Bio & Publicity Photos
courtesy of Mac Morin's Website |
Along with other highly regarded dancers, Mac was a step dance instructor during the International Celtic Colours Festival held in Cape Breton yearly since 1997. Mac has also made a big name for himself as an accomplished Cape Breton-style piano player. After two years on the road with Natalie MacMaster’s band touring all over the world and sharing the stage with such artists as the Chieftains and Mark O'Connor, Mac has since toured with Howie MacDonald’s 'Celtic Brew' and 'Rise & Follies of Cape Breton' shows, the Rankin Sisters, and is kept busy supplying accompaniment for fiddlers such as Ian MacDougall, Andrea Beaton, Rodney MacDonald, Glenn Graham, Howie MacDonald, Jackie Dunn, Wendy MacIsaac, Troy MacGillivray, Shelly Campbell, and Buddy MacMaster to name just a few. Mac is
also a full-time member of the energetic Cape Breton band 'Beolach' which features
fiddlers Wendy MacIsaac and Mairi Rankin, Guitarist Patrick Gillis, Piper Ryan J. MacNeil,
Drummer Matthew Foulds and Speaking of CD's, Mac has just released his first self-titled CD this summer. The recording consists of 17 tracks of traditional and contemporary Cape Breton music and features the talents of Gordie Sampson, Rannie MacLellan, Pius MacIsaac, Patrick Gillis, Betty Lou Beaton, Sandy MacDonald, Kevin Dugas, Al Cross as well as former Natalie MacMaster band members John Dymond and Steve O'Connor. Mac has also appeared on a number of other artist CD's including Buddy MacMaster, Glenn Graham, Troy MacGillivray, Wendy MacIsaac, Beolach, Kinnon Beaton, Ian MacDougall, Pius MacIsaac and Mairi Rankin. If
you're around Cape Breton at any point in time, you'll be sure to see Mac Morin performing
somewhere on the island... |
Hi Mac, Thanks for allowing us to do an interview with you for The Canadian Celtic Music Website Spotlight.
I started stepdancing first. Mom taught me my first steps - her father stepdanced. The piano was accidental. I went to the Gaelic College for Gaelic with Jeff MacDonald & met Tracey Dares who got me to start. She showed me how to chord to 1 tune and I became interested enough and learned on my own. For someone who is new to your music, how would you describe it? Do you play only the Cape Breton style or other styles as well? I play traditional Cape Breton music (and accompany it) on the piano. I presently don't play any other styles but would love to try and learn. I'd like to learn to read music... Do you have any other musicians in your family? Are your parents musical? Siblings? Everyone in my family can play an instrument. My dad and brothers all play guitar and fiddle (thought the oldest brother plays the most). My mom plays piano. You toured with Natalie MacMaster for 2 years, who is actually a neighbour of yours. What was that experience like? Highlights from those tours? Didn't you go down to Antarctica with her? I enjoyed the experience from start to finish (the 2 years as a highlight). I learned a lot from both her and my fellow band members. Yes we did go to Antarctica for a week. You made the decision to stay at home for a while after touring with her, yet you didn't get much rest as you seem to be accompanying every fiddler there is in Cape Breton. There must be a high demand for piano players in Cape Breton. Are there some up and coming piano players in Cape Breton these days? In your generation it seems to be just you and Troy MacGillivray. It's funny...I stopped touring because I didn't have enough time only to get busier (and it hasn't stopped yet). There area few starting to play (which is good). Hopefully there will be more.
We've been well received everywhere we've gone with invitations to go back. It's steadily getting busier which makes it hard to get in all the other projects I have on the go at home. I'm very fortunate to be as busy as I am. You have just released your debut CD which is great. It's got a lot of traditional material on it but also has a contemporary sound. How would you describe it? I would say it is routed in the Cape Breton tradition with a hint of things I was exposed to while touring and learning as a musician. I know you keep asking everyone what their favourite track on the CD is so I'll do the same to you. What is your favourite track? I don't have a favourite as I like them all the same for different reasons. I like the trad cuts because they've got some good dirty tunes and the others for what they are different. What's on the agenda for the coming months for you? Just staying around Cape Breton performing?
Who are some of your musical influences? The two piano players I listened to the most were Tracey Dares and John Morris Rankin. All the old fiddlers and piano players got the most play - tapes of old dance and house parties. What do you enjoy to do when you're off the road? It doesn't ever feel like I'm off the road - there's always something to play at or record or figure out. I do like to sleep in (it rarely happens but I like when it does). What have been some of the highlights of your career so far? Performances with Natalie (MacMaster), Raylene (Rankin) and Howie (MacDonald) come to mind. Also dances at the halls at home with Ian MacDougall, Howie and the rest and more recently the completion of the CD. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? Hopefully still playing music with those I've mentioned.
There are talks of dates in Australia - that might be neat. Home is still the best. Now for some more entertaining questions! What's your favourite movie / tv show? I don't want TV except for the news. As for movies, I don't get much of a chance for them either (The Last of the Mohicans was pretty good). Who are your favourite musicians? Seeing as Cape Breton Music is my favourite, those from home come to mind first. I like to listen to Fleetwood Mac, Bryan Adams, Alanis and the odd contemporary "poppy" tune. If you could perform with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Simple...the late John Morris Rankin (of the Rankin Family) - He was one of the best! Best of luck with your career in the months and years to come! Mac Morin
October
November
For more info on Mac Morin and/or to purchase his CD, check out his website at http://www.macmorin.com Fan Mail: info@macmorin.com Booking Information: Mac Morin, 169 WW Maclean Road, Troy, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, B9A 1G6, info@macmorin.com If you're interested in more Canadian Celtic Music, visit Kimberley's Canadian Celtic Music Website. |
The answer to the question - "What famous Canadian fiddler did Mac used to tour with?" - is Natalie MacMaster Sound clips from "Mac Morin" The Deil's Lochy |
Mac Morin: Dancer, Piano & Keyboard player, is a talented Troy, Cape
Breton native whose ancestors were noted Cape Breton step dancers for several generations.
Including Mary C. MacDonald Morin (Mother) and John R. 'Roddie Eddie' MacDonald
(Grandfather). Mac has been dancing for over 10 years, first being taught by his mother
and then the talented Warner sisters of Mabou, Cape Breton. Since then he has taken on the
role as teacher in various private and workshop venues.
Mac on Piano.
The band has toured Canada, United States and Europe and released a self titled CD in
2002. Visit 
You sound like you've been performing your whole life. What got you started
in step-dancing and playing the piano? Who were your teachers?
Now you're back on the
road some with Beolach, Cape Breton's super group, made up of some of the finest musicians
in Cape Breton. How has the response been to this group around the world, as you've toured
parts of Canada, the US and Europe?
I am doing some recording with Raylene Rankin and Andrea Beaton along
with all the other summer stuff at home (including performing with the Rise and Follies
with Howie (MacDonald) and JP (Cormier)).
Is there a place that you
have yet to tour that you would like to visit?
September
Thanks to Mac Morin, we gave away a copy of his self-titled CD. The
winner is Karen G from Marysville, Washington.