*Edel Meade
EDEL MEADE, the singer behind “the most courageous Irish album of the year” is headed for glór on Thursday (April 28th).
Working in the field of jazz, folk and contemporary music, Clonmel’s Edel will present a performance of Brigids and Patricias in glór.
Described as the “most courageous Irish album of the year” in The Irish Times, Edel Meade released her stunning new solo album ‘Brigids and Patricias’ on International Women’s Day 2021. This new collection of original songs and spoken word reflects on what it means to be a woman living in 21st century Ireland.
Shaped by Irish history, folklore and contemporary society, the album draws on the stories and experiences of Irish women including Tipperary woman, Bridget Cleary, Limerick aviatrix Lady Mary Heath and contemporary trailblazing women including Catherine Corless and Vicky Phelan. Meade’s voice has been described as mesmerising or magical even, while her music is haunting and very powerful.
Standout songs include Song For Bridget Cleary, Long Way To Go a provocative spoken word piece addressing misogyny and the Cervicalcheck scandal in Ireland and Ode To Old Noll, a blistering ode to Oliver Cromwell who wreaked havoc in Ireland and sent thousands of Irish to the West Indies in the 17th century, among them, members of Meade’s own ancestors, descendants of whom live on the Caribbean island of Montserrat today.
“I wanted to explore what it means to be an Irish woman to understand who I am as an artist. I felt I needed to look at historic events as well as contemporary social issues, and of course, I believe it’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times,” Edel explained.
Edel’s performance will be followed by a post-show on Clare woman Biddy Early: Wise Woman or Witch, and the representation of women in Irish folklore with Dr. Ailbhe Nic Giolla Chomhaill and Edel.
Meade spent over a decade working as a professional jazz singer in Dublin, however, she longed for a deeper connection with the music she was performing and moved to Limerick in 2018 to hone her song writing skills at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at University of Limerick. The change in geographical location gave her the freedom to explore new musical terrain and to explore her identity as an Irish singer, Irish songwriter, and Irish woman.
These days, for Edel Meade, music-making is less about playing within the confines of a particular genre and more about stretching her abilities as a creative artist with something to say.
