Wicklow singer-songwriter Marie Keane has released her new single, Shelter, from her upcoming second album new album, MNÁ. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
speaking about the new track, she says, "Shelter is a simple lament about shining a light in dark times. Written during the height of the lockdowns as an ode to the suffering happening around the world and the uncertainty in my own life. It helped to release my worry and fear".
A qualified environmental scientist, Marie has performed in various blues, soul, and jazz ensembles over the years, from the main stage in the Cork Jazz Festival to performing traditionally inspired tunes in the Botanical Gardens.
MNÁ will be launched in the Workman's Club, Dublin on Sunday 26 February at 8.00pm, with support from Little Oak.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm a singer-songwriter living in Greystones, Co. Wicklow. I teach piano through the Suzuki method. Originally, I trained as an environmental scientist.
How would you describe your music?
My second album is fundamentally blues, rock, and soul. However, my first album had weaving Irish traditional and classical influences as well. Both are concept albums exploring a wide range of themes around femininity and my observations of relating to the wider world. Each album is inextricably linked in their context and content.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I'm hugely influenced by Motown, soul and the predominant artists that I grew up with from Nina Simone, Marlena Shaw, Roberta Flack, Jeff Buckley, Joan as Policewoman, Joni Mitchell, Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Lauryn Hill, Van Morrison, The Bees, Beta Band, Kate Bush, Rory Gallagher, Pink Floyd, Bach, Simon & Garfunkel to Ben Harper. I could continue but there may be too many :)
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I grew up playing session music on holidays with my family on the Shannon so in a way it's difficult to pinpoint what was the first gig, but my first proper gig was my friend’s brother’s band and they had just come back from SXSW so we were pretty excited about supporting them. I think most of the bands I saw in my teen years were local gigs and then I went to see Sheryl Crow in the Point Depot and I think she changed my life when she announced to the audience it was okay to follow your dreams.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Pablo Honey by Radiohead and Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in the Swan Centre in Rathmines.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Mick Flannery - Come Find Me.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I wanna do better than to fight this life 'cause it is a dream, I wonder if the wild animals livin' in me, Well, will they ever find freedom?" A verse from The Magic by Joan as Policewoman’s album The Deep Field.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Roberta Flack’s 1971 recording of Bridge Over Troubled Water. I'll listen to it at least once a week :)
Where can people find your music/more information?
Spotify, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and my website.
