Moya Brennan Biography

about « moya brennan biography » moya’s band

© Mella TraversMoya Brennan is certainly no stranger to the stage. Always gracefully elegant, and completely in touch with her fans and new listeners, Moya becomes a figure of hope, inspiration and great sound. While with Clannad, Moya performed in the worlds largest theatres, auditoriums and halls, singing songs both original and traditional. After Clannad took a break Moya had the time to tour with her solo work, and for ten years has released numerous albums to critical acclaim.

© Tim JarvisHer inspiration comes from so many things, but especially from her home, Donegal. Now living in Dublin, Moya returns to Donegal on a very regular basis, soaking up the sounds and inspirational views around her- whether it be the great mountains, snow-dropped lakes or the music that can still be heard in her fathers pub, Leo’s Tavern. Yet, Moya Brennan is a lot more than a singer. Her music shines fresh light on world issues, from pollution to the pains of youths and her own life. After publishing her autobiography, on which she collaborated with Angela Little, Moya’s world has taken a turn. Not until 2006′s ‘Signature’ did Moya write an album about her own life, snapshots of experiences, but each song Moya sings echoes some sentence from her autobiography, even if not written for the purpose and that is what makes Moya Brennan special. A Christian and devout charity supporter and worker, Moya has brought hope to thousands of lives, young and old.

© Mella TraversIn her music making, Moya has never been content to nestle within comfortable boundaries. From an early age she trod the boards with her father Leo in the dance halls, then became fixated with the likes of Joni Mitchell and the Beach Boys before going on to share, with her band Clannad, an enlightening discovery of the extraordinary wealth of Celtic history and melody on her doorstep.

Clannad sent tremors through the world of traditional music. With Harry’s Game they took the Irish language and its melodies © Tim Jarvisto places that it had never been before. Top of the Pops, major record contracts and world tours. The accolades followed -Ivor Novello and BAFTA awards plus, after several nominations, a Grammy award in 1999. Their music was fresh, vibrant and progressive.

Alongside all of this, Moya has developed an individuality which has already shown itself in her expanding body of work. When an artist’s career can often be measured in months, hers spans decades. Through this clamorous journey, through school halls, folk clubs, festivals, discos, churches, the world’s most renowned concert halls she has travelled purposefully and always focused. The power of her whispered tones and the beauty of her music touch the soul. Gently, yet persistently, her songs and her music are redefining Irish music.

Moya has released eight solo albums including her latest, Meteor Award nominated masterpiece, ‘Signature’. Both ‘Whisper to the Wild Water’ and ‘Two Horizons’ have been nominated Grammy Awards.