Hands Up for Trad’s Trad Music Spotlight is a monthly feature on a band or solo artist. It was first launched in February 2015 and features musicians who are working in the trad scene – both in Scotland and around the world. We asked award winning singer Lori Watson a few questions.
What’s happening?
I’m working on my new project Yarrow. I’m releasing monthly singles for the Yarrow Acoustic Sessions while working on ideas towards a contemporary folk album. It’s been an opportunity to work more slowly, develop collaborations and to spend a bit more time connecting the songs and stories. I am loving working this way.
I’ve been developing my understanding of vocal mechanics to support traditional singers. It’s fairly new knowledge in that vocal technique has almost always been assigned to specific genres/performance styles. I’m looking at the mechanics in order to develop healthy and expressive use of the voice in traditional song, which has quite varied aesthetics: your technique shouldn’t restrict your sound.
Look out for a new Yarrow single every month at loriwatson.bandcamp.com. The next single releases on Friday 14th April.
When was the band formed?
I’ve been gigging since I was about 14. The sounds I make have evolved a lot in that time, not always getting more complicated or challenging – sometimes getting a lot simpler. I’ve been in a few different bands over the years and have four albums out there from my own projects. I’m taking my time over the next one.
I’m collaborating with my partner Duncan Lyall on Yarrow. He brings his famous attention to detail to the project and it’s been great experimenting with sounds with him. There are a mix of guest musicians involved too and Nick Cooke has been mastering everything beautifully.
What excites you about performing Scottish music?
Connecting. With people, ideas, emotions, stories, places, history. I like the idea that all these things can be connected in a moment of performance.
Recently I’ve been on the jury for a really exciting Doctor of Performance candidate in Finland and we have some brilliant artistic research in trad music happening at RCS where I’m on staff: it’s a very interesting and inspiring time for trad and folk music in the world.
What’s next for you?
Making more singles for Yarrow Acoustic Sessions and some writing and composing for Yarrow. I also play with Boreas and Iain Morrison, there’s some more new music coming your way soon..
And I’m working on publishing some of my artistic research this year: I’ve been moving between creativity/performance and creativity/research over the last decade.
There’s a few gigs coming up too!
https://soundcloud.com/lori-watson/sets/loriwatsonscotstrad
Read more about Lori Watson at their website http://www.loriwatson.net