Congratulations to Elephant Sessions who has been nominated in Album of the Year sponsored by Birnam CD, Live Act of the Year sponsored by Greentrax Recordings in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2022. Vote for Elephant Sessions now!. It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Sunday 4th December in Dundee’s Caird Hall. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Alasdair of Elephant Sessions the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Hailing from the Highlands of Scotland the band formed in 2012. They are comprised of Euan Smillie (fiddle), Alasdair Taylor (mandolin), Seth Tinsley (bass, synth) and Greg Barry (drums, samples).
Creating a progressive blend of intricate tunes, engulfing guitars, with a bass and drum heavy backline, their music combines the very best of trad, funk and electronica resulting in a new and exciting sound. Gigging extensively around the UK, they swiftly built a fan base and went on to release their debut album The Elusive Highland Beauty in 2014 to critical acclaim. This album and its subsequent tours and festival appearances saw the band winning the Best Up and Coming Act category at the BBC Alba Trad Music awards in 2014. Already renowned for their breath-taking live shows the band began to gain success not just within the U.K but also found themselves beginning to perform at some of the most prestigious European Festivals. Since then, the band have made live appearances at some of the most notable venues and festivals across the U.K, Europe, USA and Australia, including Glastonbury, Byron Bay Bluesfest, Colours of Ostrava and multiple headline sell-outs at Celtic Connections.
Mercury prize winning band Alt-J, along with BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6, found themselves converted to the band’s unique brand of indie folk.
Reviews from Rolling Stone Magazine sat alongside folk magazine coverage. Radio features accompanied documentaries and highlights shows on television stations.
The band scooped the coveted BBC MG Alba Album of the Year for ‘All We Have is Now’ and were shortlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award shortly after.
In 2018, the band also picked up the Live Act of the Year award at the BBC Scots Trad Music Awards, received a nomination for 'Best Group' in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
We all grew up playing and listening to Scottish music, particularly folk music. The Scottish music scene is thriving at the moment and it’s great being involved.
Any particular career highlights?
Our recent 10 Year Anniversary show at the Barrowlands was a massive highlight for us.
Internationally, Colours of Ostrava in Czechia and Bluesfest in Australia have to be up there
What are your plans for the future?
Having just released a new album, we want to get out and tour that, whilst taking our shows to the next level. There’s plenty of places we’d like to go and things we’d like to do!
Elephant Sessions Social Media
Website: https://www.elephantsessions.com/
Facebook: @elephantsessions
Twitter: @elephantsession
Instagram: @elephantsessions
YouTube: @elephantsessions
TikTok: @
The 2022 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are back to normal on the 4th December 2022! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here),Watch it live in the UK at 9pm (GMT) on BBC ALBA and and around the world here. Bands performing on Sunday 4th December include Elephant Sessions, Fara, Trip, Eryn Rae Trio, The Auldeners, Gordon Shand Scottish Dance Band, Irish Minstrels, Tayside Young Fiddlers, and a James Alexander Tribute.
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians why not become a friend of Hands Up for Trad. In addition to our high profile events like the Scots Trad Music Awards, we also deliver a less well known, education programme for young people from 8yrs right through to young adults at the start of their careers. Read more here.
