Congratulations to Lauren Collier who has been nominated in Up and Coming Artist of the Year sponsored by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024. Vote for Lauren Collier 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 Lauren of Lauren Collier the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Lauren released her highly-anticipated debut album Uddevalla in December 2023. Lauren’s music is an atmospheric mix of songs and instrumental tracks from around the world, having taken inspiration from the music of multiple countries for her first record. The music takes listeners on a musical journey from Haiti, through Sweden and India, and onto Indonesia and Greece, all the while offering a unique blend of traditional and electronic music that is incredibly diverse, yet wholly cohesive.
With her illustrious band:Ali Hutton (Old Blind Dogs, Treacherous Orchestra), Paul Jennings (Wolfstone, Shooglenifty) and Gus Stirrat (Fat Suit, Blue Rose Code), Lauren masterfully crafts a live performance portraying a sense of place, emotion, and time.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
I began playing Traditional Scottish music as a kid. It has been an important part of my life since, and has gotten me through some tough times. Our music tells us stories, informs us of the past and that can help inform the future. As well as that, the music itself is gathered, shared and passed on through a sense of community. The social aspects of the music and the way it is learned and shared is something really special. I reckon that the Scottish Traditional Music Scene is one of the most vibrant, supportive and innovative in the world and I feel really lucky to be a small part of it.
Any particular career highlights?
We had the best time launching the album at Celtic Connections earlier this year. I felt really privileged to be part of such an incredible festival and to share the stage with some truly exceptional musicians. Also playing in the Baháʼí Lotus Temple in Delhi! What a place!
What are your plans for the future?
We hope to keep playing live and keep writing new material. I’m so fortunate to have the best band and we have the most fun playing together. I’d like to keep sharing the music and hope that more people can connect to it, and get something from it because it means so much to me.
Lauren Collier Social Media
Website: https://www.laurencollier.co
Facebook: @laurencolliermusic
Twitter: @
Instagram: @lecollier89
YouTube: @laurencolliermusic
TikTok: @
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.
