Quiet Leaders: Enya

Today, the music industry is often dominated by artists who display their talents loudly and proudly. Whether going on grandiose tours, attending public events, or actively using social media, many stars today live life completely in the public eye. There exists however a subsection of artists, introverts of the public sphere, that have gained success through different methods. Enya, born Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin, is an Irish singer-songwriter who is notoriously known for her intoxicatingly ethereal music. Growing up in the 1970’s/80’s, she gained international prominence as a member of the Irish folk band Clannad, before swiftly launching a highly successful solo career. Enya's unique sound combines Celtic, new age, and ambient music elements, as, defined by her cinematic vocal harmonies and emotional arrangements. Often deemed the “Queen of  New Age Music”, Enya’s original breakthrough was seen through her album, "Watermark" (1988). Throughout her career, Enya has released several globally acclaimed albums, including "Shepherd Moons" (1991), "The Memory of Trees" (1995), and "A Day Without Rain" (2000). Enya’s time-consuming creative process often leads to wide gaps between album releases. Nevertheless, her distinct music style and enchanting vocals have continued to keep fans young and old entertained.

Enya’s creative process is both meticulous and innovative, requiring an immense amount of time and energy. Collaborating closely with her longtime business partners, Nicky Ryan and his wife Roma Ryan, Enya has maintained a small cohesive team capable of creating widely popular work. Roma’s lyrics are often inspired by literature, history, and personal experiences, which are brought to life through Enya’s melodious voice. Enya takes the lyrics and composes music that complements these themes, employing her mastery of layered vocal harmonies and wide knowledge of various instrumentals to achieve her distinctive sound. Enya’s creative process harnesses an almost cinematic feeling when one listens to her music. Her recording sessions are defined by meticulous attention to detail, relying on complex instrumental tones and soothing vocals. Enya has typically released albums several years apart throughout her career, highlighting her key attention to detail and desire to prioritize quality over quantity. Releasing 8 albums over the span of 37 years, Enya has sold just under 90 million albums. For context, Taylor Swift, debatably the most popular artist of today, has sold around 115 million albums in 20 years. Enya's commitment to staying true to her brand, maintaining artistic control, and her dedication to sonic excellence greatly contribute to her enduring success in the music industry. 

With that being said, Enya is not your average pop star. Although her music doesn’t necessarily fit into the same categories as notorious stars of the past and present, ie The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, and Adele, she has amassed an audience of similar numbers. Enya’s desire to remain beyond the spotlight has earned her near-enigmatic status. Her stark independence has led her to live a quieter life. By never marrying or having children, Enya has been able to focus more on her career. When discussing her creative process in an interview, Enya (53 at the time) explained how maintaining relationships, especially romantic ones, became nearly impossible during periods in which she was deep in her work. She has been known to live a quiet and secluded lifestyle, residing in a castle in Manderley, a suburb of Dublin. Despite her fame and success, Enya has maintained a distance from the typical celebrity lifestyle, rarely granting interviews and keeping her private affairs away from the spotlight. Her focus has consistently been on her music, and she has been known for her dedication to the creative process and the quality of her work. 

Throughout history, the one seen as the "strongest" or "most powerful" usually succeeds in their pursuits, be it the largest lion securing a mate or the fastest cheetah hunting the most prey. In both cases, these animals enhance their chances of thriving in their environment through observably dominant traits. Human society is no exception when it comes to favoring these more extroverted or commanding qualities. When one examines notorious contributors to any industry, they often follow a trend of being both gregarious and outgoing. Enya however is not your average champion. Working away from the spotlight, Enya has been able to foster a successful career without the typical glitz and glam associated with fame. In The Creative Spark by Augustín Fuentes, early humans are depicted in a unique light, often favoring more inquisitive and creative qualities to improve their chances of survival rather than brute strength. Early humans were not at the top of the food chain, thus preventing them from simply conquering the animal kingdom through force. If anything, they were often on the run doing whatever was necessary to avoid the next predator. Early humans had to rely on tools, rational thinking, and patience to evade predators and capture prey. These more conceptual qualities are most definitely signs of an advancing species, but also speak to the creative methods humans had to employ to survive. Similarly, Enya is a stark contrast to artists like Taylor Swift, who through exquisite marketing and grand tours has captured the gaze of the world. Taylor’s presence has been felt around the world. Whether it be through massive economic shifts or even earthquakes near her tour stadiums, Taylor’s fame is anything but quiet. Enya on the other hand has captured an audience through more simple means. This however is not to say that Enya has not had a successful career, far from it. Her career instead was simply founded on more humble grounds. 

https://bestsellingalbums.org/artist/3937

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/enya-love-can-be-difficult-as-boyfriends-tend-to-get-jealous-when-they-learn-i-need-space-to-write-music/34217179.html

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/27/entertainment/taylor-swift-seismic-activity/index.html