Kirsty McGee

Kirsty McGee is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist from Manchester. Born in 1972, she is associated with folk, and her work also draws on Americana, blues, jazz and rockabilly. Her songs are often personal and reflective, and range across subjects including politics and storytelling. Her music is influenced by Beatnik culture and has been described as difficult to classify, with labels such as “folk noir” and “hobopop” used to describe her style.

Career

McGee becomes known within the British folk scene through her distinctive acoustic songwriting and performance style. Her early appearance with Suzanne Vega at Brampton Live festival in 2001 helps establish her reputation. She goes on to make four studio albums and receives two BBC award nominations, for best newcomer and best original song. She also tours internationally.

Collaborations and performances

Her work includes collaborations with Marc Ribot, Mike West, Danny Schmidt, Karine Polwart and Inge Thomson. She also works with producers John Wood, Boo Hewerdine and Neill MacColl. McGee opens for Suzanne Vega, Eddi Reader and Capercaillie.

Albums and label

McGee’s fourth album, the kansas sessions, is recorded in the United States with Mike West of Truckstop Honeymoon. It is released on her own label, hobopop recordings, after she ends her previous management and record company arrangement in 2007. The album features a wider sound, including banjos, double bass, clarinet and trombone, alongside the darker textures and grooves associated with her earlier work. Earlier albums mentioned include honeysuckle (2002), frost (2004) and two birds (2006).

Style and background

McGee’s lyrics draw on a range of life experiences and often reflect movement, hardship and observation. She spends years hitchhiking, experiences a period of homelessness, builds tree houses and works at road protest camps before living in a beach hut in Cornwall, where she develops her writing and vocal approach. Much of her music is made using instruments she builds herself. Her work is sometimes compared with the spirit of Jack Kerouac and the Beat generation.

Associated act

She is also linked with the Hobopop Collective.