Born in Dublin, Edwina Hayes grew up in Preston, Lancashire before moving to the East coast of Yorkshire. Hayes now divides her time between the UK and Nashville, where she is a much-loved songwriter and artist. Hayes’s beautifully written songs, charming stage presence and voice of an angel have won her a reputation as a real natural talent of gentle folk-Americana.
She has opened numerous shows for Jools Holland and Van Morrison as well played on stages everywhere from Glastonbury Festival to The Royal Albert Hall.
Hayes regularly guests on studio albums and has toured with artists ranging from Nanci Griffith, Loudon Wainwright III and Roger McGuinn to KT Tunstall and Gretchen Peters. Hayes was the support for Fairport Convention in 2014 on their 31-date Wintour and that same year toured China followed by an Australian Tour in 2015.
Having signed with Warner Chappell Publishing and with an eclectic range of influences from Bob Dylan and Carole King to Van Morrison and Gillian Welch, Hayes released her debut album ‘Out On My Own‘ on Warner Brothers to critical acclaim. Produced by Clive Gregson and Nick Drake producer John Wood, the record featured Dr Hook’s Dennis Locorriere as a guest vocalist. It became a favourite on Michael Parkinson’s BBC Radio Show.
Hayes released her second album, ‘Pour Me A Drink’, independently to great success. The title track was covered by Nanci Griffith, who calls Hayes, “…the sweetest voice in England.” And, Hayes’s version of ‘Feels Like Home‘ featured in full in the major motion picture ‘My Sister’s Keeper‘ starring Cameron Diaz and Alec Baldwin – and has since had over eight million plays on YouTube. Hayes followed in the same style with her third release ‘Good Things Happen Over Coffee‘, touring extensively and continuing to attract fantastic reviews and fans worldwide.
Hayes was a member of the trio Hummingbird with Amy Wadge and Rosalie Deighton, and later Cathy Burton, touring and releasing the album ‘Tougher Than Love‘ in 2007. In 2015 Hayes formed The Mile Roses with Kate Bramley and Simon Haworth, releasing their debut album ‘The Mile Roses‘ and touring for several years before parting ways amicably, with Kari McLeod stepping in.
Look out for Hayes’s long-awaited 4th solo album, due in 2020, plus an acoustic version of ‘Out On My Own‘ to mark the 15th anniversary of its 2005 release. In the meantime though, have a coffee and listen to a couple of Hayes’s original songs and chit-chat recorded exclusively for AUK. Those with particularly keen hearing may even notice the waggon rumbling past the window mid-recording!
