Having just turned old enough to begin gigging in the local bar scene in 2010, singer songwriter Breagh Mackinnon has been making the most of her initial year on the circuit, impressing local music fans and performers alike with her beautiful voice, skilled guitar playing and well crafted arrangements. On Sunday, December 19th she’ll sneak another accomplishment in before the year’s end – the release of her debut CD.
Though she began taking piano lessons at the age of six, it wasn’t until her final year of high school that Mackinnon began writing her own material and performing it for others. Within months, her first composition, “Pretty Lies” helped her win the 2009 Next Big Thing High School Talent Search organized by the CBU Students Union. On her website she reveals that her song writing styling has been influenced by many genres including selections from her her parents’ vinyl collection – legends Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell and Aretha Franklin – along with acclaimed contemporary artists Iron and Wine and Imogen Heap. MacKinnon is currently studying jazz at St. Francis Xavier University.
She will perform on Sunday with many of the guest musicians who played on her album including Jennie MacDougall, Todd Mercer, Max MacKeigan, Emi Xidos, Eric Pushie and Redmond MacDougall. Also performing will be local songwriters Adam White, Colette Deveaux, Dave Sampson and Alicia Penney.
CDs will be available at the show for $10 and are also available at the Cape Breton Curiosity Shop, Mary Janes, Wentworth Perk and Bay Music. Admission to the release is free.
