Written by Sandeep Sehbi

This sit-down with Billy Mack sees his return home to Allentown, Pennsylvania after his latest tour across the country. Returning to his in-the-works whirlwind of a coffee shop which will no doubt feature live music & be a community hub in his region.

TUNED UP: What was your general feel on that tour?

Billy Mack: The tour had a lot of smaller shows. I visited a lot of friends. My mind was in a different space and my priorities were different. I was less trying to afford food and more trying to see people I cared about. But the drives were long so there was lots of soul searching and podcasts.

TUNED UP: You toured with a photo book. Where and how did that idea come about, and how was that process getting it made? How was it received?

Billy Mack: It’s been something I’ve been dreaming of for a while. I collaborated with Dwight, the guy at my local Minuteman Press for the plastic cover spiral ring format. But it’s a teaser for a full book I hope to do years down the line. I think people weren’t sure what it was, but people that knew me and my travels seemed to like it.

TUNED UP: Were there any major hiccups this tour?

Billy Mack: It was actually a pretty smooth tour. California is always too big and a little scattered in attendance but even that was pretty nice this time around. The worst part was going from Pennsylvania to San Diego and back in less than 4 weeks.

TUNED UP: Any memorable moments?

Billy Mack: I’m actually working on a video compilation that gathers some of the most memorable performances of bands we played with. I’ll get it to you soon. Visiting the Sultan Sea and Salvation Mountain in California was pretty unforgettable. Ecological disaster turned failed tourist trap with beaches made of bones. Oi.

TUNED UP: Now that you’re back, you’re working on your coffee shop. What’s the name and where did that come from?

Billy Mack: Coffee House Without Limits is the name of my new coffee house. It should be open in a matter of weeks. The name is a spin-off of a song I wrote “City Without Limits Theme Song” which is a nod to my home, Allentown PA “The City Without Limits.”

TUNED UP: How’s that transition been going from touring musician to business owner?

Billy Mack: Surprisingly natural. I have moments of pause where I can’t comprehend how much my life has changed in the last year. But I threw my whole heart into it and there was no looking back. I plan on bringing the tour to me for now. It’s better for my back. Haha.

TUNED UP: What does the rest of 2015 hold for you?

Billy Mack: Coffee, music, loved ones, and bike rides. Oh. And my new selfie stick.

TUNED UP: Any news on new music from Billy Mack?

Billy Mack: I’m working on a new solo set of electronic music that involves lots of props and costumes. Once I get that figured out and some employees at my coffee shop, I plan on hitting the road again in a very different way.

TUNED UP: Where did the idea come from to take photos with your dog? It feel like its become a phenomenon!

Billy Mack: It was a mistake. My friend Jax came by and I took a great photo of him on the couch with Polka, our beloved household pooch. I liked it so much that I decided to take a few more. And now we are almost at 100. People know Polka before they know me sometimes. I love it. She’s a great dog and she’s earned all these friends by being wonderful.

TUNED UP: Anything you want to put out there we didn’t touch on?

Billy Mack: Not really! I suppose I’d just like to stress how rewarding it’s been to dedicate myself to falling in love with my city. When I moved to Allentown, I was nervous about it. I had lived one town over in the past and had been planning never to move back to Pennsylvania. But when I came back, I decided to figure out what I loved about Allentown, what made it pretty, what different genres and subcultures had active scenes… being a folkster, it was out of my comfort zone to go to metal and salsa concerts… but it’s really made me love being here. So many people with so many ideas. So I looked for what was missing… a coffeehouse to hang out at and group bike rides. And I’ve dedicated myself to those things while remembering to enjoy what the other people in my city have to offer. It’s been so fun.

I wish Billy well on his coffee shop, it seems like the community is really embracing his initiative. He’s a dude whose perennial friendliness is so contagious it creates entire ecosystems of awesome. 

Relevant Links:
https://www.facebook.com/billymackcollector
https://billymackcollector.bandcamp.com