Grammy Award winning artist Moya Brennan is widely considered the First Lady of Celtic music, lending her signature ethereal voice to Clannad for over 30 years. She consistently pushes musical boundaries on a solo career that spans seven albums, and her new CD, Signature, continues in that tradition. Signature, which was released last month, looks back over an extraordinary life through a collection of 12 introspective tracks.

"I definitely related to my past on Signature," says Brennan. "I tried not to make something that was autobiographical. I like to think of these songs as snapshots of certain moments that are thrown into a box in a random way."

With Clannad and her solo work, Brennan has created a new genre of music that is utterly contemporary without losing the elements of deeply felt Celtic traditions; Signature is no exception.

From the rolling piano of "Purple Haze" through the pensive acoustic chords of "Forever," Brennan weaves traditional Celtic instrumentation and melodies with gentle electronic textures and world beats. Each song sets a distinct mood, with Brennan's haunting voice painting soundscapes filled with lament and regret without losing the key element of hope in the process.

"I love to go into the studio with a canvas and create each song from scratch," she says. "It's like a tapestry in which you imagine these colors."

Many of those vivid colors are deeply etched in this artistry, which Brennan credits to her surroundings in the west of Ireland.

"I have to thank Donegal for that," she says. "The atmosphere that I grew up in comes into the music. Donegal is the mountains and the sea and valleys that you can't help but love.

"If you're there, you'll understand the elements of these songs. It's rugged, wholesome, mystical, ethereal, and I think those elements make it into the music."

Just as Brennan draws influences from ancient Celtic times, a generation of artists has drawn inspiration from her. You can hear it in the music of Riverdance, Celtic Woman, and Celtic Tenors, which also try to duplicate the formula of blending the ancient with the modern as they redefine the Celtic sound.

Brennan's life has witnessed plenty of highs. She remains one of Ireland's most respected cultural icons, having had her music grace international film soundtracks (most recently with King Arthur) as well as Christian recordings, several television series and even dance anthems.

I spoke with Brennan about her new CD, the music business and her upcoming short tour of America (details are on moyabrennan.com). Here's how it went:

Your last CD was a Christmas collection and before that, you did a concept album. This CD is definitely more personal. What prompted that?

It was hovering since the time I wrote my book. There were thoughts there that I kept reflecting on. It's personal but in a cryptic way, which is the way that Clannad wrote songs. It's an old -fashioned way to me. Lots of double meanings and thoughts to it.

I like the challenge of approaching something different as well. Two Horizons was great, but it took too long (laughs). There's something to be said for going into the studio and having a go at it; that's what's so nice about doing something with your initial feeling. If you overdo something you tend to chop things out that were part of you and real.

Did you feel as though you over engineered it?

Perhaps. Sometimes, you can lose a lot when you polish things. I started creating this around Easter 2006 and by the end of July it was mixed. There were only two songs that were a bit written; everything else was done on the spot. I really enjoyed it.

The full band with my drums and piper and I kind of allowed them to come into it. I have my style and I loved the way the band pulled me in different ways.

It sounds like Moya in a live setting. People assume this voice of yours is produced in a studio with trickery, but your sound is really that ethereal.

That's the first thing that people say when people see me live. It sounds funny coming from a lead singer, but it really took me ages for me to realize that people respond well to my voice. I guess there are textures that reach people.

The word Celtic means a lot of things to a lot of people. To some, it's about being Irish or Scottish; to others, it's this mystical magical vibe. You've always seemed to straddle both viewpoints in your image and your music.

It's something that developed and it's not something that we meant to go out and get. People have this ancient image of the Celtic sound but in reality, Clannad were at the forefront. They didn't know where to put us. We didn't do ballads and we weren't a folk sound.

Because we were the originators, Enya, Celtic Woman and Riverdance have all evolved around Clannad. A lot of people don't mean trad when they refer to something as Celtic. The average people think of this sound.

Does this go into your image?

I don't spend that much time on this. What I put up with for years of what people think I am and I am not could fill a book in and of itself. The Celtic genre is a huge umbrella and there's a lot to operate in.

I don't think about it too much. It's just my voice at the end of the day and it makes people feel a certain way. If it's a Celtic mood they're in at the time, whatever it is, so be it.

Why did you choose to re-do "I Will Find You" on this CD?

I did a radio interview and was asked to do the song. I don't really like to sing on a backing track so I just sang with my voice and hand claps. It went really well, so that got me thinking about recording the song in a different way.

A lot of people wouldn't know who I was in the audience until I sing that song. By the time I leave they realize they heard me a million times. It has carried my name and voice.

I also included it because it is part of my life. It allows people to connect the dots. People also wanted an alternate version of the song after I hear the way I do it live, so I thought I would give it to them.

You recorded this really quick. Were you on a record company deadline?

I gave myself a time limit. It was so enjoyable because I found I really worked well on a deadline. To accomplish this, I also included the input of my band, and it was great to hear how they pulled the songs in different directions.

When you have time you can become lazy about things. So, there was no record company involved. In fact, I own and distribute this record as well as the Christmas one.

A lot of big artists are moving away from traditional record company distribution. Madonna and Radiohead recently abandoned the model with their new deals. What are your thoughts?

You still use them for distribution. To own your own record is great to have. I am really intrigued by the Internet to market music. Myspace and things like that gives average artists a chance to reach their audience.

No one knows where the music business is going, and now you have to figure out where to be to reach people. You don't get many types of music played on the radio. Years ago, people wouldn't dream of putting their music on commercial. In today's world, it's a way to reach. There's no point of recording music for two years if people don't hear it.

Thank goodness for the Internet. My daughter keeps me current on those online things.

Does she bring new music to you from the contemporary artists?

Yes. She's going to see the Plain White T's. They have this lovely song, "Hey There, Delilah," that is just lovely. I would have never heard it if she didn't bring it into the house. She's also very diverse.

I'm looking forward to seeing you on tour. What can people expect when they see you?

It's great to come over to see everyone over there. We're starting out as a threesome, and then some of the rest of the band are coming a bit later on. It will be a collection of songs from An Irish Christmas as well as tunes from signature and some Clannad favorites. It will be a stripped down band but it will be really fun.

When you listen to Clannad songs, is there anything in that work that the modern day Moya Brennan can learn from or take away?

That's why I revisited "I Will Find You." I never get sick of singing that or "Harry's Game." You please yourself and everyone else singing those songs.

As an artist, it is a reminder of where you came from and how you found your voice.