Margaret Fiedler

Infobox musical artist
Name = Margaret Fiedler


Landscape =
Background = solo_singer
Born =
Died =
Origin = Chicago, Illinois
Instrument = Vocals, Guitar, Cello, Keyboards
Genre = Indie electronic, Dream pop, Avant pop, Post-rock
Occupation = Musician, Craftsperson
Years_active =
Label = Too Pure, American Recordings
Associated_acts = Moonshake
Laika
PJ Harvey
Wire
Ultra Vivid Scene
URL = http://www.magsmcginnis.com
Notable_instruments = Fender Jazzmaster guitar

Margaret Fiedler McGinnis (born Margaret Fiedler in Chicago, Illinoiscite web | url=http://www.magsmcginnis.com/press.html | title=Press page of Margaret Fiedler McGinnis' website] ) 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.

Margaret 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

Margaret 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 Margaret 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.

There are conflicting reports concerning Margaret's departure from Moonshake. Some sources have stated she left the group, while others say that she was pushed. cite web | url=http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608004024/Laika.html | title=Laika biography of Musicianguide.com]

In 1993 Margaret 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. Since their release of 2003's "Wherever I Am I Am What Is Missing" LP, little is known about the status of Laika. Fixsen has said the band is "taking a break" with about half an album already in the worksFact|date=August 2008. They will resume before the end of the decade.

In 2000, Margaret 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, Margaret 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, Margaret studied at the College of Law where she received a post-graduate law qualification. After graduation, she went to work at the BBC cite web | url=http://www.magsmcginnis.com/press.html | title=Press page of Margaret Fiedler McGinnis' website] .

In addition, she is a candle maker and instructor, who uses vintage teacups and environmentally-friendly materials. cite web | url=http://www.magsmcginnis.com/press.html | title=Press page of Margaret Fiedler McGinnis' website] cite web | url=http://www.themakelounge.com/workshops/detail/62 | title=The Make Lounge's Soya Teacup Candle workshops] She is an animal-rights supporter cite web | url=http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608004024/Laika.html | title=Laika biography of Musicianguide.com] .

In 2007, Margaret married music publisher David McGinnis. In the past, she had been romantically linked to Moby and Guy Fixsen. Margaret told The Onion in a 2004 interview that she introduced Moby to vegetarianism, and that they had a "tumultuous relationship".

Trivia

*Margaret holds the record for a female who's made the most appearances on a John Peel session Fact|date=April 2008. She has performed in session as a member of Moonshake, Laika, and PJ Harvey plus a guest spot with God Is My Co-Pilot.

*She had attended grade school in Winnetka with Liz Phair.cite web | url=http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608004024/Laika.html | title=Laika biography of Musicianguide.com]

References

External links

* [http://www.magsmcginnis.com Mags McGinnis Official Website]
* [http://guitargeek.com/rigview/371/ Margaret Fiedler's Guitar Rig Set Up]