I Like ...

Growing up in Lewis I listened to anything from traditional Gaelic singers to pop and classical music with a bit of Jazz thrown in too thanks to my Dad. I loved music and performing, taking ballet lessons, singing in the local choirs and the end of Year School shows.
I think initially I had a strong voice and that got me singled out for solo singing and it just took off from there. I sang in the local Gaelic singing competitions called the MOD. I didn’t put myself forward for it but once I got the bug for competing I was off.
When I went on to college I discovered another world. Satie, Debussy, Sibelius and the like. I could take or leave the Classical era then, I think I may need to go back and revisit that, but the 20th Century composers I just loved. My ears were further opened further by artists like Steve Reich, Philip Glass and John Adams. I loved their minimal approach and found it influential in my own arrangements on my first solo album ‘An Iomall - The Edge’. The idea behind their work, and one I adopted for An Iomall, was spacious arrangements, in my case to let a song breathe, to let my voice and the words do the telling and riff patterns to support.

Singers I love are Glasgow-born Eddie Reader for her beautiful voice and ability to use it - especially her ‘Mirmara’ album. June Tabor for her strength in telling the story of a song – listen to her arrangements on her album ‘Alyen’. Spanish singer ‘Uxia’ check out ‘Estou vivindo no ceo – I am living in Heaven’ and since she first appeared with ‘The Eurythmics’ Annie Lennox. I’m also a huge fan of Kurt Weill, Keith Jarret, Norma Waterson, Eliza Carthy, Blazin’ Fiddles with their amazing energy, Vasen, Mosaick, Swop, Karen Tweed’s ‘May Monday’, big choral pieces like Vaughan Williams’ ‘Sancta Civitas’, Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations Nimrod’ at full blast, Aaron Copland's ‘Appalachian Spring’, Shaun Davey’s ‘May We Never Have To Say Goodbye’, definitely U2, Our Small Capitol, Coldplay and Kate Bush. I’m also a big fan of Snow Patrol, who I’m dying to see live. Jazz singers Liane Carrol and Sara Vaughan and have just been fascinated by Ute Lemper live in Dublin.

Opera singers like Pavarotti and Montserrat Caballe do it for me too. If you have any doubts about opera at all go listen to her recording of ‘Chi il bel sogno’ from La Rondine. She can make the sound of that top note feel like a snowdrop falling from a leaf – now that is true skill.

Like most folk I love escaping, so do take me to the theatre, cinema, or suggest a good book. I love that feeling of ‘can’t wait to get home to read that book again’. I love entering other worlds. I get very involved. Ask anyone who’s been to the cinema with me. I know it’s only a film but I can’t help it.

When I was seven I went to see ‘Yeomen of the Guard’ with my folks in London in a production by The Doyle Carte Opera Company. At the end of the piece when the Jester realises he won’t marry the Princess he sang the song ‘Lady Lady’ with such sadness I was out of my seat like a shot shouting ‘NNNNOOOO’ at the top of my voice. My mother didn’t have a chance to grab me. I’m afraid I haven’t lost that ability to become involved. (Why would anyone want to?)

As for the theatre I really enjoy: Pinter and Shakespeare (went to see Hamlet, Richard the 3rd and Henry the 5th at the RSC Stratford when I was 13 and haven't looked back since). ‘The Story of The Bull’ by Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre directed by Michael Keegan-Dolan is stunning; and only seen on video so far from DV8 Physical Theatre ‘The Cost of Living’ - utterly inspiring. I fell in love with ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ the first time I saw it in the Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh when I was 8 with Bill McCue in the lead role. 16 years later I met Topol, (yes Topol in his dressing room and robe) he looked just as good as the film he’d done 30 years previous.

In terms of actors I like, it has to be Al Pacino, Al Pacino, Al Pacino, Brando, Ed Norton, Ed Harris, Patrick Dempsey (gorgeous!),Susan Sarandon, Julianne Moore – ‘The Hours’ is my favourite film I sobbed openly at that, not something I am prone to at all. But it’s about women not achieving their goals or living their own lives. Something I feel we women are maybe more prone to – open to debate.

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Books: I really enjoy – Hamish Macdonald’s ‘Gravy Star’, Kevin Macneil’s ‘The Stornoway Way’. I will unashamedly support Scottish Writing. Edwin Morgan, Aonghas Macneacil and Anne Frater are among my favourite poets. Then there’s Shakespeare: you have to love him – Sonnet 116: Yeats: The First World War Poets. I thank every English teacher that taught me, and my Mum. Undoubtedly, my favourite writer is Fanny Flagg – yep that’s her real name, you’ll know her for writing ‘Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café’ but her best is ‘Welcome to the World Baby Girl’, not what you’d expect from the title.

My Parents have also inspired me too, their passion and enthusiasm is unending. It’s always been a proactive household. They also write a lot themselves. Dad is working on a book right now, has finished the manuscript in fact and Mum is doing the proof reading. They’re quite a team. I’m only allowed to read the published version - something I will relish.

These are just a few. But they are all storytellers in one way or other and I love stories. I like to be moved: to be made to think. Growing up in a small, remote isolated community you, at the mercy of the elements and the sea, become so acutely aware of how what’s around you affects you. This consciousness seems to be lost by many people especially if they live in the city we are all so busy - I don’t want to lose it.

I also don’t want to lose myself so I started running 2 years ago and have been at it ever since – it is addictive – and great for the head too. Have run a few 10ks now and did my first half marathon last autumn. It’s a great way to see the sights when you travel somewhere new. So if I don’t see you at a gig or in the theatre I might whoosh by you on the street – well, make that a gentle jog.

And finally, good red wine, champagne, horses, cosy nights in when it’s raining out side, warm sunny days and my man.