Mythmaker - EP

Acoustic guitar virtuoso Andy McKee adds electric guitar and piano to his résumé on the 2014 EP Mythmaker, his first release of new music since his 2010 critically acclaimed album Joyland. The solo piano piece “June,” dedicated to his mother and grandmother, shows the artist with more than 150 million YouTube viewers branching off into a peaceful New Age setting that’s a logical extension of his dexterous acoustic guitar work, if not nearly as physically challenging. McKee’s sublime acoustic steel-string work presents itself on the remaining three pieces, climaxing with the ambitious multi-instrumental work “Lumine.” McKee’s YouTube fame led to Prince requesting McKee to join his band for a series of shows in Australia. Videos showed McKee tapping, fingerpicking, and playing with a unique two-handed technique that’s as percussive as it is melodic. Those talents are well in evidence on the title track and “The Reason.”