Congratulations to Hecla 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 2019. Vote here! Vote now!
We asked Ailis Sutherland of Hecla the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
From village halls in the Western Isles to major international festivals, Hecla guarantee a set list of handpicked melodies and songs from the Scottish traditional repertoire. In perfect unison, the band showcases the intricacies of Highland piping and West Highland fiddle playing, taking their name from the enigmatic hill in South Uist.
“Crisp crystalline arrangements of Scottish traditional tunes segue thrillingly from one melody to the next.”
(fRoots Magazine)
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
We love melodies and songs that focus on the land and the people who inhabit it. The most rewarding things about Scottish music for us are meeting new people, travel to new places and sharing our experience of life in Scotland through the music.
Any particular career highlights?
Performances at Festival Interceltique de Lorient, playing live on Travelling Folk at Celtic Connections, Ceòl Cholasa, Hecla & Sian Islands Tour, Piping Live 2019
What are your plans for the future?
We will be releasing our first album in early 2020 which we will launch with a tour taking us to many regions of Scotland and beyond.
Read more about Hecla
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/heclaband
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/heclaband
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/heclaband
If you wish to attend the final ceremony, tickets are are priced £25 (+ Booking Fee), and Concessions are available. To book please call Aberdeen Music Hall Box Office on 01224 641122, or visit: https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/all-shows/the-mg-alba-scots-trad-music-awards/2734. Bands performing on Saturday 7th December include Skerryvore, Session A9, Benedict Morris (BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award Winner 2019), Heisk, Aberdeenshire Youth Band, Sian, Robyn Stapleton, Mairi Campbell and the Pendulum Band, Susan MacFadyen Scottish Dance Band and more to be announced. There will also be a late night ceilidh after the Awards till 1am.
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians please consider supporting our Patreon campaign. We have 3 tiers starting at $1 a month and everything helps support us in our work. Read more at www.patreon.com/handsupfortrad