When I was young and letting my dad listen to new music, he usually said ‘there’s nothing new in that – I’ve heard it all before!’ Now I’m older I’m starting to agree with him. I say this not in a bad way, I’m not trying to demean others musical output. I think it’s a consequence of […]
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The Tradition Is Nothing Without Innovation
At the weekend we hosted the Strathspey and Surreal Society. This is my introduction to the concert! The tradition is nothing without innovation. Innovation is nothing without the tradition. They go hand in hand. We need innovation to keep our music and culture moving forward, to keep the interest of young people. We need the […]
My thoughts on sustaining a career in traditional music
I was asked to contribute to the “Sustaining a career in traditional music” panel at the Traditional Music Forum’s TradTalk at the weekend and I decided to write down my thoughts on the subject. By the time I arrived at the workshop the panel had changed name to “Sustaining a life in traditional music” and […]
Trad music and the Commonwealth Games
Over the period of the Commonwealth Games it was great to hear so much trad music. The opening ceremony featured the Freedom Come All Ye, Julie Fowlis band with Duncan Chisholm and at every medal ceremony you could hear the bagpipes. It was brilliant to see Glasgow embracing its culture and not running away from […]
Don’t wait to be asked!
I’m just thinking about (banging on?) passing on the tradition again. I know there are lots of you out there with many talents – singing, playing etc – and unfortunately the phone doesn’t ring enough any more with people crying out for you to gig! It happens to all of us. New folk come along […]