Interview: Eileen Quigley

Continuing our series of interviews with unsigned and independent acts, we had the opportunity to submit questions to singer-songwriter Eileen Quigley

1) How did you get started in music?

I always enjoyed listening to music, but I got a guitar when I was 15 and I started playing cover songs mainly country and some Irish and Scottish folk music.

It is only in the last 10 years that I started writing my own songs. My partner Andy used to be involved in the music scene in a band called The Cudgels when he was younger and it was he who first encouraged me to write.

2) How would you describe your music?

I would describe my sound as lyric led, accompanied by acoustic guitar. The lyric is always the most important aspect of a song to me, whether it be to tell a personal story, reflect on life, social commentary or general observations.

I wouldn’t want my work to be pigeonholed into any specific genre, other than singer/songwriter

3) You’ve recently released your debut EP, how did that come about?

I had previously recorded music but never released it to the public, whereas my debut EP released on 25th May 2018 is available on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, and all main platforms.

Last year I joined a songwriting circle at Birmingham mac theatre, which is run by West Midlands singer/songwriter Dan Whitehouse. I subsequently recorded my EP called ‘Jumpers for Goalposts at Dan’s studio in Dudley. Dan is a multi-instrumentalist and added some additional instrumentation on the tracks.

The title track ‘Jumpers for Goalposts’ has a guest appearance from Max Gittings from the band The Destroyers who adds Uilleann pipes to the track. I wanted the song to have a Celtic feel and the Uilleann pipes bring that. The song is about carefree days growing up in Glasgow.

I grew up in a tenement about a mile from Hampden Park football ground, and if there was a match on at Hampden you could stand on the veranda and hear the crowd roar,” I also loved playing football as a youngster, and how you make your own entertainment.

The 2nd track ‘The Philosopher and Ska Band’ was inspired by the 2013 Clutha Vaults tragedy, which saw 10 tragically die after a helicopter crashed into a Glaswegian pub, while the 3rd track ‘Artificial Flowers’ uses the lifespan of a bouquet of flowers to explore today’s world.

The final track ‘Soundtrack Of Life’ reflects on the need for positivity in the face of life’s ups and downs.

The EP ‘Jumpers for Goalposts is available on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon and all main platforms. You can also purchase a physical CD from my website https://www.eileenquigley.com

4) How do you go about writing songs?

I tend to write songs that mean something. Either personal experiences, reflections on events, social commentary. I don’t tend to write romantic love songs.

It has never appealed to me to write such a song. I prefer universal love songs that relate to social justice, unfairness in the world, mental health, the marginalized, resilience, and also songs of experience either happy or not so.

I tend to have a lyric or an idea first and work out a melody that I feel works with the lyrics and how I want the song to feel.

I mainly write on my own although there is a chance to collaborate at the songwriting circle with other writers and musicians.

5) Are you playing gigs, and what are they like?

I have played several gigs in the last few months, most of which have been enjoyable, mainly around the West Midlands, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Lichfield, and Birmingham. The music scene in the West Midlands in quite buoyant with a range of venues and nights to suit all music tastes. The atmosphere is usually good with helpful hosts and friendly musicians.

I especially enjoyed my most recent gig at the Tower of Song, Birmingham where the audience was especially appreciative. It is a great venue.

I also intend to play in some cities including Glasgow in 2018. You can keep up to date with my upcoming gigs at https://www.eileenquigley.com/gigs.

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