Michael McGovern

Michael McGovern is a 25 year old singer / songwriter from Glasgow, Scotland. From picking up the guitar as a child and writing songs from an early age, Michael has defined his folk sound playing live in the thriving music scene of his hometown.

His debut album, Highfield Suite (released June 2021), is a summation of his work since he began writing songs as a teenager. The album prominently features a nylon string fingerpicking guitar, and expansive vocal harmonies. Tipping its hat to some of Michael’s great inspirations from Leonard Cohen, to Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Fleet Foxes.

Since the pandemic brought an end to live performance, Michael spent much of 2020 in isolation recording this album. The majority was recorded into a single microphone in a small wooden cabin in County Galway, Ireland, during ‘quarantine’.

The tracks were then expanded alongside Dublin-based producer Bill Shanley (Cauldron Music), engineered by Andrew Holdsworth, and mastered by Denis Blackham, who put the finishing touches to this debut collection of songs.

In July 2021, Michael performed the songs at the Shanley Sessions in Co.Cork, watch here.

Michael recently supported Irish folk legend Mary Black for a small sold out tour in Ireland, to great reception and is looking forward to more live dates to come in 2022.

Reviews:

 “I love it. What an unexpected gem.” - Paul Brady

Album of the Week, July 2021 - BBC Radio Scotland

“a noteworthy debut...the sonic and performance levels are impeccable...Highfield Suite warns of a real talent arriving among us.” - Jackie Hayden, Hot Press Magazine

“Michael McGovern’s ‘Highfield Suite’ is nothing short of astonishing...from track to track there are no points of weakness.” - Resonate Scotland Artist of the Week

“the songs are visionary, beautiful and refuse to be beaten down by the world; exactly the tonic that is needed.” - Liverpool Sound and Vision