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Moya Brennan
Two Horizons
Universal Classics

"Two Horizons" is a departure from the Celtic/New Age Christian flavors of "Whisper to the Wild Water" and "Perfect Time." On "Two Horizons" Moya weaves a tale of a special harp that represents all that is good to her people. The story of "Two Horizons" follows the searcher through a journey to recover the harp and return it to Tara, in order to bring peace back to the land. You could loosely interpret the search of the harp as the search for Christ (Salvation), but I don't believe that was Moya's intention.

"Two Horizons" is a beautiful CD with rich sounds that go back to ancient history. The story and sound of "Two Horizons" closely represents the stunning landscape of her homeland of Ireland. It has an earthy feel to it.

Don't let fear or apprehensions make you miss out on such an awesome journey.

- Ken W.

Ken - A little bit of history here, "In Christ Alone" was the last project you did in 2001 and 1999 was "Whisper to the Wild Water." Was there any one particular thing that kept you out of the studio this long?

Moya - This project took two years, but I finished about a year and a half ago. It took about eight months to mix and edit because we had far too much music. Because it had a story line we had to be very careful and also we wanted someone else to be involved who was not available a lot. It was released at the end of last summer in England and Ireland first of all, then sporadically across Europe.

Ken - "Two Horizons" is quite different than "Whisper" and "Christ Alone." Is there a plan to market this in the CBA?

Moya - First of all, I suppose it's not directly a Christian album like "Christ Alone," "Perfect Time," and "Whisper to the Wild Water" were because they were with a Christian company. You know I come from secular world music for years and I suppose this is more secular work, although spiritually it's me. It doesn't make me not a Christian, and it is something that I think I find quite difficult in America. Even when I was doing the Christian albums a lot of people were suspicious of me anyway, regarding me as New Age. Then "Whisper to the Wild Water" was nominated in the Grammy Awards, in the New Age category. Even with "Whisper to the Wild Water" and "Perfect Time" I was finding it difficult with radio because there is a market (in America) that is kind of set in stone. It's a shame because as a Christian I think it's important to lapse over, because when you have music that is Christian and only for Christians, no one else is going to hear it if we don't open up a bit more. Over on this side of the world all my albums would be played on secular radio. You don't have all the (Christian) radio and TV stations over here.

Ken - Could you explain to a Christian the difference between yourself and other similar artists that are non-Christian?

Moya - Well the funny thing is, I've been with Clannad for the last 30 years. The first time when I did "Perfect Time" I had just become a Christian. So many people came up to me and said; "Now I can get out of my closet saying that I like Clannad." I think there are a lot of Christians that like Enya or Clannad, but they're afraid to say so because the feel like they should only listen to Christian music.

Ken - People tend to associate New Age music to paganism right away.

Moya - Clannad was put into New Age music, "Whisper to the Wild Water" was put in New Age music, I think we as Christians sometimes let things happen. What is New Age? It's old-age really. It's amazing how we forget the simple things of what God created. We're allowing it to be taken from us. The way I regard it is that we shouldn't get so paranoid about certain things because the Lord doesn't want us to be paranoid (just because) somebody's put a label on it.

Ken - You've written that "Two Horizons" is a story, but at the same time you left it open for personal interpretation. Do you feel you might loose some of the meaning of the actual story that way?

Moya - It is for everybody because it's where you want the story to be. It's a harp that represents all the good things in life; it's my holy grail if you know what I mean. It's all about the good things in life and going on the journey that the harp went on and bringing it back to its place. I'm relating it to my own country as far as the harp relating to justice, truth, honor, and peace and bringing that back to Ireland. The story is as simple as that really.

Ken - Do you think the impact of the story will be the same in America as it would be in your home country?

Moya - I think so because you can look at "Lord of the Rings" and say was that New Zealand or was it somewhere else? I think we look at anything like that and look at the goodness. Mine is a simpler story, but it's basically very similar in story, except there are no mad battles!

Ken - Can you tell me a little bit about the harp (in the story), is it mystical or powerful?

Moya - No, it's just what it represents. There was an ancient harp played in a place in Ireland that was used for celebrations and gatherings. Reflecting on the celebrations, music is part of our English history and culture and the harp was an important part of the music. That's what it represents. It's just a story and we all love stories.

Ken - Is there an internal battle within you over having this division between Christian and non-Christian brand?

Moya - I just try and go up the middle all the time. I do pray about it because that is the one thing we have to really rely on. Making this album, I know the Lord is part of it because I prayed about it. There were too many coincidences for me to think the Lord has not been very much a part of it.

We have to share our faith and I do feel that the Lord has me in a place that is not just for Christians. That's why when I'm over here, and if I did another Christian album, I would be completely alienating myself from the people who would listen to me.

Me talking about this album will not change the loads of Christians attitudes towards me, or (questions of) "what kind of a Christian am I?" It's not for them to judge like I would not judge them. I know where my heart is.

Ken - On a lighter note, regards to Valentines, what is a romantic night out for somebody like you who creates such romantic music?

Moya - A romantic night out would be to probably go out with my husband for a walk or meal. Or better yet we both are foodies and we love cooking. So staying in and having Indian food and getting a DVD is probably better.