Biography
Born as Mary Sandeman in Scotland, the respected traditional vocalist joined the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra while mastering Gaelic singing through self-instruction. Seeking mainstream success, she cut the track “Japanese Boy” under the guise of a Japanese artist. To sustain the ruse, she adopted a new stage name drawn from the Edinburgh phone directory and appeared in public wearing a kimono and wig. The resulting novelty single, buoyed by this theatrical presentation, climbed to number 1 in the UK and headed most European charts throughout 1981. Its follow-up, “Little Lady,” offered little beyond imitation and lingered only briefly on the listings. Three further singles and a full album appeared afterward, yet none achieved comparable traction. Once the Aneka project concluded, Sandeman resumed her Gaelic repertoire, performing for audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Singles
