AE MAK
AE MAK (Aoife McCann) has stopped her search for a voice to land on. Life does not operate in such perfected feats of structure and composition. In her upcoming debut record, Folk Songs for Mama & Papa, there is a surrender to the disarming nature of life’s twists and turns in a way that is truthful, honest and oddly comforting.
“I have always made up different aesthetics with my voice,” she admits “And put on different characters just for whatever sound I want to make.”
The stage curtain is ready to fall on displaying AE MAK in all her wonderous, uncloaked authenticity. As we sit down to speak about her upcoming release, tucked away in a booth in The Big Romance, I notice her bright, searching eyes, and the way she motions her hands through the air as she finds the words to describe her descent into a more stripped-back sound.
It is clear that this has been quite the introspective journey to arrive at the precipice of McCann’s debut release- something that has been held close to her heart for a long time. Mustn’t it be challenging to release something so naked and vulnerable out into the world for all to see?
“For some reason, I have never been concerned about releasing my art, even if it is really vulnerable,” Aoife reflects “I find it quite hard to speak to people in general about myself. But when it comes to my art, it’s more of a purge to release. And I can send it off now. There’s a freedom to it.”
“I am very introverted. But when I’m on stage, I can just be whatever the hell I want to be. It works, giving yourself a new layer to express that.”
In her speech, visuals and writing, her movements and words mimic the stirring of a cosmic pot-plucking at strands and twinkling stars of inspiration from the heavens and giving them a theatrical, intimate and full-bodied home within her music.
“This is a much more intimate record” she reflects “More personal and slow-moving. There’s still movement and theatrics in shape, but I’m no longer choreographing it.”
“It’s kind of just me standing there for once in my life.” She observes.
Folk Songs for Mama & Papa is self-reflective call to stillness. It is lamenting, folk-induced, genre bending. Tender and soulful. It is a testament to what grows from eliminating excess noise, stripping songwriting back to the soulful springs of just piano and voice.
“The lyrics are vulnerable, searching, yearning, seeking.” McCann admits “It just felt very natural to make them on the piano and voice. Then everything else was just added subtly over it.”
McCann has loosened the reins on an incessant desire to understand or define what it means to be successful in the music industry. Instead, this record is an admittance to feeling life- experiencing life as it arrives, using music and songwriting in a reflective manner and uncovering a deeper emotional literacy.
“A spiritual-finding, self-reckoning kind of record.” She coins it.
McCann did not always see herself as the acclaimed songwriter and artist she has become today. Originally, her love for the stage manifested as dreams of studying musical theatre in the UK, applying for places like the Royal Academy of Music in London at the age of 17.
“And I didn’t get into any of them. So, I went to BIMM.” She laughs, reminiscing.
McCann’s time studying Voice at BIMM inadvertently became the launchpad into a deeper understanding of her own songwriting abilities. It was only during her time at university that she came to the realisation of her ability to channel emotion through song.
“I didn’t realise that was in me” she admits “I mean, I’ve always made up melodies and sang, but I didn’t actually sit down and write or perform a song.”
The theatrical elements and gospel-like emotional delivery present in Folk Songs for Mama & Papa span longer roots in McCann’s personal life, dating back to childhood performances of makeshift plays at home with her family.
“I was always performing, since I was a little kid.” She recalls “I did musical theatre shows since I was 12. I was always on stage, always making up my own shows.”
AE MAK was originally created alongside former member Ellie McMahon in their third year studying at BIMM, when the duo collaborated to form a seven-piece band. After McMahon’s departure from the band a couple years later, McCann was left to decide what would become of her AE MAK persona.
“For a year or two, I was kind of like ‘What is this?’”she reflects, thinking back on years of the AE MAK concept suspended in limbo. “And then I was like “Ah! I think I want to be an artist. I think I am an artist.’”
When one chapter ends, another begins. McCann has released an impressive discography of her solo work since 2018, maintaining an electro-pop, avant-garde groove throughout.
With AE MAK’s legacy spanning back almost ten years now, McCann looks back on the nature of her past eras, comparing her previous releases with the present-day.
“In previous work, it’s been just about writing melody. It was a kind of a childlike, playful, cartoon land… more about the sound and energy.” She reflects. “But this record is definitely more about the lyrical content.”
“I just have something to say now, you know? As opposed to just being at play.”
Aoife McCann’s polished lyricism and striking vocals are guaranteed not to fall on deaf ears. Folk Songs for Mama & Papa brandishes its’ stripped-back qualities like a medal of honour. The records’ vulnerable, exposed elements don’t channel themselves as meek or slight in their delivery - if anything McCann’s refreshed debut is made more powerful by its’ ability to surrender to the strength that resides within a return to authenticity.
“In this record, I’m tapping into my own voice properly” she affirms. There is no ultimate resolution necessary, no fixed genre or vocal persona to attach to - emotion is guiding the music rather than aesthetics.
This is Aoife McCann, AE MAK, standing tall on her own two feet as a heartfelt songwriter, accomplished producer and confident solo artist. A return to voice, stepping away from character making towards an inward exploration of essence, with the hot white lights of the stage set in position for her time in the spotlight.
Folk Songs for Mama & Papa is out on May 29. AE MAK plays at When Next We Meet at Raheen House and Beyond the Pale Festival as well a headline gig at Workmans on the 23rd of July.
For more information on music and merch, see aemak.bandcamp.com/music