Singer-songwriter Marie McGilvray taught herself to play guitar when she was 9 and penned her first song when she was 11. Throughout her teens, she performed as a soloist and in bands, achieved moderate success, and then left music for a stable and “real” career. “I now refer to that time as the misery years! I had a good job and stability, but I had lost touch with my artist side”. Interestingly, her job took her to Nashville, where she soon felt herself drawn back to music. "I’m just so grateful to have rediscovered myself as an artist and have the opportunity to share that," she reveals warmly. "I have always known that it’s really who I am and why I’m here."
A couple years after moving to Nashville, she teamed up with musical director/producer Ron Gomez to record a 7 song EP “Big Love”. The EP achieved McGilvray’s goal of attaining national distribution and expanding her fan base and featured Matt Slocum (Sixpence None The Richer) and Mick Taras (The Motels). Her song "Mockingbird (We Are One)" was featured regionally in the 2008 Presidential campaign.
The recording of “Big Love” opened up many performing opportunities as well. She recently was a finalist in the Eddie’s Attic Songwriter’s "Shoot Out" – a bi-annual show that features some of the best up and coming singer-songwriters. She has also performed as a guest of the Songwriter’s Showcase at the infamous Bitter End in New York; Other performances include: the Bluebird Café in Nashville, the Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, the Midpoint Music Festival, and Googie's in New York.
To her fan base, McGilvray is known for her moving, soul-stirring songs and performances. While her modern folk/folk pop sound has been compared to Sarah McLachlan, Patty Griffin, Jane Siberry and Neil Young, her writing style and textured vibrato voice offer an original and intriguing sound. She is currently on the 900 Mockingbirds Tour with Jenn Franklin and writing her next full- length album to be recorded later this year.