Introducing Interview: Mairearad Green

Scottish folk musician and singer-songwriter Mairearad Green has played in various bands and toured with the likes of Karine Polwart, as well as performing at Cambridge Folk Festival and Celtic Connections Festival. Having been introduced to folk music at a young age, Green is now set to release a beautiful new solo album – oozing heartfelt emotion and delicate melodies, the album tells the story of its namesake, the Summer Isles.

We caught up with Mairearad to find out more…

Hey Mairearad – such a unique name! Where are you from?
Yes, it’s Gaelic for Margaret and there are a lot of vowels in there! I am from a place called Achiltibuie in the North West of Scotland.

How did you get into songwriting?
I have played music from a young age and I first started writing music when I was about 15 years old for a school composition project. Since then, composing has always been my favourite thing about being a musician.

Your new album Summer Isles is all about your love for the Summer Isles, is that right?
Yes, I’ve grown up looking out to the Summer Isles; they are rich in culture, wildlife and – of course – really beautiful, so quite an inspiring theme to write an album on.

What’s your favourite memory from there?
One of my favourite days ever was taking a boat trip out to Tanera Mor with two friends from Achiltibuie – we went fishing, had a wander around the island and a picnic; great company, the weather was amazing, and the views were stunning. What more do you need?!

Your single from the album Star of Hope features King Creosote on vocals, how did that come about?
I have been a fan for a long time and I knew that his voice would be perfect for the song, so a mutual friend put me in touch. I was so chuffed that he liked the song and was up for singing on it. And the collaboration continues, as I’m now playing pipes on his next album.

How many instruments can you play and what are they?
I play the accordion, the bagpipes, the piano and sing.

Are you doing any live shows in 2016?
I am touring the UK with a band called The Poozies in March and with my duo partner, Anna Massie, in April. I will be launching this Summer Isles album in Achiltibuie on the 2nd April and touring it later in the year.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
In 10 years time I would like to be writing and releasing more albums, and doing more interesting collaborations with exciting musicians.

What can we expect from Mairearad Green in 2016?
I will mainly be focusing on the release of this album,and getting it out there as much as possible. There will be a special stamp issue from the Summer Isles to accompany the album (http://www.summer-isles.com/post-office.asp), and I will also be releasing my second tune book. And, if there’s time between tours, perhaps there’ll be a limited edition vinyl.

Huge thanks to Mairearad for answering our questions! 

Summer Isles, the new album from Mairearad Green, is out 26 February via Buie Records.

 

Mari Lane

Mari Lane

Editor, London. Likes: Kathleen Hanna, 6Music, live music in the sunshine. Dislikes: Sexism, pineapples, the misuse of apostrophes.