MUSIC NEWS Scotland by MUSIC NEWS Scotland

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During the Covid-19 crisis we are combining our three titles into one MNS MUSIC NEWS Scotland :: MNS FESTIVALS! :: MNS GIGguide

More Youth Music Funding Announced - see p5 Fèisean nan Gàidheal Youth Courses - p14 :: Virtual XpoNorth Success - p16

Wide Days: "We're Going Virtual" When Scotland's music convention 'Wide Days' was rescheduled to 23-25 July, organisers hoped to host the event largely as planned, but it has become clear now that this will not be possible. Rather than cancelling or postponing further, Wide Days plan to run a three day virtual convention, incorporating most of the key aspects you would expect - with a few digital extras! These will include speed meetings, one-to-ones and open hangout rooms, a quality conference programme adapted to the current situation and the broadcast of live performances by the six 2020 showcase acts. We are also planning some virtual versions of popular Wide Days activities such as the tours and of course, the whisky tasting.

an email from the Wide Days team to arrange transferring your pass, and info on your options. Wide Days will offer a bursary to those in the Scottish industry who have been hardest hit and a pay-forward option for those who want to offer their support. Many of the sessions will also be streamed free via their website. Full programme details will be announced soon and you can expect a quality schedule of panels, interviews and presentations featuring some of the music industry's most innovative figures. Wide Days would like to acknowledge the partners whose continued support has allowed to host the virtual event and in particular, Creative Scotland and PRS Foundation, whose help has been invaluable. 'Industry Bursary' Coming soon …. To help support people working in the Scottish industry facing difficult times, we will be launching a bursary to offer complimentary accreditations.

bursary place you can register your interest at https://bit.ly/389OLOa and Wide Days will be in touch when applications launch. Wide Days will also be making passes available to our event partners to distribute to those in need.

You can support the bursary by paying-forward a www.widedays.com pass for someone else, and we will match every donation made with an additional accreditation. www.twitter.com/widedays If you're interested in accessing an industry

www.facebook.com/widedays

In preparation, organisers have already ran several virtual events and have been testing out different platforms to ensure the best possible user experience. To make the event as accessible as possible, Wide Days have introduced a flat rate ticket of £30 for all delegates and will also extend our bursary scheme to those in the Scottish industry who have been hardest hit. This contribution will go towards paying more than 20 freelancers who work on the event, as well as the costs of the virtual hosting.

Delegate passes include ..... Delegate directory to connect/meet with speakers and attendees A secure portal to access the entire event 'under one roof' Networking including speed meetings, one-toones and open hangout rooms Interactive Q&A, polling and chat during conference sessions Access to the additional activities Watch again facility following the event

Get Your Virtual Delegate Pass @ www.widedays.com/tickets If you already have a pass, check your inbox for http://bit.ly/issuu-googleplay

Covid-19 advice @ www.smc-covid19.com web @ www.scottishmusiccentre.com fb @ www.facebook.com/scottishmusiccentre

tweet @ www.twitter.com/scottishmusic

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

your listen 'n' watch guide during lock-down :: a selection of music on scotland's tv + radio this week

Music on Scottish

TV & RADIO over the next week ... ---------------------------------------

Celtic Music Radio

Music all day every day from Glasgow promoting Celtic and roots music of all genres - at 95FM or online @ www.celticmusicradio.net ---------------------------------------

LP Radio

Independent Alternative digital radio, broadcasting live from the upstairs of LP Records in Glasgow, listen online @ www.lpradio.co.uk/listen --------------------------------------THURSDAY 2 JULY The Afternoon Show :: 1.30pm on BBC Radio Scotland. What is happening in music, arts and culture from across Scotland. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Get It On... With Bryan Burnett :: 6pm on BBC Radio Scotland. With essential music chosen by listeners. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Travelling Folk :: 8pm on BBC Radio Scotland. Anna Massie sits in and continues the Young Trad at 20 series with 2008 winner EWAN ROBERTSON. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Port - Druthag Bheag Eile :: 9.40-9.55pm on BBC ALBA. Druthag Bheag Eile is a collection of three previously unseen musical gems from the award-winning series Port. This episode features music recorded in Limerick, Sligo and Ross-shire in 2015 and 2016. A cast of renowned musicians joins presenters Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh to play on three tracks. In this episode, Calum Stewart joins local musicians Liam Flanagan and Derek Hickey in Limerick to play An Seanduine Crom. In Sligo Muireann joins Charlie and Brian Lennon, accompanied by Séamie O’ Dowd, to play Macdiarmada’s Dream and Rachel Walker sings Air Failirin Iù, with Anna Massie and Lauren MacColl, Julie and Muireann accompanying her in Ross-shire. www.bbcalba.co.uk Natasha Raskin Sharp :: 10pm on BBC Radio Scotland. From 50s rockabilly to country to jazz to the latest indie sounds, Natasha has it all. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Julie Fowlis | Ceol Aig Baile :: 10-10.30pm on BBC ALBA. Julie Fowlis | Ceòl Aig Baile is a music series that takes place at an extraordinary time in our history. The series gives musicians, deprived of playing live concerts, a virtual stage and an opportunity to perform directly from their homes to viewing fans. Julie Fowlis | Ceòl Aig Baile builds on that, inviting musicians from

Scotland, Ireland, Europe, Canada and the US to connect with fans and to perform in a visceral way, appealing to feelings as much as intellect. Filmed during lockdown in April and May, this episode is curated by Tracey Dares MacNeil and Natalie MacMaster and features Xabier Diaz, Guadi Galego and Karen Matheson and from Cape Breton, Mac Morin and Matt MacIsaac. An innovative musical format, Julie Fowlis | Ceòl Aig Baile gives music a new platform. www.bbcalba.co.uk FRIDAY 3 JULY

FFION and MAKENESS. www.bbcalba.co.uk Pipeline :: 9pm on BBC Radio Scotland. Gary West explores the music of PETER MacLEOD senior and PETER MacLEOD junior. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Billy Sloan :: 10pm on BBC Radio Scotland. Hot releases plus Billy is joined for a chat by The Modfather himself PAUL WELLER. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland

Ceol Duthchasach/Ken Burn's Country Music :: 11pm On BBC ALBA. 'Country Music' directed by Ken Burns explores crucial questions “What is country music?” and “Where did it come from?” while focusing on the biographies of the fascinating trailblazers who created and shaped it - from the Carter Family, Jimmie Grant Stott's Vinyl Collective :: 6pm on BBC Rodgers, Bill Monroe and Bob Wills to Hank Radio Scotland. Celebrating the vinyl revival with Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Merle classic records and new releases. Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Willie www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks and many more - as well as the times in Na Trads :: 7.25pm on BBC ALBA. ROSS which they lived. Much like the music itself, the AINSLIE performS at the 2017 Trad Awards. film tells unforgettable stories of hardships and www.bbcalba.co.uk joys shared by everyday people. “At the heart of every great country music song The Friday Afternoon Show :: 8pm on BBC is a story,” says Ken Burns. “As the songwriter Radio Scotland. Weekend tunes and what is Harlan Howard said, ‘It’s three chords and the happening in music, arts and culture from across truth.’ The common experiences and human Scotland with Nicola Meighan. emotions speak to each of us about love and www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland loss, about hard times and the chance of redemption. As an art form, country music is Ceol Aig A Chaisteal :: 8pm on BBC ALBA. also forever revisiting its history, sharing and Music and song from Tulloch Castle. updating old classics and celebrating its roots, www.bbcalba.co.uk which are, in many ways, foundational to our country itself.” Ashley Storrie :: 10pm on BBC Radio Scotland. www.bbcalba.co.uk New and classic Scottish music, soul rockabilly, pop and indie from around the world. The Quay Sessions :: 11.15pm on BBC www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Scotland. Performances from some of the best country artists, from both sides of the Atlantic. Ceol Duthchasach/Ken Burn's Country www.bbc.co.uk/Scotland Music :: 10.00-11.50pm On BBC ALBA. 'Country Music' directed by Ken Burns explores crucial SUNDAY 5 JULY questions “What is country music?” and “Where did it come from?” while focusing on the Mike Ritchie On Sunday: 4-6pm on Celtic biographies of the fascinating trailblazers who Music Radio 95FM + DAB. Handpicked tunes created and shaped it - from the Carter Family, from established acts, new voices and anything Jimmie Rodgers, Bill Monroe and Bob Wills to that takes my fancy from the wonderful worlds Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Merle of americana, roots, folk, singer/songwriters Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Willie without worrying about labels. Voted Best Radio Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Garth Show in americana-uk 2017 Readers' Poll. Brooks and many more - as well as the times in www.celticmusicradio.net which they lived. Much like the music itself, the film tells unforgettable stories of hardships and Take The Floor :: 5pm on BBC Radio Scotland. joys shared by everyday people. For the very best in traditional music and song, “At the heart of every great country music song join Gary Innes for Take The Floor. is a story,” says Ken Burns. “As the songwriter www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Harlan Howard said, ‘It’s three chords and the truth.’ The common experiences and human Port :: 6.30pm on BBC ALBA. A collection of emotions speak to each of us about love and previously unseen musical gems from the loss, about hard times and the chance of award-winning series Port. redemption. As an art form, country music is www.bbcalba.co.uk also forever revisiting its history, sharing and updating old classics and celebrating its roots, Jazz Nights :: 7pm on BBC Radio Scotland. which are, in many ways, foundational to our Seonaid Aitken with the best in jazz music from country itself.” contemporary to classic. www.bbcalba.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland

The Friday Afternoon Show :: 2pm on BBC Radio Scotland. Weekend tunes and what is happening in music, arts and culture from across Scotland with Nicola Meighan. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland

SATURDAY 4 JULY Take The Floor :: 7pm on BBC Radio Scotland. For the very best in traditional music and song, join Gary Innes for Take The Floor. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Celtic Connections Shorts :: 8.20pm on BBC ALBA. The SEUMAS EGAN PROJECT from the States play a tune and also perform the song 'Days of War'. www.bbcalba.co.uk ALT :: 9pm on BBC ALBA. Featuring performances from THE SKIDS, MARTHA

Classics Unwrapped :: 9pm on BBC Radio Scotland. The Wallace Collection share news of an exciting brass project for young people in Fife. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Iain Anderson :: 11pm on BBC Radio Scotland. End the day in the company of the songwriting masters of country, folk, blues and soul. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland ALT :: 11pm on BBC ALBA. Featuring performances from THE SKIDS, MARTHA FFION and MAKENESS. www.bbcalba.co.uk

Email your virtual gig dates to robert.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

your listen 'n' watch guide during lock-down :: a selection of music on scotland's tv + radio this week MONDAY 6 JULY

THURSDAY 9 JULY

The Afternoon Show :: 1.30pm on BBC Radio Scotland. What is happening in music, arts and culture from across Scotland. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland

Vic Galloway :: 8pm on BBC Radio Scotland. Vic hears how this year's SAY Award (Scottish Album of the Year Award) is shaping up and Festival Fever. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland

Travelling Folk :: 8pm on BBC Radio Scotland. THURSDAY 16 JULY Bruce MacGregor speaks to singer Paggy Seeger about her career in music. COLIN MACLEOD - An Ceòl/Colin Macleod www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland The Music :: 10-10.30pm on BBC ALBA. Previously unseen musical highlights from Port - Druthag Bheag Eile :: 9.40-10pm on singer-songwriter, Colin Macleod. Colin hails BBC ALBA. Druthag Bheag Eile is a collection of from the Isle of Lewis, where he currently three previously unseen musical gems from the balances crofting life with his musical career. award-winning series, Port. This episode Considered one of the most promising, original features music recorded in Edinburgh, Cork and talents in the Scottish music scene, in 2017, he Limerick in 2015 and 2016. A cast of renowned signed with one of the biggest record companies musicians joins presenters Julie Fowlis and in the world – BMG Records. In 2018, came the Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh to play on three tracks. opportunity to launch his album Bloodlines in In this episode Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh joins Julie, America, which is rooted in stories from the Phil Cunningham and Anna-Wendy Stevenson for island and his life in Lewis, showing the a beautiful version of An Cailín Deas Óg. In Cork connection to his birthplace as fundamental to Julie meets Nell Ní Chróinín and joins her for a his life as a musician. With the focus of the local song,Na Cleaganna, with Jim Murray album launch being America, the release would accompanying and finally Pàdruig Morrison & see Colin take to some of the world’s biggest Niamh Dunne alongside Caoimhín Ó Fearghail stages, a fantastic opportunity to showcase his bring the series to a close with a heartfelt talents and music at international level. In this rendition of the tune An Là an Dèidh an Stoirm. unique programme, viewers will be treated to a www.bbcalba.co.uk selection of previously unseen musical highlights – some intimate and acoustic and Julie Fowlis - Ceol aig Baile :: 10-10.30pm on some with the full band from 2018 – as Colin BBC ALBA. Julie Fowlis/Ceòl Aig Baile is a music took the songs at the core of ‘Bloodlines’ out into series that takes place at an extraordinary time the world. in history. The series gives musicians, deprived www.bbcalba.co.uk of playing live concerts, a virtual stage and an opportunity to perform directly from their homes FRIDAY 17 JULY to viewing fans. Julie Fowlis/Ceòl Aig Baile builds on that, inviting musicians from Scotland, Ceòl Duthchasach/Ken Burn's Country Music :: Ireland, Europe, Canada and the US to connect 9-10.50pm on BBC ALBA. Country Music with fans and to perform in a visceral way, explores crucial questions - “What is country appealing to feelings as much as intellect. This music?” and “Where did it come from?” while programme features Sarah Jarosz, Rodrigo y focusing on the biographies of the fascinating Gabriela and Karen Matheson. An innovative trailblazers who created and shaped it, from the musical format, Julie Fowlis/Ceòl Aig Baile gives Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Bill Monroe and music a new platform. Bob Wills to Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny www.bbcalba.co.uk Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Natasha Raskin Sharp :: 10pm on BBC Radio Harris, Garth Brooks and many more — as well Scotland. From 50s rockabilly to country to jazz as the times in which they lived. Much like the to the latest indie sounds, Natasha has it all. music itself, the film tells unforgettable stories of www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland hardships and joys shared by everyday people. “At the heart of every great country music song FRIDAY 10 JULY is a story,” says Ken Burns. “As the songwriter Harlan Howard said, ‘It’s three chords and the Ceol Duthchasach/Ken Burn's Country truth.’ The common experiences and human Music :: 10-11.50pm on BBC ALBA. Ceol emotions speak to each of us about love and Duthchasach/Ken Burn's Country Music explores loss, about hard times and the chance of crucial questions - “What is country music?” and redemption. As an art form, country music is “Where did it come from?” while focusing on the also forever revisiting its history, sharing and biographies of the fascinating trailblazers who updating old classics and celebrating its roots, created and shaped it, from the Carter Family, which are, in many ways, foundational to our Jimmie Rodgers, Bill Monroe and Bob Wills to country itself.” Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Merle www.bbcalba.co.uk Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks and many more — as well as the times in which they lived. Much like the music itself, the film tells unforgettable stories of hardships and joys shared by everyday people. “At the heart of every great country music song is a story,” says Ken Burns. “As the songwriter Harlan Howard said, ‘It’s three chords and the truth.’ The common experiences and human emotions speak to each of us about love and loss, about hard times and the chance of redemption. “As an art form, country music is also forever revisiting its history, sharing and updating old classics and celebrating its roots, which are, in many ways, foundational to our country itself.” www.bbcalba.co.uk

SATURDAY 11 JULY

Feis Chiuil Thiriodh 2020 – Air Chuairt/ Tiree Music Festival :: 9-11pm on BBC ALBA. Music and entertainment show based around The Tiree Music Festival with archive from The Fratellis, We Banjo 3, Sharon Shannon and new Get It On... With Bryan Burnett :: 6pm on Get It On... With Bryan Burnett :: 6pm on performances from Callum Beattie and BBC Radio Scotland. With essential music chosen BBC Radio Scotland. With essential music chosen Skerryvore amongst others. Presented by Niall by listeners. by listeners. Iain Macdonald and Fiona Mackenzie. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland www.bbcalba.co.uk

Iain Anderson :: 11pm on BBC Radio Scotland. End the day in the company of the songwriting masters of country, folk, blues and soul. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Ceol Aig A Chaisteal :: 11.35pm on BBC ALBA. Music and song from Tulloch Castle. www.bbcalba.co.uk TUESDAY 7 JULY The Afternoon Show :: 1.30pm on BBC Radio Scotland. What is happening in music, arts and culture from across Scotland. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Get It On... With Bryan Burnett :: 6pm on BBC Radio Scotland. With essential music chosen by listeners. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Another Country with Ricky Ross :: 8pm on BBC Radio Scotland. Live music from some of the biggest Country and Americana acts of all time. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Roddy Hart :: 11pm on BBC Radio Scotland. A mid-year Night of the Long Songs. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Julie Fowlis - Ceol aig Baile :: 11pm on BBC ALBA. This episode features XABIER DIAZ, GUADI GALEGO and KAREN MATHESON. www.bbcalba.co.uk WEDNESDAY 8 JULY The Afternoon Show :: 1.30pm on BBC Radio Scotland. What is happening in music, arts and culture from across Scotland. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Get It On... With Bryan Burnett :: 6pm on BBC Radio Scotland. With essential music chosen by listeners. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland The Quay Sessions :: 8pm on BBC Radio Scotland. Enjoy live performances from the foyer at BBC Radio Scotland's Pacific Quay. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Vic Galloway :: 10pm on BBC Radio Scotland. Vic hears how this year's SAY Award (Scottish Album of the Year Award) is shaping up and Festival Fever. www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland Port :: 10.30pm on BBC ALBA. Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh explore their musical roots in Connemara www.bbcalba.co.uk Port :: 11.40pm on BBC ALBA. A collection of previously unseen musical gems from the award-winning series Port. www.bbcalba.co.uk

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Email your virtual gig dates to robert.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

page 4

music news scotland

www.birnamcd.com/artists-0520 ROBERT SEVERIN

LA-LLAMAS

POSTCARD FROM BUDAPEST

BREAD AND JAM LA-LLAMAS.COM

ROBERTSEVERIN.COM

The La-Llamas sound is a blend of Rootsy Americana and Celtic Folk built on a foundation of world music rhythms. The songs on this album primarily explore the themes of philosophy and friendship, featuring tight harmonies, banjos, guitars and foot stompingly positive energy (alongside a peppering of world weary cynicism!).

Stories about real lives lived and disrupted in 20th century Hungary, several of which intertwine with Scotland. “…stunning debut album.” Celtic Music Radio “profound stories… we should listen to.” Folking.com “Robert delivers intimate songs, beautifully accompanied.” Northern Sky Reviews ****

Released on CD and vinyl.

LORRAINE JORDAN

PETER CROFT

SEND MY SOUL

With Mark Jones And Hazel Fairbairn

BUTTON BOX BREAKDOWN

LORRAINEJORDAN.NET

“a modern sound that is somehow infused with the folk music of the ages” RnR

AVAILABLE FROM: BIRNAMCDSHOP.COM

A collection of Old Time, Bluegrass and Western Swing instrumentals played on the Cajun Accordion. Peter Croft has been playing traditional music for half a century. Mark Jones lends his flatpicking guitar and Hazel Fairbairn contributes soulful fiddle.

“All 12 tracks are a sheer delight.” Folk Wales “The quality of Lorraine’s writing in both lyrics and melody put her firmly in the top league” Folk London “Enchanting vocals and absorbing songs” Maverick

“Peter Croft plays a range of surprisingly complex tunes on his simple D melodeon.” FolkWorld

JOHNNY STEINBERG

FAR FLUNG COLLECTIVE

SHADOWLAND

BLACK BAY

JOHNNYSTEINBERG.COM

FACEBOOK.COM/FARFLUNGCOLLECTIVE

The new album from Folk/Americana songwriter Johnny Steinberg - out in Summer 2020.

Far Flung Collective create new music inspired by the stunning landscapes and heritage of the Scottish Outer Hebrides and South-West England. Featuring top musicians from both areas, Black Bay is the longawaited follow-up to acclaimed debut, Far Flung Corners.

"Johnny's songs have tremendous heart, vulnerability and emotion. He made me cry on the first listen of a song and that is a potent gift of a songwriter." Karine Polwart, BBC Folk Singer of the Year

“a beautiful and engaging collaboration… beguiling, gorgeous and delightful.” Songlines

AINSLEY HAMILL

THE CHAIR

BELLE OF THE BALL

ORKNEY MONSTER

AINSLEYHAMILL.COM

LOVETHECHAIR.COM

“…considered one of the best of her generation.” RnR

Forged in the fire of an Orkney sunset, hewn from the rocks of the Orcadian shoreline, The Chair's longawaited third album, Orkney Monster, blends the old and the new, raucous and beautiful, tunes and songs to enjoy. Fiddles, Accordion, Banjo lead the attack, buoyed by vibrant guitar bass and drums; folk to make you move.

“Hamill’s refreshingly soulful voice, a mixture of Julie Fowlis and Heather Small (if you can imagine that), is very much to the fore.” Northern Sky **** “Ainsley Hamill’s stirring voice could compete with anyone at Celtic Connections.” Pat Byrne, The Voice of Ireland

Released on CD and double vinyl.

STEVE GARRETT & PETER LOWIT

HALTADANS

WITH JAMES EDGE IN ARDEN

LIGHT IDA LUM HALTADANS.COM

“Haltadans celebrate the Shetland traditions… This is music full of character, played with great skill and often a sweet sense of harmony.” Songlines ****

STEVEGARRETTGUITAR.COM/IN-ARDEN

New music for acoustic guitar and double bass - four hands, ten strings, and two bits of wood - with a shimmering string quartet arrangement on the title track.

“Bold, beautiful, and based on firm roots.” The Living Tradition

"...what they do with folky themes, jazzy chords and a sliver of Bach is a delight… will not disappoint.” FATEA

“Haltadans is a well-drilled musical machine which when in full flow produces a spectacular sound.” The Shetland Times

VARIOUS ARTISTS

SILLY WIZARD

TMSA YOUNG TRAD TOUR 2019

LIVE AGAIN

TMSA.SCOT

BIRNAMCDSHOP.COM

Experience the Scottish folk scene’s best, with original material & traditional tunes, from finalists & winners of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Competition: 2019 winner Benedict Morris (fiddle); 2018 winner Hannah Rarity (voice); Cameron Ross (fiddle); Catherine Tinney (voice); Luc McNally (guitar/voice); Ross Miller (bagpipes) & Sarah Markey (flute), guided by MDs Findlay Napier & Anna Massie.

“Generally considered the world's finest performers of traditional and contemporary Scottish music – and with good reason. Silly Wizard is not just another folk music group; they rank with the greatest creators and performers from any country from any time.” allmusic.com “an essential part of any ‘true’ folk music enthusiast’s collection.” Folking.com

www.birnamcdshop.com www.birnamcd.com www.birnammusic.com www.birnamcdshop.com

info@birnamcd.com

click links directly in advert or go to - www.birnamcd.com/artists-0520

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music news scotland

page 5

New Funds enable Scotland’s young people to access music-making activities during COVID-19 Young people across Scotland are set to access a wide range of music making activities and opportunities thanks to £1.3m funding through Creative Scotland with backing from the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative (YMI). Online concerts, virtual tuition sessions, networking and development opportunities, as well as tailored mentoring programmes are among over 40 projects and activities led by a wide range of groups and individuals, and including professional development and training for core, support staff and trainees, receiving support in the latest round of YMI funding. The Scottish Music Centre’s Scotland– wide mentoring project, MusicPlus+ is offering independent music makers aged 14-19 opportunities to gain skills, knowledge and confidence, through working with professional music industry mentors and participating in group music activities with peers.

Musicplus+ offers a wide range of courses for young musicians - click below for video

www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2103644046328628

between, are used to face-to face, one-to-one mentoring, tailored to their own ambitions and needs, with an established music mentor supporting and advising them.

country gain access to vital information from people currently working in the music sector."

“The MusicPlus+ team and I were determined, from the outset of the Covid-19 restrictions, to establish new ways of keeping our community of young musicians connected with their mentorsand each other-and we’ve used the best available series of online resources as our conduit.”

The Scottish Brass Band Association’s year-long programme will focus on developing and supporting Scotland’s fifty youth brass bands through youth training and professional development for adults working with young brass players (building on the success of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS)) and the establishment of a Transition Brass Band for talented young musicians in further education.

Responding to COVID-19 restrictions, MusicPlus+ has transferred mentoring and group www.facebook.com/musicplusmentoring sessions, as well as its wide range of instrument and DJ technique tuition, and music production Music industry events specialists Wide tutorials, onto online platforms. Events CIC will also be rolling out a digital programme of online events and resources The popular recording studio sessions will also involve young musicians working collaboratively designed to support and guide young musicians and budding music industry professionals take from different locations. Seminar gatherings, their next steps in the industry. encouraging collaboration and peer-support among like-minded young people and a series of The online events will culminate in Off The workshops and masterclasses, will also move Record, a day-long event for 16-25 year olds, online. planned for Autumn/Winter 2020 featuring

www.facebook.com/widedays

Although the NYBBS summer residential course has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 restrictions, course organisers are collaborating with tutors and conductors to host an online concert featuring performances from students, to be broadcast on YouTube at 3pm Saturday 8 August.

The NYBBS are also hosting online video tutorials, offering encouragement, advice and While schools and colleges are closed, musical expertise, including composition tutorials MusicPlus+ has launched a new digital resource featuring Scottish conductor and composer Alan page, covering topics from music production to Fernie, who has been commissioned to write a instrument tuition for all skill levels. An online Michael Lambert, Director, Wide Events CIC special piece of music for the concert. coursework series on song writing and music said: "Off The Record exists to give young production will also be available. Carrie Boax, President, Scottish Brass Band musicians and the next generation of industry professionals access to the most relevant, up to Association, said: “Whilst it has been Gill Maxwell, Executive Director, Scottish Music Centre said: “Music and music-making is date and practical advice to help take their next challenging since March to deliver activities, through the support of staff and seeking to so important for well-being, even more so given steps. We're excited to be able to continue the constantly work in innovative ways, we are very programme in 2020 with support from YMI. the current restrictions and the sense of isolation grateful to be able to offer young Scottish brass Though the coronavirus pandemic has presented particularly affecting young people. Our and percussion players an alternative a number of new challenges, we plan to use the MusicPlus+ participants age 14-19, from the programme of summer activities for NYBBS, as opportunity to enhance our digital offering Highlands to the Borders and all points in well as professional development activities for helping even more young people across the adults, developing new compositions and continuing to progress with our successful startup and transition projects. None of this would be possible without our YMI funding.” seminars, discussions, interactive workshops, networking activities, and a public performance featuring a range of young musicians..

www.facebook.com/TheSBBA Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative Manager, Morag Macdonald said: ”YMI funding is an essential part of the youth music ecosystem in Scotland, and is so important to ensuring that young people can access high quality music making opportunities. “Whilst the current circumstances are immensely challenging, it's fantastic to see the dedication and expertise of Scotland's youth music sector bringing important opportunities to young people in new ways." Wide Events CIC 's 'Off The Record' was used to large audiences, will now be virtual

Find out more about The Youth Music Initiative @ https://bit.ly/2YLkB0N

email news to :: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

page 6

WHAT'S Music Venue Trust Reveal Results

HOT! DOGHOUSE ROSES

from the latest releases to reach us ....

www.doghouseroses.net

TORRIDON

Some albums are like fleeting thoughts, written and recorded in a blink of the eye. Others are nurtured over time, allowed to develop and blossom and this is the case for the fourth album from Glasgow's Doghouse Roses

www.torridonlive.com

TOM McGUIRE + THE BRASSHOLES

Their new album signals a significant progression in the band’s style, sound, vision and drive to showcase a passion for serious and original songwriting. With tracks inspired by men’s mental health and suicide in Scotland

www.tomandthebrassholes.com

- Only 36% of British public feel confident in safety of returning to live gigs - Audience confidence declines if social distancing is reduced to 1 metre

The Music Venue Trust (MVT) which represents hundreds of grassroots music venues, including many in Scotland, has revealed the results of a wide-ranging survey to assess audience confidence in returning to performances at grassroots live music venues following the COVID-19 outbreak. The survey, which had 28,640 respondents, was carried out during the period 12-18 June 2020. Whilst 89% of respondents are ‘very eager’ to return to venues - with 93% missing the atmosphere of a live show - only 36% currently feel that it would be safe to attend live gigs during the Covid-19 crisis.

the survey is telling us clearly that audiences already know this” Audience confidence in the safety of live music events at 2-metre social distancing declined if that social distancing was reduced to 1-metre according to the survey. None of the restrictions proposed in government guidance on promoting live music had any significant impact on audience confidence; audiences only gained any significant additional confidence when venues guaranteed full refunds. “2 metres or 1 metre, it makes no difference” said Davyd. “The message from Public Health England is that grassroots music venues should not currently be operating and the audience survey confirms that the gig goers already know this.”

The live music industry in the UK, which generates £5.2bn for the UK economy and a further £2.7bn in export revenues, is facing a substantial loss of That figure rises to 60% in August/September and, infrastructure, with 90% of venues and festivals when thinking of attending gigs in October, 71% of currently facing permanent closure. This would result respondents feel it would be safe to attend. in the total collapse of the sector and thousands of These findings follow the urgent warning issued to the job cuts including promoters, production companies, managers, agents, artists and others, which form part UK government by MVT last week stating that an of an inter-dependent eco-system that is the UK immediate cash injection of £50m is needed to music industry, alongside the loss of very substantial prevent mass venue closures in July, August and September. The catastrophic effects of closure during VAT and income tax receipts by HM Government. the COVID-19 pandemic has led to MVT identifying Music Venue Trust launched its #saveourvenues this sector-specific rescue package as being campaign in April, which has so far successfully raised fundamental to the survival of a large number of its over £2m to help support grassroots music venues member venues. MVT are also proposing a one-off cut through this crisis. in VAT on ticket sales for the next three years for Mark Dayvd said, “We are incredibly grateful to venues and promoters. artists and audiences for everything they’ve done to MVT surveyed its member venues and found, with 2- prevent closures until this date. But ultimately metre social distancing, only 13% of them felt whether venues survive or whether we see hundreds opening was a practical possibility due to their of closures is up to the government. These grassroots premises’ layout and of those, 96% said it would be music venues have done the right thing, and they financially ruinous to do so because of the radically need to keep doing the right thing. To do that they reduced number of attendees. need the government to do the right thing. Act swiftly, step in, and take action right now to protect MVT founder and chief executive, Mark Davyd, the incredibly vibrant and vital grassroots sector that said, “The governments needs to read their own sits at the centre of the nation’s musical reputation” guidelines on the risks posed by singing, dancing, being in confined spaces and being in close proximity www.musicvenuetrust.com to other people. The combined impact of those risks is www.twitter.com/musicvenuetrust that the live music experience cannot currently be www.facebook.com/musicvenuetrust brought back in any form that makes sense for audiences or artists in grassroots music venues. And

AMY PAPIRANSKY

An eclectic, modern-soul-funk, 8 piece band from Glasgow, headed by Tom McGuire. The funky collective of “killer animals from hell”, consists of a colourful, hilarious bunch of wonderfully talented, animated young men

Of Audience Confidence Survey

www.amypapiransky.com A stunning self-penned debut album, Amy has been gathering and writing songs over the last eight years. Her debut release is a lesson in flawless vocal dexterity and heartfelt song writing with a side of sass, funk and class

THINK YOUR NEW RELEASE IS GOOD ENOUGH TO APPEAR HERE? To be considered for our 'What's Hot' spot send your new album/ep/single to: MNS Top 4, MUSIC NEWS Scotland Romar House, Birgham, Berwickshire. TD12 4NF

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SCOTTISH MUSIC CENTRE ......... Member Profile :: Gemma McGregor www.scottishmusiccentre.com/gemma-mcgregor "The Scottish Music Centre's task is to champion the wealth of talent that abounds in Scotland's musical community"

Gemma McGregor is a composer from Orkney who is interested in depicting consciousness and exploring images of time and place in layers of sound. In addition to writing contemporary choral and instrumental music, she has been part of many interdisciplinary performances and collaborations, has created sound-art and written music for film.

double chorus and ten piece ensemble), was commissioned by St Magnus Festival as part of the Magnus900 anniversary celebrations in 2017. It has been nominated for a Scottish New Music Award. The Scottish Music Centre did a Q&A with Gemma recently including her thoughts on the Covid-19 lockdown ::

What drew you to a career in music? My parents were not musicians but my grandmother played the piano and I loved to hear her play Beethoven. I liked to copy birdsong and was famous for my whistling as a small child. I eventually had piano lessons and spent a lot of my time making up sounds on the inside and outside of the piano. Most Gemma graduated with a doctorate in music of my pieces had titles that described places composition from the University of Aberdeen in and journeys. I wanted to create music that July 2017. A recipient of the Ogston had a sense of place. I learned the flute at Postgraduate Scholarship, she has had grammar school and had a teacher that commissions performed at the St. Magnus helped me apply to Dartington, where I Festival, St. Asaph Festival and Aberdeen studied with Frank Denyer and Sir Peter Sound Festival. Watercolour Studios released Maxwell Davies. After graduation I tended to an album of Gemma’s chamber music in 2011. get more work as a performer but I made the Her choral music has been performed by the St decision to focus primarily on composition in Magnus Cathedral Choir and the Quodlibet 2011. I started postgraduate studies at the Chorale and workshopped by the BBC Singers University of Aberdeen in 2012 under the and the Dunedin Consort. supervision of Paul Mealor and Philip Cooke and was awarded a doctorate in 2017. Gemma’s first opera, The Locked Door, (for three singers and five piece ensemble), was How would you describe your work? My commissioned by Aberdeen Sound Festival and music has a narrative style that is constructed performed in 2015. Her second opera, The from a collage of sounds that evoke the Orkney Story of Magnus Erlendsson, (for ten soloists, landscape and sea, the dialect and traditional

Buy Gemma's sheet music @ www.scottishmusiccentre.com/shop-2/shop/

for bone flute, round drum, viola and double bass that was performed alongside prints, photographs and projected images.

What positive and negative aspects have you found lockdown has had on your work? I was disappointed that a concert with three of my works that Edinburgh String Quartet was going to perform on March 21st Orkney music. Compositions are often based was cancelled. My residency at Aldeburgh to on narratives that belong to a particular time work on my third opera was cancelled. NYCOS and place. My work is influenced by Varèse, were going to perform my choral anthem, Love Messiaen, Maxwell Davies and Judith Weir. I Was His Meaning, to coincide with the launch use stacked fourths and seconds and include tonal sounds without allowing the music belong of a new publication of Sacred Music by Women Composers by the Multitude of Voyces. to a particular key. I have composed most The launch concert was cancelled but the book types of music including chamber orchestra was published and NYCOS plan to perform the works, music theatre, and opera. programme another time. I am interested in performance art and have On the plus side, I have had lots of time to get worked collaboratively with poets, artists, actors, historians and film makers. I attempt to on with putting the chamber opera Confined onto Sibelius, I have written a paper on depict consciousness and images of time and place in layers of sound. In addition to writing contemporary music in art galleries and contemporary choral and instrumental music, I composed two choral works and a short piano solo. I have enjoyed being a member of two have been part of many interdisciplinary online composers forums and meeting new performances and collaborations and have composers and hearing about their work. I created sound-art tracks for two installations with sculptor Craig Ellis at Grays School of Art. have had several enquiries about my solo violin piece Joy – one request from a musician in I am interested in perception and how music America. The Scotsman featured an can be used as part of a conceptual art experience outside of the concert hall setting. I arrangement of Joy for solo viola in David Kettles’ blog about Nordic Viola in April. direct a multi-disciplinary group called The Experimental Music Project who have given five www.gemmamcgregor.com multimedia performances at the Pier Arts www.twitter.com/GemmaMcGregor4 Centre , Stromness, including Stenness at www.soundcloud.com/fluter-1/tracks Solstice on 14 March, 2020. This was a piece

"The Scottish Music Centre's task is to champion the wealth of talent that abounds in Scotland's musical community"

www.scottishmusiccentre.com : https://twitter.com/scottishmusic : www.facebook.com/scottishmusiccentre The Scottish Music Centre currently supports in excess of 100 composer, group/small business and corporate members. Offering a wealth of advantages, initiatives include the bi-monthly Composers' Digest and Exposed Melodies podcast series, regular networking events and notification of valuable opportunities, extensive publicity and increased correspondence with national companies, chamber ensembles, soloists and festivals.

Scottish Music Centre’s City Halls office is currently closed and our staff and project teams are working from home. We have made changes to some of our services: please go to the individual page(s) on our website for more info. For general enquiries please contact us on info@scottishmusiccentre.com

music news scotland

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the mns collection ….

(NYOS) National Youth Orchestra of Scotland cancel summer events

After careful consideration, and with great sadness, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland (NYOS) have taken the decision to cancel all their summer courses and concerts due to the ongoing situation with the COVID-19 outbreak. The health and well-being of all NYOS students, staff, guest artists and conductors is their top priority and they do not wish to put anyone or their communities at further risk at this time. As well as following guidance from the Scottish Government and their NYOS funders, many of their venue and residential partners had been forced to cancel bookings. Full refunds will be made to all 2020 students. We look forward to the time when we can resume the musicmaking activities Director of NYOS Jazz Access Jules Jackson introducing some of the that we all love – sadly jazz combos at a NYOS Jazz Summer School places from this year can’t be deferred, but we invite all members to re-audition once applications for 2021 open in August. A NYOS spokesperson said: "This is the right choice at this difficult time, and while we are saddened that Scotland’s young musicians will lose out on an entire year of NYOS activity, it’s more important at this time that everyone stays healthy and safe. Best wishes from everyone at NYOS, and please do get in touch if you have any questions regarding this." In the meantime you can enjoy the NYOS #nyosfromhome series, comprising short films from tutors and conductors with tips and advice for practising at home. NYOS hope to offer something similar this summer, so please keep an eye on their social media channels for more information on this and for advice on how to stay musically active during this challenging time #nyosshares

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Kelburn 'Garden Party' ... becomes a 'House Party' "A stay at home experience that celebrates our shared festival culture in lockdown" On Saturday 4 July The Kelburn Garden Party would have been in full swing. One of Scotland’s best loved festivals should have been seeing around 1500 crew and artists entertaining a capacity audience of 4500 people with a heady mix of live music, DJ sets, family activities, and adventure around the stunning Kelburn Estate. However, along with all other festivals in the UK this summer, the Kelburn team was forced to postpone their event until next year. So in an effort to mark the weekend and to celebrate the festival culture that is so important to so many people, not to mention the employment of a small army of crew and artists, Kelburn’s followers have been invited to join the Kelburn House Party – a digital festival streamed via Zoom, Facebook Live and YouTube that will feature a curated programme of acts that were scheduled to play this year, as well as archive footage and memories from past Kelburn Garden Party events.

Scottish artists joining in include Vixen Sound & Tom Spirals, Fat Suit, Kapil Sheshasayee and Maranta

summer. Artists performing at the event include Glasgow experimental synth-dance duo FREE LOVE, Uganda’s pre-eminent DJ Kampire, drum’n’bass legend Aphrodite, disco deviant Marcel Vogel, head honcho of Lumberjacks in Hell, and fast rising DJ team Lezzer Quest. Other Scottish artists joining in incliude Vixen Sound & Tom Spirals, Fat Suit, Kapil Sheshasayee and Maranta. There will also be cabaret curated by The Creative Martyrs and live street art from Too Much Fun Club.

magic happen each year. The fundraiser can be accessed here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ KHP2020.

Dave Boyle, Kelburn Arts director said: “The team and staff at Kelburn are going to really miss the explosion of creativity and fun that the Garden Party brings each summer. It’s important that we mark this weekend and help highlight the predicament that so many crew and artists are facing this summer with almost all events cancelled. We hope the Kelburn House Party will help raise everyone’s spirits, and remind us of the festival fun we have shared in the past while In an effort to help out the many artists and Kelburn has asked their followers to join the raising some much needed money to help those crew who are making the Kelburn House Party a #kelburncamper challenge – set up camp in affected. reality, the team have launched a fundraiser to their gardens or living rooms, get out their festival clothes, and tune in to the entertainment help cover costs and pay something where we www.kelburngardenparty.com/kelburn-house-party can. In a summer where almost all seasonal on offer. The challenge has generated a lot of www.facebook.com/kelburnarts excitement already, with many people vowing to work for those involved in the festival and music scene has been obliterated, Kelburn is striving to www.twitter.com/kelburnparties set up camp, build blanket forts and celebrate give something back to those who make the the festival culture we are all missing this

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Gaelic arts organisation continues to offer summer of events for young musicians across the country Next week would usually see arts organisation Fèisean nan Gàidheal host two of its popular week-long summer events, Sgoil-shamraidh Dràma (Gaelic Drama Summer School) and Fèis Alba for young musicians, however, undeterred by the pandemic, these events will be hosted online for the first time to ensure that youngsters across Scotland don’t miss out on the top class tuition. Fèis Alba offers Cèilidh Trail participants and advanced musicians, aged 14-20, the chance to learn new music from some of the country’s top musicians whilst also learning invaluable skills and knowledge from industry professionals through a variety of masterclasses, workshops and Gaelic lessons. This year participants will have the chance to learn new tunes and songs with Oban musician and choir conductor, Sileas Sinclair, Breabach’s Calum MacCrimmon and Glenfinnan harpist Ingrid Henderson. They will also learn Gaelic with Shannon Cowie and Iain-Murdo MacMillan, pick up playing for dancing tips from dancer Frank MacConnell, get crucial advice about being a self-employed musician from Firefly Productions founder and Dogstar Theatre producer, Donna MacRae, as well as gaining PR and social media skills from former Cèilidh Trail participant, Katie Mackenzie. Sgoil-shamraidh Dràma Air Loidhne (Gaelic Drama summer school online) will be led by actor, Lana Pheutan, who regularly appears on BBC Alba’s Bannan and FUNC. The event will offer young Gaelic speakers the opportunity to

develop their acting skills and collaborate creatively while at home due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Applications from Gaelic speaking teenagers interested in drama, aged between 13 and 17 at the time of the School, are welcome. Arthur Cormack, Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Chief Executive said: “Since lockdown, with support from Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and HIE, we have supported local Fèisean in organising music classes online and we are continuing, as best we can, to offer our usual varied summer programme, albeit in a different format. While the online events will have some limitations, for example there will not be the normal level of peer-to-peer interaction, we are confident participants will gain skills from the sessions on offer. We have been encouraged by the response with some young people we might not normally reach able to take part this year.”

both events and to secure a place please contact Angus Macleod ( angus@feisean.scot ) for the Sgoil-shamhraidh Dràma and Nicola Simpson ( nicola@feisean.scot ) for Fèis Alba. For more information about the range of summer events organised by Fèisean nan Gàidheal follow their sites below .....

www.feisean.org

www.facebook.com/feisean www.twitter.com/fngaidheal

A limited number of places are still available for

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Team behind Ironworks live music venue reduce impact of Covid-19 by delivering XpoNorth 2020 Missed it? Then access + replay the sessions via Social app by searching for XpoNorth @ bit.ly/XpoNorth2020SocioEventApp

XpoNorth concluded on 25 June as the first digital version of Scotland’s leading creative industries conference. The physical event was cancelled on 24 March, the digital edition was announced on 5 May and the event was delivered on 24 and 25 June. The team at live music venue The Ironworks in Inverness deliver the event. While many of the Ironworks team were furloughed, Ironwork’s Box Office Manager was able to be retained to support the delivery of the conference. The Production Manager, Oliver Long, was originally meant to be working at Glastonbury, but when that was cancelled he was able to find a new role supporting XpoNorth. There were also six stage managers helping to deliver the project who of course rely on the live sector, so this has provided them work during this time. It is also hoped the content of the conference will help businesses in the creative and heritage sectors to consider innovative new ways to bounce back.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise said: “This was the first virtual XpoNorth, so it was always going to be a lot of work for the XpoNorth team. The conference was really well attended and I was absolutely blown away by the quality of the speakers and the breadth of seminars on offer. To be able to access absolutely world class speakers from our home, ask questions and through the Socio App, be able to talk to other attendees was a great experience, and I hope has shown what is possible. It was also pleasing to see so many international attendees, so again XpoNorth just helps raise the profile of regional businesses and the Highlands and Islands. I was particularly pleased to see the sessions focussing on heritage included again this year with people like Anna Lowe of Smartify, but it is really difficult to pick standout sessions from a programme like this. I found sessions such as ‘Akutagawa: Dismantling Collaboration’ with Kevin MacNeil, Willie Campbell and Colin MacLeod which looked at Gaelic and contemporary songs and poetry, or the ‘Design for Kids or It’s Child’s Play!’ seminar that brought together people with such diverse backgrounds to look at development of products for children or the incredible ‘Changing the Game? The Heritage Sector and 5G' really inspiring. We’re all just looking forward to 2021’s conference now!”

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Iain Hamilton, Head of Creative Industries,

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Malcolm MacWatt :: ep - 'SKAIL' Released :: 4 July @ www.malcolmmacwatt.bandcamp.com

“Old Crow Medicine Show jamming with The Corries” is how acclaimed Scottish songwriter Malcolm MacWatt describes his new EP. SKAIL - an old Scots word meaning to disperse, scatter and sail over water - sees MacWatt weaving traditional Scottish yarn into the fabric of Americana for his third 2020 studio release. The EP features three songs with the Appalachians, evictions, slavery and independence at their heart and is a meeting of Scottish and American roots music with MacWatt playing all instruments throughout. Written and recorded at the height of the coronavirus lockdown from his home in south-east London, MacWatt found himself longing for the fresh air, clean water, open spaces, familiar faces and above all the safety of Morayshire where he grew up. During the weeks of isolation he happened across an article about the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Georgia up the east coast of America to Maine, which now includes the Scottish Highlands due to ancient geological links going back millions of years. Coming from the Moray Firth with the northern mountains of the Black Isle an everyday skyline, the stories of the Highland Clearances were already well known to him but in the context of a pandemic, together with the tragic narratives surrounding UK immigration, he felt compelled to explore the

connections between Scottish emigration to the New World in the 18th Century and the roots of country and americana music. Malcolm MacWatt has already gained 4-Star national press recognition for his powerful song-writing. As a solo performer, swapping out his telecaster for an acoustic guitar, his story-telling comes to the fore, often with brutal clarity and his previous releases have received glowing reviews. Hailing from the North of Scotland, he has worked on the North Sea offshore oil platforms, as a newspaper journalist, in education and now lives in London. Track listing: "The Widow and The Cruel Sea” is the story of a woman who loses her fisherman husband at sea and is desperate to escape the social

confines of a young widow in a Highland village to start a new life in the American colonies. “Old World Rules and Empire Takes” looks at British rule over the Eastern seaboard of America. It touches on the Battle of Kings Mountain, a crucial skirmish in the War of American Independence, where forces for the Crown, led by Major Patrick Ferguson from Aberdeenshire, were defeated by settlers, many of whom would also have been of Scottish descent. The song ends with the line “Scottish blood in American clay” to acknowledge those trans-Atlantic ties. “The Crofter and The Cherokee” links the Highland Clearances with the Trail of Tears as a Georgia native travels back in time tracing his family roots up the Appalachian Trail and across the Atlantic to Scotland. In this song the fiddle motif represents Scotland with the banjo and resonator guitar sounding off for America. MacWatt, who plays guitar, fiddle, resonator guitar, banjo and bodhran on the EP, said: “SKAIL very much reflects me as an artist: I’m a mixed-race Scot with a deep appreciation for the traditional music of Scotland but who is heavily influenced by American folk and roots. The songs almost wrote themselves, in fact there’s times I felt voices long gone were whispering in my ear.”

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Rory Butler :: album - 'Window Shopping' Released :: 10 July @ www.rorybutlerofficial.bandcamp.com

Scottish singer-songwriter Rory Butler is to release his new album ‘Window Shopping’ on 10 July. The first single ‘Tell Yourself’ was released 24 April. In the build up to recording this debut, “The most exciting Scottish talent to emerge in recent times” (BBC Scotland’s Roddy Hart) Rory Butler has opened for the likes of John Paul White (The Civil Wars), folk legend Richard Thompson, Paul Weller, Lucy Rose, Eric Bibb, and Ross Wilson (Blue Rose Code). His first single ‘Black and Blue’ was included on Apple Music’s Best of the Week and Spotify's New Music Friday playlists. The track peaked at #6 on the Spotify 'Viral' chart and made it onto key ‘New Music’ playlists in Brazil, Germany, Portugal and Sweden, bolstering total world-wide streaming figures to over 800,000. Written and recorded between his hometown Edinburgh and London, Rory created ‘Window Shopping’ to channel his frustration at cyber addiction and the subsequent detachment from reality and human interaction it creates. The songs examine how certain digital platforms have led to desensitisation from what should be shocking, nonchalant feelings towards real world issues, and a warped perspective of reality. Armed with his guitar and a tongue in cheek sense of humour, Rory’s songs dance on the dichotomy of happy tunes with a serious message. Rory veils his anguish and exhaustion at social media and trash TV with metaphors and introspective questions directed at the listener asking to examine their relationship with the digital world, and to be mindful of how to spend time connecting to others, “My main issue is that it implants a negativity in impressionable young minds. It can be damaging to younger generations where there is an ideal and image that is difficult to aspire to, and its modelling young people an impossible reality. It equates to addiction. I’ve even been caught up in it, and I resent it.”

When Rory was growing up, his parents ran a recording studio at their home in Edinburgh, and Rory has vivid memories of a revolving door of musicians and bands coming to record.

part always comes first”. His guitar work is equally as impressive, as he had no formal training and learnt to play completely by ear from listening to John Martyn, James Taylor and Nick Drake. The absence of theory training has aided Rory in his own writing by allowing him to create from a self-proclaimed “place of ignorance.” The ‘ignorance’ breaks down any barriers of how music should be written, making room for songs created purely by intuition. This intuitive approach, whilst yielding a brilliant selection of songs, did cause an exercise in theory practice for the musicians brought in to record the album. However, whilst learning the tunes was something of a process, the recording sessions flowed organically and wrapped up in a mere 4 days. Initially capturing live full band performances at London’s Konk studios, the only overdubbing came from brief backing vocal performances by Rory recorded at the Slate Room when he returned to Edinburgh. Instrumental to getting studio time and recruiting the musicians was the organisation Help Musicians (HMUK). Chris Sheehan who runs Karousel Music was another friend made by Rory during his stint in East London, and another figure who could see the great potential in him. After putting Rory in contact with the organisation, he was selected for a grant that covered recording and musician hire. Rory also worked with Gothenburg based artist Cameron Watt to create an abstract portrait of him for the album cover, satirising the ‘selfie’ photo.

Rory’s upbringing certainly helped direct him towards being a musician. When he was growing up, his parents ran a remove myself from a reality, no matter how terrible, if it recording studio at their home in Edinburgh, and Rory has only appears as statistics and data on a page. The vivid memories of a revolving door of musicians and bands photograph seemed to have the impact of making things coming to record. The profound effect it had on him sprung heartbreakingly real. I often struggle with how strongly I can into his mind when recording this album, as he stepped feel about things, and yet how far they have to go before I through the doors of Konk studios to see an old-school act. I guess the song is a reminder not to let that happen.” analogue mixing desk in the control room, “It was a classy place, quite a step up from most studios I’d been in. In a ‘Mind Your Business’ was inspired by a photo series by Eric Assisting with a few co-writes on the album (tracks 7 & 8) way it had some nostalgia attached to it, albeit sexier. The Pickersgill called ‘Removed’, in which the photographer was Crispin Hunt, chairman at the Ivors Academy and exanalogue desk made me feel quite at home from the old brilliantly captured people going about their everyday life vocalist of Brit-rock band Longpigs, who befriended Rory days. It just felt right and aligned with the feelings of glued to their phones, then edited the devices out of their when he lived in East London for a short time, “Crispin was a nostalgia already written into the music.” hands. The result is a comical showcase of gormless guiding figure for me in the early days, and a trusted expressions and the perfect example of people disconnected The other early career experience that had a huge effect on adviser. I would play him random bits of guitar work and he from their environments. Rory’s analysis is one of Rory was being invited to perform at the John Martyn could piece them together and direct me to melodies, or vice exasperation, asking questions like ‘How can I keep my gathering. The music festival-like gathering has been taking versa. They’re the oldest songs on the album, and I feel like guard up baby?/ When I’m living online?/ I am living on it./ place over three days for a number of years to celebrate the working with him had a lasting effect on my approach to Every last minute on it,/ every single second on it,/ I don’t life and music of John and, seemingly out the blue, in 2016 songwriting.” know…’ Rory was invited to play a set by none other than Danny One song that gives a vivid example of how Rory sees social Thompson and the family of Ralph McTell. A dream come Rory’s effortless songwriting really stands out, and it’s easy media’s numbing effect is ‘That Side Of The World’. In the true for Rory, who counts John Martyn among his greatest to tell it is a key focus for him. From starting each song as midst of the Syrian refugee crisis, many will remember the influences, he has been asked back to play every year since. guitar pieces, he weaves together lyrics and themes devastating image of a young child washed up on the shores influenced by the feel of the tune, using emotion to guide his www.twitter.com/RoarButler of a Mediterranean beach. For Rory and many others, this thoughts, “Most of the time the lyrics are informed by a was a wakeup call, “I was hit by how the image triggered an feeling of nostalgia I get from the music, because the guitar www.facebook.com/rorybutlerofficial emotional response to the crisis. It’s easier sometimes to

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Mairearad Green :: 5 x limited edition 12" singles - 'Hearth' Released :: 28 August @ www.mairearadgreen.co.uk/shop/ ‘Hearth’ is multi-instrumentalist Mairearad Green’s latest collection of five limited edition 12” singles, inspired by the women and landscapes of Coigach.

where I’m from, that means ‘five fields’ in Gaelic.”

Each new single includes a bespoke cover design painted by Mairearad, combining her two passions - art and music – in this seamless progression from Mairearad’s 2016 album, ‘Summer Isles’. Braving Coigach’s west coast weather to paint lives they lived through my art has been such a landscapes ‘en plein air’, Mairearad’s impressionistic style is an emotional response to privilege. the land where the women from her past “One of the tracks celebrates my Grandfather’s trampled the same soil. hardy mother, Jessie, a Black Isle local who wasn’t initially accepted in Coigach because she The title ‘Hearth’, (traditionally an integral part didn’t speak Gaelic and wore skirts above her of any home) symbolises the warmth, light and ankles! She was apparently very clever and nourishment of the art and music combined. It reflects the resilient, and spirited generations of gained much respect after she returned a year later speaking perfect Gaelic.” women from the area, including those who resisted landlords during what became known as “I wanted to bring these women to life through the Coigach Riots during the Highland my paintings and my music, making these Clearances. limited edition 12”singles a personal and bespoke piece of art.” Mairearad says: “This has been the most rewarding and personal project I have ever “The five singles represent the five townships of worked on. To discover more about the women Coigach, a hidden gem on the North Coast 500 in my family and really value and celebrate the

Mairearad’s art is deeply rooted in Coigach, a west coast peninsula in the Scottish Highlands where she grew up. Known for her instrumental prowess on the accordion and pipes, and as a well-known composer, Mairearad performs regularly with multi-instrumentalist Anna Massie and Scottish singer-songwriter King Creosote. She also performs with piping super group Tryst and composer Mike Vass, who worked with Mairearad to produce this project. Producer Mike Vass uses a progressive approach to recording vocals, accordion and bagpipes and this is a new direction for Mairearad’s everevolving sound. ‘The Kelp Makers’ is an electronic pipe track using manipulated, almost unrecognisable mechanical accordion sounds, influenced by the likes of Jon Hopkins and Sigur Ross.

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Kevin Henderson & Neil Pearlman :: album - 'Burden Lake' Released :: 3 July @ www.kevinandneil.com/shop-2/united-kingdom-shop/ Simpson Street Studios in Thropton, Northumberland. Kevin has been in the vanguard of the Scottish Engineered by Ian traditional music scene for decades, immersed in Stephenson (Kan, and Scandinavian traditions and Glasgow’s Scotland’s Kevin Henderson and the Shetland Baltic Crossing) and contemporary folk scene while playing as a member of featuring Neil Harland USA’s Neil Pearlman have come Fiddlers' Bid, Boys of the Lough, Session A9 and on double bass, the Nordic Fiddlers Bloc. together to create a unique album captures the Neil is recognised across the celtic world for his unique electric atmosphere transatlantic musical offering, approach to piano accompaniment. He has performed and energy of a live exploring the similarities and and collaborated with the likes of Alasdair Fraser, show. Wendy MacIsaac, Darol Anger and Katie McNally and differences of their own traditions. Kevin Henderson said: “Neil and I were instantly studied jazz piano in New York City. drawn to one another’s music and style so making this Kevin’s precise fiddle, rooted in the rich heritage of Their wide-ranging influences combine in the album together was instinctual. We both come from Shetland, unites with Neil’s innovative piano and distinctive sound of Burden Lake, moving effortlessly backgrounds deeply rooted in tradition, but also love mandolin playing, strongly influenced by the American between heart-wrenching airs and fiery reels as they pushing the envelope so the creative process became Scottish and Cape Breton musical communities. tell stories from both sides of the pond. so open. We’re really excited with the result, Burden Alongside showcasing the musical styles of their native Lake is not like anything either of us have ever Kevin and Neil first met at Alasdair Fraser's Sierra traditions, both artists have come together to take a produced before.” Fiddle Camp in California in June 2017. By January fresh exploratory approach to blending new and 2019, they were on their first tour together, during Neil Pearlman said: “Kevin and I really enjoy original tunes with grand developing sections, jazz which they decided to take three days ‘off the road’ to making music together. It’s a very natural process and harmonies, improvisation and a healthy dose of create Burden Lake. one that not only pushes us both creatively, but personal innovation. something that is quite a departure from other music In August, the album was recorded live in the The record was written overlooking its namesake we tend to play and record. This album was an beautiful surroundings of a renovated church at Burden Lake, near Albany in New York state. opportunity for us to mix it up and focus on our own playing and we’re really proud of the outcome.”

Burden Lake is the debut album from fiddle and piano duo Kevin Henderson and Neil Pearlman.

Stationed by this vast, peaceful frozen body of water, the pair set about creating this unique body of work.

The album’s rousing opening track ‘Sjovald’ is named after Kevin’s 11th great-grandfather who was a Viking of Norwegian and Swedish descent. Sjovald, which translates as ‘Sea Power’ or ‘Sea Ruler’, was shipwrecked on the island of Yell in north Shetland around 1500 and settled there. His adventurous spirit and fortitude inspired Kevin to pen the song. On ‘San Simon / 47 Hours’, Neil was inspired to write the buoyant medley by a visit to a children’s fiddle camp on the tiny Spanish island of La Isla de San Simon. The 47 hours refer to a chaotic two-day journey Neil undertook from Portland, Maine to Newcastle, England, perfectly capturing that familiar frantic feeling of running for a flight. The title track is named after the lake the duo were staying beside when they wrote the album, this beautiful and peaceful place surrounded by nature was the perfect source of inspiration.

Burden Lake is out on Friday 3 July and will be available on CD and to download and stream via www. kevinandneil.com and Bandcamp. A tune book will also be available to buy.

www.kevinandneil.com www.facebook.com/HendersonPearlman

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