Eilidh (pronounced I-Lee), a singer/songwriter from Derry, Northern Ireland, launched her music career in 2007 with a 3-track demo. Almost immediately, the music industry began to take notice as people became exposed to her captivating voice and songs. Since then, Eilidh has been on a remarkable journey taking her on numerous trips to perform in the US, the UK and Europe.
Nashville TN has become, in her own words, “a second home”. Indeed, there she recorded her second and most recent album This Is Now, featuring some of her long-time musical heroes including Ron Block (AKUS) and Tim O’Brien. Recorded in just 12 days with producer, Lee Holland, This Is Now seamlessly blends folk, bluegrass and pop, with Eilidh’s crystalline vocals remaining the focus throughout.
Equally at home on stage as a solo act (accompanying herself on guitar) or with a full band, Eilidh carries with her a presence that soothes the soul while capturing the imagination of the listener.
Likened to Suzanne Vega and Eva Cassidy, Eilidh spent her teenage years imitating her favourite singers (Alison Krauss, Lynn Miles and Steve Earle), but her own distinct, intimate sound has gradually emerged in recent years through writing and performing her own songs.
Interestingly, her first break in the industry came via her day job as receptionist for BBC Radio Foyle in Derry. Asked to run home and grab her guitar to fill in for an artist who hadn’t shown up for a radio interview, Eilidh performed You Don’t Love Me Anymore by Lynn Miles on the Gerry Anderson Show. A few minutes later, whilst sitting back at her reception desk, the telephone rang. It was Alastair McMillan, the recording engineer for Van Morrison and U2 amongst others. After the initial shock and surprise for both of them (he wasn’t expecting her to be working at the station!), they began a professional relationship which would culminate in the release of Eilidh’s stunning debut album When The Time Comes in 2009.
Recorded in Amberville studio, Northern Ireland, When The Time Comes is a collection of 12 beguiling and beautiful songs written over a seven-year period. Still Learning, a song inspired by the famous quote by Michelangelo “I am still learning”, has garnered high praise from industry bosses and critics alike and remains Eilidh’s most requested song at live gigs.
Eilidh’s exquisite aptitude for live performance has seen her play three consecutive years at the prestigious SxSW festival in Austin TX, a showcase at Folk Alliance in Memphis TN and at Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Scotland. In addition, she has toured the UK and in the US with the revered and much-loved songwriter, Beth Nielsen Chapman. Other artists with whom Eilidh has shared the stage in recent years include Lynn Miles, Iris DeMent, Gretchen Peters, JD Souther, Paul Brady, The Priests, The Fureys, The Hothouse Flowers, Cara Dillon, John Spillane and Declan O’Rourke.
No stranger to the studio, Eilidh’s love for harmony singing has been gratified with guest appearances on Beth Nielsen Chapman’s Back To Love album (2010) and NI contemporary Anthony Toner’s A Light Below The Door.
Since her debut release, Eilidh’s music has received regular airplay across many local and national radio stations. Notably, the BBC regional stations have been extremely supportive. In addition, her song Do I Ever Cross Your Mind was recently chosen as the backdrop to a Tourism Ireland radio advertising campaign which aired for almost a year across the UK.
Eilidh is currently writing new material with several projects in mind.