We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lala Mackay. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lala below.

Lala, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The day I knew I wanted to do whatever it took to be a drummer lives on repeat in my mind day after day. I was three years old when I had decided I wanted to be a drummer. I been listening to some music with my big sisters, and while they listened to and tried to imitate the vocals, I was falling deeply in love with the beat. So as most kids did at my age I got a hold of a tin can and some chopsticks and started smacking it. Every beat excited me! A heart beat dictated by my hands every decision. Tink after tink the audience in my head began to cheer! Harder and harder I hit. I began head banging… then, a sneeze caught my nose. I couldn’t hold it, as I let it go my head came down smacking my front tooth into the tin and chipping it. I grabbed my mouth and ran inside. I showed my dad very proudly and declared, I want to be a drummer when I grow up! He gave me an interesting look and left it at that. That didn’t shake me because I was determined.

Now I suppose would be a good time to mention I was born and raised in south east Asia. Born in Thailand and raised in Cambodia. My Father was doing humanitarian aid over there starting a school as well as a children’s home and the situation there wasn’t as accessible as it is in the States.

A drum set was nearly impossible to get in a third world country, and if we could get our hands on one it was far too expensive to purchase. So I dreamed and waited patiently.

When I was fifteen years old my parents decided it was time to get me back to the US so I could finish school there and have more opportunities and options for my future. I began working odd jobs determined not to end up at a job I couldn’t get out of when I was older. I was in America, the world so full of opportunities. I was optimistic that anything I put my mind to I could do.
For a time my odd jobs included dog care, landscaping and the occasional auto repair.

I recall a morning I was walking a dog, doing the math on how long it would take before I could buy my first drum set. Through a quick calculation I discovered at the rate I was going it could take up to two more years to get my drum sets. That was two years I wasn’t practicing and falling behind on my dream. That same day at church the worship drummer pulled me aside and asked me to come check out his car. Having worked on cars before I followed him expecting an inquiry from him. As we approached his car he opened the trunk and there was a drum set waiting for me to claim it and take it home.

From that day on I was determined to put my all into it and first learn the skill before pursuing any performance. And that’s just what I did

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Sooner after I relocated to the U.S. from South East Asia in 2016, fate gifted me a drum set, since then I’ve worked hard to better myself to make the dream of becoming a professional drummer a reality. While I am versatile across styles and genres(aside from jazz) I find my self happiest when playing Celtic beats. By 2021 I had been playing with some local groups and dipping my toes in the water to get my feel for playing live. At that time my sister took me to my first renaissance festival, it was there I came across the band Celtic Legacy, a bagpipe and drum band known for their Scottish rock and roll style. From the start to the end of their show they had my full attention. I soon found myself going back to the festival every weekend just to catch the shows. I started hanging out with the band joking that I’d like to play with them. In 2023 I got a call from them being hired for the 2023 Colorado Renaissance Festival, of course I said yes, and have been playing with them since.

While I now have quite the store of drums to call my own, with various styles and some I’ve made myself, one of them in particular stands out and is what I am most commonly found playing, my tupan I built named “Baby”. Though I don’t play it even remotely traditionally(with a switch and proper beater), I have developed my own comfortable style, and have been hired for many shows playing the tupan.

I travel the country all year round playing at renaissance festivals and other pop up faires. My primary bands being Celtic Legacy and Bleedin’ Green from Colorado.

I think I’m most proud of the fact that I’m able to do this in the first place. I enjoy making noise and in turn people enjoy it! That’s something I’ve learned over the years, people will always want to be entertained and if I can provide that and get more people out and doing things that bring them closer to each other, well then, I’ll never stop doing what I do. There’s a book I love called Anam Cara where John O’Donohue, the author, is speaking about the drum and he say that people feel drawn to it because it makes us feel whole, When we are in our mothers womb, before we are born and are separated from our mother, before we know what separation even is and are feeling complete wholeness, the first thing we can hear is the heartbeat of our mother, a strong steady beat. I like to think that While people here me drum they are feeling a sense of belonging and finding their complete wholeness within themselves.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I enjoy making noise and in turn people tend to enjoy it! My goal has never been to be the best or to be rich or famous, my goal, well, my mission if you will is to bring joy to people. I genuinely love what I do and I think people can see that and it brings them joy. I love that people talk to me afterwards and share their stories, I’ve heard some incredible stories that have changed my life. It’s a beautiful thing really, being the one on stage and making someones day and in turn they make mine. There’s something about the drum that connects people. An Irish author John O’Donohue says that people are able to connect with the drum because it reminds them of being in the womb and hearing their mothers heartbeat. I think that’s something truly beautiful to think about, that the drum makes us feel like wee babies in our hearts, forgetting about the days stress or the weeks strain and simply existing. It’s just beautiful.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Just show up. most events for local artists are free to the public, and it’s a good excuse to get off the couch or take the family out. I’m not telling you to spend a ridiculous amount of money I’m not even saying you have to spend money but interacting with artists and getting to know them better is the quickest way to understand the people within this community. It’s really that simple, If you like what you see or hear, share it, tell your friends.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @legacy_lass_lala @kiltic.usa
• Facebook: Lala Mackey