Maeve Mackinnon was described in a recent 5 star review for The Herald as possessing, "a truly stunning voice". The award winning Gaelic singer from Glasgow has, in a few short years, emerged to become one of the leading Scottish traditional musicians of her generation.
Maeve was born in the west end of Glasgow in the early '80s and developed a love of music from an early age. Childhood holidays on the Isle of Jura combined with her early discovery of Scots singer Dick Gaughan and Celtic supergroup Capercaillie, cemented her interest in Gaelic language, song and folk music. A learner of Gaelic since the age of 17, Maeve studied the language at college before being accepted onto the RSAMD's Scottish Music degree in 2000, majoring in Gaelic song and graduating with Honours in 2004.
In 2005 Maeve was a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland "Young Traditional musician of the year" award, and was offered an album deal with Footstompin Records as a result. That same year she was awarded a scholarship to study at the pioneering Skye-based Gaelic college, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, where she spent a year juggling coursework with increasing work commitments, including the making of her debut album.
"Don't Sing Lovesongs" was released in 2007 to critical acclaim. Produced and arranged by the multi-talented Duncan Lyall and Ali Hutton and recorded at their friend, Angus Lyon's studio, in Lamington. Duncan Lyall engineered the album, and it was ultimately mixed and mastered by renowned studio engineer Paul McGeechan at Park Lane Studios in Glasgow.
"This is one of the most absorbing albums to be released in Scotland in a long time" *****
- Scotland on Sunday, June 2007.
The album caught the attention of Celtic Connections festival director Donald Shaw, who invited the band to perform a prestigious "Classic Albums" gig at Celtic Connections festival 2008, earning them a full house and a 5 star review from The Herald.
"surely destined for greatness" *****
- The Herald, January 2008
Whilst working full-time in Gaelic medium education in East Dunbartonshire, Maeve was voted "Up and Coming Artist of the year" at the 2007 Trad Music Awards. As her singing commitments increased, Maeve decided to take the plunge and now pursues music full-time.
With influences as diverse as Dolly Parton and the Buena Vista Social Club, Maeve has racked up a number of cross-cultural collaborations, from Indian classical music to flamenco. Currently making an impact on an international level, Maeve is equally in demand in her native Scotland. She appears regularly on national radio and television and was nominated for "Gaelic Singer of the year" at the 2008 Trad Music Awards.
"From the crunchy opening string chords and cross-rhythmic tension, you know an unusual musical intelligence is at work."
- Scotland on Sunday, June 2007
Maeve has spent 2010 guesting on various albums and working on a number of exciting projects, including the acclaimed show The Island Tapes, the trio Mackinnon/MacColl/MacPherson and a Gaelic song recording project with Buena Vista Social Club engineer Jerry Boys. She is set to release her second solo album in early 2011.
Catch Maeve live to see why The Herald decribed her band as "excellent" and lauded her "a truly stunning voice".