Mcgee, Kirsty
Contraband
Borne of a turbulent year that saw McGee come close to giving up music for good, CONTRABAND is a defiant yet tender collection of songs. British singer and songwriter Kirsty McGee has been a full time musician since her 2002 debut (BBC Folk Award Nominee for Best Newcomer). Subsequent releases saw her grow in stature and reputation, gathering award nominations and wins along the way (BBC Folk Award Nominee 2005 for Best Original Song, IMA winner 2011 for Best Live Album), earning a life on the road and building a devoted following in the UK, across Europe and America. Over the course of five albums her folk beginnings evolved into 'hobopop' - her own description for her sound - a rootless, joyful stomp steeped in folk, jazz and old-time Americana. The resulting album is a transatlantic melting pot, reflecting the variety of skills they brought. CONTRABAND has songs that are pure pop (Something Going On), Waitsian Jazz (Setting of the Sun), Partonesque Country (Sequins) and ballads (Contraband). This is a work of contradictions - anger goes head to head with compassion, resignation sits alongside defiance. McGee rails against the cruelty of the world yet is utterly beguiled by its beauty and its gifts.