MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards: Mischa Macpherson

Congratulations to Mischa Macpherson who has been nominated in Gaelic singer of the Year sponsored by Macmeanmna in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2014. Vote now!

We asked Mischa Macpherson the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
I’m a singer, Gaelic native and clàrsach player from the Isle of Lewis. Having grown up immersed in the distinctive culture, music, language and landscape of the Outer Hebrides, I discovered an enjoyment in creating music at a very early age, and it is these influences I hope to always to stay true. Last year I studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, exploring Scandinavian music and enjoying the peaceful Finish lifestyle. This year I’ve performed most regularly alongside great friends and musicians, piper Conal McDonagh and guitarist Innes White, under ‘The Mischa Macpherson Trio’ – and I was delighted to also be a part of the inquisitive ‘Away With the Birds’ project as well as Calum MacCrimmon’s band, ‘Boraraig’. I owe a lot of what I know about Gaelic song to tradition barer, Kenna Campbell, and I appreciate so much all the time that she and other elders of the Gaelic community have taken to pass on their knowledge to younger folk like me.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
From a young age, I have had an appreciation for traditional music. I was raised listening to bands like Shooglenifty and Capercaille and from there developed a love for the tradition. I participated in Mod competitions growing up and through this, learned an array of local Gaelic songs from a former Gold Medallist and elder of my village, Alma Jaimeson. Everything followed naturally from there to where I am now.

Any particular career highlights?
This year it was a real honour to win the 2014 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award at the Royal Albert Hall in London with my trio. Following that I was invited to do a live session on BBC Radio 2 and a major UK tour including a performance on the main stage of Fairport’s Cropredy Convention to an audience of 20,000 people.
In 2013 I travelled to Australia to perform at the National Celtic Festival in Melbourne with Feis Rois; and this year was given the opportunity to perform at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and at Celtic Colours festival in Canada.

What are your plans for the future?
I hope to start recording my first solo album soon with a release in early 2015. I plan to continue to tour the UK and Europe as well as returning to Finland to study at the Sibelius Academy, where I studied last year on exchange. In the longer future, it’s my aim to travel more, making connections with other cultures and musicians and testing the boundaries of my creativity while keeping my feet grounded in Hebridean roots and Gaelic song.

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!