;;Celtic Lady;; one of the largest Méav fansites on the web!

Méav's family influenced her love of classical and traditional Irish music. She grew up in Dublin, Ireland, and attended a Gaelic-speaking school. She began her studies of harp, voice, and piano at an early age, and she continued while completing her law degree at Trinity College in Dublin. Her brother also completed his law degree at Trinity, and he influenced her choice to do the same.

Méav has toured extensively throughout the world with Lord of the Dance, as their main vocalist, RTE Concert Orchestra, Riverdance, Anúna, Celtic Woman, as one of four soloists, and the Irish National Chamber Choir. Méav has released one CD with the group Celtic Woman and three solo albums. Her first self-titled solo album sold over 40,000 copies, and is especially popular in the US, Japan, Korea. It was re-released on June 6, 2006, by EMI Manhattan Records. Her second album, Silver Sea, is also quite popular. Méav's most recent album, titled Méav - A Celtic Journey, includes songs that she has previously preformed on other CDs, as well as some new songs. In Asia, Méav's music is known as "Healing Music". On April 1, the Celtic Woman CD had been #1 on the Billboard World Music charts for 52 weeks. The album has also achieved Gold disc status because it has sold over 500,000 copies. Meav is currently preparing a new album which will be released in 2008.

Meav's Biography on the Celtic Woman official website
Meav's Biography on her official website

We here at Celtic Lady would like to take this opportunity to thank Méav for taking time out of her busy schedule to do an interview with us. Thank you for your support, Méav! Also, many thanks go out to John Edwards (MeavMan) who co-wrote this interview. We hope everyone enjoys this interview!

1. Just to start off the interview with a bit of an update… How are you doing? What things have you been enjoying the most now that you are home?

I am really well, thanks. The solo concerts in December were a real pleasure for me and it was great opportunity to put faces to the names of the fans that were able to make it through the ice and snow! Since then I have really enjoyed the opportunity to research new music and spend time catching up with friends and family in Dublin. I spent a few days by the sea at New Year, which helped to blow the cobwebs away.

2. What are some of your favorite memories from touring with Celtic Woman? Is there a memory that stands out fondly from the past tour that you’d like to share?

My final concert with Celtic Woman at Red Rocks in June is one that I will always remember. The venue is so awe-inspiring and the audience was totally in tune with what we were doing. The other girls, the band and choir all love to perform there and the sense of anticipation beforehand was amazing. I shed a few tears onstage that night.

3. Could you describe a typical day in the process of creating your albums? What is your favorite part of the creating process?

I often wake up with a fragment of a melody in my head. It’s like your brain has been waiting impatiently for you to continue the musical conversation from the previous evening!

I do vocal warm-ups while emptying the dishwasher and other household jobs. My family is used to this, but the neighbours might think it’s a bit strange!

Then it‘s in to the study to do my homework. I research different texts and versions of songs on the computer and try out ideas at the piano. I like to layer different harmonies and instrumental ideas by recording onto minidisk, then playing or singing along against myself. It’s not a very high -tech process but it gives me time to experiment how things sound without the pressure of the clock ticking in the studio. The next stage is very exciting – when all the musicians have been booked to come in and add their magic to the mix in studio. Sometimes unexpected things – even mistakes –happen that turn out to be musical highlights. I usually fall into bed still buzzing.

4. You have achieved enormous critical and commercial success as both a solo artist and as a member of Celtic Woman. What aspect of that success has been most gratifying for you personally, and has there been an achievement or accomplishment along the way of which you are most proud professionally?

I am proud to have brought songs in the Irish language to an audience that has no previous connection with the language. Record companies and promoters can be wary of songs that are not in English - they are concerned that audiences will not be able to make a personal connection with them. Hearing the tremendous response to Sí do Mhaimeo í (The Wealthy Widow) that I arranged with David Downes was a fantastic feeling. People immediately responded to the spirit of the song without necessarily knowing what the words meant. I suppose the moral is never underestimate your audience!

5. If there were anything you could do besides singing, what would it be and why?

This is a hard question to answer because my own sense of identity is very much intertwined with being a singer. Although I studied law at University, my first love was music. I enjoy collaborating with other musicians and working with children on composition workshops through the National Chamber Choir and the National Concert Hall of Ireland. I have worked in Arts Administration as well, managing concerts and plays. I got a kick out of that. I think I would probably still choose to work in the Arts world if I did not sing.

6. How do you prefer to approach learning new pieces? Do you consider the lyrics or the melody more important when approaching a number?

Melody appeals to me first, but a song must also have strong lyrics to hold my attention. I love to hear melodies and lyrics develop as a song progresses – it’s not enough to have a good first verse!

7. Any fun facts you might like to share about yourself?

Favorite past time/hobby:I enjoy cooking for friends and reading. I really enjoy lazy weekend afternoons reading the paper then heading out for a walk.

I love to swim in the sea but the water is freezing in Ireland for most of the year so I have to wait until I’m somewhere warm to do that.

Favorite author(s): I don’t think I could single out one author. I have just finished Edith Wharton’s House of Mirth and found the descriptions of New York’s glittering and brittle high society at the turn of the century fascinating.

Favorite place you’ve traveled: I love to travel and it is a particular privilege to perform when you travel - sometimes you get a glimpse behind the curtain into real lives which can be hard to do as a tourist. I got a real culture shock when I arrived in Fez, Morocco to sing at a world sacred music festival. The city was so full of life and contrasts, with elegant buildings, pungent smells, and robed, hooded figures walking through narrow alleys - it was like a walking straight into a biblical scene.

Something unique about you that your fans don’t know: I’m a terrible driver!

8. Any special message for your fans?

The warmth and support I have felt over the past few months have eased my path into solo singing again! Your letters, gifts and personal messages are amazing. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Interview written by John Edwards (MeavMan) and Kelsey. Jan. '08