MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2017: Ryan Young

Congratulations to Ryan Young who have been nominated in Album of the Year sponsored by Birnam CD in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2017. Vote now!

We asked Ryan Young of Ryan Young the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
Scots Trad Music Awards 'Up And Coming artist of the year', Ryan Young is an emerging young fiddle player bringing new and exciting ideas to traditional Scottish music. He recorded his debut album with triple GRAMMY winner, Jesse Lewis, who has worked with the likes of Yo-Yo Ma and Bela Fleck. Ryan holds both a first class honours and a Masters degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, as well as being a twice in finalist in both the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards and the BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year.

Ryan recently launched his debut album at Feakle Traditional Music Festival in County Clare, Ireland where he was accompanied by renowned guitarist, Dennis Cahill (Martin Hayes; The Gloaming).

Ryan focuses mainly on Scottish music, bringing new life to very old, often forgotten tunes by playing them in his own unique way. He is very influenced by the fiddle playing of County Clare, Ireland and has been fascinated by the playing of renowned fiddlers such as Bobby Casey, Paddy Canny, PJ and Martin Hayes and Tommy Potts from Dublin.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Ever since I started playing traditional music, I have wanted to be a full-time musician. I love finding old, half-forgotten tunes and sharing them with an audience. I feel that traditional music has a very unique expressive quality and I love the opportunity to perform, trying to go deeper and deeper into the tunes each time.

Any particular career highlights?
I recently launched my debut album, 'Ryan Young', accompanied by a Dennis Cahill on guitar who hasn't been a longstanding hero of mine. I launched the album at Feakle Traditional Music Festival in County Clare, Ireland. This is the home village of Irish Fiddler Martin Hayes. Although I generally only play Scottish music, Martin and several of the players from this locality's approaches to music is something that has had a lasting impression on me. It was very special to me to launch my album at this festival. I also played with both Martin and Dennis for the first time which was another very special moment for me.

What are your plans for the future?
I hope to continue performing as much as I can, and would love to play further abroad – I would love to share the tunes I find with audiences around the world. I am also enjoying teaching and hope this will continue to build and develop.

If you would like to come along to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Paisley’s Lagoon Centre call 0300 300 1210 or to buy online visit www.paisley2021.co.uk/events/the-mg-alba-scots-trad-music-awards. Tickets can also be purchased via Paisley Arts Centre. Bands performing on Saturday 2nd December include Elephant Sessions, The Shee Big Band, Siobhan Miller, Tidelines, Paisley Fèis, Snuffbox, The Seamus O’Sullivan Experience, Lori Watson, Jenna Reid and Harris Playfair, Songs of Bàrd Phàislig (featuring Gillebrìde MacIlleMhaoil, Sìneag MacIntyre, Màiri NicAonghais, Seonaidh MacIntyre, Ewan MacPherson, Mhairi Hall, Màiri Nic a Mhaoilein and more to be announced. There will also be a late night ceilidh after the Awards till 1am.