Hands Up for Trad in partnership with Creative Scotland are very pleased to announce the two winners of songwriting competition Nòs Ùr 2017. The competition asked songwriters to compose new and original songs in Scots and Gaelic languages. We had lots of great entries and the winners are:
Cionran by Ross Whyte and Alasdair Whyte.
The Gaelic term ‘cionran’ has fallen out of use but it is defined as “melancholy music”. The song’s ‘ciarag’, a Gaelic term literally defined as ‘little female dark one’, is an allegory for melancholia. Melancholia ultimately derives from an Ancient Greek word applied to the condition of having black bile. Jackie Bowring has recently cogently argued that melancholia, or melancholy is not a negative emotion, for which much of history it wasn’t, it is, rather, “a desirable condition, sought for its ‘sweetness’ and intensity” (A Field Guide to Melancholy, Harpenden Oldcastle Books, 2008). This song explores this theme. Read the lyrics.
Kettle Bilers by Emma Martin
This is the first song that I’ve composed from a collection that I’m writing about the time of Jute Mills in Dundee from the late 18th through the 19th century. The Kettle Bilers refer to the men of Dundee who were unable to work as it was the women who were employed in the mills for various reasons such as wage, rights and smaller hands for machines. This was very hard for the men to feel like men and generally they felt weak and idle. This song is told from the view point of a couple of bairns talking about their dads. One feeling useless and one very bitter about their situation.
Each winner will receive £500 each and mentoring sessions with experienced song writers. Read the lyrics.
Read more about Hands Up for Trad and our projects at www.handsupfortrad.scot
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Open to Scottish based or born acts except employees of Creative Scotland, BBC Alba/Scotland, Hands Up for Trad and their immediate families, their agents or anyone professionally associated with this promotion.
- All artists must be aged 16 or over.
- Entries can be from any genre of music.
- Only one entry per act is allowed with a maximum of one song.
- There will be two winners – one for Scots entry and one for Gaelic entry.
- Incomplete, illegible or corrupt entries, or those not in accordance with these terms & conditions will not be accepted.
- Upload an MP3 or m4a files with a recording or your song. It’s doesn’t have to be studio quality – just listenable.
- The closing date for entries is tbc.
- The winning song will be selected by our panel of experts. The shortlisted entrant will be notified by email or phone within 5 days of the closing date.
- Acts are required to take part in publicity arising from the promotion.
- The winners will be given £500 each and mentoring with an experienced song writer to the level of £500.
- In the event of unforeseen circumstances the Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize for an alternative of equal or greater value.
- No correspondence will be entered into.
- The promoter will only use the personal details supplied for the administration of the competition and for no other purpose, unless we have your consent.
- The winners will have to be available to take part in press opportunities.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
Hands Up for Trad was formed in 2002 and exists to increase the profile and visibility of Scottish Traditional Music through Information, Education and Advocacy. Hands Up for Trad’s primary aim is to promote excellence, visibility and developing talent within Scottish traditional music through our key projects; Scots Trad Music Awards, BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award, Scotland Sings, FolkWaves, Distil, Tinto Summer School and the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. Follow us @handsupfortrad, www.handsupfortrad.scot, www.facebook.com/handsupfortrad