I'm delighted to announce that I have joined forces with two fantastic traditional singers for a new InterGaelic song project, which links the music and language of the Isle of Man, Scotland and Ireland. While there have been many moves to re-establish Scottish-Irish links in recent times, there has never been – until now – a project that unites the...
Read MoreI sing with a group called the Norwegian Manx Collaboration (it does what it says on the tin!) along with talented Manx musicians Tomas Callister (Barrule, Mec Lir) and David Kilgallon (Mec Lir), and renowned Norwegian trad. musicians Erlend Apneseth and Margit Myhr. We can't wait to get together in November on the Isle of Man: we'll be presenting a...
Read MoreIn the Isle of Man, 2014 has been known as 'Island of Culture' - a year-long celebration of the wealth of cultural talent on this beautiful, beautiful Island. The Isle of Man Arts Council received sponsorship from companies and used funds ringfenced from their pre-existing budget in order to help the community to put on events and to create works...
Read MoreI occasionally perform with Manx singer-songwriter Matt Creer, who writes Americana songs with beautiful close harmonies. Matt's coming to the end of recording his second full-length album (for which he has truly pulled out all the stops, working with some great guest artists and traditional Manx/Scottish musicians) and invited me into the studio a few days ago to record the...
Read MoreThe Isle of Man - my homeland and the place from which my ancestors hail - never fails to amaze me with its beauty, so I always get really excited when I can show it to other people. This month (September!), I got to show the Island off to BBC 2 television when I sang and presented a feature for...
Read MoreBack in July I wrote about working with a fellower Islander, Davy Knowles, who shot to fame as a Blues musician when still in his teens. Though Davy has made a new life for himself in Chicago, I've been friends with him for many years; we went to the same secondary school and it is to him that I owe...
Read MoreIn the spring I was chuffed to receive a great review of my album from FATEA Magazine...
Read MoreSadly the link will have expired by now, but last week Mark Radcliffe from BBC Radio 2's folk show played one of the songs from my album - Fin as Oshin. Evidently amused by the tale of the song, he gave a humorous account of what it's about! If you don't know the song, I'll fill you in: it's an...
Read MoreThis year, the Festival Interceltique de Lorient was hit by the biggest Manx delegation yet, where a multitude of Manx talent stormed the city and made sure that the Bretons wouldn’t forget us in a hurry. And rightly so: in 2015 the Isle of Man and Cornwall will celebrate their very own year at the Festival, which demonstrates the strength...
Read More[caption id="attachment_523" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Julie Fowlis, Mary Black and Ruth Keggin will be performing in the 'Gaelic Women' concert at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient on Thursday 7th August at the Espace Marine[/caption] Next Thursday (7th August) my band and I will be joining the incredible Gàidhlig singer Julie Fowlis and world-renowned Irish singer Mary Black for a concert entitles ‘Les...
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