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Friday, 4th July 2008

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Maeve's on track for success



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THIS week Herald reporter Caren McPate talks to singer/songwriter Maeve O'Boyle.
The 20-year-old, from Stepps, fronts her own five member band who are steadily making a name for themselves in the music world.
The band's first headline gig at Maggie May's in Glasgow last year was a sell-out and they are hoping for the same success when they play at the city's Oran Mor next Thursday.
They also plan to release their first album at the end of the summer.

When did your interest in music start?
It was probably when I joined North Lanarkshire Chorus when I was around 11-years-old. I had to audition to get in.
Through that, I sang at Motherwell Civic Centre and the Royal Concert Hall.
I got my first guitar when I was 13 and started writing after that.
Both my parents are musical and I come from an artistic family.
As I grew up in an Irish family, for a party piece, you had to recite poetry, and if you couldn't play an instrument you would get up and sing.

How did your musical career progress from there?
My dad's friend helped my band at the time to record a demo. We then started gigging about Glasgow and managed to get a bit of a reputation.
My big break came when I performed and won a newcomers award at the Celtic Connections Festival in 2006.
After that, I was performing at another gig and I was spotted by John McLaughlin's sister. John, who created Busted, and worked with Westlife and Blue, then became my manager

How would you describe your music?
It's pop rock, but we can have a bit of folk added in.
I grew up in folk tradition and we would sit and talk and sing after dinner.

What venues have you played?
ABC, Oran Mor, King Tut's, Maggie Mays, all in Glasgow.
We are also going down to perform at the Jack Daniels showcase in London this week, which is for up-and-coming bands.

What has been your best gig so far?
Maggie Mays in November. It was our first headline slot and was sold-out.
There was a crowd of around 300 people. It was a massive shock.
It was at that point I realised that everything was starting to come together.

What other artists have you
worked with?

I've been working with Gordy
Goudie, from Echo and the Bunnymen and Bryan Tolland, from Del Amitri, on brand new songs and arrangements.
I've also written songs with Deacon Blue frontman Ricky Ross and have toured with Sandi Thom.

Is there anywhere you would
really like to play?

I'd like to headline King Tut's as we have only ever played there as a support band.
Also, the Brixton Academy would be great.

Do you get nervous before going on stage?
Yes, every time. The rest of the band tend to leave me alone and will go and set up the equipment.
The nerves do build up, but it makes me want to go on stage and give it my very best.

Are there any other members of your family with talent?
Yes, my brother Conor is a very talented footballer.
He plays with St Peter's under-12's and Alloa Pro-Youth under 19's.
He is has also been selected to play for Scotland Schools against Northern Ireland at the end of the month.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?
If things continue to go the way they are going I'd love for the band to release a second or third album.
Another thing I'd also really like us to do would be to tour Europe and America.

Getting to know you
First record: My dad bought me a Rosie Thomas record.
First car: Fiat Brava
Book currently reading: Atonement by Ian McEwan
Favourite tv show: Without a Trace and ER
Favourite holiday destination: Dol De Bretagne, northern France.
Famous person most like to meet: Sarah McLachlan

The full article contains 671 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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  • Last Updated: 22 February 2008 6:59 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Kirkintilloch
 
 
  

 
 


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