Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Joss Stone, Craig David, Jamiroquai, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bonnie Raitt, Ani Difranco, Morcheeba, Aaliyah, Mary J. Blige, Gwen Stefani, Norah Jones, Billie Hoilday, Ella Fitgerald, John Coltrane, Thelonius Monk, Roy Hargrove, Portishead
For singer/songwriter Maeve Hughes, soul is more than a musical genre. It’s her center, the source of her creativity, a guidepost for her life journey.
After experiencing an intense transformation wrought by a tremendous recovery from a car accident and head injury, Maeve put her full effort into making music. She states, “Music is what brought me back; it's what I'm here for and my encounters with near death confirmed my need to play at whatever cost.” “I don’t think my voice really developed until I came through the brunt of my recovery,” says Hughes. “When my voice came through it was like a river ripping through a concrete dam. Everything I went through directly translated into my music- my thoughts became my lyrics, my poems became my songs, like an incantation to heal into wholeness.” She spent countless hours by the ocean as part of her recovery. Her latest release, “Begin from Within” pays homage to both that recovery process and the ocean.
Maeve's music combines several genres into a soulful sound that is all her own. Funk tunes driven by a slammin' rhythm section are accompanied by hornlines and vocal scatting that make for an irresistible dance party. Maeve sings melodies from her depths over lyrical, rhythmic pianolines. Her horn section adds an even more sultry tone to her rhythm and blues-infused style. Combining Jazz and Hip Hop influences, Maeve’s style has universal appeal and could be considered pop in the genre of R&B or Neo Soul.
The critics have taken notice. A reviewer in The Nantucket Independent wrote, “Hughes' vocal rhythm is similar to Ani Difranco while her voice mimics the strength in Natalie Merchant's cords.” The Inquirer & Mirror echoed the sentiment: “Hughes is a singer and pianist whose music reflects an original blend of jazz, funk and soul. Her soulful style comes from a deep well of spiritual renewal and she sings songs about healing and her connection to the ocean as a source of rejuvenation.” Singer Susan Angeletti says, “Maeve is the real deal- with a voice as soulful and smooth as waves hitting the beach at sunset, she’s got soul!"
In addition to organizing the Nantucket Jazz and Blues Festival in 2004, Hughes has played at art festivals, Earth Day festivals, women and music festivals, and many benefits and clubs around New England. She sings jazz regularly in Boston, Nantucket, Northampton, New York and Los Angeles. Hughes has opened for several nationally-recognized acts including Evelyn Harris, formerly of Sweet Honey in the Rock (an all-woman a capella group that performs African American spirituals); The Slip (jazz/jam trio); and Bitch and Animal (toured with Ani DiFranco). Recently, she did a "Soul Sisters" tour with Susan Angeletti, who opened for B.B. King.
In 2004, she self-produced her first original EP, “October Skies,” an effort about which the Brattleboro Reformer wrote, “(Maeve’s) rich and emotive voice is the centerpiece of her soulful EP. (Her) sound involves a fusion of jazz and rhythm and blues with a flourish of hip hop.” Her first full-length album, “Begin from Within,” will be released in 2007. Madalyn Sklar of GoGirls Music says of the upcoming CD, "Her latest release is a refreshing blend of styles that will whet your appetite for more." She not only wrote and arranged all the tracks on the album but was also executive producer of the project. Hughes states, “I am really excited about the new CD- I had great coproducers and an all-star cast of musicians. I am thrilled about the product and wouldn't do anything differently”
What comes next? There’s no question her fan base will grow— Maeve plans to tour Europe and the US. “I would also love to play my original soul music for the U.N. to help promote a true understanding of peace; these songs are about the personal journey I took to resolve and transform deep inner/outer conflicts and tremendous suffering in my own life. If that suffering and subsequent light at the end of the tunnel can touch lives then I have done my work. But I will not stop there.....”
DISCOGRAPHY
"BEGIN FROM WITHIN" (FULL LENGTH) DUE OUT 2007
"OCTOBER SKIES" (EP) 2004
Maeve's song "Broken Wing" is featured on "FEMALES ON FIRE 2" (2006) put out by Warrior Girl Music (www.femalesonfire.com) and her song "Skipping Stones" is featured on the "GO GIRLS MUSIC FEST 2006" CD (www.gogirlsmusicfest.com). Her songs have also been featured on 93.9 FM the River and live on 103.3 FM Valley Free Radio.
For more information about Maeve Hughes, visit www.maevehughes.com.
Hi, Maeve -- I love your song "Heron" on the new FOF compilation and am proud be on the CD with you. Your song is really beautiful and one of my favorites. Good luck with your music. :)
Hey Sorry i took so long been real busy, but thanks for da add anyways. I love your voice and your style, keep up the hard work. Love, live and sing. X Bless.
Your song "Fly Away" has been selected as our Boston Music Scene song of the week. Your song will appear on our page from now until July 2nd. Thanks for your outstanding contributions to the local scene.
How are you? Hope everything in Massachusetts is going well!
Cheers,
Dave Cool
(Yes, that's really my name!)
Director, "What is INDIE?"
A Look into the World of Independent Musicians
NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD:
www.whatisindiemovie.com
