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Chris MacLean’s music has been described as poignant, from the heart, angelic vocals with lyrics that evoke landscapes in the here-to-fore unmapped territories of the personal. Her debut album, “Learn to Be Loved” (2001) was produced by Ian Tamblyn and features close friend and musical mentor, Mae Moore as well as many of Ottawa’s finest musicians. With the eye of a painter Chris MacLean’s lyrics focus on the details of ordinary life in an extra-ordinary way. Using a simple approach to writing, she draws the listener into sketches of love (new, lost, frayed), friendship, motherhood, political activism and the journey of the soul. She writes with the passion of one who has triumphed over adversity, is unsatisfied with merely surviving and is finally flourishing. Chris grew up In Peterborough Ontario, on a steady musical diet of classical, jazz and folk. She was drawn early to songwriters the likes of Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and Judy Collins and later became a devoted follower of artists such as Jane Siberry and Suzanne Vega. After taking a 15 year hiatus from her music career to raise a family, Chris returned to the stage in the late 1990's. She started performing Ottawa stages at Rasputin's, The Black Sheep, Perfect Strangers and Lucky Ron’s, backed by musicians including Ken Kanwisher (bass), Alan Marsden (guitars), Greg Brown (fiddle and concertina) and Terry Tufts (guitar, vocals). In the 1998 Unisong international songwriting competition, Chris was recognized with two Awards of Achievement for her compositions Diamond In My Heart and Light of Day. Chris has performed at Blue Skies Festival, the Ottawa Folk Festival, Kingston Folk Festival, Thalia's Voice Festival and The Women’s Voices Festival. She’s been featured on Ottawa's The New RO and CJOH television, has appeared frequently as a guest on Carleton University’s CKCU Radio and was on CBC radio’s final Heartland show with host Bill Stunt. She’s had frequent airplay on CKCU, CBC radio - both regional and national - including This Morning with Shelagh Rogers, Galaxy (CBC’s satellite station) and college radio stations across Canada. Chris travelled to Vancouver in February 2001 to attend and showcase at the North American Folk Alliance Conference. She enjoys an excellent following in her hometown and frequently plays Ottawa venus including The 4th Stage National Arts Centre, The Black Sheep Inn, and Rasputin's as well as numerous benefit concerts. In November 2001, Chris showcased with 3 other Canadian women acts - The Sirens, Eve Goldberg and Laura Bird - at the 2001 North Eastern Regional Folk Alliance Conference in Split Rock Pennsylvania. Later that month she played the prestigious Hugh's Room in Toronto. She opened for Connie Kaldor in December 2001 as part of the Ottawa Folk Festival Benefit concert series, played the Rabat International Festival and the Festival of Tetouan in Morocco in July of 2002 and shared a stage at the Ottawa Folk Festival with Mae Moore in August 2002.Chris has also recorded with Ian Tamblyn (Voice in The Wilderness); Galitcha (SATRANG) and on an original single with Lori Hodge (I Believe in Me).What they are saying about Chris MacLean:“Chris MacLean sings right from her heart. In concert she is quietly mesmerizing, singing very personal songs with a marvellous sense of phrasing and the purest of voices.”Al Rankin - Artistic Director - Blue Skies Music Festival“Experience, maturity and fulfilling a life’s dream after facing some tough challenges.... That begins to account for the lyrical depth of her songwriting, the control of her silvery voice and the easy flow of her melodies.”Lynn Saxberg - The Ottawa Citizen“One of the most talented performers to have appeared on our stage.” Paul Symes - The Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield Quebec“Chris is an undiscovered treasure with a pure voice.” Mae Moore - international recording artist“Emotions drive this songwriter, and move her audiences. Chris MacLean has been featured on my stage many times in the last year, both as a main act, and as an opener for many talented individuals. I enjoy the creativity, the talent, and the sincerity of this songwriter. Her audiences have all voiced their appreciation, as have I.” Dean Verger - owner Rasputin’s Folk Club“Her potent lyrics and exquisite voice awaken the listener’s heart. This is music that needs to be heard.” Chris White - Artistic Director - Ottawa Folk Festival Reach Chris at: chris@chrismaclean.com
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