Congratulations to Catriona McKay who has been nominated in Instrumentalist of the Year sponsored by Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2014. Vote now!
We asked Catriona McKay the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
I play Scottish harp, something I always wanted to do, took a while to get my chance and have seriously loved it every minute since! I’m often asked ‘why harp?’ and I’ve realised what I most enjoy is about the instrument is that it is a naked instrument – there is no mechanism, just strings stretched over a frame (a very beautiful and sophisticated frame made by the wonderful Scottish instrument makers, Starfish Designs). My body is the mechanism, my hands make the strings both move and stop. This means I feel completely connected to the harp and allows me to feel free.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
I love it and it keeps me charged up! It’s powerful music, it’s addictive! Can’t imagine life without it! It’s music which holds the past yet allows a musician to be in the present and to apply their dreams for the future (add new ideas). I think that’s why people all over the world connect, play and enjoy Scottish music. To have a tradition that is as evolved as this and that still invites creativity is truly inspiring. I’m chuffed to be involved and play my wee part in it all.
Any particular career highlights?
Every gig is a highlight, I get to play with my favourite musicians, I’m pretty jammy! Ha! I had no idea I’d get to travel so far. Each trip is enriching and inspiring experience, you always meet great people through music. The music also travels – by itself, for me it’s a highlight that someone might want to play some of the music I’ve created, and so it goes off and they put their own touch to it, it becomes something else, that’s ace.
What are your plans for the future?
Play tunes, create new music and keep enjoying and sharing it all while I have the chance. Scottish music has the power to energise, inspire, sooth and heal, I’m pretty focused on that just now. Immediate plans for the future are to make a new duo cd with Chris Stout, he’s on his way to rehearse now!
Read more about Catriona McKay
http://www.catrionamckay.co.uk
Buy a ticket for the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 13th December in Inverness Leisure, start time 7pm. You’ll have a great time!