Wading about in the murky waters of music composition

Celtic Connections have commissioned me to write a brand new piece as part of their annual New Voices concerts. I'm in very good company next year, with Lorne MacDougall and Rachel Newton also featuring. My concert is at 1pm on 19th January, Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow; here's the festival event page. I've got a lovely band playing with me: Fiona MacAskill (fiddle), Mairearad Green (accordion), Ali Hutton (guitar), James Lindsay (upright bass) and Phil Hague (percussion). It's a daunting but very exciting challenge; watch this space for updates...

 

 

Gateshead Old Town Hall gig

This Saturday 2nd November I'll be supporting Mairearad Green and Anna Massie in Gateshead. You can find more information here. I did my work experience at Folkworks when they were based at the Old Town Hall, ahead of their move to the Sage Gateshead a few years back. Really looking forward to playing there, and hearing Mairearad and Anna, too. I caught them in Glasgow earlier this year and they were fantastic. 

August

August 2013 has been filled with new musical experiences. I had a wonderful time tutoring at the Folkworks Junior Summer School - the children were just brilliant, and it was great to make new pals and catch up with some familiar faces too. I arrived back in Glasgow on the 12th. Dreams of the Summer School and even sleepwalking/teaching ensued, which just shows how much Folkworks takes a hold of you! 15th August saw an unusual last minute gig at Bellahouston Park with Admiral Fallow, opening for Kings of Leon. Special thanks to Jonny Scott of Olympic Swimmers for being our replacement drummer for the evening...

The following night I was really lucky to be involved in a special show at the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, with Tigerstyle's live presentation of their album Digi-Bhang. The night featured lots of great musicians, including Ishmeet Narula, Nav Sidhu, Iain MacLeod, Blair McMillan, Michael Bryan, strings from the Paragon Ensemble and more.

While Admiral Fallow were playing at Tønder Festival, I spent ten days in the northern California redwoods, at the Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddle School. I had an amazing time, learned a lot from inspiring tutors, and don't think I've never met such a big group of genuinely nice people in one place! I'm definitely going to make a return visit one day.

IMG-20130825-00159

 

Summer news

I've just got back from a flying visit to Northumberland, with a day spent at the Rothbury Music Festival. I spent quite a bit of time at the festival as a young 'un, but haven't managed to make it down for the past few years. It was great to go back, have a few tunes, watch the dance displays and competitions, and of course the evening concert at the former cattle mart. Lots of singalongs and familiar favourites! Going up north tomorrow with Admiral Fallow for the third of our group album writing sessions so far this year; I'm sure we'll find time for a barbecue or two, though... Here's an interview I did recently for The List, with a bit more information on what we've been up to recently.

The Folkworks Junior Summer School in Durham is fast approaching! I've been having a good think of tunes and songs to bring, and am really looking forward to what will be an amazing week. I'll be playing a solo set at this concert on the Thursday, too.