Siobhán Quinn

Genre: Celtic, Blues, Traditional Folk

Other: Arts Education

Region: US / Europe

Contact: Siobhán Quinn

email: siobhan@roundhousemusic.com

Currently, Siobhán tours solo, with husband singer-songwriter Michael Bowers, with Ben Murray & Siobhán Quinn, and with her UK band, Boneshaker. From time-to-time she tours a program of western American folksong entitled "Siobhán Quinn Goes West!" with her own all-star Boxcar Orchestra, complete with sound effects and harmonica player Doug Johnson aka Harpo Jenkins.

Born in Berkeley, California into an intensely creative family, Siobhán's English mother was a singer in London's Bach Choir and her Irish father a professor of architecture. The European traditions from both parents were passed on to their six children and were a big part of the environment in which Siobhán grew up. There's a reason why those traditional ballads she sings are so bone chillingly real: she comes by them as a true heir.

Siobhán has been referred to as “angelic-voiced (Metroland)” and as having “ethereal solemnity... (as well as a) bluesy robust sound reminiscent of Linda Ronstadt (Post Star).” Siobhán's own style shines through her influences. Combining vocal elements of Etta James, Sarah Vaughan, Sandy Denny and many traditional singers, she belts and soothes her way through explosive performances.

The Grande Affaire, All Access - Rosewood Records, 2005
Boneshaker - Boneshaker Productions, 2004
Two Rivers - Rosewood Records, 1999

The world is filled with technically great singers who lack soul, and heartfelt singers who lack technique, so it's rare to encounter a vocalist whose ability to express emotion matches her jaw-dropping control. Siobhán Quinn is that rare singer, and she excels at blues, folk, rock and whatever other genre she samples, roaring or gliding through songs with elegance and power.

Stephanie Corby and Siobhán Quinn! I think Mary (Pitari, Sirius House Concerts) should have Vance Gilbert follow up to complete the powerful vocal destruction of her house. …But what a way to go!

LIVE!

Siobhán has a voice like an angel (at least until she belts out a distinctly non-angelic song) … vibrant and entertaining…

Overall best performance at the New York State Fleet Blues Festival. Rock power, blues authenticity, ...tight control.

Tight set, expert delivery, and those pipes, oh yeah. Artist's call, any time.

CONCERT REVIEW

Siobhán Quinn at Vic's Music Corner

"Do I hafta sing after her?"

COMPOSER/SINGER/SONGWRITER

Top Five Finalist in the 2003 Boston Folk Festival Songwriting Competition.

This Kind of Love is about a kind of love you don't give up on. Michael says at one point "she sings and I surrender.." I empathize with this. Gorgeous heartfelt singing and what a beautifully crafted song.

RECORDED

Enter Siobhán Quinn. She's an absolutely amazing singer, nothing short of transcendent. By turns her voice reminds me of Bonnie Raitt and Mary Black. It is her contribution that puts this CD over the top and makes it an instant classic. When I first heard it, I thought I had stumbled across a long lost Bonnie Raitt album, but on closer examination, I discovered a rich pastiche of styles and influences, a subtle amalgam of distinct flavors and textures that brought a little something new to the record on each listening. Ben's guitar holds it all together and Siobhán's voice provides the wings to make it fly. I haven't been able to get "Two Rivers" out of my car player in about two weeks.

Siobhán's voice is indescribable; going from the a capella Irish folk ballad "Oh My Donald" to the sweet clarity of "Here On Earth" to the grinding "Samson and Delilah" pretty much says it all.

- Terry Van Heusen, AMAZON Customer Reviews:Dedicated Follower