True power inspires awe, and Irish Mythen packs a lot of it – lyrical, musical, and personal – into a relatively small frame. Mythen is a globetrotting troubadour – an Irish-born, contemporary Canadian folk artist who's been amassing accolades and achievements across several continents over the years. She's a favorite at Mariposa Folk Fest – and she plays Meaford Wednesday July 5 at 8pm.

By vote, the three most requested artists to return to Mariposa Folk Festival have been 1) Joni Mitchell 2) Gordon Lightfoot, and 3) Irish Mythen - Amy Mangan, AD Mariposa Folk Festival

Her presence and charisma simply command attention, and regardless of where she takes the stage, she delivers a sonic and emotional experience that transcends language and location; that reaches the very core of what connects us. It's an experience that, in recent years, has earned her spots performing alongside Rod Stewart, Gordon Lightfoot, and Lucinda Williams and billings on major festival stages the world over.

Mythen is a globetrotting troubadour – an Irish-born, contemporary Canadian folk artist who's been amassing accolades and achievements across several continents over the years. Her presence and charisma simply command attention, and regardless of where she takes the stage, she delivers a sonic and emotional experience that transcends language and location; that reaches the very core of what connects us. It's an experience that, in recent years, has earned her spots performing alongside Rod Stewart, Gordon Lightfoot, and Lucinda Williams and billings on major festival stages the world over.

Irish Mythen draws her inspiration from all over. "It's the people I've met, the colour and shape of the land, the fact that you spend much of this life alone on the road..." she shares. "All these things have crept into my songs."

The whirlwind of opportunities she's enjoyed since her last release – from new places visited to some high-profile creative collaborations – has certainly informed her recent output. "I think it's translated into a more mature form of writing," the artist muses – "much more about the sound and mood of the album. I'll always be a wordsmith," the accomplished lyricist adds, "but the other facets of my art have grown."

Perhaps most significant of those other facets is her live show – an impactful and impressive tour-de-force that finds Irish combining her contemporary and catchy anthems with traditional tunes borrowed from her homeland. All are woven together with a signature blend of edgy humour and heartfelt storytelling while her presence and performance magnetically draw eyes and ears towards the small-statured powerhouse on stage.

"I want them to feel like it was not just about the music, but an overall experience," Irish says about what she hopes to deliver to her audience. "I love feeding off of crowd and interacting with them. That's why I rarely have set lists; I like to see and feel the audience and give them what they want."

She must be doing just that, as Irish has established herself as a staple at events like the Mariposa Folk Festival and Folk Alliance International Conference, and others continue to call. In just the last 12 months, Irish has closed out the Philadelphia Folk Festival, performing after the iconic Lyle Lovett, and had tens of thousands in her hands at Australia's Woodford Folk Festival. On the back of the latter performance, she was even handpicked to open for Melissa Etheridge's 2016 Australian run.

This is a show you won't want to miss: Irish Mythen plays historic Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre Wednesday July 5 at 8pm. Tickets start at just $28, and available online at www.meafordhall.ca, by phone 1-877-538-0463 or in person at 12 Nelson St E. Meaford. For more info about these and other upcoming events, check us out online, or follow on Facebook @MeafordHall.

source: media release, Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre