Aidan Moodie from Kirkwall, Orkney is a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2023. The finals will be held at Celtic Connections Festival on 5th February 2022 at 5pm. Buy a ticket here or listen live on BBC Radio Scotland or watch on BBC ALBA.
We asked Aidan the following questions:
How did you get involved in traditional music?
I got involved in traditional music thanks to growing up in Orkney.
I learnt guitar as part of secondary school music lessons as as teen, and shortly after that, Brian Cromarty from The Chair / Satlfishforty corralled me into in a traditional performance group. My friends and I started a six-piece folk band and went on to win a Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections in 2012 which is where things really picked up steam; travelling south to festivals, playing more around the islands up home, and eventually joining the Royal Conservatoire’s traditional music course when I moved to Glasgow at 18.
Why did you enter BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award?
I entered because I felt like I might now have something to offer musically as a solo artist. I’ve spent my time in Glasgow playing in bands and as an accompanist for other wonderful musicians – in the past year or so I’ve felt a style that feels more my own crystallise. I thought it might be the right time to give the competition a shot! Many friends I admire have competed in the past and I feel very grateful to share in their experience.
Who has been the biggest inspiration/influence on your music-making and why?
I’ve got a few family members to thank – my auntie Heather Rendall who taught my first notes at age 7, and my Grandad Jackie Miller who played in The Hamnavoe Dance Band (who maybe passed down a folky gene) – but I don’t come from a particularly musical family! I’d more say the music scene in Orkney was my biggest influence. Having acts like The Chair, Saltfishforty, and Kris Drever all come from home was endlessly inspiring, and seeing top-shelf visiting artists at The Orkney Folk Festival gave young me an idea of what it could be like to be a professional. If I grew up anywhere else I’m not sure I’d have fallen this path the same way.
Are there any moments in your career so far that you particularly cherish and why?
Being asked to co-direct Orkney Folk Festival: The Gathering at Celtic Connections in 2019 was a true career highlight of mine. My friend Graham Rorie and I put together a show with as many of our favourite artists from home as we could manage, and played Orkney music to a sold-out Old Fruitmarket. It was really beautiful to share that night with so many musicians I admired. That and all the memories I’ve made playing with my bandmates in Gnoss and Manran. There are too many to count.
What are your plans and aspirations for the future?
I’d love to keep gigging, travelling, meeting new people, and releasing better (!) music. I feel very blessed to be doing what I dreamed of doing when I moved to Glasgow eight years ago – if I can just keep it up I’ll be beyond happy. I’d also like a Playstation 5.
When you are not playing music what else do you enjoy doing?
My peedie sister Leah Moodie and my girlfriend Joy Tan got me into film photography – I love cutting about and spending time on that when I can. But I’m a little lazy so I mostly stay inside and play videogames. And drink my Granny’s gin.
Find out more about the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award at www.bbc.co.uk/youngtrad Why not buy a ticket to hear Aidan Moodie or any other of the finalists at the Grand Finals on Sunday 5th February 2023 at 5pm. The finals are part of Celtic Connections festival.
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