Exquisite singer, and multi-instrumentalist Emily Maguire is playing an intimate gig at Mt Nimmel Hall in April.

With six albums and three books to her name, British singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer and poet Emily Maguire is an undoubtedly an astounding woman.  

Originally hailing from the UK, Emily visited Australia in 2003 for a short holiday, but ended up living with bass player and record producer, Christian Dunham, in a wooden shack in the Australian bush for four years. 

However, this was no holiday. Setting up their own record label, Shaktu Records, Emily then went on to record and release her first two albums and began touring the UK and Australia. Since then, both her musical and literary journey has only strengthened.

However, it was when she was 21 and stuck at home in London with fibromyalgia pain syndrome that Emily first began writing and playing music.

“I didn't get a guitar until my 21st birthday and funnily enough, when I was recovering from my illness, I actually just wanted to play Bob Marley songs.

“Then a friend suggested I write a song of my own and this was a complete revelation for me, as the process perfectly combined my love of poetry and music. The illness suddenly became a blessing in disguise as I had all this time on my hands to write,” she said.

Gaining inspiration from the world as she sees it, as well as other people’s stories, Emily also draws inspiration from her own mental health journey.

“I have bipolar disorder so although my mental illness can be quite extreme, I believe that everyone, to some extent, experiences great highs and lows in their life and I’m fascinated by the nature of our minds and how they create our world. "

“I'm also very influenced by my practice of Tibetan Buddhism over the past 23 years.  I don't talk much about Buddhism, but the dharma is a huge influence on every song and poem I write,” she said.

The production of her latest album, 'A Bit Of Blue', in itself was a work of musical artistry, proving that despite her battles with mental illness, Emily’s love for music knows no bounds.

“I had another breakdown just before production of ‘A Bit of Blue’ and was in no fit state to go to the studio. So instead, my incredible producer, Nigel Butler, took my vocals, which were recorded in the Australian bush at the studio where my first two albums were made, then arranged, orchestrated and produced the whole album on his computer.  

“We wanted to make a record with songs stripped bare, an album that was as haunting as it was beautiful, and I believe he fulfilled that brief completely,” she said.

Emily’s live shows are described as an inspiring and comforting experience that are both bittersweet and euphoric.

“I love playing live and my intention when I am performing, is always to uplift, comfort and inspire the people listening. I am open about my mental health journey and hope my songs show how that recovery from even the deepest, darkest depression is possible.

“I am performing on this upcoming tour as a duo with my husband, Christian Dunham, and although I sound bias, it is always so magical performing with him,” she said.

However, as most in the music industry could relate to, the last few years for Emily have been challenging to say the least. Yet despite Covid-related tour cancellations, social isolation and her own mental health journey, Emily has emerged stronger and more inspired than ever before.

“Being in the music business is a challenge in itself, but I have had so many incredible moments along the way.

“Definitely a highlight for me over these last few tough years was performing solo at the Royal Albert Hall in London in front of 4,000 people, singing a song called 'Falling On My Feet', which I'd written in a psychiatric hospital four years earlier,” she said.

Another saving grace for her appears to be spending time at her abode and nature in the Obi Obi Valley with her husband.

“Chris and I live on a goat farm, where I look after the chickens. I do nurse a soft spot for our goats though, despite the fact they’re very greedy, they always, always, cheer me up,” she says.

Given the fact she has also just published a new book of poetry called ‘Words With Wings’, Emily’s creative passions know no bounds.

“I often write poetry after my morning meditation practice and my latest book comes with an album of me reading the poems accompanied by my own piano music.  

“I love composing instrumental music, particularly for the cello and string arrangements for my songs,” she said.

Emily will be playing 29 April at Mt Nimmel Hall. Click here for more information and tickets.