Hugh McGinlay is a singer songwriter and author based in Australia.
As a musician, he is known for his poetic lyrics and varied styles. A reputation that has increased with his long term collaboration with the Recessive Genes, made up of Adam Chiodo (Laughing Sam’s Dice), Phil Cadman (Fine Motor Skills, Desperately Not Yoko) and Ryan Vermeulen (Fine Motor Skills, Desperately Not Yoko).
Hugh has four albums out: Skeleton Leaves (2019 - with the Recessive Genes), Bliss (2015 - with the Recessive Genes) Elsewhere (2009) and Second Guess (2006) available on itunes (see link at the bottom of the page). Over the years he has toured extensively around the globe and has performed with the likes of Robyn Hitchcock, the Proclaimers, Billy Bragg and Badly Drawn Boy.
The single, I'll be fine was released by Hugh McGinlay and the Recessive Genes in October 2017.
As an author, Hugh is known for the novels Jinx and Pachyderm, the first two in a series about a hard living milliner called Catherine, who lives in Brunswick and solves crimes in her spare time.
Pachyderm was long listed for the Ned Kelly awards 2018. Which in Australian crime fiction terms means he was nominated for an Oscar.
Hugh is often erroneously credited with works of theology, which were written by his father, who was called Hugh McGinlay long before he was.
Hugh is the brother of Australian TV personality and comedian Danny McGinlay.




Latest News

Skeleton Leaves is released
The new album from Hugh McGinlay and the Recessive Genes is OUT!

Pachyderm is longlisted!!!
Hugh's second novel Pachyderm has been longlisted in the coveted Ned Kelly Awards.
Edit: Pachyderm didn't win, but as this was Hugh's first nod from the establishment since he won the school story competition in year 9 - it's kinda a big deal...
It's available here!

Videos
Skinhunger - HMRG
Slide show clip showcasing track 5 from Bliss (2015). All photography and curating by Phil Taylor