Brigid Mae Power is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician.

Early life

Power was born in London, England to Irish parents. Her family relocated to Ireland when she was eleven years old, where she learned to play the

button accordion A button accordion is a type of accordion on which the melody-side keyboard consists of a series of buttons. This differs from the piano accordion, which has piano-style keys. Erich von Hornbostel and Curt Sachs categorize it as a free reed aerop ...

before starting to sing and play piano as a teen.

Career

Power began releasing music under the name "Brigid Power-Ryce" in 2010 when her debut EP, ''You Are Here'', was released by the independent label Rusted Rail. This was followed by two self-released EPs, ''Ode to an Embryo'' in 2011 and ''Eee Tuts'' in 2013. Her live album, ''I Told You The Truth'', recorded in St. Nicholas Collegiate Church in

Galway Galway ( ; , ) is a City status in Ireland, city in (and the county town of) County Galway. It lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay. It is the most populous settlement in the province of Connacht, the List of settleme ...

, was released in 2014 by the label Abandon Reason. In a review of the album, ''

The Irish Times ''The Irish Times'' is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper and online digital publication. It was launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Ruadhán Mac Cormaic. It is published every day except Sundays. ''The Irish Times'' is Ireland's leading n ...

'' wrote: "the setting gives her haunting vocals a spiritual resonance". After meeting American musician

Peter Broderick Peter Broderick (born January 20, 1987) is an American musician and composer from Carlton, Oregon. He has released solo material under his own name, been a member of Efterklang, and played with several ensembles as a session musician. Biography ...

at a gig, Power travelled to Broderick's Studio in

Portland, Oregon Portland ( ) is the List of cities in Oregon, most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest region. Situated close to northwest Oregon at the confluence of the Willamette River, Willamette and Columbia River, ...

in 2015 to record her debut studio album. After finishing the album's production, she received a two-album deal from American label

Tompkins Square Records Tompkins Square Records is an independent record label producing new and archival releases of gospel, blues, jazz, and country music. History In 2005, Josh Rosenthal launched Tompkins Square Records in New York City after working 15 years in a v ...

. Power's self-titled debut album, ''Brigid Mae Power'', was released in 2016 and was a critical success, receiving positive reviews from ''

Pitchfork A pitchfork or hay fork is an agricultural tool used to pitch loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves. It has a long handle and usually two to five thin tines designed to efficiently move such materials. The term is also applie ...

'', ''

Record Collector ''Record Collector'' is a British monthly music magazine focussing on rare and collectable records, and the bands who recorded them. It was founded in September 1979 and distributes worldwide. It is promoted as "the world’s leading authority o ...

'', and ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...

''. In an interview with '' Uncut'', Power stated that the album was inspired by her experiences as a single mother. She promoted the album with a tour of the UK and

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

. Power's second studio album, ''The Two Worlds'', was released in 2018. The album was met with widespread critical acclaim from the music press, with ''Pitchfork'' writing: "''The Two Worlds'' is Power's most ambitious and her most introspective". The album received 4-star reviews from '' Uncut'', ''

'' and ''

''. ''

The Line of Best Fit ''The Line of Best Fit'' is an independent online magazine based in London, concentrating on new music. It publishes independent music reviews, features, interview, and media. Founded by Richard Thane in February 2007 and currently edited by P ...

'' also wrote: "Stately, solemn, slow-burning and seriously beautiful, most of ''The Two Worlds'' isn't far removed from its predecessor's intimate templates". Power's third album, ''

Head Above the Water ''Head Above the Water'' is the third studio album by Irish singer-songwriter Brigid Mae Power. It was released on 5 June 2020 under Fire Records Fire Records was an American independent record label, set up in 1959 by Bobby Robinson. Amon ...

'', was released in 2020 by

Fire Records Fire Records was an American independent record label, set up in 1959 by Bobby Robinson. Amongst others, it released records by Lightnin' Hopkins, Elmore James, Buster Brown and Arthur Crudup. At one point it was thought Fire had issued the l ...

. In 2021, she appeared on '' Other Voices''. Power released her fourth LP, '' Dream from the Deep Well'', in 2023. The album likewise received favourable reviews from critics, with an aggregrate score of 76% on

Metacritic Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...

. The album also entered the UK Official Folk Albums Chart at number 10.

Discography

Brigid Mae Power at Rough Trade West in 2023 Albums *'' Brigid Mae Power'' (2016) *'' The Two Worlds'' (2018) *''

'' (2020) *'' Dream from the Deep Well'' (2023) *''Songs for You'' (2025) EPS *''You Are Here'' (2010) *''Ode to an Embryo'' (2011) *''Eee Tuts'' (2013) *''The Ones You Keep Close'' (2017) *''Burning Your Light'' (2021) Live albums *''I Told You the Truth'' (2014)

References

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Power, Brigid Mae Irish folk singers Year of birth missing (living people) Living people 21st-century Irish singers 21st-century Irish women singers Singers from London