Post by traditional Music Forum on Sept 10, 2021 7:29:19 GMT
MF Newsletter September 2021
#120
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TMF Newsletter | September 2021
FROM THE NETHERBOW
I was at a meeting the other day where someone was talking about 'hyper-local solutions to systemic problems'. In other words looking for ways of tackling the huge problems facing us all - covid recovery, climate change, inequality - that don't depend on massive, centralised government projects or market forces, but people on the ground in the places where they live. Where do we (the traditional music community) fit in to that? We sing our songs, play our tunes, dance and tell stories for the pleasure that's in it, and the crack, and the emotional and aesthetic experience, but maybe for a deeper purpose too.
Places and the quality of life within them can be transformed through imagination, ambition and an understanding of the potential of creativity. 2018’s draft Scottish Government Cultural Strategy acknowledged this when it spoke of ‘recognising each community’s own local culture in generating a distinct sense of place, identity and confidence,’ while the role of local cultures is a key underpinning of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act, which seeks to involve communities in taking control of local assets and devolving decision-making to its lowest subsidiary levels.
There's a role for government in providing the seed-corn and then standing back. If communities are to be fully empowered, they must be able to support themselves to be so, through the development of confidence in lateral and strategic thinking, planning, decision-making and implementation. Participation in creative and artistic activity provides a model for how that confidence and those skills might be acquired.
Through developing resources and tools for exploring the folk voice within their cultural memory, communities can access and share knowledge of the past, exploring and expressing creative possibilities for social, economic and educational benefit. Community empowerment in other words. That's where we come in. Community cultural development, based on the traditional arts, draws together local tradition and knowledge, the learning required for its creative expression, and the sharing of that creative expression with others, empowering communities to flourish, to live well in a world worth living in: to enjoy well-being and good health; social capital and social justice; respectful relationships with nature and each other.
David Francis
TMF BLOG
POCKETS OF HOPE - by Lewis McLaughlin
The latest TMF blog is by singer/songwriter Lewis McLaughlin who is originally from Edinburgh. In this blog he writes all about his brilliant new single 'Summer'.
Read it here
TRADMENTOR REPORT 2020-2021
TradMentor was launched in 2019 by the Traditional Music Forum. It aims to provide structured and confidential support to traditional music practitioners, particularly those working as tutors.
The programme sets out to encourage reflective practice, through which traditional musicians can better manage choices, challenges and changes in their careers. Mentors encourage mentees to identify goals and to take their plans forward. This may include developing new skills or identifying further training needs.
This is the report on the second cycle of the programme during 2020-2021.
View the report
BBC RADIO SCOTLAND YOUNG TRADITIONAL MUSICIAN AWARD 2022 SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to the 12 young musicians who have made it into the semi-finals of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2022. The semi-finals will be held in Glasgow on the first weekend of October. As ever it will be a brilliant concert. Each semi-finalist will be accompanist by the house band consisting of Mhairi Hall (piano) and Michael Bryan (guitar).
The 12 semi finalists are Alasdair Macdonald (piano accordion), Breanna Wilson (fiddle), Eric Linklater (fiddle), Eryn Rae (fiddle), Isla Ratcliff (fiddle and song), Malachy Arnold (clarsach), Malin Lewis (bagpipes), Romy Wymer (clarsach), Ross Miller (bagpipes), Saffron Hanvidge (Gaelic song), Scott Figgins (bagpipes), Sophie Joint (piano, photo above).
Read more
NEW MUSIC
LEWIS MCLAUGHLIN - SUMMER
Released 30th July 2021
Available from bandcamp
Lewis McLaughlin is an alt folk singer songwriter from Edinburgh. His latest single 'Summer' is a testament to the simple joys of being young, having few cares in the world, whatever the weather. Read all about it in this month's TMF blog.
SEÁN GRAY - GHAISTS
Released 13th August 2021
Available here
'Ghaists' is Seán Gray's second single and collaboration with Scots poet Rab Wilson. The song tells the story of the abandoned mining town of Benwhat. Seán's first single 'The Great Stariski' is available from bandcamp.
GARY INNES FEAT. DON STIFFE & SHARON SHANNON - THE HURLING MAN
Released 13th August 2021
Available here
'The Caman Man' has been reworked to create 'The Hurling Man' for Ireland's mighty sport. Gary Innes worked with musical legends Don Stiffe and Sharon Shannon on the track.
CHARLIE GREY & JOSEPH PEACH - GATHAN-GRÈIN
Released 20th August 2021
Available from bandcamp
Fiddle and piano duo Charile Grey & Joseph Peach have a couple of new singles out from their forthcoming album 'Spiorachas - a High Place'. As well as Gathan-grèin they have a second single coming out on 10th September called 'Ghruamach'.
HEISK
Released 20th August 2021
Available from heisk.co.uk
The debut album from HEISK is out now. HEISK are a vibrant six-piece group featuring electro-harp, keys, kit, accordion, two fiddles, and viola.
DOSCA - MEADS MUST
Released 20th August 2021
Available from doscamusic.com
The latest single from Dosca is out now.
JOHN DEW - MACKEREL SKY
Released 27th August 2021
Available from johndew-composition.com
'Mackerel Sky' is the debut album from Crieff musician and composer, John Dew. This album is inspired by the ever-changing atmosphere and explores how multiple bagpipe and whistle sounds can be layered and interwoven, like the layers in a mackerel sky.
MÀNRAN - CROW FLIES
Releases 27th August 2021
Available here
'Crow Flies' is the first single from Mànran's forthcoming album 'Ùrar'. The fantastic cover artwork is by Elly Lucas.
STONEHAVEN FOLK CLUB - SENSE OF THE PLACE
Released August 2021
Available here
With the support of Aberdeenshire Council who funded the project, Stonehaven Folk Club commissioned ten musicians to write and record songs and music that come from the heritage and lore of the local Stonehaven area.
Produced by Mike Vass, the album features Iona Fyfe, Claire Hastings, Kris Driver, Mike Blackburn, Jenny Sturgeon, Findlay Napier, Irene Watt, Steve Byrne, Bob Knight, and Paul McKenna.
IONA FYFE - THE CAULD
Releases 10th September 2021
Available here
The Cauld is the new single from Scottish folksinger Iona Fyfe. A slight departure from previous releases, the song which follows a folk-pop structure is written by Iona in the Scots Language; one of Scotlands three national languages with over 1.5 million speakers (2011 census).
The single features Michael Biggins (piano), Charlie Stewart (electric double bass), Jack McRobbie (guitar) and Graham Rorie (electric tenor, mandolin fiddle) of the folk band Gnoss, who also engineered, mixed and produced the single.
INGRID HENDERSON - MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
Releases 17th September 2021
More info
Created originally for NatureScot Year of Coasts & Waters, 'Message in a Bottle' is a musical celebration of Scotland’s spectacular coastline and marine life, but also carries a stirring message, examining the environmental impact we have on our coasts and waters.
DAN BROWN - REWILDING
Releases 17th September 2021
Pre-order from bandcamp
Dan Brown is a musician and composer from Kendal currently based in Glasgow. Since moving to Scotland, Dan has found a love for Scottish trad, immersing himself in the thriving session scene that Glasgow has to offer. His upcoming release 'Rewilding', is his debut recording as a solo artist on which he is joined by some of Scotland’s finest artists. As a climber, his work draws from his experiences in the mountains and rugged and diverse Scottish landscape.
FINDLAY NAPIER - IT IS WHAT IT IS
Releases 1st October 2021
Pre-order from thebothysociety.com
"I hadn’t intended to make an album. It was an accident."
Read the full story of the album through the pre-order link above.
KARINE POLWART & DAVE MILLIGAN - STILL AS YOUR SLEEPING
Releases 1st October 2021
Pre-order from bandcamp
'Still as Your Sleeping' is the new album from voice and piano duo Karine Polwart and Dave Milligan. It features a mixture of self-penned, traditional and other people’s songs and is available for pre-order now.
CARA - GROUNDED
Releases 15th October 2021
cara-music.com
'Grounded' is the eighth studio album by award-winning folk band CARA.
CARA celebrate the traditions that truly ground them, the solace that can be found in nature, and the inner strength that we find to cope with life’s challenges.
EVENTS
TOLBOOTH EVENTS, STIRLING
Sat 11th Sept -
...
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#120
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TMF Newsletter | September 2021
FROM THE NETHERBOW
I was at a meeting the other day where someone was talking about 'hyper-local solutions to systemic problems'. In other words looking for ways of tackling the huge problems facing us all - covid recovery, climate change, inequality - that don't depend on massive, centralised government projects or market forces, but people on the ground in the places where they live. Where do we (the traditional music community) fit in to that? We sing our songs, play our tunes, dance and tell stories for the pleasure that's in it, and the crack, and the emotional and aesthetic experience, but maybe for a deeper purpose too.
Places and the quality of life within them can be transformed through imagination, ambition and an understanding of the potential of creativity. 2018’s draft Scottish Government Cultural Strategy acknowledged this when it spoke of ‘recognising each community’s own local culture in generating a distinct sense of place, identity and confidence,’ while the role of local cultures is a key underpinning of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act, which seeks to involve communities in taking control of local assets and devolving decision-making to its lowest subsidiary levels.
There's a role for government in providing the seed-corn and then standing back. If communities are to be fully empowered, they must be able to support themselves to be so, through the development of confidence in lateral and strategic thinking, planning, decision-making and implementation. Participation in creative and artistic activity provides a model for how that confidence and those skills might be acquired.
Through developing resources and tools for exploring the folk voice within their cultural memory, communities can access and share knowledge of the past, exploring and expressing creative possibilities for social, economic and educational benefit. Community empowerment in other words. That's where we come in. Community cultural development, based on the traditional arts, draws together local tradition and knowledge, the learning required for its creative expression, and the sharing of that creative expression with others, empowering communities to flourish, to live well in a world worth living in: to enjoy well-being and good health; social capital and social justice; respectful relationships with nature and each other.
David Francis
TMF BLOG
POCKETS OF HOPE - by Lewis McLaughlin
The latest TMF blog is by singer/songwriter Lewis McLaughlin who is originally from Edinburgh. In this blog he writes all about his brilliant new single 'Summer'.
Read it here
TRADMENTOR REPORT 2020-2021
TradMentor was launched in 2019 by the Traditional Music Forum. It aims to provide structured and confidential support to traditional music practitioners, particularly those working as tutors.
The programme sets out to encourage reflective practice, through which traditional musicians can better manage choices, challenges and changes in their careers. Mentors encourage mentees to identify goals and to take their plans forward. This may include developing new skills or identifying further training needs.
This is the report on the second cycle of the programme during 2020-2021.
View the report
BBC RADIO SCOTLAND YOUNG TRADITIONAL MUSICIAN AWARD 2022 SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to the 12 young musicians who have made it into the semi-finals of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2022. The semi-finals will be held in Glasgow on the first weekend of October. As ever it will be a brilliant concert. Each semi-finalist will be accompanist by the house band consisting of Mhairi Hall (piano) and Michael Bryan (guitar).
The 12 semi finalists are Alasdair Macdonald (piano accordion), Breanna Wilson (fiddle), Eric Linklater (fiddle), Eryn Rae (fiddle), Isla Ratcliff (fiddle and song), Malachy Arnold (clarsach), Malin Lewis (bagpipes), Romy Wymer (clarsach), Ross Miller (bagpipes), Saffron Hanvidge (Gaelic song), Scott Figgins (bagpipes), Sophie Joint (piano, photo above).
Read more
NEW MUSIC
LEWIS MCLAUGHLIN - SUMMER
Released 30th July 2021
Available from bandcamp
Lewis McLaughlin is an alt folk singer songwriter from Edinburgh. His latest single 'Summer' is a testament to the simple joys of being young, having few cares in the world, whatever the weather. Read all about it in this month's TMF blog.
SEÁN GRAY - GHAISTS
Released 13th August 2021
Available here
'Ghaists' is Seán Gray's second single and collaboration with Scots poet Rab Wilson. The song tells the story of the abandoned mining town of Benwhat. Seán's first single 'The Great Stariski' is available from bandcamp.
GARY INNES FEAT. DON STIFFE & SHARON SHANNON - THE HURLING MAN
Released 13th August 2021
Available here
'The Caman Man' has been reworked to create 'The Hurling Man' for Ireland's mighty sport. Gary Innes worked with musical legends Don Stiffe and Sharon Shannon on the track.
CHARLIE GREY & JOSEPH PEACH - GATHAN-GRÈIN
Released 20th August 2021
Available from bandcamp
Fiddle and piano duo Charile Grey & Joseph Peach have a couple of new singles out from their forthcoming album 'Spiorachas - a High Place'. As well as Gathan-grèin they have a second single coming out on 10th September called 'Ghruamach'.
HEISK
Released 20th August 2021
Available from heisk.co.uk
The debut album from HEISK is out now. HEISK are a vibrant six-piece group featuring electro-harp, keys, kit, accordion, two fiddles, and viola.
DOSCA - MEADS MUST
Released 20th August 2021
Available from doscamusic.com
The latest single from Dosca is out now.
JOHN DEW - MACKEREL SKY
Released 27th August 2021
Available from johndew-composition.com
'Mackerel Sky' is the debut album from Crieff musician and composer, John Dew. This album is inspired by the ever-changing atmosphere and explores how multiple bagpipe and whistle sounds can be layered and interwoven, like the layers in a mackerel sky.
MÀNRAN - CROW FLIES
Releases 27th August 2021
Available here
'Crow Flies' is the first single from Mànran's forthcoming album 'Ùrar'. The fantastic cover artwork is by Elly Lucas.
STONEHAVEN FOLK CLUB - SENSE OF THE PLACE
Released August 2021
Available here
With the support of Aberdeenshire Council who funded the project, Stonehaven Folk Club commissioned ten musicians to write and record songs and music that come from the heritage and lore of the local Stonehaven area.
Produced by Mike Vass, the album features Iona Fyfe, Claire Hastings, Kris Driver, Mike Blackburn, Jenny Sturgeon, Findlay Napier, Irene Watt, Steve Byrne, Bob Knight, and Paul McKenna.
IONA FYFE - THE CAULD
Releases 10th September 2021
Available here
The Cauld is the new single from Scottish folksinger Iona Fyfe. A slight departure from previous releases, the song which follows a folk-pop structure is written by Iona in the Scots Language; one of Scotlands three national languages with over 1.5 million speakers (2011 census).
The single features Michael Biggins (piano), Charlie Stewart (electric double bass), Jack McRobbie (guitar) and Graham Rorie (electric tenor, mandolin fiddle) of the folk band Gnoss, who also engineered, mixed and produced the single.
INGRID HENDERSON - MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
Releases 17th September 2021
More info
Created originally for NatureScot Year of Coasts & Waters, 'Message in a Bottle' is a musical celebration of Scotland’s spectacular coastline and marine life, but also carries a stirring message, examining the environmental impact we have on our coasts and waters.
DAN BROWN - REWILDING
Releases 17th September 2021
Pre-order from bandcamp
Dan Brown is a musician and composer from Kendal currently based in Glasgow. Since moving to Scotland, Dan has found a love for Scottish trad, immersing himself in the thriving session scene that Glasgow has to offer. His upcoming release 'Rewilding', is his debut recording as a solo artist on which he is joined by some of Scotland’s finest artists. As a climber, his work draws from his experiences in the mountains and rugged and diverse Scottish landscape.
FINDLAY NAPIER - IT IS WHAT IT IS
Releases 1st October 2021
Pre-order from thebothysociety.com
"I hadn’t intended to make an album. It was an accident."
Read the full story of the album through the pre-order link above.
KARINE POLWART & DAVE MILLIGAN - STILL AS YOUR SLEEPING
Releases 1st October 2021
Pre-order from bandcamp
'Still as Your Sleeping' is the new album from voice and piano duo Karine Polwart and Dave Milligan. It features a mixture of self-penned, traditional and other people’s songs and is available for pre-order now.
CARA - GROUNDED
Releases 15th October 2021
cara-music.com
'Grounded' is the eighth studio album by award-winning folk band CARA.
CARA celebrate the traditions that truly ground them, the solace that can be found in nature, and the inner strength that we find to cope with life’s challenges.
EVENTS
TOLBOOTH EVENTS, STIRLING
Sat 11th Sept -
...
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