A woman found a new career after moving from her remote hometown.
Caitlin Gilligan, a 30 year-old who lives in Aigburth, is a singer-songwriter. While some musicians start playing from childhood, Caitlin told the ECHO she started playing a bit later by comparison.
She said: “Music isn't what I studied – I went to the art school in Manchester for university. I was kind of a late bloomer. I only started playing music when I was 19 or 20. My brother Calum was always destined to be a musician.
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“I gave it a go, found out I loved it and kind of went from there. If someone claps at the end of a song you've written, that’s the best feeling in the world.”
Caitlin’s brother moved to Liverpool alongside Caitlin’s dad Liam. After some time in Manchester, Caitlin now lives in the city herself. Despite Galloway being "remote and idyllic", she wanted to live in more urban areas. They are a far cry from her hometown, but her childhood still inspires her folk music to this day.
Caitlin said: “My music is inspired by nature. I grew up in the middle of nowhere in Galloway. There’s lots of nature themes, the sea, rolling hills.”
After living in several places, Caitlin is now starting to feel at home in Liverpool. She said: “My dad is from here, my brother moved here. I've known it all my life.
“I lived in Cornwall, Wales, Manchester and Scotland. I’ve not put roots down anywhere. I’ve started to pout the roots down.
"I'm not surprised its got a great scene. With the Irish connection, its great for the folk scene."
One of Cailtin’s first live performances in the city will come next month at the British Music Experience in the Cunard Building. It’ll be a special moment for Caitlin, who works part-time at the café there.
She said: “I’m really excited. It's a fantastic venue. It’s a great space, especially for acoustic music.
“It’ll be really special, one of my first proper gigs. It should be the start of an exciting year for Caitlin, who will be recording her five track EP at Wise Tree Studios based in Liverpool. She feels work is starting to “pick up” despite the difficulties of breaking into the music industry.
Caitlin said: “My main challenge is recording and releasing music- it's very expensive. I haven't released as much as I'd like to.
“Everything is self-funded and that can take time and money. Being a musician, you don't earn a regular income unless you’re gigging all the time.
“It’s starting to pick up recently. I'm starting to pick up some really good opportunities. Got things booked up in the summer.”
“It’s nice to be in a scene – Liverpool’s got loads of great acoustic acts.”
You can find out more about Cailtin’s work here. Her performance at the British Music Experience, alongside other local musicians Jenny Colquitt and Joel Gardner, will take place on February 1, with further details available here.