Congratulations to Cala who has been nominated in Scottish Folk Band of the Year sponsored by Threads of Sound in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024. Vote for Cala now!. It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 30th November in Inverness Leisure. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Calum of Cala the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Cala grew up alongside each other in Inverness, Scotland. Their debut single Causeway (2020) and first studio album From the River (2023) were inspired by a love of performing live, and of the contemporary Trad scene of Scotland they were surrounded by when they first started playing music. The album captures the rush and vibrancy of Scottish traditional music in a fresh perspective, as well as some more spontaneous and meditative reflections on the genre.
Following these first steps, Cala are now looking to their wider influences. Their following single Two-stroke Wheelbarrow (2023) shows an eagerness for experimentation and originality, with its groove-focused arrangement and exploration of new sounds. The latest, Pillars (2024), is a summer bop with a rich blanket of 80s-inspired sounds and heavy bass that further develops Cala’s new musical direction.
Next on the cards – “THE WORLD TOUR (of Scotland)”, a self-funded and self-promoted headline tour where fans will have the chance to hear old favourites and fresh ideas alike. Cala are now busy writing their next project with an ever-present passion.
Tickets via www.calainverness.com
Photos by Shaun Matheson
Finlay MacLennan – Fiddle
Ivan Steele – Whistle & Flute
Ali MacQuarrie – Guitar
Amy Naulls – Keys
Calum MacQuarrie- Bass
Angus Walker – Drums
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Mostly through school – we all went to the same secondary school up in Inverness and is how we met each other.
Any particular career highlights?
We just put on our first tour around Scotland. We were so grateful to see how well received it was!
What are your plans for the future?
We are currently working on our second studio album – stay tuned!
Cala Social Media
Website: http://calainverness.com
Facebook: @calainverness
Twitter: @calainverness
Instagram: @cala.band
YouTube: @calainverness
TikTok: @cala.band
The 2024 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 30th November 2024 in Inverness Leisure Centre! 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 30th November include Julie Fowlis, Skipinnish, Laura Wilkie and Ian Carr, Highland Young Musicians and Arc Fiddlers, An Dannsa Dub, BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award winner 2024 Calum McIlroy 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.
