Interview with:Cailean McLean [cmcvocals]
MUSIC
 | What do you do? What is your musical specialty? I am a versatile vocalist and host of entertainments. I specialise in Scots Traditional Music and Musical Theatre and Film music but sing a variety of different styles. I am also a Burns Night Host and Master of Ceremonies. I am currently the Host of the world famous 'Taste of Scotland Show' at Prestonfield, Edinburgh and lead tenor of Scotland's Three Tenors. I am a Recording Artist with the Music Kitchen recording label and I also do independaent work at Weddings and Burns Suppers. |
| Do you work alone or in a group? If in a group, who are the others you work with? Majoratively I do solo work but having been working with the show the last three years I now have a balanced work schedule of solo recording work and also performing a full cast production show. |
| Is there a web address where one can listen, see, or read some of your work? My Website is www.cmcvocals@live.co.uk
Facebook www.facebook.com/cmcvocals
Twitter: @Cmc_vocals
My Music can be purchased for download on Amazon, I-Tunes and Play.com |
| Please list discography in which you have participated. Cailean McLean 'Six Nations' (Roastin Records)
Cailean McLean 'Christmas Tenor' - (Roastin Records)
Cailean McLean 'A Jacobite By Name' (Roastin Records) |
| What was your musical education? Private Vocal Tuition and Music Theory Lessons 1993-1998
Palmerston Place Choristers 1993-1996
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama Junior Academy 1996-1998
National Youth Choir of Scotland 1996-2001
Oxenfoord Summer School, Musical Theatre course 1997-2001
University of Huddersfield, BA Hons Music With Theatre Studies 2001 |
| When did you realise that making music could be a way of life for you? At Aged 13 I got my first professional job with Scottish Opera as a Boy Soprano. This was also recorded and televised by the BBC. |
| Have you ever awoken with a melody created from your dreams? I'm not much of a song writer. I've written a few but haven't done anything serious with them. |
| How do you know when a song is finished or needs no more changes? You always find things that you want to add. A song is never really finished. But you have to mark a point and say 'I'm stopping there' to avoid ruining the concept with too much alteration and addition. |
| How often do you practice? Probably not as much as I should. I certainly don't get to see my vocal coach as often as I'd like. |
| How do you feel right before going out on stage? It depends on a number of things. When I'm performing I'm usually fine and totally up for it. I did do an audition for a TV competition recently where I got so nervous I forgot my words. That has never happened before and I still made it through to the next round where I felt much more relaxed. |
| Which musicians or groups have been inspiring to your career? Andy Stewart, Ken Haynes. |
| What should be done to stop piracy? What can you do? I think one thing would be to allow people to purchase multiple licences for when they are downloading an album for someone else who doesn't have access to a PC or MP3 player. I find that a lot with my music because some of my following are more mature in years. |
| What type of music do you detest? I don't think this is a good question and the use of 'detest'. There are good elements and pieces of music in all styles. Just because it's not your thing, doesn't mean other people don't like it. That's the great thing about music. It's a huge variety and If you don't get captured by something, you will go and find something that will. Freedom of choice is what makes music amazing! |
| What time did you get up this morning? I got home last night from the show at 11:00pm and was up at 06:40am to get ready for the day job at the University. |
| How do you sell yourself? What has been your experience with record companies and representatives? I love working with the Music Kitchen. They have been amazing and really let me do my own thing within the boundaries of the concept.
I have approached other companies before who wanted me to pay £10,000 to produce an album. Obviously I passed on that. A label are either willing to take the risk on you, or they're not. You shouldn't pay any money if they are saying they want you. |
| What other things have you done to make a living? I actually work full time in Student Recruitment at a University and run my music and performing business separately.
In the past I've worked in bars, I've built mountain bikes, worked in record stores, been a lifeguard, a playworker for children. I've led a varied career up until I moved home in 2008 |
| Who would you play with, without a doubt? Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Jason Mraz and Ed Sheeran |
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Cailean McLean
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