Congratulations to ÍMAR who has been nominated in Album of the Year sponsored by BirnamCD in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2023. Vote for ÍMAR now!. It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 2nd December in Dundee’s Caird Hall. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Mohsen of ÍMAR the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
With a line-up featuring members of Mànran, Mec Lir, RURA, and Talisk and a heavyweight collective haul of top prizes – including a the 2018 BBC Radio 2 Musician Of The Year, 2016 BBC Radio Scotland Young Musician of the Year, BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award, Young Folk Award, nine All-Ireland and eight All-Britain titles – the group’s formation embodies a personal reconnection with its members’ formative years, dating back long before their recent camaraderie around Glasgow’s justly celebrated session scene.
Adam Brown (bodhrán), Adam Rhodes (bouzouki), Mohsen Amini (concertina), Ryan Murphy (uilleann pipes) and Tomás Callister (fiddle) share a strong background in Irish music – although only Murphy actually hails from Ireland; Rhodes and Callister are from the Isle of Man, whilst Amini is a Glasgow native, and Brown originally from Suffolk – and it is these foundations which underpin many of Ímar’s distinctive qualities, in both instrumentation and material.
The band’s unmistakable synergy centers on the overlapping cultural heritage between Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man. All three places once shared the same Gaelic language and a similar kinship endures between their musical traditions.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
We all live and breathe it! We don't have a clue what we would do it we weren't involved in Scottish music to be honest!
Any particular career highlights?
We've had some great highlights over the last 7 years. Tonder festival, Celtic Colours and our Fruitmarket gig last year are all definitely up there.
We were also lucky enough to win the Horizon award at the BBC Radio 2 folk Awards which was unexpected and very much appreciated.
What are your plans for the future?
After releasing awakening we are pushing along touring that. Early next year takes us to Ireland and back to the states – after about 5 years off – and then as always hitting Scotland and England as much as we can!
ÍMAR Social Media
Website: http://imarband.com
Facebook: @imarband
Twitter: @imarband
Instagram: @imarband
YouTube: @imarband
TikTok: @imarband
The 2023 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 2nd December 2023! 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 Saturday 2nd December include Peatbog Faeries, Mànran, Karine Polwart and Dave Milligan, Duncan Chisholm Band, Joy Dunlop Band, Aberdeen SC&T Youth and more!
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.
