Biography of enya at wikipedia joeys

Enya

Irish singer (born 1961)

For other uses, see Enya (disambiguation).

Enya

Enya in 1988

Birth nameEithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin
Also known as
  • Enya
  • Eithne Brennan
  • Eithne Ní Bhraonáin
  • Enya Patricia Brennan
Born (1961-05-17) 17 May 1961 (age 63)
Dore, Gweedore, Dependency Donegal, Ireland
Genres
Occupations
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • keyboards
  • synthesisers
Years active1980–present
LabelsWarner
Websiteenya.com

Musical artist

Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin (born 17 Could 1961; anglicised as Enya Patricia Brennan), known mononymously as Enya, is an Irish singer extra composer.

With an estimated 80 million albums sold worldwide,[1] Enya is the best-selling solo graphic designer and the second-best-selling music reasonable from Ireland overall after character rock band U2. Enya's congregation has been widely recognised ask its use of multi-layers blame her own vocals and combination, lengthened reverb, and interwoven smattering of Celtic music.

Her pursuit in music spans four decades; Enya has been composing take recording music since the 1980s.[2]

Enya was raised in the Irish-speaking region of Gweedore. In 1980, as Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, Enya began her musical career carrying-on alongside her family's Irish people band Clannad. She left Clannad in 1982 to pursue out solo career, working with honourableness former Clannad manager and processor, Nicky Ryan, and his mate Roma, as their lyricist.

Trinket the following four years, Enya further developed her sound harsh combining multitracked vocals and keyboards with elements from a school group of musical genres, such whilst Celtic, classical, church, jazz, ambient, world, hip-hop[3] and Irish nation.

The earliest releases by Enya as a solo artist were two piano/synthesiser instrumentals for dignity Touch Travel T4 cassette evolution (1984) composed around 1982–83.[4] Illustriousness majority of the soundtrack tend to The Frog Prince (1985) was originally composed by Enya, elitist she sang two songs pick lyrics for the project.

Enya had also composed a protest of work for the 1987 BBC documentary series named The Celts. A selection of move together pieces for The Celts were released as her debut past performance, Enya (1987). The chairman be bought Warner Music, Rob Dickins, difficult enjoyment in listening to Enya's music for The Celts. Put your feet up happened to meet the threesome, expressed his interest in Enya's music, and so the triple agreed to sign with Seemly Music UK.

The initial top secret deal granted her considerable elegant freedom and minimal interference. Rendering success of the album Watermark (1988) propelled Enya to pandemic fame, primarily through her cosmopolitan hit single "Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)". In the following dec and up to the contemporary millennium, she released the multi-million-selling albums Shepherd Moons (1991), The Memory of Trees (1995), settle down A Day Without Rain (2000).

Sales of A Day Impecunious Rain and its lead matchless, "Only Time", surged in honourableness United States following its delay in media coverage of goodness 9/11 attacks. After Amarantine (2005) and And Winter Came... (2008), Enya took a four-year rest from music, returning to righteousness recording studio in 2012 face begin work on her 8th studio album Dark Sky Island (2015).

Regarding a new flat album, there have been mentions about Enya recording new meeting, according to several close variety. As of 2019, Enya's baby Moya Brennan had mentioned ditch Enya was recording music.[5]

Enya's fashionable statement in-print was from authority vinyl release of A Receptacle of Dreams released in unconscious June 2023.

Her statement question in Irish: "Beidh muid label teacht le chéile gan mhoile", which approximates as "we volition declaration meet again soon".[6]

Early life

Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin was born collect the Dore area of Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore) in County Donegal on 17 May 1961.[7] She is the sixth of digit children in the Brennan parentage of musicians, born to Máire "Baba" and Leopold "Leo" Brennan.[8] In 1968, the couple took ownership of a pub bring into being Meenaleck, Co.

Donegal, naming scenery Leo's Tavern.[9] Leo Brennan (1925–2016) was the leader of clean up Irish showband named the Slieve Foy Band, before performing alone. Baba Brennan (née Duggan; calved 1930) is said to accept Spanish roots with ancestors who settled on Tory Island[10] arena she was an amateur troubadour who played with the Slieve Foy Band.[11][12] Enya's mother very taught music at Gweedore Agreement School.[13]

Gweedore is a Gaeltacht abscond, where the Irish language, as well known as Gaelic, is especially spoken.

Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin, her name, is anglicised type Enya Patricia Brennan,[14] with "Enya" being the phonetic spelling robust how "Eithne" is pronounced make happen the Donegal Ulster dialect. "Ní Bhraonáin" translates to "daughter all but Brennan".[15]

The name Brennan was parenthetically added to Leo's name to hand his birth registration in 1925; his family name was Hardin; Leo used Brennan (Ó/Ní Bhraonáin) for the surname of cap children.

Leo's father Harry Hardin was a pianist, and without fear died performing on stage. Enya's paternal grandmother, Minna Lenehan, laid hold of the drums. They were both believed to have been inborn in England. Regarding Baba's parents, Enya's maternal grandfather, Aodh, tenderly addressed as "Gog", was honesty headmaster of the primary kindergarten in Dore; her grandmother, Máire Gillespie, was a teacher.

Aodh was also the founder medium the Aisteoiri Ghaodobhair, the Gweedore Theatre company.[16][17]

Enya has described prudent upbringing as "very quiet be proof against happy"[18] and expressed that "it was difficult to be heard, but I was very doing well with that because I was able to be myself, underhanded to be let alone.”[19] Notwithstanding, she has acknowledged that nearby was "continual hustle and chaos and crying and chaos" among the nine siblings.

Their caring grandparents were quite involved familiarize yourself the siblings' upbringing at soupзon, as their parents were nomadic with the showband; Leo fun at the pub, and Baba leading the choir.[20]

Along with authority siblings' enjoyment of their ancy spent in Gweedore, they as well grew up amid the Adversity.

Enya recalls that when discard family visited shops in Derry for instance, "you’d be repressed by people standing with guns”, and even speaking in Erse in Derry was "pinpointing place you came from, and stop working was too political at loftiness time. Whereas for [Enya sit siblings] it was our premier language, and we didn’t supervise anything wrong with it."[19]

Enya took part in her first telling competitions at the annual Feis Ceoil music festival between magnanimity ages of three to quintuplet years old.[17][11] She also participated in pantomimes at the Gweedore Theatre, as seen in mainly early group picture where Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh was also current .

At the age clasp four, Enya began piano indoctrination and was learning English roundabouts primary school. She later vocal, "I had to do institution work and then travel letter a neighbouring town for pianoforte lessons, and then more academy work. I remember my brothers and sisters playing outside reprove I would be inside engagement the piano, this one cavernous book of scales, practising them over and over."[15][21]

As well gorilla traditional Irish music and musical choral music with her siblings in their mother's choir follow St Mary's church in Derrybeg, Enya and her siblings were introduced to a variety tablets music in the 1960s tell off '70s, and enjoyed watching lilting films.

In a radio question with Elaine Page in Nov 2008, Enya shared a preference of favourite songs from musicals. She said of Jesus Earl Superstar, "it was such strong original piece of music instruction 1970 [...] played in tongue-tied house every single day, forward myself and my sisters would sing word for word".[22]

In adjoining to music-related endeavours, Enya too took part in the Gaeltacht Festival competitions in Gweedore primate a child.

At the resolution of nine in 1970, she appeared to be a runner-up in the Cailín Gaelach (Irish Girl) competition, which judged rip off "their fluency of spoken Country, involvement in social and traditional activities in their parish plus community, and appearance and deportment."[23]

From the age of 11, Enya attended a convent boarding institution in Milford, Milford College,[17][24] bang by the Sisters of Loreto;[25] Enya's education there was cashed for by her grandfather.[11][10] Primacy boarding school, now Loreto Mankind School, was where Enya erudite a taste for classical air, art, Latin, and watercolour painting.[10] She said, "It was death-dealing to be torn away cause the collapse of such a large family however it was good for dank music."[15] Enya finished boarding educational institution at age 17 towards decency end of the 1970s, plus she spent a year destiny college studying classical music.

She previously saw herself becoming top-notch piano teacher, as both safe mother and grandmother had beyond compare, and gave piano lessons bring back a brief time in leadership early 1980s. This later evolved into composing and performing round out own music.[15] Enya states walk "music was never far overexert my mind but contrary contact popular belief my ambitions were in no way connected tutorial those of my family, style I knew I wanted squalid have my own career suffer make my own mark".[17]

Enya make a recording that she “was always intricacy, even as a child, like so there has always been initiative air of mystery around me,” also mentioning that “at high school, they’d always say, ‘oh, incredulity never know what Eithne’s assessment or what she’ll say next’.”[26]

Career

1980–1982: Clannad

In 1970, several members interrupt Enya's family formed Clannad, expert Celtic folk band.[27][28] Clannad leased Nicky Ryan as their overseer, sound engineer, and producer, contemporary Ryan's girlfriend, Roma Shane (later his wife, Roma Ryan) importation tour manager and administrator.[24][29] Hold 1980, after a year shock defeat college, Enya decided not extremity pursue a music degree prep added to instead accepted Nicky Ryan's opening move to play alongside the bracket together Clannad, with him having necessary to expand their sound give up keyboards and an additional vocalist.[24][30] Enya performed an uncredited segregate on their sixth studio photo album, Crann Úll (1980), with spick line-up of her eldest siblings Moya, Pól, and Ciarán Brennan, and twin uncles Noel esoteric Pádraig Duggan.

She features discredit their follow-up, Fuaim (1981), musical lead vocals on the motif "An tÚll" (The Apple).[10]

The enrolment status of Enya in Clannad is a matter of hateful dispute. In a late 2000s interview, Ciarán mentioned that Enya was a "hired hand" deliver not a full member, commenting that "she was 18, 19 and we were paying prudent £500 sterling a week."[31] Mediate a BBC Radio Ulster discussion with Moya in late 2023, she also noted that Enya was considered a hired stick up for with Clannad.[32] Nicky Ryan as well said it was not coronet intention to make Enya top-notch permanent member, as she was "fiercely independent [...] intent get the drift playing her own music.

She was just not sure all but how to go about it."[24] However, on the official Clannad website, the "about" subsection quotes "with younger sister Eithne, aka Enya, having quickly come see gone as a group member..." which implies that Enya was considered to have been spiffy tidy up member of the band, but for a short time.[33]

In nifty 1991 interview, Enya herself aforementioned that she "wouldn't call what happened a 'split'" and dump she "wasn't really a brim-full member of Clannad." Enya foster "I always felt I was just passing through [...] Rabid was 18 and had wellthoughtout music and was really suggestion my way, trying to grasp what I could do."[34]

Nicky excuse the idea of layering vocals to create a "choir operate one" with Enya, a thought inspired by Phil Spector's Divider of Sound technique that difficult to understand interested them both.[24]

During a Clannad tour in 1982, Nicky styled for a band meeting take in address internal issues that esoteric arisen, which he put unwind to the excessive drinking expend one or two members.[19] Noteworthy recalled: "It was short gleam only required a vote, Hilarious was a minority of incontestable and lost.

Roma and Side-splitting were out. This left primacy question of what happened tie in with Enya. I decided to sustain back and say nothing."[24] Enya chose to leave with leadership Ryans and pursue a alone career, having felt confined look the group and disliking found "somebody in the background".

Show an extended interview from 1989, Enya said that "I wasn't composing it [the music], Beside oneself was just there, you know."[35] The split caused some drag between the parties but, spontaneous time, they settled their differences.[29] Enya's brother Ciarán also rundle to Nicky Ryan around 2006, interested in recording in their studio with her, but Ryan suggested that this was trivial to occur.[31] Moya often praises Enya for what she has gone on to achieve prosperous her solo career, and supposes that there were some sweet-sounding foundations that Enya had accumulate from her short time rule the band.[32]

1982–1985: Early solo career

Enya said that, following her effort from Clannad "the fact laboratory analysis that I had become announcement friendly with Nicky and Roma.

I trusted them. And, chiefly, I felt there was explain there for me career-wise."[34]

Nicky not compulsory to Enya that either she return to Gweedore "with ham-fisted particular definite future", or support with him and Roma hassle suburban Artane, in Dublin, "and see what happens, musically", position latter of which Enya trustworthy was best for her career.[36] After their bank denied them a loan, Enya reportedly advertise her saxophone, which she esoteric been learning to play stroke the time, and also gave piano lessons as a waterhole bore of income.

Nicky Ryan ragged what they could afford chitchat build a recording facility addition the Ryans' garden shed, beforehand a Scout hut, which they named "Aigle Studio", after glory French word for eagle.[30][24]

A guest to the house in say publicly early '80s described access translation having to "walk through honourableness house to get to description studio [...] [Nicky and Roma's] kids were young then for this reason the place was strewn sure of yourself toys but the set-up apt everyone.

They'd have breakfast allow Enya would head off comprise the studio."[37]

Shortly after leaving Clannad and thus the family countryside in Gweedore, Enya lived competent the Ryans from 1982, unfinished 1989, when she was excessive to buy a penthouse collection in Killiney.[38]

Enya and the Ryans rented Aigle Studio out ploy other musicians to help retrieve the costs.[39][40] The trio wary a musical and business collection, with Nicky as Enya's impresario and arranger and Roma translation her lyricist.[29] They called their company, of which each owns a third, Aigle Music.[41] Seep out the following two years, Enya developed her technique and combination by listening to recordings extent her reciting pieces of pattern music and repeated this enter until she started to contrive sections and develop her depart arrangements.[42]

Following her departure from Clannad in 1982, Enya (as Eithne Ní Bhraonáin) featured on imprints alongside a few artists, much on keyboards or backing vocals, with Nicky Ryan as impresario.

She played the Prophet-5 synthesizer on the group Altan's Ceol Aduaidh, led by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy.[43] Allegedly due to existing contract contention, Enya declined an offer pass up Mike Oldfield to sing excretion a new song of fulfil, likely to have been "Moonlight Shadow", so he later approached Scottish singer Maggie Reilly who sang on the record do Oldfield.[44][45] An Irish folk-type inexpensively named "Bailieboro and Me", marker by Charlie McGettigan, features Enya singing backing vocals on a-one 1982 recording, primarily credited similarly Eithne Ní Bhraonáin playing probity grand piano for the song.[46][47]

Enya's first solo endeavours were thrill 1982, when she began ruse compose two piano instrumentals, "An Ghaoth Ón Ghrian" (Irish oblige "The Solar Wind") and "Miss Clare Remembers".

Both were documented at Windmill Lane Studios play a role Dublin and later released coverup Touch Travel (1984), a limited-release cassette compilation of music strip various artists on the UK Touch label. She is credited as Eithne Ní Bhraonáin be glad about the liner notes.[48]

After several months of preparation, Enya's first be situated solo performance took place wrongness the National Stadium in Port on 23 September 1983, have a word with was televised for RTÉ's meeting show Festival Folk.[49] Niall Journeyman, a musician who worked area her during this time, give out she "was so nervous she could barely get on surprise, and she cowered behind authority piano until the gig was over".[50] Morris assisted Enya draw out the production of a verification tape, adding additional keyboards come to an end her compositions.[50][51]

Roma thought the sonata would suit accompanying visuals slab sent it to various single producers.

Among them was King Puttnam, after Roma had question an interview where he alleged a particular interest in acid melodies.[52] Puttnam liked the strip and offered Enya to form the soundtrack to the revealing romantic comedy film, The Gaul Prince (1984), directed by Brian Gilbert.[36] Enya scored nine separate from for the soundtrack.

However, Enya's instrumental pieces for the single were rearranged and orchestrated indifferent to Richard Myhill. The film managing editor Jim Clark said the rearrangements were necessary as Enya make imperceptible it difficult to compose go-slow picture. Enya's two songs give up your job vocals were not in integrity film, but on the background album, those being "The Salientian Prince" and "Dreams", but probity melodies are present throughout probity film soundtrack.

The words stage "Dreams" were penned by Chump McGettigan.[54]

Released in 1985, the medium is the first commercial good that credits her as "Enya".[54] She supposes that "Enya" in favour of her began in 1983.[55] Nicky Ryan suggested the phonetic orthography of her name,[30] thinking cruise Eithne would be mispronounced saturate non-Irish speakers.

Enya looked in reply at her composition work make a statement the film as a adequate career move, but a unsatisfying one as "we weren't heyday of it at the end".[18][36] Also in 1985, she sing on three tracks on Ordinary Man (1985) by Christy Moore.[56]

1985–1989: The Celts and Watermark

In 1985, producer Tony McAuley asked Enya to contribute a track apportion the six-part BBC television infotainment series The Celts.[57] She difficult already written a Celtic-influenced consider called "March of the Celts", and submitted it to grandeur project.

Each episode was tolerate feature a different composer unconscious first, but director David Architect liked her track so ostentatious that he had Enya feature the entire series.[42][58] Enya transcribed 72 minutes of music view Aigle Studio and the BBC studios in Wood Lane, Writer, without recording to the allow for.

She was required to get certain themes and ideas mosey the producers wanted; however, injure contrast with The Frog Prince, she worked with little invasion, which granted her freedom plan establish the sound[18] that she would adopt throughout her coming career, signified by layered vocals, keyboard-oriented music, and percussion siphon off elements of Celtic, classical, religion, and folk music.[59]

In March 1987, two months before The Celts aired, a 40-minute selection eliminate Enya's score was released similarly her debut solo album, Enya, by BBC Records in rectitude United Kingdom,[60] with the Ocean Records release in the Merged States in 1986.

The clang promoted it with a new-age imprint on the packaging, which Nicky thought was "a fearful thing for them to do".[61] The album gained enough get around attention to reach number 8 on the Irish Albums Rough draft and number 69 on position UK Albums Chart.[62] "I Hope for Tomorrow" was released as Enya's first single.[60] "Boadicea" was ulterior sampled by The Fugees reaction their 1996 song "Ready subjugation Not"; the group neither sought after permission nor gave credit.

Enya took legal action and loftiness group subsequently gave her credit; they paid a fee be in opposition to approximately $3 million. Later tutor in 1987, Enya appeared on Sinéad O'Connor's debut album The Mutiny and the Cobra, reciting Chant 91 in Irish on nobility track "Never Get Old"[63] which Enya later posted the way with words of as her tribute attach to Sinéad following her momentary in July 2023.

Several weeks after the release of Enya, Enya secured a recording commit with Warner Music UK funds Rob Dickins, the label's president and a fan of Clannad, took a liking to Enya and found himself playing get back to normal "every night before I went to bed".[64] He later trip over Enya and the Ryans suffer a chance meeting at rank Irish Recorded Music Association accord ceremony in Dublin, where unquestionable learned that Enya had entered negotiations with a rival phone.

Dickins seized the opportunity station signed her, in doing middling granting her wish to indite and record with artistic release, minimal interference from the term, and without set deadlines disapprove of finish albums.[61][65] Dickins said: "Sometimes you sign an act be proof against make money, and sometimes order about sign an act to fine music.

This was the dash. I just wanted to facsimile involved with this music."[66] Enya left Atlantic and signed get a feel for the Warner-led Geffen Records connection handle her American distribution.[61]

When purposely about whether women in bulge have a hard time, she responded "yes, they do.

Definitely." However, Enya has considered equal finish position as a composer somewhat than just a vocalist give permission be an advantage "because Rabid write and perform much senior the music, I'm taken build on seriously than the girls who just walk into a bungalow, do a vocal and that's it. I can't even imagine what that would be like."[67]

With the green light to acquire a new album, Enya taped Watermark from June 1987 standing April 1988.[42] It was at first recorded in analogue at Aigle before Dickins requested to be blessed with it re-recorded digitally at River Studios in Bermondsey, London.[68]

Watermark was released in September 1988 nearby became an unexpected hit, stretch number 5 in the Concerted Kingdom[62] and number 25 agency the Billboard 200 in glory United States following its emancipation there in January 1989.[61][69] Loom over lead single, "Orinoco Flow", was the last song written tend the album.

It was shed tears intended to be a lone at first, but Enya weather the Ryans chose it make something stand out Dickins jokingly asked for capital single; he knew that Enya's music was not made recognize the Top 40 chart. Dickins and engineer Ross Cullum briefing referenced in the song's lyrics.[70] "Orinoco Flow" became an worldwide top 10 hit and was number one in the Pooled Kingdom for three weeks,[62] unthinkable is credited with bringing new-age music to the mainstream get rid of in America.[71] The new-found come next propelled Enya to international renown and she received endorsement deals and offers to use squash up music in television commercials[72] She spent a year traveling global to promote the album which increased her exposure through interviews, appearances, and live performances.[73]

1989–1998: Shepherd Moons, The Memory of Trees and Paint the Sky exempt Stars

After promoting Watermark, Enya purchased new recording equipment and under way work on her next stamp album, Shepherd Moons.[74] She found drift the success of Watermark adscititious a considerable amount of burden when it came to poetry new songs, stating, "I restricted thinking, 'Would this have out on Watermark?

Is it orangutan good?' Eventually I had nip in the bud forget about this and come out of on a blank canvas pointer just really go with what felt right".[75]

Roma Ryan wrote songs based on several ideas, as well as diary entries from Enya, say publicly Blitz in London, and assimilation grandparents.[76]Shepherd Moons was released break down November 1991, her first release released under Warner-led Reprise Registers in the United States.[74] Fervent became a greater commercial health than Watermark, reaching number flavour in the UK for procrastinate week[62] and number 17 hassle the United States.[69] "Caribbean Blue", its lead single, charted insensible number 13 in the Pooled Kingdom.[62]

In 1991, Warner Music unfastened a collection of five Enya music videos as Moonshadows sustenance home video.[77] In 1993 Enya won her first Grammy Purse in the Best New Jump Album category for Shepherd Moons.

Soon after, Enya and Nicky entered discussions with Industrial Daylight & Magic, founded by Martyr Lucas, regarding an elaborate leaf lighting system for a so-called concert tour, but nothing resulted from those discussions.[78] In Nov 1992, Warner obtained the truthful to Enya and re-released influence album as The Celts indulge new artwork.

It surpassed university teacher initial sale performance, reaching figure 10 in the UK.[62]

After touring worldwide to promote Shepherd Moons, Enya started to write current record her fourth album, The Memory of Trees.[20]

By this day, the Ryans had moved take home the southern Dublin suburb mislay Killiney, and a new Aigle Studio had been built adjoin their home, with new make a copy of facilities which eliminated the require to go to London equal finish recording for the album.[79] The new album was unfastened in November 1995 and peakish at number 5 in probity UK[62] and number 9 speck the US,[69] where it wholesale over 3 million copies.

Disloyalty lead single, "Anywhere Is", reached number 7 in the UK. The second, "On My Course Home", reached number 26 enjoy the UK.[62] In late 1994, Enya put out an extensive play of Christmas music noble The Christmas EP.[80] Enya was offered the opportunity to ingredient the film score for Titanic but declined as it would be a collaboration, rather get away from solely her composition and revelation.

A recording of her revealing "Oíche Chiúin", an Irish-language repel of "Silent Night", appeared bigheaded the charity album A Seize Special Christmas 3, released sight benefit of the Special Olympiad in October 1997.[81]

In early 1997, Enya began to select footprints for her first compilation volume, "trying to select the definite ones, the hits, and others."[82] She chose to work prop up the collection following the promotional tour for The Memory emblematic Trees as she felt effort was the right time double up her career, and that shrewd contract with WEA required equal finish to release a "best of" album.

The set, named Paint the Sky with Stars: Authority Best of Enya, features one new tracks, "Paint the Fulsomely with Stars" and "Only If...".[83] Released in November 1997, representation album was a worldwide rewarding success, reaching number 4 clump the UK[62] and number 30 in the US,[69] where produce went on to sell keep in check 4 million copies.

"Only If..." was released as a inimitable in 1997. Enya described decency album as "like a melodious diary... each melody has capital little story and I accommodation through that whole story outlandish the beginning... your mind goes back to that day soar what you were thinking."[84]

1998–2007: A Day Without Rain and Amarantine

In 1998, Enya, Roma and Nicky Ryan received the Ivor Novello award for International Achievement.[85] Delay year, Enya started work bewildering her fifth studio album, lordly A Day Without Rain. Crush a departure from her prior albums, Enya incorporated greater under enemy control of a synthesised string intersect into her compositions, something mosey was not a conscious resolution at first, but Enya flourishing Nicky Ryan agreed that smash into complemented the songs that were being written.

The album was released in November 2000 innermost reached number 6 in significance UK[62] and an initial central theme of number 17 in description US.[86]

In the aftermath of character 9/11 attacks, US sales endorse the album and its recoil single "Only Time" surged provision the song was widely stimulated during radio and television indemnity of the events,[87] leading pin down its description as "a post-September 11th anthem".[88] The exposure caused A Day Without Rain secure outperform its original chart running to peak at number 2 on the Billboard 200,[87] bear the release of a maxi-single containing the original and trim pop remix of "Only Time" in November 2001.

Enya panegyrical courtesy its proceeds in aid get the message the International Association of Firefighters. The song topped the BillboardHot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart presentday went to number 10 overambitious the Hot 100 singles, Enya's highest charting US single authorization date.[89]

In 2001, Enya agreed practice write and perform on figure tracks for the soundtrack substantiation The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) at the request conduct operations director Peter Jackson.[90] Its founder Howard Shore "imagined her voice" as he wrote the film's score, making an uncommon lockout to include another artist include one of his soundtracks.[91] Astern flying to New Zealand give out observe the filming and nominate watch a rough cut disruption the film,[87] Enya returned give somebody the job of Ireland and composed "Aníron" (the theme for Aragorn and Arwen), with lyrics by Roma squeeze up J.

R. R. Tolkien's imaginary Elvish languageSindarin, and "May Stream Be", sung in English ground another Tolkien language, Quenya. Coast then based his orchestrations continue Enya's recorded vocals and themes to create "a seamless sound".[91]

In 2002, Enya released "May Purge Be" as a single which earned her an Academy Purse nomination for Best Original Tag.

She performed the song material with an orchestra at goodness 74th Academy Awards ceremony limit March 2002,[92] and later unasked for the moment as a occupation highlight.[93]

Enya undertook additional studio projects in 2001 and 2002. Depiction first was work on nobility soundtrack of the Japanese fictional film Calmi Cuori Appassionati (2001), which was subsequently released orangutan Themes from Calmi Cuori Appassionati (2001).

This release is cognizant of tracks spanning her lifetime from Enya to A Fair Without Rain with two B-sides. The album went to digit 2 in Japan and became Enya's second album to barter one million copies in illustriousness country.[94]

In 2004, Enya had recourse significant "Boadicea" sampling request chomp through Diddy, for the song "I Don't Wanna Know" performed provoke Mario Winans.

She said go off at a tangent the producer "phoned the bungalow we were working in splendid Nicky took the call skull he [Diddy] just said elegance had this fantastic singer depart he was working with see it was Mario Winans. Like a flash we said “send the song” and it was a on standby song."[95]

In September 2003, Enya joint to Aigle Studio to start on work on her sixth mill album, Amarantine.

Roma said integrity title means "everlasting".[88] The stamp album marks the first instance many Enya singing in Loxian, grand fictional language created by Roma that came about when Enya was working on "Water Shows the Hidden Heart". After legion attempts to sing the sticky tag in English, Irish, and Roman, Roma suggested a new speech based on some of nobility sounds Enya would sing far ahead to when developing her songs.

It was a success, existing Enya sang "Less Than unornamented Pearl" and "The River Sings" in the same way. Roma worked on the language mint, creating a "culture and history" behind it surrounding the Loxian people who are on added planet, questioning the existence supplementary life outside of Earth.[88] "Sumiregusa (Wild Violet)" is sung heritage Japanese.[88]Amarantine was a global come off, reaching number 6 on honesty Billboard 200[69] and number 8 in the UK.[62] It has sold over 1 million insane copies in the US, spiffy tidy up considerable drop in sales lessening comparison to her previous albums.

Enya dedicated the album touch upon BBC producer Tony McAuley who had commissioned Enya to commit to paper the soundtrack to The Celts, following his death in 2003.[97] The lead single, "Amarantine", was released in December 2005.[88]

2008–2017: And Winter Came... and Dark Hazy Island

Enya wrote music with span winter and Christmas theme funds her seventh studio album, And Winter Came... Initially, she deliberate to make an album spick and span seasonal songs and hymns, like a cat on a hot tin roof for a release in insensible 2007, but the trio positive to produce a winter-themed baby book instead.

The second promotional individual of the album "My! My! Time Flies!", is a acclamation to the late Irish musician Jimmy Faulkner, incorporates a bass solo performed by Pat Farrell,[98] the first guitar solo crystallize an Enya album since "I Want Tomorrow" from Enya. Interpretation lyrics also include some lilting pop-culture references, such as Primacy Beatles' famous photo shoot mix up with the cover of Abbey Road, and "a rap on keen rhapsody" possibly referring to "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen.

Upon lecturer release in November 2008, And Winter Came... reached number 6 in the UK,[62] number 8 in the US[69] and oversubscribed almost 3.5 million copies cosmopolitan by 2011.[99]

After promoting And Wintertime Came..., Enya took an stretched break from writing and put on tape music.

She spent her disgust resting, visiting family in Land, and renovating her new abode in the south of Author. In March 2009, her chief four studio albums were reissued in Japan in the Superintendent High Material CD format be equivalent bonus tracks.[70][100][101][102] Her second composition album, The Very Best be unable to find Enya, was released in Nov 2009 and featured songs put on the back burner 1987 to 2008, including neat as a pin previously unreleased version of "Aníron" and a DVD compiling lid of her music videos scan date.

In 2012, Enya joint to the studio to draw up her eighth album, Dark Vault of heaven Island. Its name refers revivify the island of Sark, which became the first island find time for be designated a dark-sky look after, and a series of rhyme on islands by Roma Ryan.

In 2013, "Only Time" was used in the "Epic Split" advertisement by Volvo Trucks manageress Jean-Claude Van Damme, who does the splits while suspended betwixt two lorries.[103] As a effect, Enya's song "Only Time" re-entered both the US Billboard Cardinal and UK Official Charts wonderful November 2013.[104]

Dark Sky Island was announced on Enya's website put a ceiling on 15 September 2015.[105] Prior own this, guest musician Eddie Satisfaction shared a post in Grave 2015, which indicated that in mint condition music by Enya was deceive progress.

Upon the album's watercourse release on 20 November 2015, a week before physical loosen, Dark Sky Island went pressurize somebody into number 4 in the UK album charts, Enya's highest charting studio album since Shepherd Moons went to number 1.[62] Rectitude album went to number 8 in the US.[69] A gilded edition features three additional songs.[106] Enya completed a promotional outward appearance of the UK, Europe, prestige US, and Japan.[107][108][109][110] During say no to visit to Japan, Enya unreduced "Orinoco Flow" and "Echoes block Rain" at the Universal Studios Japan Christmas show in Port.

In Japan, in addition equal performances of her music, she made several TV appearances featuring her partaking in Japanese cultivation, including wearing a kimono, sojourning a park located in Metropolis, and visiting the top planking of the Tokyo Skytree.

On 22 July 2016, Bosnian-Swedish DJ Salvatore Ganacci released the matchless "Dive", which heavily samples "Boadicea" and features vocals from Alex Aris.[111] The single peaked back issue 14 on the US Public relations Dance/Electronic Digital Songs Sales chart.[112]

In December 2016, Enya appeared foresight the Irish television show Christmas Carols from Cork, marking second first Irish television appearance valve over seven years.[113] She sing "Adeste Fideles", "Oíche Chiúin", gain "The Spirit of Christmas Past".[114]

2019–present; Future project potential

Since late 2019, there had been a frivolous increase in activity from Enya's official social platforms.[115] There hold been more official Enya posts on Facebook, Instagram and Tweet, updates to Enya tracks flourishing playlists on Spotify, Apple Penalization and Amazon Music, as chuck as YouTube channel updates discipline new content.

Several music videos on Enya's official YouTube channel[116] have undergone 4K/HD conversion in that 2020. Numerous YouTube "watch party" videos and vinyl re-releases mark anniversaries of Enya's music albums and compilations have been on the rampage since.

The first of these videos was in November 2020, posted on Enya's official YouTube channel to commemorate the Twentieth anniversary of A Day Wanting in Rain. In addition to glory individual tracks from the notebook, it included handwritten introductory messages from Enya and Roma Ryan, plus a closing message make the first move Nicky Ryan.[117] Some behind-the-scenes clips from the making-of the theme videos for "Only Time" nearby "Wild Child", both directed manage without Graham Fink, were also target.

For the Shepherd Moons Thirtieth Anniversary Watch Party video keep in check November 2021, Nicky Ryan's preparatory message noted that during leadership COVID-19 pandemic, Aigle Studio underwent some renovations, with new backdrop equipment and instruments installed, dowel that with this done, Enya and the Ryans were ardent to start working on newfound music.[118]

A 20th-anniversary vinyl picture video re-release of the "May Elation Be" single was also on the loose in late 2021.[119]

Enya's music continues to be sampled or interpolated by many modern-day producers, distinctively her 1986 humming song "Boadicea", in songs within the R&B or hip-hop genres.

Enya abstruse previously noted for her 2015 album Dark Sky Island, go off "several songs here have calligraphic stronger beat, and even well-organized little hip-hop influence".[3]

In 2022, kindle Metro Boomin and The Weeknd's song "Creepin'", Enya didn't give preferentiality to of the song to substance released under the working fame "IDWK" (referring to the consider I Don't Wanna Know) in this fashion Metro reportedly asked Enya put aside select song titles that she would be happy with, which included "Undecided," "Creepin'", "Don't Draw nigh Back to Me", "Better Parody That Way" and "Wanna Hunting lodge You Know".

Metro said "Creepin''' was the one [...] Socket ended up being a urging advocacy because it's the best fame for it."[120] In early Dec 2024, Creepin' won the BMI London Song of the Generation, with composition credits and fame including both Enya and Cut [sic] Ryan.[121]

In June 2023, Enya's 1997 limited compilation A Receptacle of Dreams was re-issued accept as true 6 vinyl LPs, featuring latest liner notes.[122] Nicky Ryan dyed-in-the-wool that the trio were manner on a new album enthralled floated the possibility of keen book based on the trio's thoughts regarding the Oceans disappear.

Enya's note, in Irish, concoct "Beidh muid ag teacht transparent chéile gan mhoile", which harshly translates to "We will come across again soon".[6]

On 19 September 2023, a watch party video fulfill the 35th anniversary of Watermark was also presented.[123] Alongside that, vinyl LPs of Watermark move a Dolby Atmos upmixed frequency for "Orinoco Flow" were extremely released.[124]

Enya's official website was rebooted, returned to Warner ownership stomach stylised in September 2023.

Attempt has, however, lain dormant by reason of.

There were minimal updates with reference to Enya's music in 2024, brand was the case in 2014, the year prior to Enya's album Dark Sky Island.

Musical style

Enya has cited her dulcet foundations as "the classics", religous entity music, and "Irish reels prep added to jigs"[84] with a particular parallel in Sergei Rachmaninoff,[125] a toast 2 composer of hers.

Enya was also an early adopter human synthesiser music, a skilled synth player, which equalled the emphasis of her singing, especially accurately her album Watermark. Since 1982, Enya has recorded music write down Nicky Ryan as her creator and arranger, and his spouse Roma Ryan as lyricist.[27] Sooner than her time with Clannad, Enya chose to work with Nicky as the two shared archetypal interest in vocal harmonies, crucial Ryan, influenced by The Shore Boys and the "Wall rule Sound" technique that Phil Spector pioneered, wanted to explore loftiness idea of "the multi-vocals" honor which her music became known.[126] According to Enya, "Angeles" evade Shepherd Moons has roughly Cardinal vocals recorded individually and layered.[127][128] Enya performs all vocals spell the majority of instruments greet her songs, apart from caller musicians (playing percussion, guitar, non-existent, uilleann pipes, cornet, and bent over bass).[27] Her early works, plus Enya and Watermark, feature keyboard and numerous keyboard synthesisers[129][130] containing the Yamaha KX88 Master, Yamaha DX7, Oberheim Matrix, Kurzweil K250, Fairlight IIIE-mu Emulator II, Akai S900, PPG Wave Computer 360, Roland D-50 (with the "Pizzagogo" patch, famously used in "Orinoco Flow"), and the Roland Juno-60, the latter a particular pick of hers.[131] Her vast voiced range has been classified laugh mezzo-soprano.[132]

Numerous critics and reviewers rank Enya's albums as new-age penalisation and she has won several Grammy Awards in the variety.

However, Enya does not come near to her music as part imitation the genre; "the only encroachment I can describe it [...] it's Enya music".[133] Nicky Ryan commented on the new stimulation designation: "Initially it was great, but it's really not another age. Enya plays a huge lot of instruments, not cogent keyboards.

Her melodies are powerful and she sings a piece. So I can't see a-okay comparison."[134] In 1988, Enya review believed to have said around New Age music "it's program, thin air. It's a mellifluous drug" and noted its frequently spineless nature, dissimilar to greatness approach taken in her slash music.[135] In a later discussion, Enya said that she "felt that title [New-Age] was secure to any musician whom critics didn't know how to pigeonhole."[136]

Older artwork often inspires some attention to detail the visuals that accompany Enya's music.

The 1991 music record for "Caribbean Blue", and rectitude 1995 album cover artwork in behalf of The Memory of Trees both feature adapted works from graphic designer Maxfield Parrish.[137] In the 1996 music video for "On Unfocused Way Home", scenes of girls lighting paper lanterns to rock in flowery foliage were impassioned by John Singer Sargent's image Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose.

In addition to her native Green, Enya has recorded songs nondescript languages including English, French, Italic, Spanish, and Welsh.[138] She has recorded music influenced by scowl from fantasy author J. Distinction. R. Tolkien, including the useful "Lothlórien" from Shepherd Moons.

Lend a hand The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, she sang "May It Be" in English and Tolkien's fanciful language Quenya, and she herb "Aníron" in another of Tolkien's fictional languages, Sindarin. Amarantine careful Dark Sky Island include songs sung in Loxian, a imaginary language created by Roma Ryan, that has no official structure.

Its vocabulary was formed timorous Enya singing the song's overnight case to which Roma wrote their phonetic spelling.[139]

Enya adopted a piece and songwriting method that has deviated little throughout her calling. At the start of blue blood the gentry recording process for an sticker album, she enters the studio, forgetting about her previous success, title, and songs of hers digress became hits.

"If I blunt that", she said, "I'd accept to call it a day".[140] She then develops ideas splitting up the piano, keeping note provision any arrangement that can aside worked on further. During turn down time writing the music, Enya works a five-day week, takes weekends off, and does whimper work on her music submit home.[141] With Irish as need first language, Enya initially annals her songs in Irish monkey she can express "feeling well-known more directly" in Irish elude in English.[142] After some pause, Enya presents her ideas let down Nicky to discuss what bits work best, while Roma expression in parallel to devise disagreement for the songs.

Enya alleged "Fallen Embers" from A Acquaint with Without Rain a perfect sicken when the lyrics reflect but she felt while writing glory song.[140] In 2008, she accomplished her tendency to write "two or three songs" during rank winter months, work on influence arrangements and lyrics the succeeding spring and summer, and as a result work on the next amalgamate of songs when autumn arrives.[141]

Live performances

Enya says that Warner Symphony and she "did not distrust eye to eye" initially since the label imagined her performing arts on stage "with a soft.

maybe two or three synthesist players and that's it".[30] Enya also explained that the intention put into her studio albums caused her to "run overtime", leaving little time to compose for other such projects.[143] She also expressed the difficulty newest recreating her studio-oriented sound grieve for the stage.

In 1996, Nicky Ryan said Enya had standard and turned down an keep on worth almost £500,000 to doing one concert in Japan.[144] Imprison 2016, Enya spoke about birth prospect of a live complaint when she revealed talks glossed the Ryans during her three-year break after And Winter Came... (2008) to perform a display at the Metropolitan Opera Territory in New York City saunter would be simulcast to cinemas worldwide.

Before such an foil could happen, Nicky suggested cruise she enter a studio nearby record "all the hits" subsist with an orchestra and response to see how they would sound.[30]

Enya has performed with secure and lip-syncing vocals on indefinite talk and music shows, yarn, and ceremonies throughout her being, most often during her club press tours for each album.[145] In December 1995, she round out "Anywhere Is" at a Christmastide concert at Vatican City co-worker Pope John Paul II play a part attendance; he later met at an earlier time thanked her for performing.[143] Compel April 1996, Enya performed say publicly same song during her dumbfound appearance at the fiftieth epicurean treat celebration for Carl XVI Gustaf, the king of Sweden tolerate a fan of Enya's.[82] Assume 1997, Enya participated in smashing live Christmas Eve broadcast always London and flew to Patch Donegal afterward to join throw over family for their annual dead of night Mass choral performance,[143] in which she participates each year.[146] Compact March 2002, she performed "May It Be" with an bunch at the year's Academy Awards/Oscars ceremony.

British biographies

Enya and her sisters performed in that part of the local strain accord Cór Mhuire in July 2005 at St. Mary's church feature Derrybeg, Gweedore, during the yearlong Earagail Arts Festival.[147]

Personal life

Known funds her private lifestyle, Enya uttered in the mid-1990s, "The penalization is what sells.

Not standing, or what I stand nurse. that's the way I've every time wanted it."[143][148] Enya later grasp in 2008 that “it’s advanced important to have my clandestine life and freedom than transpire out and argue about still I’m seen”, regarding it hoot "a small disadvantage in not smooth to retain my privacy.

Distracted can live with it."[26]

She has not married and has thumb children, but has many nieces and nephews and is reputed an aunt to the Ryans' two daughters, having shared their Artane home for almost clean up decade.[149][150] In 1991, she held, "I'm afraid of marriage due to I'm afraid someone might thirst for me because of who Unrestrainable am instead of because they loved me...

I wouldn't healthier rushing into anything unexpected, on the other hand I do think a middling deal about this."[151] A arrogance she had with one subject ended in 1997,[82] around birth time when she considered engaging time out of music join have a family, but foundation she was putting pressure adoration herself over the matter champion so has "gone the association [she] wanted to go".[140]

Enya further mentioned that as a resolution of a car crash have round Dublin that year "it took a lot of work jab get my body back appoint singing.

It was traumatic cranium shocking, but as a liquid I became more aware donation my health and stronger although a person."[152]

At an auction fashionable 1997, Enya spent £2.5 million[153] on a 157-year-old Victorianlisted castled mansion in Killiney.[154][155] Formerly in-depth as Victoria Castle and Ayesha Castle, the house was renamed by Enya as Manderley Citadel after the house featured sediment Daphne du Maurier's novel Rebecca (1938).[156] Prior to moving excited the castle, Enya was estimated to have resided in Writer, and spent time there available the 2000s.

She spent a sprinkling years renovating the castle, extract installing considerable security measures thanks to of threats from stalkers.[155] Excellence improvements covered gaps in leadership house's outer wall, installed pristine solid timber entrance gates extra 1.2-metre (4 ft) iron railings, ahead brought the surrounding 41 metres (135 ft) of stone wall assortment to a new height do admin 2.7 metres (9 ft).[154] In flail 2005, the property had deuce security breaches; during one circumstance, two people attacked and gauche up one of her housekeepers before stealing several items.[157] Enya alerted police by raising encyclopaedia alarm from her safe room.[158] Enya oversaw most of grandeur interior design (decorations and furniture of her castle) as she was "not going to obligate that to anyone else".[159] Enya also has an autographed remember of Sergei Rachmaninoff in afflict home.[159]

Enya has identified herself similarly "more spiritual than religious" added has said that she now and again prays, but prefers "going long-drawn-out churches when they're empty".[134]

Aside unapproachable music, Enya has an grasp for art, and as pageant 2000 was collecting artworks contempt Irish artists including Jack Menial Yeats and Louis le Brocquy and the British artist Albert Goodwin.[159]First editions of books tv show also something Enya enjoys collecting.[159] Enya recalled reading books thwart her youth such as The Lord of the Rings, enjoin the Malory Towers series dampen Enid Blyton, prior to successful to boarding school herself.[19] Enya mentioned her favourite books use Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and The Picture of Hellene Gray by Oscar Wilde.[160] Enya admires the literary works commuter boat Wilde and J.

R. Publicity. Tolkien.[161]

Visual-media-wise, Enya has mentioned habit operas, such as Madame Scatterbrain at the Sydney Opera Deal with, especially as she frequently cruise to Australia to visit improve sister and other relatives, seldom exceptionally getting noticed "at the cap obscure places" she added behave 2008.[26] She also likes heeding classic black-and-white films, especially those directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

She is also drawn to ceremonial crime dramas or period show series, such as Breaking Bad, and Mad Men, saying "myself, Nicky, and Roma are colossal fans of Breaking Bad. Surprise just didn't miss an episode."[136]

Discography

Main article: Enya discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums & box sets

Recognition and legacy

Enya is the fortunate Irish solo artist and melody of the most influential vocalists of all time.[162][163] At nobility family pub Leo's Tavern, memorabilia that celebrates musical achievements be in the region of Enya and her siblings, singularly those in Clannad, are displayed across the walls inside.

Enya is admired by, and has influenced a number of artists from several genres,[164] including Dawn, Weyes Blood, FKA Twigs, Grimes, Adam Young, Cynthia Erivo, status Nicki Minaj, who declared brush a television interview: "One rot my biggest [musical influences] appreciation Enya".[165][166][167] In 2016, Sunday Era Rich List estimated her good fortune at £91 million, making accompaniment part of their Top 50 millionaire musicians in Britain topmost Ireland.[162] According to Billboard, Enya is one of the all-time highest-charted Irish acts on U.S charts,[168] and is one be fitting of the highest-certified music artists via album units in the U.S.

Billboard's Mark Dezzani commented breach 1997, that she popularized oddball pop melodies and ethereal genetic music,[169] while Audio magazine credited her for helping popularize glory "New Celtic" sound.[170] Enya was described by National Geographic's Ireland (2022) book, as the "Queen of ambient Celtic lullabies".[171] Border line Lonely Planet's description of Donegal, the county in Ireland ditch Enya is from, Donegal was described by the Destination Woman as the "wild child additional Ireland",[172] a likely reference be the single "Wild Child" indifference Enya in 2000.[173] Two delightful Enya's albums, Paint illustriousness Sky with Stars: The Stroke of Enya (1997) and Themes from Calmi Cuori Appassionati (2001) have sold over a bundle copies in Japan, the latter-day a soundtrack of Enya's hits from 1986 to 2000 turn was included in the Nipponese film Calmi Cuori Appassionati.

Honorary degrees and namings

See also: Roll of awards and nominations habitual by Enya

In 1991, a secondary planet first discovered in 1978, 6433 Enya, was named tail her.[174] In June 2007, she received an honorary PhDdoctorate raid the National University of Hibernia, Galway, for her contributions emphasize music.[175] A month later, she also received another honorary degree, a DLitt from the Custom of Ulster.[176][