2 : 4 : 16
Scottish concerts celebrate Yehudi Menuhin Centenary - see p6 SSE Hydro sponsor Wide Days showcases - p4 :: RCS in world Top 10 - p12
Dundee seminar to explore strengthening local music Born To Be Wide and Dundee’s Place Partnership have announce a special seminar event at the McManus Museum & Art Gallery on Thursday 14 April, exploring approaches to strengthening the local music scene.
until Monday 18 April, and there will be an opportunity to complete one at the event. “It is obvious from those responses that there is a real desire from musicians and audiences to get involved more in conversations and in influencing decisions around music in the city,” says Annie Marrs, Dundee’s Place Partnership coordinator. “We are excited to be hosting this event with Born To Be Wide, the speakers are excellent and the venue will allow for an intimate and interactive discussion.”
BTBW speaker Gary Clark: In conversation about his career in music- Gary from Tayside began his career as singer-songwriterinstrumentalist in late '80s band Danny Wilson. He penned the band's 1987 international hit "Mary's Prayer". Now considered classic, it still regularly re-enters the top 100 airplay charts in the UK.
Born To Be Wide evenings have provided a focal point for Edinburgh’s music community since 2004 and for the past eight years has played host to scores of discussions with leading industry figures. Seminar topics in 2015 included music tourism, imagining the perfect music city and creating and sustaining a scene. Tickets are priced at £5 and are available @ www.borntobewide.co.uk
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Titled 'Sound of Dundee: Re-imagining Our City', the panel will feature speakers from a cross-section of the music community. The evening will open with world-renowned songwriter Gary Clark, (who has worked with stars including Natalie Imbruglia, Melanie C and Lloyd Cole) in conversation about his career in music and long-standing relationship with his Tayside hometown. Following the Q&A, Gary will take part in a discussion, which also includes local musician Katie Lynch of duo ST MARTiiNS and DF Concerts' Dave Corbet. An additional speaker will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Following the seminar, there will be an opportunity for attendees and speakers to socialise and continue the conversation. “Dundee has a wealth of musical talent,” says Born To Be Wide director Michael Lambert. “This event aims to bring people together to look at how the city can help its music community thrive." The event is part of the city-wide work being undertaken by Dundee’s Place Partnership team towards producing recommendations for the development of music in the city. The project launched in February with the Dundee Music Survey, which has received almost 600 responses to date. The questionnaire will be live
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Musical Theatre Festivals Concerts Tours Album Releases
Make your music headline news with Deborah Welsh Commercial Media Specialist PR and publicity consultant based in Scotland
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BBC ALBA showcase with Niteworks and support acts, Elephant Sessions and Inyal Niteworks: Obair Oidhche is an hour long showcase concert on 2 April at 11pm on BBC ALBA featuring the innovative electronica outfit Niteworks and support acts, Elephant Sessions and Inyal. Presented by Vicky Kilgour and filmed before a live audience at QMU at Glasgow University, the concert captures Niteworks performing for their core audience; a young Gaelic-speaking fan base. Already festival favourites and noted for landmark live shows, headliners Niteworks’ set is based on their critically acclaimed debut album, a recording which reflects their diverse influences; from electronic music to singersongwriter Anais Mitchell to Sorley MacLean. The concert was the musical culmination of Latha na Gàidhlig at
Glasgow University, an annual celebration of Gaelic language and culture. Event organiser, Gaelic language officer Fiona Dunn said: "We have excellent musicians, both in established bands and in new acts. It's marvelous that increasing numbers of young musicians are forming groups that set out to pioneer Gaelic music in new genres such as dance music and electronica." Niteworks are renowned for collaborating with musicians and, for this concert, an illustrious cast of vocalists and musicians including, Catriona Watt, Alasdair Whyte, Donald MacDonald, Fiona Macaskill and top percussionist Andrew MacPherson augments their usual line up. The programme openers are no less inventive and the first of two pioneering bands, Glasgow-based Inyal, are young Gaels who compose music through the prism of their various influences; Gaelic music, jazz and electronica. Following an impressive recording debut, The Elephant Sessions were
Niteworks : www.facebook.com/niteworksband
deserved winners of ‘Up & Coming Act’ at The MG ALBA Trad Awards 2014. The neo-trad quintet have received praise for their music and exhilarating live appearances.
sound of Gaelic Scotland Niteworks: Obair Oidhche was produced by Bees Nees Media for BBC ALBA.
BBC ALBA celebrates the modern
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WHAT'S
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Whether Claire is singing in the tradition, about her home, sharing life experiences or interpreting the works of Robert Burns and William Douglas, there’s an enduring sense of beauty, in both vocals and music." - Folkwords
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Wide Days Announces The SSE Hydro as 2016 Showcase Partner Wide Days has announced a partnership with The SSE Hydro, which will see the leading music arena sponsor the event’s showcase programme, hosted across three Edinburgh venues on 22 April. Open to the public, as well as music industry delegates attending the award-winning convention, the live gigs provide a snapshot of some of Scotland’s most exciting new talent and span the full musical spectrum. Previous acts featured include Scottish Album of the Year Award winner Kathryn Joseph, Honeyblood, Model Aeroplanes, Rachel Sermanni, Stanley Odd and Mercury Music Prize nominee C Duncan. “We are delighted to be partnering with The SSE Hydro and welcome its commitment to helping develop the headliners of the future,” says Wide Days founder, Olaf Furniss. “This sponsorship makes an important contribution to hosting the showcases and helps us to continue offering free gigs for fans of exciting new talent.”
Pleasance Theatre, La Belle Angele and Electric Circus. The featured acts are: Be Charlotte, Best Girl Athlete, Elle Exxe, The Van Ts, Tongues and Scumpulse. Wide Days 2016 will also include first-time partnerships with PRS For Music and the British Academy of Songwriters and Authors. The organisations will jointly sponsor a conference panel, which looks at the making of a hit. Full details of the session will be announced in the coming weeks. Wide Days takes place in Edinburgh on 22-23 April. The first day begins with the conference at the Pleasance, followed by the evening showcases, while day two provides a range of networking activities for the professional delegates.
Tickets available from: www.widedays.com/tickets The Wide Days professional convention passes costs £80. It includes food at Friday’s conference and showcase, as well as access to Saturday’s networking activities. These begin with a guided coach tour and are followed by a talk, barbecue and low exertion sports. Day passes for Friday are available at a concession price of £25 for students, emerging artists and those starting out in the business. An Under 18s ticket costs £18 and covers the conference and the first showcases in the Pleasance. Tickets @ www. widedays.com/tickets ABOUT THE SSE HYDRO
Designed by Foster + Partners, The SSE Hydro is Scotland’s home of live entertainment on the site of the SECC, Glasgow. A truly iconic structure, The SSE Hydro hosts national and international music mega stars as well as global entertainment and sporting John Langford, director of live entertainment at events. It has the potential to inject an additional The SSE Hydro and SECC, first attended Wide £131 million annually into the local economy and Days as a speaker in 2014 with a capacity of 13,000, stages around 140 events a year. Since opening in September 2013 The SSE "We're committed to investing in the future of live Hydro has firmly established Glasgow as a key music in Scotland,” he says. “All of us at The SSE destination for major arena tours. Find out more @ Hydro are excited to be a part of this event". www.thessehydro.com This year’s showcase programme, selected in consultation with promoters, journalists and A&R scouts, ranges from synth pop to punk-infused black metal, with gigs taking place consecutively at the
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CARA
'A Testament to Sin' is mined from the dark depths of 10 years hard graft by Paisley's melodic metalcore band Deadly Inscription, with a freshness created by the new line-up in the last year. MNS loves this. PLAY IT LOUD!!
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www.cara-music.com Born 13 years ago of Germany's longstanding love affair with celtic music, Cara's line-up features 4 of that country's finest musicians together with Scottish singersongwriter and pianist Kim Edgar. This is their 5th album
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Free Scottish Music Centre concert to celebrate Yehudi Menuhin's centenary “Music, amongst all the great arts, is the language which penetrates most deeply into the human spirit, reaching people through every barrier, disability, language and circumstance. This is why it has been my dream to bring music back into the lives of those people whose lives are especially prone to stress and suffering . . . so that it might comfort, heal and bring delight.” Yehudi Menuhin
during the Edinburgh International Festival. Later on the evening of 22 April in Edinburgh, Scottish soprano Emily Mitchell and Maltese pianist Geoffrey Tanti will perform Songs from Above & Below by John McLeod. This was a Baring Late Style commission, inspired by the mining heritage of West Lothian and Merthyr Tydfyll. The third concert in May is by Calum Robertson (clarinet) and Juliette Philogène (piano), performing BiCycle by Jennifer Martin, designed to be enjoyed by a wide range of audiences, whether in concert halls or outreach projects in the community. The final performance is from Wildings, a folk trio based in Glasgow, made up of Jennifer Austin (piano), Fiona MacAskill (fiddle) and Sarah Hayes (flute, voice). Wildings will perform The Bellany Suite, a musical response to the work of John Bellany, through dance forms and meditative music, cocommissioned with the National Galleries of Scotland.
Both pieces to be performed at the first concert at the Scottish Music Centre were composed by SMC member Eddie McGuire (above)
album, West Meets East which, along with bands like the Beatles and The Rolling Stones, helped to introduce Western audiences to Indian music.
The Menuhin Centenary events reflect what LMNS has been doing for over thirty years, including Menuhin founded Live Music Now outreach work and performances in almost forty years ago, after seeing farflung locations or venues that first-hand the uplifting and wouldn’t normally have concerts sometimes transformative effect (such as remote Scottish islands, that music can have. During World respite homes, prisons, schools, day War II Menuhin played violin for centres, art galleries and allied troops, accompanied by the museums). Enabling talented young composer Benjamin Britten on artists to collaborate, compose, piano, and he also performed for the learn, and perform is another key surviving inmates of Bergen-Belsen aspect to their work, and they when it was liberated from the Nazis currently have over a hundred in 1945. musicians working on the LMNS Keen to set up a project that would roster. bring the experience of live music to Menuhin Centenary those who rarely get an opportunity to hear or see any, Menuhin Concert Series Dates: launched Live Music Now in the UK in 1977. The organisation now pays Four recitals by Live Music Now and trains professional musicians to Scotland ensembles, each concert featuring a piece of music work in the community, with commissioned by Live Music Now branches around the world, including the Scottish branch which Scotland. The Menuhin Centenary Series is presented with kind celebrated its thirtieth anniversary Yehudi Menuhin : support from Gavin McEwan, in in 2014. photo by Ian Gibb - Panvista Productions partnership with the Scottish Arts Club. For further info visit the Carol Main, director of Live Music Now Scotland (LMNS), was awarded Menuhin Centenary website - http:// Live Music Now Scotland will be The New York born menuhin.org/centenary/ an MBE in the 2015 New Year’s hosting three public concerts in Honours List for services to music. Edinburgh and a free one in violinist Yehudi She and her team have organised a 22 April: At Scottish Music Centre Glasgow at the Scottish Music City Halls, Candleriggs, Glasgow, G1 Menuhin may be Centre at lunchtime on 22 April. For busy programme of events to coincide with Menuhin’s Centenary, 1NQ, 1.10pm Rachel Spencer remembered best as a audiences unable to access the (violin) & David Munn (cello). FREE featuring many of the young public concerts, there will be a but ticketed, please book via musician, but he was range of centenary performances on musicians currently working with Eventbrite @ http://bit.ly/1QXk2oQ LMNS. in care homes, special schools and also a dedicated community centres across Scotland. “The idea is that, in the spirit of 22 April: At Scottish Arts Club, 24 human rights activist The first in the Menuhin Centenary Menuhin, we’ll bring together Rutland Square, EH1 2BW, 7pm. Emily Mitchell (soprano) & Geoffrey musicians of different genres to Series will be the Scottish Music and founder of Live Tanti (piano). explore new music, collaborate and Centre one on Menuhin's actual Music Now. This year birthday featuring Rachel Spencer gain deeper understanding of traditions,” explains Main. 20 May: At Scottish Arts Club, 24 marks the centenary (violin) and David Munn (cello). The different Rutland Square, EH1 2BW, 7pm. The programme was designed to young professional musicians will Calum Robertson (clarinet) & of Menuhin’s birth, play a composition by SMC member reflect Menuhin’s broad taste in Juliette Philogene (piano). music, and regular collaborations Eddie McGuire - 'Dance Suite for with a programme of Two', a piece commissioned by Live with classical, jazz and folk 17 June: At Scottish Arts Club, musicians. As well as collaborating events planned around Music Now Scotland, and Mr 7pm. Wildlings trio. Advance with Scottish fiddlers in the 80s, Delight, also written by booking advisable. Tickets: £10 (inc the world to celebrate Menuhin’s Menuhin also teamed up with his McGuire for a project in 1985, glass of wine) from 0131 332 6356 friend the renowned sitar player where Menuhin teamed up with his life. or email scotland@livemusicnow.org Ravi Shankar during the 60s, and Scottish folk band Whistlebinkies, and performed with Scottish fiddlers released the Grammy winning www.scotland@livemusicnow.org
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the mns collection ….
Music archaeology culture project recreates 1790's Scottish music Three leading exponents of historic instruments – blown, plucked and bowed – set out to recreate the ancient musical culture of the Scottish Highlands. Newly released is the CD 'Spellweaving', featuring Barnaby Brown on pipes, Bill Taylor on lyres and harp, plus Clare Salaman on fiddles and hurdy gurdy. They have recreated bagpipe music from a Scots manuscript of the 1790s, much of which is drawn from centuries-old traditions. The recording was made at the University of Huddersfield, which was also the venue for the first of a series of lecture-demonstrations and concerts that the musicians will perform. The University of Huddersfield is the academic home of Dr Rupert Till – Reader in Music – who is a key member of the European Music Archaeology Project (EMAP), funded by the EU. One of his roles in EMAP is to co-ordinate a series of recordings that are issued on the widely-distributed Delphian label. Dr Till was at the studio controls when the Spellweaving trio came to Huddersfield to make their disc.
Bill Taylor
accompaniment to the recital of poetry – including epics such as Beowulf. One of the lyres was a copy of an instrument discovered in the grave of a seventh century nobleman; another was based on an instrument found in the Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo.
Barnaby Brown demonstrated not only the bagpipe but several double or triple reed pipes – based on ancient originals – that are inserted directly into the mouth and played using a technique known as circular It consists of eight compositions selected breathing, enabling him to sustain the sound from the 167 that are to be found in Colin continuously. The recital saw the first public Campbell’s Instrumental Book, which dates outing for a meticulous recreation of a from 1797. They are not written down in Graeco-Roman aulos – a double pipe – the conventional notation but in a unique system original of which was discovered in Egypt and developed from the symbols that the master is now in the Louvre. Barnaby Brown had pipers of Scotland used to memorise and only recently been supplied with special reeds teach their music. On the recording, some of for the instrument and he gave the University the music is played on a recreation of an of Huddersfield audience a sample of its 18th century Highland bagpipe, but some is mysterious, mellow sound. It was an assigned to ancient forms of the harp, lyre instrument of huge potential, he said. and fiddle, plus a primitive form of flute Central to the lecture-recital at the fashioned from a vulture bone. Spellweaving event was an exploration on Coinciding with the release of the CD, “vocabelising”, the system of notating music Barnaby Brown and Bill Taylor made a return using symbols. It could then be sung as a visit to Huddersfield for the latest event to means of teaching and memorising complex take place at the University under the aegis patterns. It was shown how there are of EMAP – December saw the visit of John similarities between the use of vocabelising Kenny, who plays the ancient, trumpet-like to teach the Highland bagpipe, the Welsh carnyx. There was a full-length concert harp and – to the present day – the elaborate preceded by a lecture-workshop in which the rhythms mastered by players of the Indian two specialists gave insights into their tabla drum. The recital audience was invited research and their instruments. They to vocabelise one of the bagpipe performed pieces not only from the Campbell compositions notated in the Colin Campbell book but from other sources, including the manuscript. Robert ap Huw manuscript of ancient Welsh Vocabelising is an excellent form a pedagogy, harp music. according to Barnaby Brown. “The secret is Bill Taylor demonstrated wire and gut strung to have the music inside you before you put it on an instrument,” he said. “Singing it how harps and also two sizes of lyre, an ancient you get a piece into your brain and your string instrument – widely played for body.” countless centuries – that could be plucked or strummed and was also used as an
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A Glasgow Evening with The Hot Club Of Cowtown Touring and performing together for nearly two decades, America's premier hot jazz and Western swing trio Hot Club of Cowtown released "Midnight On The Trail", their ninth studio album, on 26 March and to coincide with the release they hit the road in the UK for seventeen live dates. Midnight On The Trail is a vintage mix of 12 Western swing songs and cowboy ballads hand-collected to reflect the spirit and joy of the American West. Utterly danceable, romantic and rustic, these songs truly represent the Cowtown of the Imagination, a source of inspiration for the band since it first began.
Ameripolitan Music Awards the globe trotting band continues to develop and its sound, winning new fans along the way. With Elana James (fiddle and vocals), Whit Smith (guitar and vocals) plus Jake Erwin (upright bass and vocals), the band perform a blistering mix of blues, jazz, folk, American fiddle tunes and pop standards with improvisation never more than the next beat away. The band, a big hit at Glasgow Americana in 2008, have toured with Dylan, Willie Nelson and The Mavericks and established themselves as favourites on both sides of the Atlantic with admirers such as Bob Harris and Jools Holland. “These are brilliant musicians who can play any kind of music and thrill an audience,” said Kevin Morris, of the Fallen Angels Club - “It’s great to be able to welcome them back.”
GIGnotes ..... And The Fallen Angel's Club, headed up Wednesday 6 April at St Andrew’s In The Square Glasgow. Tickets £16.50 from by Kevin Morris, are delighted to bring The Hot Club of Cowtown back to Glasgow Tickets Scotland 0141 204 5151. Doors 7.30pm, 8pm start for the first time in three years for a 6 www.facebook.com/hotclubofcowtown April show at St Andrews in the Square. Winners of the Western Swing Group of the Year 2015 Award at the 2015
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Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in top 10 of the world’s best performing arts institutions The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) has been ranked sixth in the world of performing arts education in a new global review published today. Scotland's national conservatoire today joined great world performing arts institutions including Juilliard in New York, Vienna's prestigious University of Music and the Performing Arts and the renowned Sibelius Academy in Finland in a new ranking published by the most respected global higher education ranking authority.
spectacular production of the iconic musical, Cabaret, and the launch of a new brand identity campaign aimed at attracting students to study at one of the world's most innovative conservatoires.
Watch a Royal Conservatoire of Scotland vid @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHXo5n_QYLk
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a national and international centre of excellence for the performing arts. Building on our roots in 1847 as The key campaign message, Life is not a a national academy of music, we are now one of rehearsal, speaks to prospective performing arts Europe’s most multi-disciplinary performing arts students who are making the important and lifehigher education centres offering specialised changing decision on where to apply for higher teaching across music, drama, dance, film and education study. production as well as encouraging transThe Conservatoire has also just recently disciplinary learning throughout our innovative announced a £2.3million campaign to create new curriculum. Creative Campus with a one-to-one teaching complex and the creation of a flexible rehearsal space. www.facebook.com/rcsofficial
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RCS is a national and international centre of excellence for the performing arts. It is one of the world's most multi-disciplinary arts learning and teaching environments. Through our innovative curriculum we offer highly specialised education in and across the art forms of music, drama, dance, film and production. Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland said: "I am thrilled and incredibly proud to see the innovative and ground-breaking work of our staff and students recognised in the global top 10 of these highly-respected QS rankings. The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is leading the way in redefining the performing arts for our nation and our students and graduates make diverse and important contributions to the arts and society globally. "There is a special energy and daring creativity in our home city of Glasgow and I hope this recognition helps celebrate Scotland's place as one of the world's dynamic cultural nations." Founded in 1847, RCS now has around 1000 students from 52 countries around the world. Famous alumni include David Tennant, Alan Cumming, Melody Grove, Sir David McVicar, Crystal Clarke, Sophie Martin, James McAvoy and Kirsty Wilson-Cairns. The world ranking announcement comes as the RCS celebrates a five star review for its
RCS Drummer Lauren Macdonald : photo by RCS - KK Dundas
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Little Fire to fly the flag for Scotland in New York Little Fire aka Jamie McGeechan from Ayr has been invited to perform at this month's 'Tartan Week' in New York. The event, which draws thousands of people from all over the globe, is in celebration of Scots and their contribution to America as well as a celebration of all things Scottish. Tartan Week features live music performances, exhibitions and culminates in a huge parade down 6th avenue featuring Scots and honorary Scots accompanied by hundreds of pipers from Scotland and around the world. Little Fire will be performing at events including Bryant Park on Friday 8 April and the Post Parade party at Stout on Sunday 10 April. Little Fire will also be a guest of the American Scottish Foundation, who invited him to perform at their annual Burns Supper in Manhattan in January 2015 where he launched his Roots EP, a world first recording made within Burns Cottage in Alloway. The Tartan Week performances will coincide with the release of a new EP entitled 'Hear The Call'. Previously Little Fire has shared stages with Damien Rice, Joan Armatrading, King Creosote, Dougie Maclean and Eddi Reader.
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music news scotland
RSNO @ 125 Years Old The 2016:17 Season presents the second of its two-Season celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and marks the fifth consecutive year of Peter Oundjian’s tenure as RSNO Music Director and Thomas Søndergård as RSNO Principal Guest Conductor. In the coming orchestral year we also welcome the return of RSNO Conductor Laureate Neeme Järvi who celebrates his 80th birthday in 2017. In a Season which will see the RSNO perform a hundred times across four countries, the Orchestra exploits the expertise of one of the UK’s largest professional symphonic ensembles. Through its own-promoted Season, performances at highprofile events and performing partnerships, the RSNO will perform to audiences across eleven Scottish towns and cities. As well as meeting the increasing and evolving appetite for live orchestral music in Scotland, the Orchestra will perform its role of cultural ambassador by undertaking two significant international tours, of Spain and the USA, both with its Music Director Peter Oundjian.
Britten’s arrangement of What the Wild Flowers Tell Me) Sibelius (Violin Concerto; Canzonetta, Scene with Cranes, Valse triste from Kuolema; The Oceanides; Finlandia; Symphony No5) and Beethoven (Piano Concerto cycle, Symphonies 1, 3, 7 & 8; Leonore Overture No3), the anniversary celebrations reflect the Orchestra’s historical connection with the repertoire.
stantial period of change over the past twelve months; at the centre of this progression our move to the fabulous new rehearsal, performance and recording venue in the centre of Glasgow. We now have at our disposal an environment appropriate for the demands of a modern professional orchestra seeking every opportunity to develop and grow. From this moment forward we will be proving to our supporters what this, a For 2016:17 the RSNO will further consolidate its progressive performing arts organisation fit for position as Classic FM’s Orchestra in Scotland by the 21st century, can really do.” broadcasting a series of its live performances on the nation’s favourite classical radio station, The RSNO continues to make connections with which recently announced an increase in its lisnew artists and foster closer collaborations with tenership to nearly six million a year. From Octo- existing relationships. Eight conductors make ber to December 2016 the RSNO’s live perform- their RSNO debut; Omer Meir Wellber, Rafael ances will be aired live or as-live weekly across Payare, Eivind Gullberg Jensen, Cornelius the UK on the Orchestra’s partner broadcaster. Meister, Lahav Shani, Karina Canellakis, Leo McFall, Jamie Phillips and Nikolaj Znaider, who RSNO Music Director Peter Oundjian: “We returns as conductor rather than solo violinist. approach the second of our two-Season 125th Soloists joining the Orchestra for the first time anniversary celebration with a reason to be joyinclude Giovanni Sollima, Sergei Krylov, Jennifer ful. Over the past year the Orchestra has revJohnston, Angel Blue, Alexander Vinogradov, Edelled in playing to packed venues, with supporgaras Montvidas, Elizaberth De Shong, Robin tive audiences keen to enjoy their national symBlaze, Joshua Ellicott and Jennifer Johnston. phonic ensemble and share in the excitement of live orchestral music. Guest artists returning include conductors Cristian Macelaru, John Storgards, Carlos Miguel “It’s a particular reason for both Principal Guest Prieto, Andrew Litton and James Feddeck. ReConductor Thomas Søndergård and myself to turning soloists familiar to RSNO audiences incelebrate too, as we mark our fifth seasons with clude Nicola Benedetti, Paul Lewis, Lars Vogt, the RSNO. It is with great pride that together Simon Trpčeski, Ingrid Fliter, Jonathan Biss, Niwith the musicians, chorus members and staff kolai Lugansky, Alice Sara Ott, Roderick Wilwe’ve contributed to the continuing success of liams, Evelina Dobračeva, Karen Cargill, Elizathis precious cultural gem; a gem we are confibeth Atherton and Peter Harvey. dently presenting to audiences both at home and abroad in this milestone year.”
Large-scale symphonic works, the speciality of the RSNO, feature heavily in 2016:17. With a focus on Rachmaninov, (Second and Third Symphonies, Symphonic Dances and Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini). Mahler (First Symphony, RSNO Chief Executive Dr Krishna ThiagaraThird Symphony, Rückert-Lieder, Blumine and jan: “The RSNO has transitioned through a sub-
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RSNO 2015:16 Season, with Maestros Peter Oundjian, Thomas Søndergård, Stéphane Denève and Alexander Lazarev
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EDDI READER :: album :: The Best Of Eddi Reader release date - out now @ www.eddireader.co.uk/shop
The Best of Eddi Reader is the first career spanning compilation by this supremely talented, unique and charismatic singer. A new double album that collects thirty of her most consistently beautiful, often deeply personal and intimate songs.
“Just perfect – Eddi Reader gets every song just right” - The Sunday Times “Eddi Reader is one of my favourite singers of all time” - Jools Holland “One of the great voices in British music” Acoustic magazine
Everlasting favourites are in abundance including her 1992 recording of Featuring material from across Eddi’s prestigious the Fred Neil 30 year recording career, 'The Best of' includes song the charming acoustic pop of 1988 chart topper Dolphins and Perfect (with Fairground Attraction), right up to 2003’s Wild her remarkable 2015 versions of the standard Mountainside Moon River and Amy Winehouse’s Love Is A (the poetic Losing Game. ballad written and given to Eddi by partner and songwriter John Douglas, included on the classic Songs of Robert Burns album). 'The Best of Eddi Reader' gives us a generous insight into her wide ranging artistry and songwriting, time and again showcasing her knack for picking a great song and then making it her own. As Eddi sang on the track Roses ‘Open up your heart to the passing of time, don’t regret a thing you leave behind’. About the new album Eddi says… “Every time I record I rarely listen again, so when I do hear something I've done I get surprised and my mind hasn't time to pick it apart- when I listened through to this collection I found myself reconnecting with every chord, melodic shift, percussion push and vocal thread. It reminded me of myself like little Polaroids. I can't believe how beautiful it is- I am very proud of this music.”
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PAUL TASKER :: album :: Cold Weather Music release date - out now @ https://paultasker.bandcamp.com/releases
Acclaimed Doghouse Roses Guitarist and songwriter, Paul Tasker, whose soundtrack sound ‘mines the best of folk and Americana’ R2, released his first all instrumental album 'Cold Weather Music' on Yellowroom Records in late March. Performed primarily on acoustic guitar, the ten tracks are musical responses to both real life and imagined events. These experiences can be found on tracks such as the homage to New Years day Ne’er Day, defiant slide guitar optimism on Valve Oil, or Rising’s sense of calm after the storm. Clawhammer 5 string banjo takes over Tundra Plane and Husker’s Theme,
written for a fictional character travelling with his adopted daughter from Scotland to the USA at the turn of the 20th century. Long term collaborator Dejan Lapanja adds guitar to two duets, giving a jazz glow to the striding InE, and a film-noir melancholy to Blooms in the Autumn. Recorded in Glasgow at Green Door Studios and The Audio lounge, the album also features
performances by Jo Shaw (Flute), Corran Macarthur (cello), Thomas Marsden (pedal steel and weissborn guitars), and Luigi Pasquini on percussion. In addition to playing guitar, the record was mixed and mastered in Berlin and Ljubljana by Dejan Lapanja, with further vinyl mastering by Martin Zvilic. Cold Weather Music is Glasgow resident Paul Tasker’s first album under his own name. It will be released on limited edition heavy-weight vinyl with a 16 page insert featuring spectacular artwork and photography by Whisky & Milk. As well as the Doghouse Roses, Tasker has played guitar or banjo on records by The Willard Grant Conspiracy, Brian Hughes, Nick Garrie and Katarina Juvancic & Dejan Lapanja. GIGnotes: APRIL: 6th, Dundee Acoustic Music Club / 7th The Speakeasy @ The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh / 8th The Hug & Pint, Glasgow / 9th The Blue Lamp, Aberdeen. MAY: 18th The Hug & Pint, Glasgow
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VÈLONIÑOS :: album :: Vèloniños release date - out now @ http://www.veloninos.com/shop/
The VÈLONIÑOS from Glasgow and the west of Scotland, their musical influences firmly rooted in Americana, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Country and Rockabilly inspired by the likes of Hank Williams, Gene Vincent, Carl Perkins and The Everlys to name but a few.
Davie Duncan (Vocals) and Kenny McLellan (Guitar) were previously members of the early 80s Rockabilly trio the Shakin' Pyramids. Completing the lineup are old pals Laurie Cuffe (Lead Guitar) formerly of Glasgow’s Cuban Heels and The One’o’Clock Gang and Shug Jamieson (Double Bass) of The Spooks, The Kingpins and so many more.
live at Glasgow’s Ceòl’s Craic Americana Night and guest as part of Festival 2014 in celebration of Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games followed. The boys hadn’t seen each other for many years The guys decided until an impromptu get together followed by a to take things few jam sessions rekindled the fire. Enjoying the further by releasing a digital EP in July 2015 experience of writing together, invitations to play followed by the release of a full-length studio album in February 2016. As Davie says, “life has taken us all in different directions over the years but at the end of the day we’ve never lost our love for the music that kindled the fire in the first place, it’s just good to sing”. During those intervening years Davie and Shug got seriously into their passion for road cycling, so much so that one of their songs, “Hey Véloniño!”, a salute to the greatest race on earth itself would give the group it’s name. “We’d like to think there’s a little of who we are and where we come from in the songs too, “Levengrove Park”, “Helenstown” and “These Quiet Lands” are all relevant to where we live and we hope you’ll enjoy this album for what it is: a no nonsense rockin' record in all it's different guises”.
Get yer ankles movin’!
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CLAIRE HASTINGS :: album :: Between River and Railway release date - 29 April @ www.clairehastings.com
Since winning the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year title in 2015, folk singer Claire Hastings’ debut album Between River and Railway has been hotly anticipated.
The album features exciting arrangements of traditional folk songs alongside Claire’s selfpenned material, including the stunning ‘The House at Rosehill’. This song features the album title in the lyrics, and is a reference to Claire’s childhood home near Dumfries. Songs are brought to life with band members Jenn Butterworth (guitar & vocals), Laura Wilkie (fiddle) and Andrew Waite (accordion) as well as guests Martin O’Neill (percussion) and Duncan Lyall (bass).
Robert Burns’ ‘The Posie’, which has been controversially deemed superior to the original. A lively rendition of ‘Let Ramensky Go’ also features, which Claire has performed twice with BBC Scottish Recorded at Carrier Waves Studio (Glasgow) and Symphony produced by Ali Hutton (Treacherous Orchestra, Orchestra at Proms in the Park and at BBC Music Old Blind Dogs) one of Scotland’s foremost Day, where she also sang alongside Lulu, Jamie multi-instrumentalists, the album showcases Cullum and Deacon Blue. ‘The Gretna Girls’ was Claire’s beautifully clear voice in the Scots and written after a visit to the Devil’s Porridge English languages. Museum near Gretna, once the site of what The album includes Claire’s alternative melody to during the First World War was the UK’s largest munitions factory. Claire will be touring the album with her band in May and June this year following a solo tour of New Zealand in April. GIGnotes: May 4th DUMFRIES Theatre Royal 01387 253383 6th SKYE (with Jenn Butterworth only) Red Roof Café 01470 511766 8th GLASGOW Cottiers Theatre 0141 3575825 12th ULLAPOOL The Ceilidh Place 01854 612103 27th BANCHORY Woodend Barn 01330 825431 June 3rd ARRAN (Solo) Arran Folk Festival 17th NEW GALLOWAY The Catstrand 01644 420374 18th KILLIN Killin Music Festival
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new releases
music news scotland
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scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download MARS PATROL
PAUL TASKER
HUGH KELLY
Human Condition
Cold Weather Music
Give Me All Your Love
This is Doghouse Roses' guitarist Paul Tasker's first solo album. An all instrumental album peformed on fingerstyle guitar and clawhammer banjo with flute, flatpicked guitar, cello, pedal steel guitar and percussion. The 10 tracks are musical responses to both real life and imagined events and largely have a folk or old time Americana feel, but with 2 guitar duets adding a jazz tinge.
Alt.Blues/Soul musician, Hugh Kelly found his ‘big’ voice busking on the streets of Edinburgh in his teens. Now 21, his debut EP combines intricate songwriting, catchy melodies and a sense of raw emotion. “an extraordinary voice that ranges from the crunch of steps on a pebbly British beach, to a soaring heavenly and slightly whiskey-soaked angel’s falsetto” Arun Kendall, BackseatMedia.com
Album / cd / download Release Date: 29 April
The Mars Patrol have been honing their stirring alternative rock sound over a series of rapturouslyreceived EPs and singles. Now it’s time for their first album "Human Condition". The album is crammed full of songs more melodic than a spaceship full of Nightingales that stick in your head like a recurring dream you won't ever want to wake up from. Recorded between the Capitals of both Scotland and England respectively and mixed by Tim Palmer (U2, Goo Goo Dolls) and Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, Twin Atlantic), the Album is entirely crowd funded by The Mars Patrol's mega-loyal legion of international fans the reward of relentless touring and maintaining enthusiastic online relationships. Listen/Watch: www.youtube.com/themarspatrol www.soundcloud.com/themarspatrol Available from: www.themarspatrol.com + iTunes + Amazon www.themarspatrol.com www.twitter.com/themarspatrol www.facebook.com/themarspatrol
Album cd + download + vinyl Release Date: Out Now
Listen/Watch: https://souncloud.com www.youtube.com Available from: www.paultaskermusic.com https://paultasker.bandcamp.com www.paultaskermusic.com https://twitter.com/pntasker www.facebook.com/paultaskermusic
EP download Release Date: Out Now
Listen/Watch: www.HughKellyMusic.com/music www.soundcloud.com/HughKellyMusic Available from: iTunes www.HughKellyMusic.com www.Twitter.com/HughKellyMusic www.Facebook.com/HughKellyMusic
CLAIRE HASTINGS
CAROLINE GILMOUR MULL HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Between River and Railway
Electric Waterfalls EP cd / download / 7" vinyl Release Date: 25 March
This is an exciting new 4 track EP release that is a departure from my usual sound and has been heavily influenced by my love of pop music. I worked with the incredible Jud Mahoney (Justin Timberlake, Usher, Michael Jackson) who produced this EP, and it's also the first time I have included a co-written track on a release, working with Jud and hitmaker John McLaughlin (Busted, Westlife, Bay City Rollers). 'Love this soaring piece of perfect Adult Pop. Fantastic songwriting and beautiful vocal delivery" - John McLaughlin Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/carolinegilmour https://carolinegilmour.bandcamp.com https://www.youtube.com/user/caggyg Available from: https://carolinegilmour.bandcamp.com iTunes / Amazon Vinyl via Apollo Music, Paisley www.carolinegilmour.com https://twitter.com/CGilmourMusic www.facebook.com/CarolineGilmourMusic
Album cd / download Release Date: 29 April
Dear Satellite Album cd / download Release Date: 8 April
Dear Satellite was produced by Grammy award-winning Dom Morley, known for his work on Amy Winehouse's Back To Black, as well as working with Adele, Grinderman and Sting. He also produced Colin's first album on Xtra Mile Recordings, City Awakenings released in 2012. The album is ten tracks of floating, positive, textually diverse pop songs. Listen/Watch: https://youtu.be/_d_BK5-1PVk Available from: Xtra Mile Recordings: http://smarturl.it/DearSatellite-XMR Amazon: http://smarturl.it/MHS-DearSatellite iTunes: http://smarturl.it/DearSatellite-iTunes http://mullhistoricalsociety.com/ https://twitter.com/MullHistorical www.facebook.com/mullhistorical
Since winning the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year title in 2015, folk singer Claire Hastings’ debut album Between River and Railway has been hotly anticipated. The album features exciting arrangements of traditional folk songs alongside Claire’s self-penned material. The songs are brought to life with band members Jenn Butterworth (guitar & vocals), Laura Wilkie (fiddle) and Andrew Waite (accordion) as well as guests Martin O’Neill (percussion) and Duncan Lyall (bass). Throughout the album, whether Claire is singing in the tradition, about her home, sharing life experiences or interpreting the works of Robert Burns and William Douglas, there’s an enduring sense of beauty, in both vocals and music. (Folkwords)
Listen/Watch: https://youtu.be/cfESHtRcRRE https://clairehastings.bandcamp.com Available from: www.clairehastings.com bandcamp, iTunes and Amazon MP3 as well as selected stores from 29 April www.clairehastings.com www.twitter.com/ClaireHastings1 www.facebook.com/ClaireHastingsMusic
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music news scotland
scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download DAVID ALTAIR
ASHTON LANE
DUNT
B-Sides
One Kiss Later
Between Punk Rock and a Hard Place
David Altair has just released his 6th album entitled ‘B-Sides’. This is some work that was previously never released and is quite rare. The album has quite a psychedelic feel to it especially ‘we can’t stop now (the Wall)’. The album flows into a journey of ambient sounds and experimentation.
Ashton Lane are part of a new wave of homegrown modern country music originating in the UK and are sure to expand their growing fan base this year. The single One Kiss Later is out on 29 February 2016 Ashton Lane consist of Esther O’Connor and Tim O’Connor. The band performs as a duo but at times as a three piece when Graeme Duffin (Wet Wet Wet) joins them as guest guitarist. The band has a romantic back story, being husband and wife and also come from fine musical stock. Esther O’Connor’s musical heritage however spans right back to her childhood. She remembers being out on tour at only five years of age with Elton John on his US tour accompanying her Dad’s band Wet Wet Wet.
Album download Release Date: Out Now
Listen/Watch: https://davidaltair.bandcamp.com/album/b-sides www.youtube.com/user/TheDavidaltair/ https://davidaltair.bandcamp.com Available from: https://davidaltair.bandcamp.com/album/b-sides https://davidaltair.bandcamp.com
Single / download Release Date: Out Now
EP / cd Release Date: 1 April
After near self-destruction, Edinburgh's Skate Punks are back via the Infinite Hive music label, with five fast, melodic, punk rock tunes on a variety of subjects that shape our everyday misery. Featuring DUNT's nihilistic sense of humour and cutting riffs and rhythms, this is their strongest EP yet. Listen/Watch: https://dunt.bandcamp.com/
Available from: www.ashtonlaneofficial.com
Available from: https://dunt.bandcamp.com/ Google Play Music' Amazon mp3, iTunes, Spotify http://infinitehive.com/shop.html VoxBox Music, 21 St Stephen Street, Stockbridge Elvis Shakespeare, 347 Leith Walk, Edinburgh Vinyl Villains, 5 Elm Row, Edinburgh
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Listen/Watch: www.ashtonlaneofficial.com/#video
DROPKICK
VÉLONIÑOS THE STRANGE BLUE DREAMS
Balance The Light Album cd / download / vinyl Release Date: 25 March
'Balance the Light' is Dropkick's most varied collection of songs, showcasing their unique harmony-driven alt.country powerpop. “Their music has an originality about it that defies explanation.....blending almost equal parts alternative, indie-pop, folk and country.” Maverick Magazine. 'Balance the Light' will be launched with two special German shows in April, followed by Scottish dates: 21/4 Clark's, Dundee, 22/4 Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, 23/4 13th Note, Glasgow. Listen/Watch: https://dropkickmusic.bandcamp.com YouTube Available from: itunes, amazon, spotify, google play, apple music and other digital sites. Available from: Coda Music (Edinburgh), Love Music (Glasgow), Assai Records (Broughty Ferry, Dundee), Wall of Noise (Haddington), Vinyl Frontier (Dunbar) www.dropkickmusic.co.uk www.facebook.com/dropkickmusic www.twitter.com/dropkickmusic
Veloninos Reverberatin' Love EP cd / download Release Date: Out Now
The Strange Blue Dreams present their debut EP, three songs that passionately distil the various golden ages of popular song into a unique and exciting new sound. Menacing drums and surf-noir guitars, a cowboy anthem with a dash of Bollywood and Sun Records hillbilly beat, and a Scots air peppered with Balkan drama. Listen/Watch: https://holysmokesrecordsuk.bandcamp.com YouTube Available from: iTunes http://holysmokesrecordsuk.bandcamp.com/ Love Music, 34 Dundas St, Glasgow G1 2AQ. https://twitter.com/@the_SBDs
www.facebook.com/thestrangebluedreams
Album / cd / download Release Date: Out Now The Véloniños; From way out West Port Glasgow and beyond. Their musical influences firmly rooted in americana, rock ‘n’ roll, country and rockabilly, Inspired by the likes of Hank Williams, Gene Vincent, Carl Perkins and The Everlys, to name but a few. This is the debut album from the group, featuring all six tracks from their previously released digital EP and four brand new tracks. “We’d like to think there’s a little of who we are and where we come from in the songs too, Levengrove Park, Helenstown and These Quiet Lands are all relevant to where we live and we hope you’ll enjoy this album for what it is: a no nonsense rockin’ record in all its different guises.” Listen/Watch: www.veloninos.com YouTube Available from: www.veloninos.com amazon / itunes www.veloninos.com www.facebook.com/veloninos https://twitter.com/veloninos
music news scotland
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scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download ROMAN NOSE
CELTIC VOYAGE
DEADLY INSCRIPTION
Jacked Up On Mercy
Various Artists
A Testament To Sin
Glasgow’s finest purveyors of sadomasochistic, masked electronica, Roman Nose return to our radars with the release of much anticipated 4 Track E.P. ‘Jacked Up On Mercy' via their own Badly Built Records label. This is bass-heavy, dark and dirty electronic music dipped in futuristic territory, full of pounding synths and driven electro beats.
An enchanting collection of Celtic moods with haunting uilleann pipes, magical harps, fiddles, accordions, guitars… from Ireland, Scotland and Brittany. Beautiful and atmospheric songs, ballads and laments conjure an atmosphere of mystery and magic, reminiscent of the music to the film “Titanic” or to “Riverdance”. Features 2016 Grammy Nominee for Best New Age Album, Catherine Duc [Voyager, MG Music], performing the self-penned song ‘Owen’s Boat.’
EP download Release Date: Out Now
Listen/Watch: https://romannose.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/roman-nose-1 Available from: iTunes, Bandcamp, Spotify etc https://soundcloud.com/roman-nose-1 https://twitter.com/RMNOSE www.facebook.com/romannosemusic
Album cd Release Date: 25 March
Listen/Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w5vCqfsjJg Available from: http://geni.us/2h50 www.arcmusic.co.uk/shop/index.php
EP CD + Most online streaming/download services Spotify, Itunes, Amazon, Deezer, Release Date: 26 February
A Testament to Sin is the product of the last year of work from the newly formed line-up. It's a collection of fictional tales of dark characters and scenarios, we used the titles as a basis for the creation of the tracks, and made a conscious effort to keep the E.P out of any sub-genre/category Listen/Watch: www.soundcloud.com/deadly-inscription www.youtube.com/deadlyinscriptionband Available from: www.deadlyinscription.com http://thegrimstore.bigcartel.com/products All Major Digital Outlets www.facebook.com/deadlyinscription https://twitter.com/DIMETALUK www.deadlyinscription.com
WHISKY KISS
CARA SARAH HAYES
sexySOUNDS
Yet We Sing
Album cd / download Release Date: 15 January
Born of a love affair with Celtic music, Cara features four of Germany’s finest traditional musicians, with Scottish singer-songwriter Kim Edgar, delivering an innovative blend of trad/new material, and twin lead vocals. Touring Scotland: Celtic Connections 27th, Eden Court 28th, Carnegie Hall 29th, Queens Hall 30th Jan 2015. Listen/Watch: Live trailer @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQmLTW1W6G4 Yet We Sing Promo @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhXUjwMvvuc Available from: www.cara-music.com www.cara-music.com www.facebook.com/caramusic www.twitter.com/caramusic
Woven
Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now
Sarah released her début album, Woven, to widespread acclaim in November 2015. This inventive, emotional music explores the relationship between experience and identity; setting traditional words to new tunes and new tunes to traditional forms, tying them together with recurring themes in ‘an utterly compelling tapestry’ (Folk Radio UK). Listen/Watch: www.soundcloud.com/sarah_hayes www.sarahhayes.bandcamp.com Available from: www.sarahhayes.net/shop/ www.sarahhayes.bandcamp.com Love Music (Glasgow) Coda Music (Edinburgh) www.sarahhayes.net www.facebook.com/sarahjhayesmusic www.twitter.com/sarahhayes_
Album cd / download Release Date: 18 January
Debut album from World Record Breaking band Whisky Kiss. Unusually for a Scots trad band debut album, sexySOUNDS by Whisky Kiss includes 3 tracks used by Visit Scotland, 2 tracks that are Guinness World Records & 1 iTunes no1 (debut single Jocks Revenge topped the charts in Uruguay & Luxembourg) Listen/Watch: www.whiskykiss.com Available from: https://itunes.apple.com www.amazon.co.uk www.whiskykiss.com https://twitter.com/twistedtartan www.facebook.com/Whisky-Kiss119642618071059
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music news scotland
scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download TOY TIN SOLDIER
THE RISING SOULS
AMY RAYNER
Yield
Yardbird
Two Years Long
The Rising Souls are a thumping blue eyed soul band from central Scotland. They have been met with universal praise throughout the UK, Europe and more recently NYC. Their second album 'Yardbird' is a mesmerising blend of country, blues and soul. Frontman Dave Archibald displays a powerhouse vocal reminiscent of Frankie Miller and Otis Redding. Supporting Dave are Roy 'Kelso' Laing on bass and Tom Reed on percussion.
Amy Rayner is a singer songwriter from St. Andrews, Scotland, who's relatable and honest lyrics blend amicably with her memorable, soaring melodies. Her new EP 'Two Years Long' is a very personal work that centres around the three stages of a relationship, beginning, middle and end, and features a fusion of genres from folk and pop to country and blues.
Album - cd / download Release Date: 26 February Toy Tin Soldier is a Scottish indie rock singer songwriter Joe Gallacher, formerly of Mr.Kil. A solo journey supported by a revolving door of incredible support musicians he has worked with over the years, whilst touring with the likes of Hue & Cry, Turin Brakes and Martha Wainwright. Gallacher was born in the outskirts of Glasgow in the small village of Blantyre. Born into a working class family, music became an escapism from the realities of being a teenage in the 90’s. Pretty soon he was in love with all sorts of bedrock music, particularly rock, blues, country and of course the 90’s Brit Pop era. Inspired by melodic Kings such as Noel Gallagher, Bruce Springsteen and more recently Foy Vance. Listen/Watch: www.youtube.com Available from: iTunes and all download mediums. www.toytinsoldier.com/ https://twitter.com/toytinsoldier www.facebook.com/toytinsoldier
Album cd Release Date: Out Now
Listen/Watch: https://youtu.be/DNSnsV6sLNA Available from: Amazon www.therisingsouls.com www.facebook.com/therisingsouls https://twitter.com/TheRisingSouls
DJANA GABRIELLE
EP cd / download Release Date: 28 February
Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/amy-rayner www.youtube.com/user/amyraynermusic https://amyrayner.bandcamp.com/ Available from: Spotify + buy on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Rhapsody, TIDAL and Deezer www.amyrayner.co.uk www.facebook.com/ AmyRaynerSingerSongwriter https://twitter.com/amyrayner
JOSEPHINE SILLARS DUKE OF NORFOLK
That Very First Day EP download Release Date: Out Now
Debut EP from the French Cameroonian singer-songwriter. Recorded in Glasgow in the space of 2 days, the EP is an introduction to Djana Gabrielle's rich songwriting and melodies. Ethereal and soulful, « That Very First Day » is the promising debut from an artist to follow. Listen/Watch: Spotify http://open.spotify.com Youtube (Dance with me) www.youtube.com Available from: https://itunes.apple.com www.amazon.co.uk www.djanagabrielle.com www.facebook.com/DjanaGabrielle www.twitter.com/djana_gabrielle
Vincent There Is a Train (and a platform at either end) EP download Release Date: 5 January
Intended as a brief companion to The Duke of Norfolk's album Three Days From the Wolf Month, There Is a Train (and a platform at either end) takes the shape of a journey. The EP employs sounds suggestive of train travel alongside The Duke's characteristic guitar and banjo to reinforce the themes of wandering and to frame a picture of life from birth to death. Listen/Watch: https://thedukeofnorfolk.bandcamp.com YouTube Soundcloud Available from: https://thedukeofnorfolk.bandcamp.com http://thedukeofnorfolk.com/ https://twitter.com/thdukeofnorfolk www.facebook.com/thedukeofnorfolk
single download Release Date: Out Now
‘Vincent’ was written after Josephine discovered that Vincent Van Gogh ‘used to eat yellow paint to make his insides happy’. An upbeat song about beating hearts, serotonin highs and yellow walls, played on piano, xylophone and drums, 'Vincent' is launched at the world famous King Tuts Wah Wah Hut in December. Listen/Watch: https://josephinesillars.bandcamp.com https://itunes.apple.com Available from: https://josephinesillars.bandcamp.com https://itunes.apple.com www.josephinesillars.com www.facebook.com/josephinesillarsmusic https://twitter.com/josephinehere
music news scotland
page 25
scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download CHARLOTTE HATHAWAY BOREAS Ahoy Hoy & MIKE VASS Album (featuring Mairi Campbell) The Dead Stations
cd / download Release Date: out now
Album - cd / download - Release Date: 11 March
'Like sun on the sea surface.' 'A haunting, “The whole forest has this feeling of going on forever. ethereal bridge between cultures.’ (Sunday And if you lose track of the train line then you’re lost..." Herald) AHOY HOY, is the eagerly awaited A story told through original music and audio drama debut album from Boreas, shaped by spanning featuring new songs by Mike Vass performed by haunting vocalist Mairi Campbell. Dead Stations are out the expanses of the North Sea. In this of use platforms on a remote train line through the recording the band have created something forested mountains. It’s a story designed to be listened both warm and sparse, shadowy and to: a mystery about loneliness and the mind, inspired glistening, simple and intricate, it is indeed a by a train ride through Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest and glorious debut. abstract ideas about Little Red Riding Hood.
AMY DUNCAN Undercurrents
Album cd / download / vinyl Release Date: 19 February Undercurrents is somewhere to the left of folk-pop with rich string arrangements, gorgeous harp and bass, and interesting drums and percussion. You will find emotional songs exploring themes of mental health, dissociation and hallucinatory experiences; self acceptance and letting go to the flow of emotions to find real love and connection. Releasing on my own label Filly Records. The vinyl is being licensed to Diverse Vinyl. Listen/Watch: https://youtu.be/GhEBe0kS_80 https://youtu.be/IWyLVw0OmOs
Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/unroofedrecords https://youtu.be/Mp5vjZJ1tic
Listen/Watch: www.boreasband.bandcamp.com
Available from: www.mikevass.com + www.unroofed.com
Available from: www.boreasband.bandcamp.com www.islemusicscotland.com
Available from: Pre-order from Pledge Music: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/amy-duncan & receive instant download of 2 songs plus free entry to the album launch on 25 Feb at The Voodoo Rooms
www.boreasband.com www.twitter.com/boreasband www.facebook.com/boreasband
http://amyduncan.co.uk/ https://twitter.com/Amy_Duncan www.facebook.com/amy.duncan.music https://soundcloud.com/amy-duncan
www.facebook.com/vassmusic www.unroofed.com www.mikevass.com www.charlottehathaway.com
IMAGINARY SILVER COAST CREATURES
IMAGINARY FREELAND BARBOUR CREATURES
IMAGINARY STEAL THE SUN CREATURES
The Music and the Land Seasons
EP cd / download The Butterfly’s Dream Release Album Date: 13 November cd / download ReleaseEP Date: This forOutusNow has been
a long time coming. were lot of Imaginary CreaturesThere is a virtual band, a a studio project formed by the collaboration of lyricist different emotions present when and songwriter David Scott and producer and itmulti-instrumentalist was written and we are Iain McKinna. The Butterfly’s Dream is their with debut album. Guest incredibly happy the sound musicians include guitar ace Keith More, of it andlegend the Fraser way Speirs the songs harmonica and ex- can Lindisfarne Rod Clements. relate tosongwriter a number of different situations in people's life's. We Listen/Watch: www.reverbnation.com/imaginarycreatures are so proud of this record! Available from: Listen/Watch: Birnam Shop: http://bit.ly/1bLhVDw www.soundcloud.com/silvercoastmusic-1 www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ID7BLAK www.YouTube.com/silvercoastmusic www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ID7BLAK http://amzn.to/1heO9qD Available from: also coming soonBig on Cartel itunes + spotify iTunes, Amazon, Facebook: www.facebook.com/silvercoastmusic www.facebook.com/pages/Imaginary-Creatures/392409684214473 https://twitter.com/silvercoastband
Album cd Release Date: Out Now
This CD sampler is intended as an The Butterfly’stoDream accompaniment the book The Album Music and the Land, a journey of cd / download words, photography and melody Release Date: Out Now through the lands that have Imaginary Creatures is a virtual band, a studio inspired Freeland Barbour’s project formed by the collaboration of lyricist and songwriter David Scott and producer compositions. The sampler and multi-instrumentalist Iain McKinna. The contains 14 tracks taken from Butterfly’s Dream is their debut album. Guest recordings over the 35 ears musicians include guitar acepast Keith More, harmonica legend Fraser Speirs and and illustrating some of theex-music Lindisfarne songwriter Rod Clements. from the book. It is available for Listen/Watch: £5, or free with each copy of the www.reverbnation.com/imaginarycreatures book. Available from: Available from: Birnam Shop: http://bit.ly/1bLhVDw www.bonskeidmusic.com www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ID7BLAK and Freeland’s live events www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ID7BLAK Book @ http://amzn.to/1heO9qD www.freelandbarbour.co.uk/shop.htm also coming soon on itunes + spotify www.bonskeidmusic.com Facebook: www.freelandbarbour.co.uk www.facebook.com/pages/Imaginary-Creatures/392409684214473 www.birlinn.co.uk/Music-and-the-Land.html
Somewhere, Sometime Debut Album cd / download The Butterfly’s Dream Release Album Date: 4 December cd / download Release Date:conceived Out Now Originally as an
idea to change the face of music forever. Imaginary Creatures is a virtual band, a studio Steal Sun have forgedoftheir project the formed by the collaboration lyricist and songwriter David Scott and producer and way into the spotlight by infusing multi-instrumentalist Iain McKinna. The many genres and Butterfly’s Dream isand theirinfluences debut album. Guest musicians include guitar ace Keith More, evolving their music to create a harmonica legend Fraser Speirs and exbeautiful and addictive sound.' Lindisfarne songwriter Rod Clements. Listen/Watch: Listen/Watch: www.youtube.com/stealthesunuk www.reverbnation.com/imaginarycreatures www.reverbnation.com/stealthesunuk Available from: Available from: Birnam Shop: http://bit.ly/1bLhVDw www.stealthesunuk.bandcamp.com www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ID7BLAK www.facebook.com/stealthesunuk for hard copy www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ID7BLAK http://amzn.to/1heO9qD https://twitter.com/StealTheSunUk also coming soon on itunes + spotify www.facebook.com/stealthesunuk www.reverbnation.com/stealthesunuk Facebook: www.instagram.com/stealthesunuk www.facebook.com/pages/Imaginary-Creatures/392409684214473 www.stealthesunuk.bandcamp.com
page 26
music news scotland
scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download BREABACH
FINN ANDERSON
Astar
Uncharted Lands
Album - cd / download Release Date: 11 March After a whirlwind five years traversing the globe, Breabach are delighted to present their fifth studio album, Astar (tr. distance/journey). Inspired by the people and places they have encountered, iconic venues and festivals performed at and the exciting, at times groundbreaking, collaborations they have been involved in. These experiences have brought new shape to their sound whilst simultaneously strengthening their identity. Astar is a multicultural celebration, embracing the music of four nations in partnership with their own. The band have invited friends from Norway, Quebec, Australia and New Zealand to be part of this recording, all of which has been brought to life under the guidance and production of Greg Lawson. Listen/Watch: http://breabach.bandcamp.com www.soundcloud.com/breabach Available from: http://breabach.bandcamp.com iTunes + in stores www.breabach.com www.facebook.com/breabach www.twitter.com/breabach
IMAGINARY SCOTTISH FOLK CREATURES
EP cd / download Release Date: 12 February
Recorded over two stormy weeks in October at his childhood home in rural Scotland, Finn Anderson’s ‘Uncharted Lands’ EP is his most ambitious solo project to date. Straddling pop, rock and jazz, ‘Uncharted Lands’ fuses intricate and poetic lyrics, dynamic vocals and dramatic piano and orchestral arrangements. Listen/Watch: single ‘Hitchcock’ @ www.soundcloud.com/finnanderson/hitchcock video coming soon Available from: www.finnanderson.bandcamp.com Single ‘Hitchcock’ available on iTunes, Spotify + all major online stores www.finnanderson.co.uk https://twitter.com/Finn_Anderson www.facebook.com/finnandersonmusic
Imaginary Creatures is a virtual band, a studio Music from the islands to the project formed by the collaboration of lyricist highlands, the cities the sea. and and songwriter David Scottto and producer multi-instrumentalist Iain McKinna. The Traditional folk legends perform Butterfly’s Dream is their debut album. Guest alongside contemporary acts; fourmusicians include guitar ace Keith More, times-winners of Best Band harmonica legend Fraser Speirs and BBC exRadio 2 Folk Awards the legends Lindisfarne songwriter Rod Lau; Clements. Fred Morrison; Dougie Maclean; Listen/Watch: Archie Fisher and Sir Jimmy Shand. www.reverbnation.com/imaginarycreatures A rich collection of traditional and Available from: Scottish folk. contemporary Birnam Shop: http://bit.ly/1bLhVDw www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ID7BLAK Listen/Watch: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ID7BLAK www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbjex6LW7mo http://amzn.to/1heO9qD also comingfrom: soon on itunes + spotify Available
www.arcmusic.co.uk/shop/theultimateguidetoscottishfolk-p-1252.html
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/Imaginary-Creatures/392409684214473 www.facebook.com/theultimateguidetoscottishfolk
Motown's Lost Its Soul EP cd / download Release Date: 27 November
The Cut Throat Razors are an 11 piece band from Glasgow that have been filling the dancefloors across Scotland with their eclectic mix of self-penned songs with a thumping soul, ska, funk and blues vibe. The Cut Throat Razors won the prestigious Sunday Herald Best Unsigned Band Competition in 2014. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/thecutthroatrazors www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Uq_4XXJcU Available from: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/ www.amazon.co.uk www.thecutthroatrazors.com www.thecutthroatrazors.com https://twitter.com/cutthroatrazors www.facebook.com/thecutthroatrazors
THE DEADLY WINTERS CHRISTINE BOVILL
The Ultimate Guide to Scottish Folk Theliner Butterfly’s with notes by Mary Dream Ann Kennedy
Album Album Double download 2cdx /CD's Release Date: Date: Out Out Now Now Release
THE CUT THROAT RAZORS
Table In The Corner The Sentence That I Serve EP CD only (at present) Release Date: Out Now
Second release from singer songwriter Christine Bovill. A Roots affair, recorded with the Strange Blue Dreams, strirring in the tangle of Vintage Rock n Roll, Chanson and Americana. Both band and singer have spent years immersed in old blues, jazz, soul and country music and bring a naturally confident, risk taking flair that breathes new life into vintage pop forms. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/christine-bovill https://youtu.be/QoR9snXg0aU Available from: www.christinebovill.com www.christinebovill.com www.facebook.com/bovill.christine/ https://twitter.com/christinebovill www.facebook.com/ thestrangebluedreams
EP cd / download Release Date: 6 November
Armed with swagger, a thumping singalong chorus and a fervent holler, the title track of the EP is the band at their rousing, anthemic best. The rest of the EP doesn’t disappoint with the raucous anger of Liars, Liars, Liars, the jaunty tale of a war hero that is Sam Did Run and the epic, percussive Gone to Ground. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/the-deadly-winters/ table-in-the-corner-ep-preview Available from: www.thedeadlywinters.com/shop/ www.thedeadlywinters.com www.facebook.com/deadlywinters www.twitter.com/deadlywinters www.soundcloud.com/the-deadly-winters www.thedeadlywinters.bandcamp.com www.youtube.com/deadlywinters
music news scotland
page 27
scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download RACHEL ALICE JOHNSON Open Angel
single download Release Date: 3 December
The Scottish/New Zealand, Edinburgh College of Art student/singer-songwriter creates songs with an ethereal, pop, rock sound with her band. Inspired by artists such as Lana Del Rey and The Black Keys, Rachel and her band have defined their unique sound with some euphoric harmonics. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/rachyjohnson https://youtube.com/rachyjohnson
JOHNY CORRIGAN
DAVID PATRICK OCTET
Down The Line
Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring
Down The Line is the new album from Glasgow-born singer/ songwriter Johny Corrigan. It is the much-anticipated follow-up to Johny’s acclaimed debut Inchfad Drive, released in 2013. The album consists entirely of self-penned songs and Johny has recruited an impressive line-up of artists for the recording.
This stunning reworking for jazz octet of Igor Stravinsky's masterwork retains all of the themes and most of the exquisite orchestration of the original composition. Improvisational sections appear organically out of Stravinsky's score, allowing band members to be featured as individual soloists as the piece unfolds. With personnel drawn from Scotland, England and Germany, this international group is a world-class ensemble, completely at ease with each other and this incredibly complex music.
Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now
Available from: iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon mp3, Google Play, Available from: Deezer iTunes, Birnam CD Online Shop, Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon MP3, Google Play https://twitter.com/rachyjohnson https://facebook.com/RachelAliceJohnsonArts
Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now
Available from: iTunes, Birnam CD Online Shop, Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon MP3, Google Play www.davidpatrickmusic.com
www.birnamcd.com/promo-johny-corrigan/
UP
GAVIN BLACKIE MARY MAY
UPrising
Laid Bare
Album download Release Date: 6 November
A new singer is emerging as an exciting recording artist and live performer. Gavin Blackie is delighted to introduce his debut album ‘Laid Bare’. On the same day the album is released, Gavin will perform at Edinburgh’s Church Hill Theatre. Gavin has strived to create an image and album that has been five years in the making. Gavin himself, based on his life experiences, has penned every track on the album. Listen/Watch: https://m.soundcloud.com/offbeat/laid-bare-bygavin-blackie Available from: iTunes on release https://twitter.com/gavinblackie www.facebook.com/GavinBlackieMusic
This is What You Are Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now
Mary May (one of the best Jazz Singers in Scotland....Aberdeen Performing Arts) has already received a * * * * review from 'All About Jazz' for this album and sales have reached from Mexico to Japan. Described as 'Gregory Porter meets Peggy Lee', the album features her regular Quintet accompanied by horn section. Tracks are new arrangements of songs by Stevie Wonder, Wayne Shorter and Mario Biondi amongst others. It's Jazz to the Bone! Official launch 1 November at Edinburgh's Jazz Bar. Listen/Watch: www.cdbaby.com/cd/marymay3 Available from: www.cdbaby.com/cd/marymay3 Coda Music (Edinburgh) Vinyl Villains (Edinburgh) www.marymayjazzsinger.com www.facebook.com/MaryMayJazz https://twitter.com/MaryMayJazz
Album cd Release Date: Out Now UP is a trio comprising guitar, double bass, drums and harmony vocals, based in East Lothian and Edinburgh. These are fine, experienced players, and the album (superbly engineered by Wayne Bell) gives a good crosssection of their eclectic live repertoire - early rock, jive, country, jazz, blues, traditional folk and skiffle pieces all come under a very broad umbrella - if it's fun they play it! Listen/Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hudarwZ0w0w https://youtu.be/pFsYipnuZdI https://youtu.be/IQ7jGLShZ0M https://youtu.be/IFy6Tz0knAY Available from: Direct from the band - email: up.band@btinternet.com or via facebook - album £10 + UK p&p £2.65. Payment via PayPal invoice, either by PayPal a/c or credit/debit card www.facebook.com/uncertaintyprincipleup
page 28
music news scotland
scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download KYRRE SLIND
JOHN STUART THE GARY FORREST SCOTTISH DANCE BAND CEILIDH BAND
Open Airs
Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now
Open Airs is a musical log book of travels in Norway, Ireland and Scotland. In 2011, Norwegian musician and composer Kyrre Slind quite his job, bought a banjo and hit the road on a Vespa 125 scooter, heading for Ireland. Four years later - rich in new experiences - he releases his first solo album, recorded in Scotland and Norway. The melodies describe landscapes, impressions and personalities encountered when travelling the great north and its islands. Listen/Watch: www.kyrreslind.bandcamp.com Available from: iTunes, Bandcamp www.kyrreslind.com
North of the Grampians: Vol. 1
Live at Glen Douglas Hall
This is the fourth album from veteran Scots musician John Stuart and his Scottish Dance Band. The album is filled with top-notch tune sets for popular Scottish dances all over the world, including the Britannia Two Step, Canadian Barn Dance, Gay Gordons, and many others.
Glen Douglas is a small community in the Scottish Borders with a fantastic village hall. The Gary Forrest Ceilidh Band, led by Gary himself on accordion and midi, with Roddy Matthews on fiddle and Keith Lauder on drums, first practised at the hall for their BBC broadcast back in 2003. The band’s lively and trendy up-to-date style, along with their passion for tradition from both Scotland and England, make them one of the most popular and busiest ceilidh bands in the area.
Album cd Release Date: Out Now
Available from: Birnam CD Online Shop, Amazon UK, Amazon US
www.kyrreslind.com
www.facebook.com/Kyrre-Slind-1693164894249730
www.birnamcd.com/promo-john-stuart/
Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now
Listen/Watch: ?? Available from: iTunes, Birnam CD Online Shop, Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon MP3, Google Play, Highlander Music, GOJO Records (Hexham), Coda Music (Edinburgh) https://twitter.com/GaryForrestMus www.birnamcd.com/promo-gary-forrest/
GET YOUR NEW RELEASE LISTED! If you’d like your new release to be included in the MUSIC NEWS Scotland ‘New Release’ section and ALSO be in with a chance of being picked for the MNS Top 4 spot then send it to: New Releases, MUSIC NEWS Scotland, Romar House, Birgham, Berwickshire. TD12 4NF If only available as download then email link to musicnewsscotland@gmail.com Email (as above) information about your new release for our listings, which should be in the format below:
GET LISTED!
BAND NAME: Advertisers also get a 'boxed listing' Release Name: with artwork image album / ep / single: email Carol for details: cd / vinyl / download: - list all formats carol.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com Release Date: Description: - 50 words approx Listen: - link to listen to your music Available from: - webshop, download, retail record shop your website/facebook/twitter
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RECORD SHOP 'Record Store Day 2015' was on 18 April : www.recordstoreday.co.uk We encourage you to support independent record shops in Scotland : A selection of popular ones are below. If you run or have a favourite shop not listed please let us know and we'll happily include it.
Because this is linked to our 'new release' section we are only listing genuine high street retail shops who sell physical copies of new cds/records 'friendly face to friendly face' with their customers! Email your record shop details to be included below to: carol.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com Avalanche (Edinburgh) Grassmarket EH1 2HY : www.avalancherecords.co.uk Apollo Music (Paisley) Causeyside Street PA1 1YH : www.apollomusic.uk.com Barnstorm (Dumfries) Queensberry Street DG1 1BU : 01387 267894 Big Sparra Vinyl (Ayr) New Bridge Street : www.facebook.com/bigsparra Coda (Edinburgh) [trad/folk specialist] Bank Street EH1 2LN : www.codamusic.co.uk Concorde (Perth) Scott Street PH1 5EJ : www.concordemusic.com Europa (Stirling) Friars Street FK8 1HA : www.europamusic.co.uk Imperial (Inverness) Market Hall IV1 1PJ : www.imperial-music.com Love Music (Glasgow) Dundas Street G1 2AQ : www.lovemusicglasgow.com McAlister Matheson (Edinburgh) [classical] Grindlay St EH3 9AT : www.mmmusic.co.uk Monorail (Glasgow) King Street G1 5RB : www.monocafebar.com/index.php?pid=84 Ripping Records (Edinburgh) South Bridge EH1 1HN : www.rippingrecords.com
music news scotland
page 29
Read the latest MNS GIGguide @ http://bitly.com/mns-gigguide-mar16-29
plus read MNS FESTIVALS! @ http://wp.me/P12d6v-21 ADVERTISE IN OUR 3 WEEKLY DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS
MUSIC NEWS Scotland - GIGguide - FESTIVALS! For details email Carol: carol.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com
Make sure we have your music festival listed, big or small email your information to musicnewsscotland@gmail.com
MNS
FESTIVAL Listings Following is our 'short' listings guide to forthcoming Scottish music festivals - see our comprehensive guide in our weekly FESTIVALS! publication @ http://musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com/mns-digital-publication-links/
No matter how small or new your festival is we want to list it!! www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com
Scottish Music Festivals to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com
APRIL Edinburgh International Harp Festival
and Scottish music, song and dance to enthusiastic audiences in Edinburgh. Explore our concerts, workshops and artist pages for details of this year’s festival. And you can book through the link on tickets page. On Thursday 21 April there will be a concert in Inverness at Hootanannys.
Edinburgh 1-6 April
www.northernstreams.org
The Edinburgh International Harp Festival hosts its 35th annual celebration of the instrument with a magical series of concerts, courses and workshops. A star-studded line-up features top Scottish harpists, alongside acclaimed names from the USA and Europe, performing a rich variety of music that spans traditions with outstanding creativity. With special events to celebrate the 85th anniversary of its organisers, The Clarsach Society, EIHF 2016 will be a festival to remember. www.harpfestival.co.uk
Edinburgh’s Youth ‘Easter’ Gaitherin Edinburgh 4-7 April The Easter Gaitherin is EYG’s flagship event for 9 – 18 year olds. We book Scotland’s top traditional musicians as tutors and run four days of classes in Tynecastle High School. These range from instrumental, to drama, to dance, to technical skills (check below to find out what we’re offering this year). Each day participants will take a main workshop in their first choice instrument; one in their second choice (which can be something like singing, art, drama or a second instrument); and a third choice.
TradFest Edinburgh | Dùn Èideann Edinburgh 27 Apr – 8 May A vibrant twelve-day showcase of Scotland’s thriving traditional arts scene with dozens of events in the heart of Scotland’s capital, setting the city abuzz with music, song, storytelling, dance, film, crafts and more. Amongst the host of local and international talent appearing on this year’s programme are Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, Macmath: The Silent Page, Moishe’s Bagel, Dàimh, Niteworks, Gol, Nuala Kennedy Band, Talisk, Sheesham and Lotus & ‘Son and Mairi Campbell’s ‘Pulse’, along with many other songsters, storytellers and dancers to enjoy and discover. www.facebook.com/tradfestedinburgh
36th Shetland Folk Festival Shetland 28 April -1 May
The Festival as the UK's most northerly folk festival is regarded a prestigious event for performers, locals and visitors alike. Organised by a voluntary committee (and run by an even bigger pool of volunteers) the Festival prides itself in reaching out to even the most far flung www.eyg.org.uk areas of Shetland. Concerts are organised throughout the isles, consisting of some of the Counterflows best International, British and Shetland music that the world has to offer. In fact, visiting Glasgow artistes are regularly dumbfounded by the 7-10 April quantity and quality of local musicians that our Counterflows reaches its fifth year and I suppose remote isles have to offer. it is a big deal but really the music goes on and www.shetlandfolkfestival.com on with or without Counterflows. In saying this of course we are really pleased to reach this milestone. A festival that celebrates marginal, Skye Live underground or maybe even experimental Skye music, which are what our labels testify to, will always struggle to exist but we have made it this 29-30 April far and are determined to keep the flame A festival held on the magical Isle of Skye with burning world class music, world class views. And prepare to be blasted into space, the mindhttp://counterflows.com/ blowing Public Service Broadcasting are bringing their full brass section to Skye Live 2016!
Glenfarg Folk Feast Kinross 8-10 April
Ran by Glenfarg Village Folk Club the festival may be small but its stature and longevity are huge to say the least. We pride ourselves on running a friendly event with workshops and competitions to suit all tastes, and the World famous Puff-a -Box competition just has to be seen to be believed! www.glenfargfolkclub.com
Northern Streams Edinburgh 21-24 April For four days in April this truly unique festival combines one off concerts with dynamic and exciting workshops for both adults and children. In 2016 we celebrate the best talent from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Scotland. For the past 13 years the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (Edinburgh & Lothians Branch), have been bringing the finest in Nordic
www.skyelive.scot
Thornhill Music Festival Dumfriesshire 29 April - 1 May
major cultural festivals, and takes place annually in Oban. The event has developed to include new special events and competitions, and the festival now offers over 1100 participants 125 competition classes in eleven disciplines including piping, accordion, fiddle, clarsach, piano, recorder, singing, woodwind & brass, highland dancing and choreography. www.obanfestival.org
Isle of Bute Jazz Festival Isle of Bute 29 April-2 May 2016 The Isle of Bute Jazz Festival has grown spectacularly from its small beginnings to become one of Britain's most popular jazz weekends. Top-class UK and international names feature in a programme of traditional jazz music in one of Scotland's prettiest and friendliest seaside resorts. Some very well known jazz names featured on the programme over the next few years – Acker Bilk, Monty Sunshine, Martin Taylor, Tommy Smith, Andy Sheppard, Carol Kidd, The Temperance 7, and The London Community Gospel Choir amongst others, and the Festival continues to attract top class UK and international bands in mainly the Traditional New Orleans idiom.The Festival is a great supporter of young musicians who feature prominently in the annual programme. www.butejazz.com
Girvan Folk Festival Girvan 29 April - 1 May Concerts - Sessions - Open Stage Competitions - Workshops - Children's Events Camp Site : Girvan Folk Festival started in 1975, a time when folk music in Scotland was increasingly exploring its own roots. Concert venues, competitions, ceilidh dance childrens events, sessions for tunes and songs, Open Stage, workshops,secure campsite. So please tell all of your friends and help to make this the biggest Girven Festival ever! There will be plenty of room and plenty of music for all to enjoy. www.girvanfolkfestival.co.uk
North Hop Aberdeen Aberdeen 30 April - 1 May May Day Bank Holiday Weekend celebrations, jam packed with craft beer, cider, gin, cocktails, street food, music and lots more. North Hop Aberdeen is returning to the Granite City for 2016, and this time we are going BIG! Meet the brewers, discover new and exciting products from across Scotland, and soak up the festival atmosphere with like-minded folk! http://northhop.co.uk/
MAY
Thornhill Music Festival brings a rich and diverse programme of music to the village including acclaimed Blues artist Aynsley Lister. The weekend boasts a cross section of music from Moniave Folk Festival Country Rock and Blues, Ska, Rock, Indie, Blues Moniaive, Dumfriesshire, funk, Eclectic Americana as well as singer 6-8 May songwriters. www.lewishamiltonmusic.co.uk/events
Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival Oban 29 April - 1 May The Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival has developed into one of Scotland’s
The Moniave Folk Festival has something for everyone, Great music, Piping competitions, Open stages, children’s events and concerts. Workshops. Come along for a wonderful family weekend. Main artists: Martin Simpson, the Paul McKenna Band, Northern Harmony, Margaret Bennett, Talisk www.moniaivefolkfestival.co.uk
..... lots more festival dates in our FESTIVALS! supplement read it @ http://musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com/festivals/ Psychedelic Forest Disco Kelburn 7 May Kelburn’s infamous season-opener – the wild and groovy feast for all the senses that is The Psychedelic Forest Disco. Once again we will feature a top line-up of acts across 2 soundsystems alongside innumerable hidden treats and surprises, quality beer, cider and cocktails, camping and of course your favourite woodland shenanigans!
Perth in Scotland. It is now in its 45th Year and is one of the oldest continuously running arts Festivals in Scotland. www.perthfestival.co.uk
Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival Dumfries and Galloway 20-29 May
Orkney Folk Festival Orkney 26-29 May Once again we have some big names coming north to join in the fun in May, and from the ceilidh bands to the almost indie strand, we have brought together a broad mix of artists that we hope appeals to everyone’s interpretation of the increasingly expansive folk genre. As ever, our local traditions and musicians – both established and emerging – will be centre stage alongside those visiting the festival. You would be hard pushed to find another festival throughout the country that has such a strong home representation, and it is one that we are hugely proud of.
Our 9-day festival has taken place since 1979. The founding aim was to bring international performers of the highest quality to a region containing many scattered rural communities Scribblers Picnic since then this region has produced some of its Stirling own talent of international standing and we’re 8 May proud to also be able to present these artistes from time to time. We offer a wide range of www.orkneyfolkfestival.com The Scribbler’s Picnic is a charity that was set up events: music – including classical, jazz and folk, in 2001 to raise money for five cancer charities – dance, theatre, literary, children’s events, plus CHAS, Strathcarron Hospice, Maggie’s Centre, the visual arts and films. Events take place in a Riverside Festival Marie Curie Cancer Care and Macmillan Cancer range of venues throughout the region, from Glasgow Care. This outdoor event is held at the Stirling large to small, formal to informal, urban to rural. 28-29 May Rugby Club with each year getting better and better. Four stages of music and a charity fete www.dgartsfestival.org.uk The Electric Frog & Pressure Riverside Festival make it a fun day for all the family. The unique takes place on the banks of the river Clyde on music event, which is run entirely by volunteers, the grounds of the iconic Riverside Museum for Doune & Dunblane Fling will feature hundreds of musicians covering a the fourth consecutive year in 2016. Set to be Dunblane broad array of music across the day in the bigger than ever before, the festival takes place 26-28 May grounds of Stirling Rugby Club. It run's under over May Bank Holiday weekend the tagline 'Musicians Helping the Fight Against Like many others, the Fling was conceived with Cancer' and is run in association with Stirling www.theelectricfrog.co.uk and Bridge of Allan Round Table. Thousands are the help of music and alcohol. It began as an idea at the Dunblane Folk Club, among a group expected to flock to Bridgehaugh for the event of people fond of music and fun. And so in May which runs from 12noon to 8pm. 1993 the first Fling happened. Since then the Fling has gone from strength to strength. www.scribblerspicnic.co.uk Somewhere along the line the first 'Fling by the Brew at the Bog River' began. Held each Fling Saturday on Inverness FifeSing Dunblane's historic Drying Green, its activities 3-4 June Collessie, Fife have ranged from an open stage for local young 13-15 May musicians, fire engines, space-hopper races and Brew at the Bog is one of Scotland's most fire-eating jugglers, to the annual Rotary Club dynamic hidden gems, championing new and This unique event brings together some of race for 4,000 plastic ducks down the Allan unsigned artists alongside craft beer, gin, cider, Scotland's finest exponents of traditional singing Water. Gradually a 'Fringe Fling' has developed, whisky, rum and prosecco bars! A two-day for a weekend of old songs and bothy ballads in featuring over the years everything from ghost camping festival, Brew at the Bog is held at concerts and singarounds in the rural walks, pub quizzes, plays from the local Drama Bogbain Farm in Inverness, which was crowned surroundings of the Fife Farm Park. The Group, master classes in everything from "Best Unusual Venue" at the 2012 Scottish Event weekend also includes workshops/talks on topics fiddling or mandolins to harmony singing or Awards . related to traditional song and culture. bodhran, and the now-annual Thursday Jazz Night. www.brewatthebog.com www.springthyme.co.uk/fifesing www.dunblanefling.com www.kelburngardenparty.com/other-events/
JUNE
Southside Fringe
Knockengorroch World Ceilidh
Glasgow 13-29 May It’s an incredibly exciting time in the Southside actively encouraging creativity and supporting local Southside talent. The ethos of the Southside Fringe is very much ‘strength in numbers’ : the more facets of the community and local businesses who get involved the louder our voice and the bigger the Southside’s profile will be on the festival map.
Kirkcudbright 26-29 May
Riverside Rock Jedburgh 18 June
Riverside Rock 2016 already have some fantastic bands signed up: The Men They Couldn’t Hang / The Lost Boys / Scocha (Back for a 3rd Year) / Blistered Molly (Back for a 2nd Year) / Greg Anderson (Back too for 2nd year) he rocked the tent at the end last year! Main tent headliner and other bands to be announced. As before Riverside Rock must not be missed, the Scottish Borders very own music festival at Riverside Park, Jedburgh, and 2016 will have more food outlets, more bars and a bigger tent. Tickets on sale soon!
If you prefer a bigger festival in a smaller pot you are a Knockengorrocher! Join us beside the glittering Water of Deugh beneath the broad shoulders of southwest Scotland's great mountain peaks to celebrate some of the finest music from the Celtic diaspora and everywhere in-between. The World Ceilidh melds together www.southsidefringe.org.uk the most ancient roots music with the latest cutting edge sounds. This first truly backwoods Perth Festival of the Arts upland music fest in Scotland hosts some of the www.riversiderock.co.uk Perth best musicians and performers from across the 19-29 May world. All are invited to journey over hill and WE WANT ALL YOUR SCOTTISH dale by rock and stream to our natural Celebrate Perth Festival's 45th birthday in Perth greenfield auditorium and to our upland stage to MUSIC FESTIVAL DATES Concert Hall, the Festival is one of the highlights experience the biggest little festival this side of Email: in Scotland's cultural calendar. Perth Festival of anywhere! the Arts is an annual 11 day May Festival, musicnewsscotland@gmail.com founded in 1972, and taking place in the City of www.knockengorroch.org.uk
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