Margaret Fiedler McGinnis

Margaret Fiedler
Origin Chicago, Illinois
Genres Indie electronic, Dream pop, Post-rock
Occupation(s) Musician, Craftsperson
Instruments Vocals, Guitar, Cello, Keyboards
Labels Too Pure, American Recordings
Associated acts Moonshake
Laika
PJ Harvey
Wire
Ultra Vivid Scene
Website http://www.magsmcginnis.com

Margaret Fiedler McGinnis is a London-based American vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and noted guitarist. She is best known as a founding member of UK indie groups Moonshake and Laika and as live guitarist with PJ Harvey and Wire.

She was born as Margaret Fiedler in Chicago, Illinois[1] and grew up in Winnetka, Illinois and later in Connecticut. As a child, she was trained as a cellist, and was later educated at Sarah Lawrence College and at Trinity College in Dublin.

Musical career

McGinnis was involved with various bands in high school in Connecticut and in college in New York. She formed Child's Play with Moby and was in an early incarnation of Ultra Vivid Scene with Kurt Ralske.

After a move to London, England she formed Moonshake in 1991 with David Callahan, formerly of The Wolfhounds. She and Callahan shared vocals, guitar, sampling and songwriting duties, and the band was augmented by John Frenett (bass) and Mig Morland (drums, percussion). Moonshake were signed to Alan McGee's Creation Records for their debut First EP released in Spring 1991. The group then moved to Too Pure Records, and released the Secondhand Clothes EP and the Eva Luna LP in 1992, and the mini-album Big Good Angel in 1993.

In 1993 McGinnis formed Laika with John Frenett, renowned engineer and producer Guy Fixsen, flautist Louise Elliott and drummers Lou Ciccotelli and Rob Ellis. The band produced four albums and five singles for Too Pure between 1994 and 2003. Fixsen has said the band is "taking a break" with about half an album already in the works. In 2000, she joined PJ Harvey to play lead guitar, cello, keyboards and percussion on the band's "Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea" world tour.

In 2008, McGinnis joined post-punk pioneers Wire replacing Bruce Gilbert on guitar for an ongoing world-wide tour.

Personal life

Following Laika's last album in 2003, McGinnis studied at the College of Law where she received a post-graduate law qualification. After graduation, she went to work at the BBC.[1]

In addition, she is a candle maker and instructor, who uses vintage teacups and environmentally friendly materials.[1][2] She is an animal-rights supporter.[3]

In 2007, she married music publisher Monkey McGinnis, Head of Mute Song.

Margaret had attended grade school in Winnetka with Liz Phair.[3] She has performed in session as a member of Moonshake, Laika, and PJ Harvey plus a guest spot with God Is My Co-Pilot.

References

  1. 1 2 3 {{cite weburl=http://www.magsmcginnis.com/press.html |title=Press page of Margaret Fiedler McGinnis' website}}
  2. ↑ "The Make Lounge's Soya Teacup Candle workshops".
  3. 1 2 "Laika biography of Musicianguide.com".
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