Maeve Mackinnon
Encyclopedia
Maeve Mackinnon is a Scottish
folk singer
. Originally from Glasgow
, she performs primarily in Scottish Gaelic, but also in English. She is also one of two Gaelic singers who share the same name.
to a family of both Skye and Swedish heritage. Her father, Chairman of Scottish CND for over 30 years, took the family on regular demonstrations against Apartheid, nuclear weapons and in support of the miners strikes, and she credits these formative experiences as when she learned to both walk and sing. It was also as a toddler at political rallies that she first heard the Scots singer Dick Gaughan, who would become a major musical influence.
Mackinnon developed a deep interest in Gaelic language during regular childhood holidays to the Isle of Jura, where she met native speakers of Gaelic and took part in local ceilidh
s where she was encouraged to sing.
Heavily influenced by Gaelic supergroup Capercaillie
, Mackinnon began singing in Gaelic at school shows. On leaving school at 17 she started learning Gaelic formally at Clydebank College and subsequently majored in Gaelic song at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
(RSAMD.) During her studies at RSAMD she received tuition from well respected tradition-bearers and lecturers on a wide range of subjects, primarily with Gaelic song scholar Kenna Campbell and former course director and multi-instrumentalist Brian McNeill. Mackinnon graduated from the RSAMD with Honours in 2004.
In 2005 Mackinnon was awarded a year's scholarship to the Gaelic college Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
on the Isle of Skye where she did further study in Gaelic. From 2006-2008 Mackinnon worked fulltime in Gaelic medium education in East Dunbartonshire
.
Her debut album “Don't Sing Lovesongs” was released in June 2007. The album was produced by bassist Duncan Lyall and multi-instrumentalist Ali Hutton and includes Scottish Gaelic songs as well as English songs from Ireland, Scotland and North America. The album's title is derived from the first line of the song “Silver Dagger”, which was chosen due to the dark subject matter contained on the album.
Mackinnon has been broadcast on radio and television numerous times and has played in England, Ireland, Europe, North Africa and Western Canada. She has delved into theatre, touring with Scottish Opera's “1719” production and most recently National Theatre of Scotland's "Smiler", a piece on Glaswegian gang culture (2009). She was also involved in Donald Shaw
's musical production “Argyll Rhapsody” (2007 and 2009).
In 2007, Mackinnon was commissioned to write a Christmas Carol for the “Òran Mór” venue. In 2008 she co-wrote and performed her first Gaelic song for the Gaelic TV series “A' Gharaids”, together with “The Injuns”, Findlay Napier and Mary Ann Kennedy. Recent work includes a Gaelic song specially written for a collaboration with the "Future Trad Collective" which is to be released on Vertical Records in 2010.
Mackinnon has appeared at major folk festivals such as Celtic Connections
since 2004, but her biggest accolade to date was being included in Celtic Connections festival's "Classic Album" series in 2008, together with award-winning fiddler Lauren MacColl. They have since formed the trio "Mackinnon/MacColl/MacPherson" with multi-instrumentalist Ewan MacPherson.
The singer is currently working in Glasgow as a full-time musician.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
folk singer
Folk Singer
Folk Singer is a 1964 album by Muddy Waters. Waters plays acoustic guitar, backed by Willie Dixon on string bass, Clifton James on drums, and Buddy Guy on acoustic guitar...
. Originally from Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, she performs primarily in Scottish Gaelic, but also in English. She is also one of two Gaelic singers who share the same name.
Early life
Maeve Mackinnon grew up in the west end of GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
to a family of both Skye and Swedish heritage. Her father, Chairman of Scottish CND for over 30 years, took the family on regular demonstrations against Apartheid, nuclear weapons and in support of the miners strikes, and she credits these formative experiences as when she learned to both walk and sing. It was also as a toddler at political rallies that she first heard the Scots singer Dick Gaughan, who would become a major musical influence.
Mackinnon developed a deep interest in Gaelic language during regular childhood holidays to the Isle of Jura, where she met native speakers of Gaelic and took part in local ceilidh
Céilidh
In modern usage, a céilidh or ceilidh is a traditional Gaelic social gathering, which usually involves playing Gaelic folk music and dancing. It originated in Ireland, but is now common throughout the Irish and Scottish diasporas...
s where she was encouraged to sing.
Heavily influenced by Gaelic supergroup Capercaillie
Capercaillie
The Western Capercaillie , also known as the Wood Grouse, Heather Cock or Capercaillie , is the largest member of the grouse family, reaching over 100 cm in length and 6.7 kg in weight. The largest one ever recorded in captivity had a weight of 7.2 kg....
, Mackinnon began singing in Gaelic at school shows. On leaving school at 17 she started learning Gaelic formally at Clydebank College and subsequently majored in Gaelic song at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a conservatoire of music, drama, and dance in the centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Educational Association, it is the busiest performing arts venue in Scotland...
(RSAMD.) During her studies at RSAMD she received tuition from well respected tradition-bearers and lecturers on a wide range of subjects, primarily with Gaelic song scholar Kenna Campbell and former course director and multi-instrumentalist Brian McNeill. Mackinnon graduated from the RSAMD with Honours in 2004.
Nowadays
Mackinnon is recognised as one of Scotland's leading young folk musicians. She was nominated in 2008 as "Gaelic Singer of the Year" at the Scots Trad Music Awards and was named "Up and Coming Artist of the Year" at the 2007 Scots Trad Awards. She was also a finalist in BBC Radio Scotland's "Young Traditional Musician of the Year" competition in 2005.In 2005 Mackinnon was awarded a year's scholarship to the Gaelic college Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is a Scottish Gaelic medium college located about north of Armadale on the Sleat peninsula of the island of Skye in northwestern Scotland. It is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands and also has a campus on Islay known as Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle.The college was...
on the Isle of Skye where she did further study in Gaelic. From 2006-2008 Mackinnon worked fulltime in Gaelic medium education in East Dunbartonshire
East Dunbartonshire
This article is about the East Dunbartonshire council area of Scotland. See also East Dunbartonshire .East Dunbartonshire is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It borders onto the north-west of the City of Glasgow. It contains many of the suburbs of Glasgow as well as containing many of...
.
Her debut album “Don't Sing Lovesongs” was released in June 2007. The album was produced by bassist Duncan Lyall and multi-instrumentalist Ali Hutton and includes Scottish Gaelic songs as well as English songs from Ireland, Scotland and North America. The album's title is derived from the first line of the song “Silver Dagger”, which was chosen due to the dark subject matter contained on the album.
Mackinnon has been broadcast on radio and television numerous times and has played in England, Ireland, Europe, North Africa and Western Canada. She has delved into theatre, touring with Scottish Opera's “1719” production and most recently National Theatre of Scotland's "Smiler", a piece on Glaswegian gang culture (2009). She was also involved in Donald Shaw
Donald Shaw (musician)
Donald Shaw is a Scottish musician, composer, producer, and one of the founding members of the group Capercaillie. His sister is fiddler Eilidh Shaw....
's musical production “Argyll Rhapsody” (2007 and 2009).
In 2007, Mackinnon was commissioned to write a Christmas Carol for the “Òran Mór” venue. In 2008 she co-wrote and performed her first Gaelic song for the Gaelic TV series “A' Gharaids”, together with “The Injuns”, Findlay Napier and Mary Ann Kennedy. Recent work includes a Gaelic song specially written for a collaboration with the "Future Trad Collective" which is to be released on Vertical Records in 2010.
Mackinnon has appeared at major folk festivals such as Celtic Connections
Celtic Connections
The Celtic Connections festival started in 1994 in Glasgow, Scotland, and has since been held every January. Featuring over 300 concerts, ceilidhs, talks, free events, late night sessions and workshops, the festival focuses on the roots of traditional Scottish music and also features international...
since 2004, but her biggest accolade to date was being included in Celtic Connections festival's "Classic Album" series in 2008, together with award-winning fiddler Lauren MacColl. They have since formed the trio "Mackinnon/MacColl/MacPherson" with multi-instrumentalist Ewan MacPherson.
The singer is currently working in Glasgow as a full-time musician.
Awards
- "Up and coming artist of the year" - Scots Trad Music AwardsScots Trad Music AwardsThe Scots Trad Music Awards celebrate Scotland's traditional music in all its forms and create a high profile opportunity to bring the music and music industry into the spotlight of media and public attention.-2010:...
2007 - Nominee for Gaelic Singer of the Year Scots Trad Music AwardsScots Trad Music AwardsThe Scots Trad Music Awards celebrate Scotland's traditional music in all its forms and create a high profile opportunity to bring the music and music industry into the spotlight of media and public attention.-2010:...
2008 - Finalist in the BBC Radio ScotlandBBC Radio ScotlandBBC Radio Scotland is BBC Scotland's national English-language radio network. It broadcasts a wide variety of programming, including news, sport, light entertainment, music, the arts, comedy, drama, history and lifestyle...
Scottish Young Traditional Musician awards of 2005.
Discography
- RSAMD: No.1 Scottish (2002). Greentrax Recording
- The TMSA Young Trad Tour 2005 (2006). TMSA
- Don't Sing Lovesongs (2007). Footstompin Records
- "Red Hot Chilli Pipers: Bagrock to the Masses" (2007) http://www.relrecords.com
- "Alan Reid & Rob Van Sante: The Rise and Fall O' Charlie" (2008) http://www.templerecords.com
Web References
- Maeve Mackinnon's official website
- Maeve Mackinnon on Myspace
- Maeve Mackinnon on Twitter
- Fanpage for Maeve Mackinnon
- Footstompin Record label
- Mackinnon, M., 2008. Questionnaire and lots more. 26 May. Email to: Monika Jodlowski
External links
ARTICLES:- Hi-Arts Journal, 2009
- The Living Tradition, 2008
- Hi-Arts Journal, 2007
- Album reviews by Alexander Bryce - Scotland on SundayScotland on SundayScotland on Sunday is a Scottish Sunday newspaper, published in Edinburgh by The Scotsman Publications Ltd and consequently assuming the role of Sunday sister to its daily stablemate The Scotsman...
, 8 July 2007 - Album reviews by Fiona Shepherd - The ScotsmanThe ScotsmanThe Scotsman is a British newspaper, published in Edinburgh.As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 38,423, down from about 100,000 in the 1980s....
, 6 July 2007 - Another fine voice among the Gaelic throng - Jim Gilchrist in The Scotsman, 29 June 2007