MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016: Joy Dunlop

Congratulations to Joy Dunlop who have been nominated in Gaelic singer of the Year sponsored by Macmeanmna in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016. Vote now!

We asked Joy Dunlop of Joy Dunlop the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
I was born and raised in the small village of Connel, Argyll and from a very young age, I loved music, singing and dancing. I grew up competing in the Mòd and attending Fèis Latharna in Oban, which introduced me to the beautiful Gaelic song traditions of my area. After completing an immersion degree in Gaelic Language and Culture at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, I worked as a Gaelic Development Officer for An Comunn Gàidhealach, before taking the plunge and embarking on a freelance music career.

Now based in Glasgow, I am lucky enough to combine my performing career with both Gaelic TV and media work and language and music teaching. I love how varied my work life is – I can be recording for television one day and teaching Gaelic songs to six year olds the next!

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Argyll has a wonderfully rich cultural heritage and growing up in Connel, I couldn't help but be immersed in its local music and language. Although I wasn't a native Gaelic speaker, there was something about the words and melodies of Gaelic songs that caught my heart and made me want to learn more and I always loved hearing Gaelic singers performing at our local ceilidhs.

My affinity with the Gaelic language and culture is just as strong now as it was then, and there's nothing that moves me more than the genuine emotions of Gaelic songs. I feel so privileged that I can make my living from performing and teaching Gaelic music but I know that even if this wasn't my job, I'd still be finding ways to learn and promote this beautiful repertoire. Gaelic singing truly is good for the soul!

Any particular career highlights?
As a self-confessed #MòdGeek, winning the Royal National Mòd Gold Medal will always be one of my biggest career highlights and being the first (and only) person ever to win both the Traditional Singer of the Year and the Traditional Dancer of the Year at the Pan Celtic Festival was also very special.

On a performing front, I have been so lucky to have toured North America and New Zealand extensively and visited many other wonderful international venues; including Cape Breton, Nova Scotia which I now regard as my second home. I also particularly loved singing at Glasgow Green with the fabulous multi-media project 'Struileag', as part of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and supporting Donnie Munro in concert at Celtic Connections. (as he's my Mum's favourite!)

What are your plans for the future?
I'm looking forward to a very busy 2017, with no less than 3 different recording projects in the pipeline. My new band 'Las' are currently recording our first EP, which is our celebration of Scotland and Ireland's shared cultural heritage and I can't wait to both launch and tour this album in Scotland and Ireland.

I was also involved in a fantastic songwriting project with Welsh singer songwriter Gareth Bonello (The Greater Good) this year and we have exciting plans for both recording these new songs and touring our shared material. Lastly, I've started working on new material for my third solo album featuring an exciting new line up and I'm very excited to see how this grows and develops.

Other than that, I'm hoping to further develop my media & teaching work both at home and internationally and try to reach as many new places as possible. My mantra is, "have Gaelic, will travel!" so who knows where I'll land!

If you would like to come along to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Dundee’s Caird Hall call the Caird Hall box office on (01382) 434940 or buy online.