Formed in 1998, the group comprises four sisters: Fiona (fiddle/guitar/whistles/backing vocals), Kirsty (accordion/lead vocals), Amy (drums/percussion/backing vocals) and Mairi (keyboards/backing vocals).
From an early age, music was at the heart of all the sisters did; at five years old, Fiona started playing the fiddle, Kirsty picked up an accordion at four, Amy was five when she started to play the accordion, then aged thirteen decided to play the drums and Mairi was playing keyboards at the age of six.
In the years since the sisters formed their own band, 'GiveWay' have won awards at the acclaimed Scottish music festival 'Celtic Connections' and the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards. They have performed on numerous radio/television shows and at a series of high profile venues including the main stage at 'Cambridge Folk Festival' and Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall.
They have also supported top musical acts including Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham, Karen Matheson and 'Wolfstone'.
'GiveWay' have already toured extensively in the UK, Europe and the USA; which contines to play a major part in the their touring calendar.
Their debut album 'Full Steam Ahead' was released in 2003 and was followed in 2005 by 'Inspired', both of which received widespread international acclaim. In 2008 the band recorded a single 'The Water is Wide' which was produced by Brian Hurren of 'Runrig' (this can be heard at www.myspace.com/givewaymusic). 'GiveWay's' latest album is (like the other two) produced by Phil Cunningham. It is due for release in Spring 2009 and promises to be something special.
I haven't left you sisters a wall post in a long time. Just showing a little support now and just wanting to say hello! I hope you girls are traveling safely while touring and all. Nothing much happening here in North Carolina (US), but we had a horrid and torrential rain storm last week. Terrible winds and everything while raining; I was walking to class one morning and my umbrella flipped inside out and my scarf blew off and I had to go chase it :( I got soaked too...
Take care and I hope you girls have a wonderful weekend!!
I was walking down the main street in L'Orient, France and One of your tunes from your 2nd album was playing over the speaker system! was pretty cool I thought!
Hey Girls! Sorry I haven't left you a message or anything, I've been super busy with work and I went on vacation. My dad and I were listening to your CDs while we road down to the beach. He said you have amazing voices and he said that you are very talented performers to sing and play your instruments at the same time!
I wonder how your tour is coming along for you Girls. I hope it's wonderful and you are having fun :) Take care and good luck! :D
Hi Ladies Love the New CD (FANTASTIC) just arrived 18/5/09 !!!! Let me know the dates when your coming to COLORADO when you can. Have a GREAT Summer. Jules xx
Also I run The Great Edinburgh Run as part of team Finola and did a gig to help send Finola Forman to college as the government in Scotland unlike the rest of the UK wont help disabled people with complex needs when they want to go into further education, check out her site at
I want to give you a follow-up from my first post to do a review of your concert on April 10th 2009 in Asheville, North Carolina.
Your songwriting is outstanding, Fiona. You sisters really do work well in unison and I'm impressed. Do you sisters plan on singing any more vocal songs on any future albums? Would be great if each of you four would sing solos in some songs or duets with one another. Your voices totally compliment one another, and I find that to be a special quality to your group!! :)
Fiona's violin playing reminds me of Mairead's fiddle (A woman from the Celtic Woman group; she hardly sings, but her fiddle makes up for it), only with no dancing and leaping about. I could see the determination from the smoke coming from your fiddle that you poured your heart into your performance! Let's not forget that your guitar skills were great too. I love the guitar :)
Kristy, you have AMAZING dexterity with your accordion. I was impressed as well with how you hardly looked at your keys while playing. It reminds me of myself when typing this message, as I'm watching TV and typing at the same time (and I can tell if I make a mistake too! lol). And your voice is very strong, pure and soothing. :)
Amy, you're amazing with the way you groove with your rhytmic gestures. You really knew how to keep a beat going. I was tapping my feet to the beats you were creating; literally!! lol
Mairi, you knew exactly how to synthesize the instrumentation for your keyboard (switching the sounds). Freely switching between sounds...you really did pick the right sounds to fit the mood of certain songs :)
All in all, that's my review for your concert (I had to summon up the courage after my first wall post to say it) and I hope you like what I had to say about it! Your musical skills with your instruments floored me and your vocals brought me a new love for Scottish music, since I already adore Irish music. Please, try to do more singing if you
Thanks for befriending me, Girls. Your concert last night was so wonderful. I enjoyed your performance, and your CDs ROCK! I've listened to all three of them three times now. I can't wait to see another concert of yours and your future albums! Take care and have a wonderful time touring the US!
All the best with the new cd.i have my copy and just like the previous two its a real belter of a cd.keep up the great music ladies. lots of love,kev xxxx
Thanks so much for your amazin' show last night at the Irish Center!!! I hope you liked the cake ~ Mairi & Amy...I'm going to find that tip chart for you, I promise!!! Hope you have a great time on the rest of your tour! xo Lori Murphy
send some of that Sunny weather over here, it's pretty crappy weather on the I.O.M at the mo with Gale force winds. America sounds cool, hope you all enjoy the rest of your trip,
hi Fiona! dont know about keeping out of trouble bit.. but trying to! your new photo is cool. Good luck with all your gigs coming up :o) we should go out some time for drinks!
