Music

GUITARIST & COMPOSER

Chris Mackin is a Brooklyn-based guitarist, vocalist, and composer who performs with Boojum, Bushwick’s Dead, Walrus, and more. His playing centers on melody, rhythm, and improvisation, and his writing spans original songs, arrangements, and music for theatre and concert performance.

Chris is a founding member of Boojum, a four-piece psychedelic rock band known for extended improvisation, EDM-influenced jam sections, and immersive live shows. With Boojum, he writes guitar-driven songs and instrumental pieces that draw from groove-based jams, progressive rock, and electronic music. Their concert-theatre project Electric Wonderland features an original score composed by Chris and Josh Santiago, with lyrics by Thomas Mackin.

Chris is the founder, guitarist, and creative director of Bushwick’s Dead, a New York jam collective with a long-running residency at the 850-capacity Brooklyn Bowl. He has deep familiarity with the music of the Grateful Dead, Talking Heads, The Beatles, Steely Dan, Phish, and others, and helps shape the group’s extended improvisation, vocal arrangements, and ensemble sound.

As a performer, Chris has appeared in concert with musicians including Cotter Ellis (Goose), Dave Dreiwitz (JRAD), Gabi Riel (Jonas Brothers), Brian Falduto, and Zuli Jr., in addition to his work with Boojum, Bushwick’s Dead, and the Loop Troupe Family Band. He has recorded and composed on multiple albums, including Electric Wonderland Vol. 1: Down the Rabbit Hole and Looking Glass House (Boojum); Music, Mischief, Love, Interstellar Groove Propeller, and Looptronica (Loop Troupe Family Band); and This Illusive World and Butterfly Convict (Butterfly Convict). His composing work for theatre and concert performance includes Electric Wonderland, Hunting of the Snark, Taking It Too Far, Mr. Malfunktion Steals the Groove, Guardian of the Groove Grail, and Summer Solstice.

Chris is currently developing Prince of the Eclipse, a large-scale sci-fi rock opera featuring an original concept album and full instrumental score, blending progressive rock, dance music, and cinematic composition.