Maeve MacKinnon - Once Upon An Olive Branch

(October 2012) 10 tracks: Gilleasbuig * Kind Friends And Companions * Fionnghuala * A' Mhic Dhughaill 'Ic Ruairidh * The Olive Branch * Sugar Town * Horo Iollaraigh * She Moved Through The Fair * O Phaill * The Father's Song.

Second solo album from Maeve with a diverse mix of Gaelic and English songs, including one of her own compositions.

A modern take on some of the accompaniments creates a refreshing feel to the songs, even the older ones.

Her distinctive husky earthy voice is perfect for these songs of longing, hope and a combination of the two, often connecting with feelings of home.

"The Olive Branch" is a self penned song reflecting the troubles in the Middle East and declaring a longing for peace.

Maeve was brought up in Glasgow in a very politically aware family and this, along with her family trips to Jura, where she was first inspired by Gaelic song, have influenced her music. She began learning Gaelic at the age of 17 and majored in Gaelic song at Glasgow's prestigious Royal Scottish Academy Of Music And Drama (now The Royal Conservatoire Of Scotland.) She went on to study at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic college in Skye.

She has toured extensively abroad, gigged all over the UK and is involved in many musical projects.

Soon after completing her degree, Maeve was a finalist in that year’s Young Traditional Musician Of The Year contest, run by Scotland's Hands Up For Trad development agency. She had two Scots Trad Music Awards nominations for Gaelic Singer of the Year, in 2008 and 2011.

Maeve MacKinnon (vocals), Innes Watson (guitar, fiddle, percussion), Angus Lyon (rhodes, piano, accordion), Signy Jacobsdottir (percussion), James Lindsay (double bass, bass guitar), Fraser Fifield (whistle, saxophone).

"A bold leap forward for one of Scotland's most gifted and creative young vocalists." Sue Wilson.

"A stunning voice....surely destined for greatness." The Herald.