Maeve Mackinnon comes by her admiration of Scottish music honestly.
With her father hailing from the Isle of Skye and a childhood “obsession” with Scottish band Capercaillie, Mackinnon said she was drawn to the unusual melodies and beauty of Gaelic song and language.
“I think the music and language are very much in my blood,” she told the Cochrane Eagle via email from Scotland.
The songstress will soon be bringing the folk music sounds of her home country to Cochrane, playing March 24 at the Cochrane Alliance Church as part of the Cochrane Valley Folk Club’s 2012-2013 season line-up. Performing as part of a trio, Mackinnon said the show is designed to be enjoyed by everyone.
“I like to make my music as accessible as possible, and not just ‘music for musicians,’” she said. “We do a good mix of songs in Gaelic and in English, mostly a contemporary twist on existing traditional material, as well as a few self-penned songs. I like to provide a wee piece of history along with the songs, whilst keeping it lighthearted at the same time.”
But don’t take her too lightheartedly, Mackinnon means business. Her debut record, 2007’s Don’t Sing Lovesongs, garnered the singer songwriter praise and recognition. She was awarded Up and Coming Artist of the Year at the 2007 Scots Trad Music Awards and featured in the 2008 Celtic Connections Classic Album series. But she said she doesn’t let the success go to her head.
“You have to love what you do and constantly be striving to improve,” she said. “My mantra is to never be complacent, because it can become dangerous and you can use all momentum.”
Rolling with the momentum, Mackinnon released her second album, Once Upon an Olive Branch, in 2012. A mixture of celtic traditional songs, the album also includes her first self-written composition, dubbed the Olive Branch. The song was written to bring awareness to the troubles in the Middle East.
“In terms of my writing, I feel you are in a very privileged position when you’re an artist getting radio and TV play,” she said. “I think it’s right to use that now and again to raise awareness of important issues going on around the world.
“I was brought up in a very politically aware household and I think there are far more important, pressing issues that we could be focusing on in the world, rather than somebody writing yet another song about a failed relationship.”
Mackinnon, who said she’s relatively new to composing, will next be putting her writing chops to the test for a musical piece she’s researching for a theatre company. When she’s not touring or writing, she keeps herself busy running a teenage Gaelic choir, a few adult singing projects and singing workshops in schools.
She’ll be taking the stage in Cochrane at 7:30 p.m. on March 24, but doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at cochranefolkclub.com or in-person at Cochrane Coffee Traders and Phantoms Music.
