Emily Maguire is an independent singer-songwriter from London based on a farm in Australia. Originally a cellist and pianist, she discovered guitars and Bob Marley and when illness forced her to give up work, she started writing songs. A few years later, back on her feet and fed up with grey skies and concrete, she got a phone call that put her on a plane to Australia where she decided to give up her flat in London for a shack made from recycled wood, tin and potato sacks in the hills behind the Sunshine Coast.
Nowadays she runs her own record label with partner Christian Dunham, tours the UK, practices the dharma, and makes the famous Coolabine feta goats cheese to finance her music. She still plays the cello and piano, and loves classical music in the shack on Sunday mornings. She has written and recorded string arrangements for other artists and for her own albums, borrowing instruments to record all the violin, viola and cello parts herself.
In 2004 she was commissioned to record her own version of Bob Dylan’s ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ for the 'Electric Storm' audio-visual installation on London’s South Bank. That same year she released her acclaimed debut album 'Stranger Place' and did her first UK tour. She now spends part of the year touring the UK with bass player Christian, and the rest of the time writing, recording and making goats cheese on the farm in Australia.
In 2007 she opened the Cambridge Folk Festival followed by a 32-date tour of the UK and was just about to get back on a plane for Australia when she was featured on Radio 2 and offered the chance to tour the UK and Ireland with Don McLean. She cancelled her flight and went back on the road - this time instead of pubs and folk clubs, she was playing the biggest concert halls in the country including the Royal Albert Hall. She loved every minute of it.
Best-known for her strong, thought-provoking lyrics and "the kind of vocals that will melt your stereo" (Scene Magazine), Emily’s voice is striking, her music sparse and vital, and above all she tells it how it is. She did a live session for the Bob Harris show on Radio 2 in Nov 2007 and her songs have been getting airplay on Radio 2 and many regional radio stations across the UK and Australia.
Her new album 'Keep Walking' has been acclaimed as "music and lyrics of an artist that goes leaps and bounds beyond... a decades and genre spanning piece of work that should be admired as a whole as much as for each individual song" (IndepenDisc).
'Keep Walking' was released through Universal in the UK and Ireland at the end of November 2007, and is available in HMV, Virgin and all good music shops. Emily's debut album 'Stranger Place' is still available through her website at www.emilymaguire.com. You can also download songs from both albums from iTunes. Have a look and a listen and if you like what you hear, let her know you’re out there.
The Sage is a wonderful building - I could be heading there later this year for a gig and to do some research on the Tyne and Wear locales for my next novel - sounds like your gig went well there!! Hope you are having fun on the UK tour and its fantastic to see than more people are appreciating your music thanks to the BBC!! Many thanks and take care, Love and hugs, Nick XXXX
Been meaning to drop you a line. GREAT to hear you on terry wogan - happy dance - as we would say at work with the kids!!!! Can't wait to see you at The Sage. Have a little pressie and a hug for you too! love Hel xoxo
Thank you very much for the friendship! Go straight to the top and be yourself no matter what they say! Best wishes!!! From Russia with love... KATHERINE'S FAVORITES
Just heard you on Terry Wogans show again this morning Emily,"Great song says Terry". Played for someone marching up and down the room with a new baby in the night, which was quite appropiate.!Sorry we didn't make it to the Brook but hope to see you soon. Enjoy the rest of the tour.Best Wishes Hilary
I just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for inspiring me to question the notion of Borderlines and helping me with the dissertation. I just received my results and was awarded a 1st on my dissertation (and degree). I'm very grateful and excited about your gig in a couple days. Hope the tour has gone well so far and that you're having a lot of fun :)
Hi Emily Congratulations on cracking the Nations most listened too Radio Show..Terry Wogan! That was a BIG one on the Radio 2 playlisting!!! WOOHOO! :)
Brilliant to hear Terry say after the play " That's A GOOD Record its EMILY MAGUIRE..Keep Walking!!! http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/wogan/playlist_tuesday.shtml
Hi Emily, Just back from your gig with Eric Bibb at Birmingham Town Hall. You were fantastic, this tour will get you into the public eye more now than ever before. Cheers and thanks for the great music.
It was so good to hear you again on Good Morning Sunday. Congratulations on an excellent interview and a perfect choice of music,"Somewhere in the blue"a favourite of mine. Wishing you a very enjoyable tour with Eric Bibb and lots more well deserved airplay on Radio 2. Best Wishes Hilary and Barry
Hi Emily To use Aled Jones own words your were a "Wonderful" and "Glorious" guest on his show this morning. How lovely that your first meeting with Eric Bibb was in the Radio 2 studio today. Loved hear your conversation with Aled, 'Somewhere In Blue' was delightful and your spoken words from 'The Borderline' for the Moment Of Refection with the accompanying music 'The Lord Is My Shepherd' was SO very Beautiful. Your voice is so restful - You should launch some talking books!. FABULOUS Radio!! Thank you! FANS Its on LISTEN BACK from link below till 1st June. Pick up @ 35mins. Not to be missed. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/networks/radio2/aod.shtml?radio2/goodmorningsunday
There was something amazing about waking up just after 6am this morning and hearing 'Keep Walking' on the radio to set me up for the day. Good old Mr Jones! Hope this Sunday goes well too. xo
Keep soaring more like it, thats great news Em you guys deserve total success and I reckon you WILL achieve it.Hey Em get the book Power Verses Force by David Hawkins.I dont say this lightly as it is changing lives around me like nothing ever has, I reckon Christian's mind will blow as has mine after reading this book,if you only read one more book on your journey to get thru 3000 of them make this one it All my love Pix
Hi Emily Huge congratulations on making the BBC Radio 2 'C' List and thanks also to the show producers that have pushed for you! http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/playlist/
5 plays a week on National Radio.Great achievement. You go from strength to strength and deserve all the success that comes your way. Hope the CD sales go through the Shaktu Roof?! Fans: If you hear Emily on a show please post here and give show feedback! Regards Andy
Hi Emily Absolutely brilliant to hear your new remix of 'Keep Walking' on BBC Radio 2's Good Morning Sunday today. You can always count on them. Wishing you every success with this. Fingers crossed. It has a "softer feel" to the song and the beautiful quality and purity of your voice is very evident. Thrilled to hear you will be on the show with Eric Bibb in 2 weeks time! WooHoo! Fans: You can Listen Back until May 18th to the new single...Pick up at 1hr 50mins..comes on shortly afterwards @ 01:50:50 http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/networks/radio2/aod.shtml?radio2/goodmorningsunday
