Maryen Cairns, a singer-songwriter from Guernsey, has recently released her latest single “Flew Away,” which is the single from her upcoming album titled “One Woman Band: Live at Echotown Studios Vol. 1”.
Released on March 8th, which was also International Women’s Day, the song is a tribute to the remarkable life of Joan Taubman, one of Australia’s first female pilots.
Rooted in folk traditions, “Flew Away” features Maryen’s beautiful vocals and intricate guitar arrangements, painting a vivid picture of Joan’s extraordinary past. Despite not knowing much about Joan initially, Cairns was moved by her resilience and courage, which inspired the song:
Flew Away is a reminder that we cannot tell about a person just by looking at them, and this is particularly true about old people. Case in point – I met Joan Taubman as a very old lady, but it wasn’t until many years later that I found out she was one of Australia’s first female pilots, best known for flying aerobatics for the home crowds during WWII. An amazing woman!
Live as a one woman band I chose to play Flew Away just finger picked guitar and vocal… and I sing the whistling solo because I love the melody but I can’t whistle!
Originally recorded with a band, Flew Away had a whistling solo written by my friend Paul Stockton. Now, I can’t whistle, not at all, but I love the melody so much that I sing it!
Undeterred in being able to whistle, Maryen substituted vocals for the solo which infuses the song with her own personal touch while staying true to the original.
It’s a gorgeous track that really exemplifies Maryen’s creative storytelling and intricate melodies.
Recorded at Echotown Studios in Dorchester, UK, and produced by Chris Kimsey, “Flew Away” is part of Cairns’ debut vinyl release which marks a milestone in her music career. With seven solo albums and collaborations with renowned artists like Fish and Chris Kimsey, Cairns has established herself as a prominent figure in the music industry.
Her recent solo tour across the UK in August 2023 served as inspiration for her latest endeavours. She is also very engaged with her audience through initiatives like The Cairns Club – a platform for sharing personal anecdotes – and a popular livestream series.
Stay connected on Maryen Cairn’s Website, Facebook and Instagram.
Stream music on Spotify , Apple Music and YouTube Music.
