Congratulations to Lauren MacColl who has been nominated in Album of the Year sponsored by BirnamCD in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2023. Vote for Lauren MacColl 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 Lauren of Lauren MacColl the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Lauren MacColl is considered one of Scotland’s most expressive fiddle players. From the Black Isle, she studied music in Glasgow before returning home to the Highlands where she draws much of her musical inspiration.
Her new album ‘Haar’ – the 5th solo release on her own label – marks 15 years since she embarked on a solo career, and follows on from the 2020 album ‘Landskein’, lauded for its raw simplicity. ‘Haar’ is a self-penned collection of music drawn on coastal stories and happenings from around the eastern firths of the Scottish Highlands, showcasing Lauren’s writing and signature darkly-toned playing.
Lauren is a founder member of both chamber-folk quartet RANT and song-trio Salt House, with whom she continues to tour regularly, alongside her recent multi-disciplinary project ‘Heal & Harrow’ with Rachel Newton. H&H were awarded ‘Composer of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards, and played live on Radio 4’s Front Row.
Lauren was fiddle tutor for RCS Junior Conservatoire for over a decade, continues to teach her own students and community groups, and ran the Black Isle Fiddle Weekend for 9 years. Her work as a session musician on viola and fiddle has seen her record for a wide variety of artists across the Scottish music scene including Julie Fowlis, Blue Rose Code, Ewan MacLennan and Siobhan Miller. In 2019 she released a book of her own tunes titled ‘To The North…’ and toured her commissioned work ‘The Seer’ across major Scottish venues.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Best job in the world…
Any particular career highlights?
I particularly enjoy recording, whether it be a session for another artist, or my own music. Hearing your own melodies come to life in the hands of others is one of life's big joys. developing the Heal & Harrow project with Rachel Newton has been one of the most rewarding things to work on.
What are your plans for the future?
Haar was released 2 months before the birth of my baby daughter, and so we've never gigged it… one day! Future plans are to make more music with lovely people
Lauren MacColl Social Media
Website: https://www.laurenmaccoll.co.uk
Facebook: @lmaccoll
Twitter: @laurenmaccoll1
Instagram: @maccolllauren
YouTube: @
TikTok: @laurenmaccollmusic
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.
