Gillie Mackenzie

Bio:

I grew up on the gorgeous Island of Lewis off the West coast of Scotland and am fortunate to have been steeped in the language and traditions of the island and its people. Gaelic song has played an enormous part in my life and influenced just about everything I do. For as long as I can remember I have sung Gaelic songs, with huge help and encouragement from my Dad, Rod Mackenzie. Because of that, I am more comfortable performing in Gaelic than in English. However, my musical diet included loads of other stuff, including heaps of folk and trad stuff and so, paradoxically, I am more at ease songwriting in English than in Gaelic - it flows more freely. The songs I've written have so far stayed in my head, (some of them for years now!) and I thought it was time to unleash them. Some time in the next wee while they are going to be uploaded onto this site. I just need to get the finger out and record them.

Member Since:

October 16, 2008

Influences:

I grew up listening to: Silly Wizard, Ossian, Mary Black, Peter Paul & Mary, Iain Mackay, Wolfstone, lots of what Robbie Shepherd played on his radio programmes, and Doris Day........ I learned most songs by listening to my Dad and my uncle Kenny, his wife Marlene and her sister Joanie - we had great ceilidhs in Lochinver and Achiltibuie........ Now I also love, "in no particular order": James Yorkston, Mary Smith, Michael Marra, Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwart, King Creosote, Ed Harcourt, Duke Special, Belle & Sebastian, Blue Nile, Heidi Talbot, Emiliana Torrini, Natalie Merchant, Roddy Woomble, Stephen Fretwell, The Proclaimers, Kathleen Macinnes, Rona Lightfoot, Elbow............... I also have to name-check my talented family members: Eilidh Mackenzie, Fiona Mackenzie, Anna Meldrum ....

Record Label:

None