Steve Mackey

Mackey was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. In his early years he attended Hucklow First and Middle Schools with friend Richard Hawley. They would later play together as members of Pulp. He schooled at Hinde House Comprehensive in Sheffield before undertaking further studies at Richmond College of Further Education. Before joining Pulp, he played bass for another Sheffield band called Trolley Dog Shag, who were featured alongside Pulp on a Dolebusters compilation album in 1987.[1] He moved to London in 1988 to pursue an interest in film-making and graduated from London's Royal College of Art, in 1992, MA Film.

Joining Pulp in 1989,[2] he played on Separations, released on Fire Records.[3] He continued to write, record and tour with the band as they found success in the 1990s. Subsequent albums recorded included Intro – The Gift Recordings, His 'n' Hers, Different Class, This Is Hardcore and We Love Life. After an 8-year hiatus Mackey returned to activity with Pulp in 2010 and their subsequent world tours in 2011 and 2012[4] and the release of their single "After You", working with producer James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem.[5]

Forming a songwriting/production partnership with Ross Orton (known as Cavemen), he met Maya Arulpragasam (M.I.A.) and co-wrote and produced "Galang" and "Sunshowers" which led to MIA securing a deal with Interscope Records and releasing "Arular". They worked together again on "Bird Flu" from her subsequent album Kala. Mackey and Orton continued to produce and remix for artists including Kelis, Cornershop, The Kills and The Horrors. Mackey also produced and co-wrote songs for Florence and the Machine's debut album "Lungs", including "Kiss With a Fist", "Girl With One Eye" and " Swimming" and also The Long Blondes debut album Someone to Drive you Home.[6] During this period he continued to record and tour with Jarvis Cocker, in 2006 for his debut solo album for Rough Trade Records (Jarvis) and again in 2008 recording the album Further Complications at Electrical Studios, Chicago with Steve Albini.[7][8]

In 2011 Mackey produced Summer Camp's "Welcome to Condale" album[9] and in 2012 he again worked as producer for Palma Violets debut album on Rough Trade Records, "180", released in February 2013.[10] Also in 2012 he was produced "Railroad Track" by Willy Moon released on Jack White's Third Man Records.[11]

In 2014 he recorded and mixed for Dean Blunts "Black Metal" album and in 2015 began working with Yak, recording their single "No" released on Third Man. He mixed Danny Goffey of Supergrass "Take Your Jacket Off and Get into It " LP. Yaks "Alas Salvation " LP was recorded with him during the rest of 2015 and released in early 2016 [12]

In 2017 he was awarded an Ivor Novello Award along with the other members of Pulp for Outstanding Song Collection[13] presented by Peter Saville, graphic designer of record sleeves for Joy Division, New Order and Pulp

Mackey has also worked with John Gosling (formerly of Psychic TV) as a music director and sound designer creating mixes and original compositions for films, museums and other commercial projects[14] including the Museum of Modern Art New York, the Louvre Paris,[15] and the Minsheng Art Museum Shanghai[16]

In 2005 Mackey played a cameo role as one of The Weird Sisters, rock band in the film of Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. The fictitious group also featured Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway of Radiohead and Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker.

In 2006, Mackey and Cocker curated an acclaimed 2 CD Compilation called The Trip featuring music from various eras including Moondog, Carl Orff, The Birthday Party, The Fall and the theme to Radio 4's Shipping Forecast.[17]

From 2003 to 2008 Mackey co-curated the music program of London's annual Frieze International Art Fair which included performances from Karlheinz Stockhausen, Sunn O))), Glenn Branca, and Rodney Graham.[18]

In 2012 he played with drummer Seb Rochford as rhythm section for tracks on Serafina Steers "The Moths are Real" LP.[19]

In 2016 he began the Call This Number guerrilla TV project with Jeannette Lee formerly of Public Image Ltd. and Douglas Hart, former bassist of the Jesus and Mary Chain making erratic film broadcasts from a North London garage. Artists he recorded for this included Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Dennis Bovell, Sleaford Mods, Primal Scream, and Gruff Rhys. [20]

In 2009, Mackey married his longtime girlfriend, stylist and fashion journalist, Katie Grand.[21] He lives in North London with his wife, and son, Marley (born 1996).[22]