Nellie Mckay

Nellie McKay was born on April 13, 1982, in London, England. She is the daughter of writer-director Malcolm McKay and actress Robin Pappas. Growing up, she experienced varied environments, living with her mother in Harlem, New York; Olympia, Washington; and Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. Her musical education included studying jazz voice at the Manhattan School of Music, though she did not complete her degree. Her early performances in New York City venues like the Sidewalk Cafe and Joe’s Pub garnered attention from record labels, marking the beginning of her professional career.

McKay’s debut album, “Get Away from Me,” was released in February 2004, produced by Geoff Emerick, known for his work with The Beatles. The album received critical acclaim, with Jon Pareles of The New York Times describing it as “a tour de force from a sly, articulate musician who sounds comfortable in any era.” It was featured on several “Best of 2004” lists. Her visibility increased after being a breakout artist at the 2004 SXSW Festival and a finalist for the Shortlist Music Prize. She also toured the northern United States in 2004 as an opening act for the Au Naturale tour, co-headlined by Alanis Morissette and Barenaked Ladies. In 2006, McKay made her Broadway debut as Polly Peachum in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of “The Threepenny Opera,” alongside notable actors like Alan Cumming and Cyndi Lauper. Her performance earned her a Theatre World Award for Outstanding Debut Performance.

Her career continued with the release of several albums, including “Pretty Little Head” (2006), “Obligatory Villagers” (2007), and “Normal as Blueberry Pie – A Tribute to Doris Day” (2009). These albums showcase her eclectic musical range, from original compositions to covers. McKay has also made significant contributions to film and television soundtracks, with her music appearing in popular shows like “Mad Men,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Weeds,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” As an actress, she appeared in “P.S. I Love You” (2007) and played a lead role in “Downtown Express” (2011). In 2013, she performed in the Off-Broadway revue “Old Hats.” McKay is also known for her activism, advocating for feminism and animal rights, and has performed at events for organizations such as PETA and Farm Sanctuary.