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 extraordinary 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 tracks include Song For Bridget Cleary, (burnt alive by her husband in 1895, not far from where Meade grew up in Co. Tipperary, although he insisted she had been taken away by the fairies!), 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.
A post-show discussion re. Clare woman Biddy Early: Wise Woman or Witch and the representation of women in Irish folklore will take place with Edel Meade.
“I wanted to explore what it means to be an Irish woman in order 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 Meade
Astounding, riveting, brilliant” The Blue of the Night, RTÉ Lyric FM
A strikingly original artist working in the field of jazz, folk and contemporary music; Edel Meade is a songwriter and vocalist from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Her voice has been described as mesmerising or magical even, while her music is haunting and powerful. Her latest album Brigids and Patricias was released on International Women’s Day and featured on ‘The Blue of the Night’ on RTÉ Lyric FM the entire week of its release. This stunning collection of original songs reflects on what it means to be a woman living in 21st century Ireland, informed by Irish history, folklore and contemporary society and follows on from the success of her critically-acclaimed debut album, Blue Fantasia in 2017.
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 songwriting 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.
“A fearless delivery that celebrates womanhood” SUNDAY BUSINESS POST
“Most courageous Irish album of the year” THE IRISH TIMES
“A distinctive and highly original piece of work” THE IRISH TIMES
“One of the most powerful vocal performances of late” CIAN Ó CÍOBHÁIN, AN TAOBH TUATHAIL, RTÉ RAIDIÓ NA GAELTACHTA
“What she’s done here is extraordinary” IRISH ECHO
“A voice so clear it could cut crystal” IRISH DAILY MAIL
“A striking piece of work” SUNDAY TIMES
“Meade’s voice oozes sensuality” HOT PRESS
“Raw and uncompromising” IRISH MUSIC MAGAZINE
