Congratulations to Seán Gray who has been nominated in Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year sponsored by Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024. Vote for Seán Gray 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 Seán of Seán Gray the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Seán Gray Digs into the Politics and Poetry of Ayrshire Mining Communities with his debut album Fixed Assets. The Glasgow-based Ayrshire native is already firmly established in the international folk community, as a session player, as a past member of the award-winning Paul McKenna Band, and the recipient of a prestigious Celtic Connections New Voices composing commission.
The ten track album Fixed Assets is deeply musical, lyrically compelling, beautifully considered and arranged, with the powerful poignancy of celebrated Ayrshire poet Rab Wilson’s words and Gray’s responsive composition and refined musical handling distilled into an evocative, respectful, acoustically adventurous exploration of living history.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Scottish music has always been a part of my life. I grew up in a household surrounded by music with a father who played guitar and sang and a sister who played fiddle. It has always been my biggest passion and will continue to be in the future.
Any particular career highlights?
The release of my debut album 'Fixed Assets' in August 2023.
Playing at the Cumnock Tryst festival in October 2024.
Performing at The Scots Language Awards alongside other fantastic Scots language artists in September 2024.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to continue to work on new Ayrshire Lallans Scots material including carrying on with my collaboration with Rab Wilson as well as putting older Ayrshire poetry to music.
Seán Gray Social Media
Website: https://seangraymusic.bandcamp.com/album/fixed-assets
Facebook: @https://www.facebook.com/SeanGrayMusic
Twitter: @SeanLGray
Instagram: @seanlgray
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@seangray2803
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.
