“Unique”, “sensitive”, “captivating”, “compelling” – just a few words that could be used to describe the music of Kathleen Boyle: a music at once reflecting the melting pot of her Scottish upbringing whilst simultaneously paying homage to her Donegal roots.
Steeped in this Donegal tradition from an early age and regularly winning All-Scotland and All-Britain titles on accordion and piano, it was predestined that Kathleen would make a life from music – and a prodigious life it has been so far. With a wealth of experiences, successes and musical contributions, Kathleen’s accomplishments defy her years and would make for an impressive lifetimes list.
Already Kathleen has made history as the first person in Scotland ever to gain a Degree in Traditional Music (she graduated in 1999 from the RSAMD with a BA (Scottish Music)); she has performed at Holyrood Palace for HRH Prince Charles in 2002 and in 2003 for Irish President Mary McAleese; she is a member of the bands Dòchas and Cherish the Ladies and has toured the UK, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Denmark, Austria, Germany, Sweden, America and Canada.
Kathleen’s membership of Cherish the Ladies in particular has led to some undeniably remarkable feats; especially in the United States. In 2006 Kathleen appeared with the band on MSNBC’s Imus in the Morning show to play for over 6 million listeners and viewers; they have performed alongside dozens of symphonies, and in 2007 the band were ranked in the Top 100 Irish Americans.
She is also in great demand as a teacher and lecturer on both accordion and piano, is currently employed by the RSAMD, and counts among her previous employers the National Accordion Trust, the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (Gaelic college), the University of Stirling, Benbecula College and the National Piping Centre.
As impressive this list of achievements might seem and as accomplished a career it may appear, these facts do tend to veil one very important detail…
…This is only the beginning!
Indeed it is only now that we see Kathleen’s first solo outing with the release of her album An Cailín Rua (The Red Haired Girl) and it is only now that her creative free reign brings to light the sheer extent of her talents. Accordion eminency Phil Cunningham recently heaped praise upon Kathleen’s latest endeavour saying: “She’s always been good, but here in her first solo venture she’s outstanding.”…and it would be hard to disagree.
An Cailín Rua is a dazzling mixture of traditional tunes and songs from Scotland and Ireland – and in particular Kathleen’s ancestral Donegal – grouped alongside her very own compositions. Taking us with her on her artistic journey, this is music that clearly benefits from, and quickly acknowledges, those sound musical stepping-stones of her upbringing and experiences, but which is at once refreshingly original – and fundamentally compelling. It is the magnum opus of a musician who has evidently paid her dues, simultaneously acknowledging the giants on whose shoulders she stands whilst remaining innovative and modern.
Biog by Thomas O’Neill
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