Bellehouse, Mackenzie Shivers

Brooklyn-based Bellehouse has been spinning tales of urban Americana since 2013. The band's roots are in both the East and West coasts and their influences range from Bluegrass to Motown to Classical and beyond. Members include Jess Taylor Clinton (vocals, guitar), Sarah Elizabeth Haines (vocals & viola), Catie Friel (vocals), Nick Lenchner (bass), and Ryan Gross (banjo and vocals). Keep an eye out for a self titled debut EP, to be released in the early summer.

Since the age of 4, Mackenzie has been writing music. Her debut album Neverland was released in October 2014, and her songs have been likened to both Joni Mitchell and a 90s era Jewel by Timber and Steel. Neverland was produced by Eshy Gazit (The Roots, Phoenix) and is piano-driven folk/pop with a Celtic soul. PopMatters calls the album a “showcase of her piano and vocal skills” with “emotional range.”

The Tampa native is a classically trained pianist who started lessons at the age of 5 and continued her studies at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music in Nashville. She earned her B.M. degree in music composition and theory, and it was here that Shivers started honing her songwriting craft.



Mackenzie now lives in New York City, where she plays venues such as Rockwood Music Hall, The Bitter End, Googie’s above the Living Room, Caffe Vivaldi, and Bowery Electric. She is also a member of Kenyon Phillips and the Ladies in Waiting, whose sold-out rock opera The Life & Death of Kenyon Phillips played at Joe’s Pub. She also writes incidental music for The Immediate Family’s stage productions.

Shivers writes from the gut. She is influenced by Joni Mitchell, Elton John, Tori Amos, Patty Griffin, and newer artists such as Aoife O’Donovan and First Aid Kit. Her songs weave stories of love and loss, people and places, sorrow and hope. The music in Neverland draws inspiration from old Celtic tunes, folk ballads, hymns, and more modern pop/rock songs.

You can also catch Shivers acting in TV and film, most recently alongside Scott Bakula in Law and Order: SVU. At the age of fourteen, she appeared in the Phil Collins music video “Strangers Like Me.”

Neverland is now available on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.