Maeve Mackinnon

Maeve Mackinnon

Maeve Mackinnon is a Glasgow-born Scottish folk singer born in 1981. She sings mainly in Scottish Gaelic, but also in English, and her repertoire includes traditional, contemporary and original material.

Background and training

Mackinnon grows up in a music-loving household in Glasgow, with early influences ranging from Bob Marley, The Laggan and Dick Gaughan to Bob Dylan, the Bothy Band and Victor Jara. She says she learns early to listen to songs with social conscience. Gaelic first inspires her during family holidays to Jura in the Hebrides, where she performs at local cèilidhs as a teenager. She begins learning the language at 17.

She completes a Scottish Music degree at the former Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where she majors in Gaelic song, and then wins a year’s scholarship to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college on Skye.

Recording and recognition

Her 2007 album Don't Sing Lovesongs brings her award-winning success and establishes her as a notable figure on the UK folk scene. The album is later presented live as a Classic Album at Celtic Connections 2008. Her follow-up album, Once Upon An Olive Branch, includes Ewan MacColl’s The Father's Song and marks her first public songwriting with the title track.

She is voted Up and Coming Artist of the Year at the 2007 Scots Trad Music Awards. She also receives two nominations for Gaelic Singer of the Year in 2008 and 2011.

Style

Mackinnon is known for singing in both Gaelic and English with a voice described as honeyed, husky and earthy. Her work is noted for balancing boldness and sensitivity, and for the emotional connection she makes with songs.