Friends, Family, and Co-Conspirators!
Couple of announcements -details below. New Secret Cover of California Dreamin’ as made famous by The Mamas & The Papas streaming everywhere Sept 4 and LIVE TMD and Chris Birkett in Hamilton at the Mule Spinner October 24. ON FILM.
By way of personal update, I’ve been working on various film productions over the summer here in Hollywood North aka Canada. Also, I’ve had a couple days off and recorded new tracks here there and everywhere, and and and. Always something going on…
With respect to CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’, a friend of mine in Los Angeles heard an early demo of this one and wrote me back, “Hey Mack, why are you working on all these cover songs when you also write songs?”
I thought, “Aren’t you a retired anthropology professor or something? Yeesh. Sure you can already guess!”
I wrote, “As much as I enjoy reflecting my personal reality through song, I also appreciate the craft and joy of old music which is always new to me.”
I learn a lot by studying the masters and working with them as well. My friend Chris Birkett is one of those guys. He worked with me on our recent single Paradise and while listening to Jessica Magoch and I for hours and hours perfecting the mix, he said to me, “Mack! You and this girl are like The Mamas & the Papas! You should really try California Dreamin’.”
Chris is a great guy and I’ve come to think of him as a real friend. He produced Sinead O’Connor’s globally famous Nothing Compares 2 U, written by Prince. He also produced Steve Earle’s Copperhead Road. He also produced Buffy Ste. Marie. He also had a more than significant hand in Def Leppard’s Pyromania, jammed with Led Zeppelin, etc.
Anyway, you can tell I like talented people so I immediately called my pal Dan Konopka from Grammy-winning OK Go and he sent back one of the greatest drum tracks ever. He spent quite some time living in LA and Hollywood but really I think he gave it both that sparkle and the old Chicago grit. Cali sparkle X Chi-town grit. Name of his next mixtape.
Jaye Marsh from Toronto played the iconic flute parts. She played on Paradise and also just completed an Artist-In-Residence junket with VIA Rail in Canada headed from Toronto to Calgary.
Of course, Jessica Magoch (pronounced Ma-GOOCH) delivered the goods. Her vocals are sublime. If you listen to the end, you will hear her voice soar to places above the stratosphere, reflective of the star that she is.
THIS MAD DESIRE | CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' (as made famous by The Mamas & The Papas) RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 4, 2026
Mackenzie Kristjon - Vocals, Guitars, Keys
Jessica Magoch - Vocals
Jaye Marsh - Flute
Dan Konopka (OK Go) - Drums
Produced by Mackenzie Kristjon and Chris Birkett (Producer of Sinead O'Connor, Buffy Ste. Marie, etc.)
Single artwork by Mische Christie
Mack says, "Such a great song that embodies an era of everything California represents to everyone. The song is about California as a hope and drem on a winter's day. I'd be safe and warm if I was in LA!
“It was a California dream to work with everyone on this and thanks to Chris Birkett for suggesting we tackle this!”
BUY DIRECT |BANDCAMP | SOUNDCLOUD | STREAM ANYWHERE
CHRIS BIRKETT & THIS MAD DESIRE Live at the Mule Spinner
Get ready for an unforgettable in-person gig featuring the incredible sounds of Chris Birkett (producer -Sinead O'Connor's Nothing Compares 2 U) alongside the artful vibes of THIS MAD DESIRE. Join us at the Mule Spinner for a night packed with great music and good times. Bring your friends, grab a drink, and soak in the live magic!
INSIDER’S NOTE: This event will be filmed for future use. You may want to think of it more like a filming event that you are invited to. And it’s live music, baby! No AI there. Nothing up our sleeves. Just fingers, strings, keys, sticks, skins, and voice. We’ll be doing a “weird thing with the air” as Tom Waits has explained is our art and our passion.
--
Mackenzie Kristjon (he/him)
THIS MAD DESIRE | thismaddesire.net | 905.981.2373
RIYL: Neil Young, David Bowie, OK Go, Jane's Addiction, Pearl Jam, Abba
LIFE IS TOO SHORT. ENJOY IT.
Learn more about The Mamas & The Papas: