An effortless blend of raw, soulful influence and gritty folk sensibilities serve as the backbone for ‘Dying To Let You Go’, the new single from rising singer-songwriter Mikhail Laxton, out March 31st via Acronym Records / Howling Turtle Inc. ‘Dying To Let You Go’ is a deeply vulnerable offering from Laxton; his own father’s heart-breaking battle with addiction central to the song’s theme and perspective; delivering tender and compassionate insight into the push and pull of the disease. The first release from his forthcoming debut full-length album, ‘Dying To Let You Go’ acts as a cathartic outlet for Laxton’s past and present, all anchored by his dynamic voice; mournful, yet mighty.
Laying bare the irony of how he first coped with his father’s death, Laxton reflects, “After his passing I spent the next four weeks completely wasted. Ironically all I kept thinking was why he didn’t sort it out before it got too bad. I kept imagining him when he was younger, having a conversation with himself wishing that he would have realized what he was doing and stopped.”
He adds “When I was finally able to write this song, it poured out of me and at first, I had no idea what it was even about. As I finished it, it was clear. ‘Dying To Let You Go’ is that conversation. This song is written from his perspective, it’s the fairy-tale of my dad slaying his addiction. It’s him realizing that if he couldn’t let it go in time, it would take him.”
Hailing from the the KuKu Yalanji Tribe in Mossman, Far North Queensland, Australia, Laxton learned the meaning of hard work growing up on one of the few Indigenous-owned and operated farms in the region. That work ethic transferred to his passion and drive to pursue music as a career, moving to Canada to start from scratch though he already had deep roots in the Australian music scene. In 2021 he released his debut EP Real to critical acclaim, drawing primary inspiration from the power of love as an extension of who he is; honest, humble and soulful.
Now, ‘Dying To Let You Go’ offers a first glimpse of his forthcoming self-titled debut full- length album Mikhail Laxton, a collection that carries the weight of the last seven years of trying to rebuild his career and life. The topics in the album range from loss, and longing, to missing home, the feeling of being broken and moments of love. Next up, Laxton will hit the road with contemporary folk singer-songwriter Marshall Veroni before taking the stage later this summer at Springtide Music Festival in Uxbridge and Ottawa’s RBC Bluesfest.
