There’s a Riot Goin On’.

I was inching towards ‘Astral Weeks’ by Van Morrison, but I think ultimately, it’s My Bloody Valentine’s ‘Loveless’, a record that’s meant a huge amount to me for a very long time.

 

WHAT’S THE BEST GIG YOU’VE BEEN TO?
My big, looming standout is Radiohead in Victoria Park in 2008, during their In Rainbows tour. Looking back, the setlist is astonishing. Hearing ‘Karma Police’ sung by thousands was an early tick on the bucket list.

But I also don’t remember having as much fun as I did at a Buzzcocks gig at about 2am at a Butlins for All Tomorrow’s Parties. I also saw Sonic Youth, De La Soul and My Bloody Valentine there: a good weekend.

 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ALBUM?
Oh, it’s probably ‘Pet Sounds’. It’s ‘Pet Sounds’, I can’t look around it, or pretend otherwise. Its mastery and invention and beauty is undimmed despite endless celebration.

 

WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE ARTISTS?
From the now: Joanna Newsom, Julia Holter, James Blake, Kendrick Lamar, FKA Twigs, Frank Ocean, Anohni, Beyonce, Grimes, Jim O’Rourke, Kanye
From the then: Arthur Russell, Nina Simone, Velvet Underground, Kate Bush, Talking Heads, Scott Walker, Big Star, Alice Coltrane, Blondie, Sam Cooke, The Smiths, Gil Scott Heron, Cocteau Twins, Otis Redding, The Fall, Outkast, Television, Joni Mitchell, Burial, Can, Bjork, Silver Apples, New Order, The Supremes, LCD, Pavement, The Replacements, The Zombies, Love, William Onyeabor, Sleater Kinney, The Beatles

 

ANY STORIES YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?
The people you get to meet is just surreal, and wonderful. Just a couple of weeks ago I was in a room with Hugh Cornwell as he signed 500 records, talking about test cricket, punk zines and Jeremy Corbyn. If you’d told me that I’d get to do anything as oddly brilliant as that when I first heard ‘Golden Brown’, I wouldn’t have believed you.

I guess my short time in the music industry is peppered with moments like that, small things that all add up to something bigger: releasing records and helping people listen to the music they love. And that’s a real honour to be a part of, in whatever small way I am.

 

WE MISS YOU JAMES!

SONY SPOTLIGHT: AIMEE DURHAM

SONY SPOTLIGHT: AIMEE DURHAM

 

Curating some of the most significant music in the history of the world is an awesome responsibility. Once again we’re proud to present the men and women who answered the call, this week Video Project Coordinator, Aimee Durham.

Read more
Sony Spotlight: Matt Milton

Sony Spotlight: Matt Milton

As we continue to profile the fine men and women entrusted with Sony Records’ musical legacy, Music For Nations’ Matt Milton comes under the Sony Spotlight…

Read more
Sony Spotlight: Jess Salter

Sony Spotlight: Jess Salter

Once again it’s time to put names and faces to some of the hard working men & women safeguarding Sony Music’s amazing catalgoue. This week it’s the turn of Digital Marketing Intern Jess Salter, find out what makes her tick…

Read more
Sony Spotlight: Julie Weir

Sony Spotlight: Julie Weir

Welcome back to our continuing series, shining a well-deserved spotlight on the fine men and women tirelessly curating the most amazing music ever made.

Read more
SONY SPOTLIGHT: OLI CAMERON

SONY SPOTLIGHT: OLI CAMERON

Once again it’s time to meet more of the tireless men and women below decks, striving to keep the good ship Sony Legacy safely on course. May we introduce Campaign & Range Manager Oli Cameron.

Read more
Sony Spotlight: Sean Mackey

Sony Spotlight: Sean Mackey

Come and meet the men and women slaving tirelessly behind the scenes at Sony Legacy – this week it’s Marketing Assistant Sean Mackey…

Read more
Sony Spotlight: David Goosen

Sony Spotlight: David Goosen

As we continue our series examining the devoted men and women shedding blood, sweat and tears for Sony Legacy, we have the immense privilege of introducing you to Digital Marketing Manager David ‘Goose’ Goosen…

Read more
Sony Spotlight: Sarah Grant

Sony Spotlight: Sarah Grant

In our continuing series highlighting the fine men and women of Sony Legacy, may we present Video Project Manager Sarah Grant…

Read more
Sony Spotlight:  Lou Stirna

Sony Spotlight: Lou Stirna

As we continue to turn the spotlight on the devoted men and women of Sony Legacy, please meet Lou Stirna from Sony’s Learning and Development team…

Read more
Sony spotlight: James Mackey

Sony spotlight: James Mackey

As we continue to turn the spotlight on the devoted men and women of Sony Legacy, please meet Marketing Assistant, James Mackey …

Read More...