Melissa MacLeod, known professionally as Cashavelly Morrison, is an American singer and songwriter.
Cashavelly Morrison | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Melissa Diane Meredith Bickey |
| Born | March 26, 1981 Beckley, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Genres | Americana, folk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, autoharp |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Website | cashavellymorrison |
Biography
editCashavelly Morrison was born Melissa Diane Meredith Bickey in the coal mining town of Beckley, West Virginia. She began dancing from the age of 3, leaving home when she turned 15 to study ballet at the UNC School of the Arts. She turned dancing into a professional career, which she had to quit after a severe spinal injury at the age of 20.[1] She went on to get her undergraduate and master's degrees in English and Creative Writing at Salem College and later at Hollins University and turned her creative energy towards writing prose and later her own songs.[2]
While in college, she met and married Ryan Michael White MacLeod, who was completing his degree in classical guitar. They played together guitar and autoharp, perfecting their musical style.
They recorded sparse versions of their songs at Echo Mountain studio in Asheville, NC, moving on to develop the songs with further instrumentation at the suggestion of their sound engineer.[1][2] Melissa began to perform with Ryan under the stage name chosen by herself, "Cashavelly" being her paternal grandmother's maiden name and "Morrison" her mother's maiden name.
Musical style
editCashavelly Morrison conceived her songs as an exploration of shared grief, to emphasize universal compassion for those who go unheard and unseen. She quoted Jean Ritchie as her most important influence.[3] Her songs blend together the traditions of American roots, the ballads of Appalachia, and represent a confessional gateway into loss and her deeply held values, notably the racial prejudices in the U.S. and the dire need for equal rights and empowerment for women.
Discography
editCashavelly Morrison released Long-Haired Mare EP in mid-2015.[4] Their single and its accompanying video "Pink Dress" premiered in September 2015[5] and it earned very favorable reviews for its expressive vocals over country instrumentation[6] and also for touching the issue of female empowerment by challenging societal standards amidst a hauntingly surreal feel.[7] The next video, "Made of Sand", followed in October 2015 and also got praised for its artful lyricism and the authentic approach to expressing her truth.[8]
Her debut album, The Kingdom Belongs to a Child, released on October 30, 2015. Inspired by the tradition of Appalachian ballads, mostly steeped in Americana with hints of folk and world music,[9] it earned praise for its raw emotion, the powerful imagery it revealed and evocative melodies,[1][10][11] Cashavelly being favorably compared to Harriet Wheeler, Tori Amos and Natalie Merchant.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c Rachel Cholst (November 1, 2015). "Cashavelly Morrison – The Kingdom Belongs to a Child". No Depression. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ a b "Cashavelly Morrison premieres "Pink Dress"". Nerdy Frames. September 29, 2015. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ "Cashavelly Morrison – Americana singer-songwriter. Appalachian revelator". Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ "Daily Downloads (Holly Miranda, Antietam, and more)". largehearted boy. July 15, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ Christina Vinson (September 23, 2015). "Cashavelly Morrison, 'Pink Dress' Music Video Exclusive Premiere". Das Boot. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ "www.hiplanta.com/2015/10/album-of-week-cashavelly-morrison-s.html". hiplanta. October 1, 2015. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ a b Lisa D'Arrigo (October 16, 2015). "CD Review: The Kingdom Belongs To A Child by Cashavelly Morrison". Indie Minded. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ "Cashavelly Morrison – Made of Sand". Sunset in the Rear View. October 14, 2015. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ Sahar (October 15, 2015). "Music Review: Cashavelly Morrison – 'The Kingdom Belongs to a Child'". BlogCritics. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
- ^ Tom Franks (October 31, 2015). "'The Kingdom Belongs to a Child' by Cashavelly Morrison – an album deserving recognition". FolkWords Reviews. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ Erick Mertz (October 30, 2015). "Cashavelly Morrison: The Kingdom Belongs To A Child (Self Released) Americana/roots singer-songwriter brings new energy to the form". Bearded Magazine. Retrieved November 12, 2015.