Kirsty McGee

Kirsty McGee
Origin	Manchester, England
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, musician
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, Flute, Mandolin, Glockenspiel
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Hobopop Recordings, Park Records, Fellside Records, Ugly Man Records
Associated acts	Mat Martin, Karine Polwart, Boo Hewerdine, Mike West, Rick Smith
Website	www.kirstymcgee.com

Kirsty McGee (born 1972) is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist from Manchester. She is well known within the British Folk scene although her music references Americana, Blues, Jazz and Rockabilly genres, and is influenced by the style of the Beatnik subculture. Her lyrics are typically deeply personal and introspective, and deal with a variety of subjects from politics to storytelling. She has worked with musicians such as Marc Ribot, Mike West, Danny Schmidt, Karine Polwart and Inge Thomson, and opened for Suzanne Vega, Eddi Reader and Capercaillie.

McGee studied English Literature to master's degree level at the University of Sheffield. Her first commercially available recording was The Bedflowers' My Ex Lover's Address, included on Waaah! Records' Waaaaah! CD compilation in 1991. In this period McGee also wrote and sang with UK bands Mrs Kipling and Slumber. Slumber released Holly and IV EP in 1992 on Sunday Records, and Sleep EP in 1993 on the Vinyl Japan label. The Change EP from Mrs Kipling and was released in 1993 by Sunday Records.

During the 1990s McGee was involved in environmental protests, including the campaign against Manchester Airport's second runway and the Newbury Bypass. She has also been a keen hitchhiker and has maintained an interest in alternative lifestyles which has influenced her writing style. She is a trained luthier and both she and Mat Martin have performed and recorded using instruments handmade by her.

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