MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016: Tannara

Congratulations to Tannaramusic who have been nominated in Up and Coming Artist of the Year sponsored by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016. Vote now!

We asked Joseph Peach of Tannaramusic the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
Tannara are: Owen Sinclair (Acoustic Guitar/Electric Guitar/Vocals), Becca Skeoch (Harp), Joseph Peach (Accordion) and Cameron Ross (Fiddle).

Four independent musical minds that have found a common ground in writing and arranging progressive new music. At the heart of it are their original compositions, which are joined by modern tunes, traditional ballads and musical lessons learned from within, but also, far beyond the tradition.

They play contemporary Scottish folk music: Considered, complex, arrangements that surround original tunes, modern tunes tunes and traditional ballads.

Native to different corners Scotland: Orkney, Fort Augustus, Achiltibuie and Stonehaven, they converged in Glasgow. All are entangled within Scotland’s rich web of traditions but each with very different experiences.

Their collective experience makes their musical approach unique. Despite their material’s modernity, it’s hardwired in spirit to the tradition of which their music is a continuation.

At no point is the music pretty and delicate. On fiddle, harp, guitar, accordion and vocals, Tannara play with a raw energy that brings booming sets of tunes and songs together with moments of knot-in-stomach beauty. It’s four big personalities bouncing off each other to create big sounds.

The result is an electrifying live act. Stonehaven Folk Festival described them as: “One of Scotland’s Brightest Up and Coming Bands”.

The Times: "Tannara blend fiddle, guitar, harp and accordion with sensitivity, dynamic variation and tonal awareness".

Their debut album, “Trig”, was produced by Rachel Newton, and released in the summer of 2016 to the acclaim of audiences and critics alike:

Folkwords: “One of those rare debut albums that taxes belief.. I think it highly unlikely that one could listen to ‘Trig’ and remain unmoved, either by the vibrancy of the tunes or the pull of the ballads”.

The Herald: “A quartet comprising fiddle, guitar, harp and accordion, they’ve developed their own group identity, playing smart, imaginative arrangements with verve”.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
We’ve had a long chat about this question, and the short answer is because we love it.

We all became involved, in Scottish music in different ways-Joe initially learned within the strong piping tradition that exists on the West Coast; Cameron from the East Coast fiddle tradition; Owen’s musical interest started as an indie guitarist, drummer and vocalist, before coming to Scottish music in his secondary school years, and much of Becca’s earlier experience is from the Fèisean movement

To us, the Scottish music scene at the moment has a wonderful freedom about it: To be able to look at the tradition we’re all a part of and treat it as something malleable, to have the freedom to make thing which is so integral to all of us sound in such a way that it reflects us as individuals and as a band. It’s an amazing thing.

Socially across the scene there’s also this amazing attitude amongst everyone involved of sharing, interest and encouragement- it’s such a nice environment to be in.

Any particular career highlights?
Being nominated for this award has just shot to the top of the list we think!

We've been lucky to do loads of great things since we formed the just under two years ago:

2016 was a great year for gigs. We had a busy time playing the length and breadth of Scotland at some lovely venues and festivals. We also managed a short tour of the Netherlands and Belgium.

Creating and releasing our debut album ‘Trig’. We’re indebted to all of the crowdfunders and Creative Scotland for their confidence and financial support. We had two sold out launch gigs, some great feedback from audiences and critics, and more and more radio play around the world. And it got in to the Longlist for the Trad album of the year award!

What are your plans for the future?
Full steam ahead! We’re spending the winter months writing some new music and getting set for a busy year in 2017.

Unfortunately due to other commitments, Cameron is going to be taking a leave of absence from the band for the next few months. Stepping in will be Robbie Greig, another good pal and wonderful fiddle player, who was a finalist in the 2016 Young Traditional Musician of the Year Competition.

Cameron will return later in 2017, and from that point we’ll operate as a five piece, it’s very exciting! When Cameron returns we’ll write a whole pile of new music and start planning to record a new album for release in 2018.

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.