Vocalist, dancer, multi-instrumentalist and country music artist Mags McCarthy has released her new single, Our Song. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
Hailing from a family farm in Cork, Mags began her artistic pursuits at four years old, mastering Irish dance before expanding into a world of music, with the fiddle becoming her signature instrument.
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She was a principal performer with the Irish dance troupe Rhythm of the Dance, touring 46 countries and performing at The White House, The European Parliament, and Dollywood, where she shared the stage with country legend Dolly Parton.
The music for Our Song was recorded in Nashville and the vocals were laid down at Windmill Lane Recording Studios in Dublin, Ireland.
"This song is a tribute to love in its purest form - what it means to find that one person who feels like home," she says. "I hope it inspires people to cherish their soulmates and to never stop believing in the power of love."
Mags' previous singles include Run, Emotional Honest and Light of a Clear Blue Morning.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I grew up on a farm in Dripsey, Co. Cork. I was invited to perform at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day in 2009 and I performed at the Hard Rock/BMI stage at the CMA festival in Nashville in 2018.
How would you describe your music?
For this upcoming release, I would describe it as country. When you hear the fiddle and the various country instruments in the track and how the song tells the story makes it real country. Most of my music would be considered country, country/rock, country/pop. My songs are positive which also reflects who I am as a person.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I grew up listening to Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash but I also listen to a lot of other genres of music too. I just love music.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
This is a tough one and I have tried hard to remember my first gig as I spent a lot of time playing Irish music sessions and going to the Fleadh Cheoil when I was eight or nine years of age. I witnessed the great Martin Hayes and Jerry O’Connor at these events. Witnessing these sessions growing up and being invited to play on stage from a very young age inspired me to want to play and write my own music.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I would have to say Elvis Presley. I even got to visit Graceland a few times and would go back again.
What’s your favourite song right now?
At the moment my playlist is full of country, rock, pop and Irish. I am really loving Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 at the moment, especially going back to work after the Christmas break.
Favourite lyric of all time?
There are a lot of great lyrics written but I do love these lyrics. "Take my hand, take my whole life too, but I can’t help falling in love with you" - Elvis Presley.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I absolutely love the song Caledonia. Dougie MacLean is an incredible songwriter and I was thrilled to have gotten permission to record the song from him which I hope to bring out later in the year. Thank you, Dougie.
Where can people find your music/more information?
People can go to my website and follow me there and on all the social media platforms as well as Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora.
Alan Corr
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