Born into a political family, Maeve spent most of her infancy learning to walk and talk on peace marches in the 1980s, and remembers Dick Gaughan as being the first live singer she ever heard, and a major musical influence. A phase of heavy rock ensued through her teenage years- with a staple diet of The Beatles, The Who, The Cranberries, Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crowe etc- but childhood holidays on the Isle of Jura and her discovery of the Celtic supergroup Capercaillie nurtured her interest in Gaelic song and folk music. She started learning Gaelic at 17 with a view to being able to sing the songs properly and was encouraged to try out for the RSAMD’s Scottish Music course.
Maeve majored in Gaelic song at the RSAMD (under the tutelage of Kenna Campbell and Mairi MacInnes) whilst maintaining and developing a deep interest in Scots and Irish folksong and bluegrass. Whilst a student she also studied the piano and accordian and once completed a recital on accordian, which must have been a traumatic listening experience for those involved...
After graduating from the RSAMD Maeve was lucky to get a scholarship for the fantastic Skye-based Gaelic college, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, where she spent a year juggling her Gaelic studies with recording and driving madly up and down the A82.
Maeve’s current schedule includes fulltime work in Gaelic medium education, various gigs and singing tuition. She is also fortunate to perform regularly on national television, mainly for STV Gaelic music shows. Maeve was a featured artist on the BBC’s coverage of Celtic Connections 2007, and recently completed a 6-part educational music series in Gaelic for BBC Scotland. In early 2007 she toured with the Scottish Opera educational production "1719", guested with the critically acclaimed show, "The Island Tapes" and was involved in Donald Shaw’s recent production on songs from his native area, "The Argyll Rhapsody".
"Don’t Sing Love Songs", Maeve’s first album, was released in June 2007 on Footstompin Records. Produced by Duncan Lyall (formerly of Croft No.5) and Ali Hutton (Old Blind Dogs), the album interweaves Gaelic songs with folksongs from Scotland, Ireland and North America, maintaining a distinctive and exciting groove throughout. Since its release, "Don’t Sing Lovesongs" has received a number of accolades including its inclusion in the "Classic Album" series in Celtic Connections festival 2008.
***** "This is one of the most absorbing albums to be released in Scotland in a long time"- (Scotland on Sunday)
Maeve has just been awarded "Up and Coming Artist of the year" in the Scottish Trad Music Awards 2007!
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