MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016: Dosca

Congratulations to Dosca who have been nominated in Up and Coming Artist of the Year sponsored by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016. Vote now!

We asked Luc McNally of Dosca the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
Since triumphantly bursting on to the folk scene at Celtic Connections 2015, Dosca – the energetic five piece ensemble of bagpipes, flute, guitar, bass and drums – are quickly making a name for themselves among some of Scotland's finest folk acts.

With influences from Scottish and Irish folk, as well as a hint of jazz, the band’s self-titled debut EP was launched early in 2015, leading them on to a number of prominent appearances throughout Scotland and further afield – including the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, Edinbugh’s Usher Hall, Piping Live! in Glasgow, and a return to Celtic Connections in 2016.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
We come from various musical backgrounds, and each of our individual pursuits of musical education and experience have led us all to Glasgow. We are probably quite a good example of how different musical disciplines end up working together in place like Glasgow – between us we have the influence of the traditional Scottish and Irish session scene, the Scottish Jazz movement, and the world of pipe bands to name a few. Scottish music has always had a tendency to embrace change and innovation and we are just one of many artists and groups furthering this notion.

Any particular career highlights?
This summer we got asked to play at the Celtica festival in Italy. It was full of people dressed in tribal gear dancing around bonfires and going absolutely mad for the music – that felt like a once in a lifetime experience for us. Another couple of highlights for this summer were two visits to Orkney; firstly for the Folk Festival, at which we played tunes constantly and got to hear Liz Carroll and Saltfishforty, as well as many others; and secondly the Hoy Hoolie, where we also played tunes constantly, were fed like kings and got to share the stage with some of our favourite musical friends.

What are your plans for the future?
Our immediate plans are to record our debut album, and to continue writing new material and gigging it. We've started getting some interest from festivals for next summer as well, so things are looking up.

If you would like to come along to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Dundee’s Caird Hall call the Caird Hall box office on (01382) 434940 or buy online.