I’m delighted to have been selected as one of 12 semi-finalists for the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2018. The semi-finals will take place at Wiston Lodge in South Lanarkshire between the 6th and the 8th of October. With a concert at Coulter Hall, Coulter, South Lanarkshire on Saturday 7th October 2017 at 7.30pm. Tickets for the semi-finals can be purchased here.
A few months ago, myself and Luc McNally, along with students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, headed to the BBC Studios to record some live material. Here is the great Aberdeenshire ballad, Glenlogie, followed by a nice wee chat with Gary Innes, and a rendition of the Twa Sisters, which I got from the singing of Pete Coe and Alice Jones, and “Doric’d up”. Luc and I are on in the second half of the broadcast from 1:14 o 1:28 .
I’ve had a great year so far with lots of great collaborations and projects! It’s certainly been my busiest year so far, with a number of live performances, festivals and tours alongside my studies at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
January
I started off the year performing in various concerts throughout Celtic Connections. A lovely performances as part of Aidan Moffat’s Where You’re Meant to Be Farewell Concert featuring Aidan Moffat and James Graham, Danny Couper, and Margaret Bennett. I was also part of a new project titled Old Roots, New Shoots , an inter-generic project showcasing the different styles of music found in the North East of Scotland, featuring Old Blind Dogs, Jenny Sturgeon, Clype, Rick Redbeard, Best Girl Athlete and even a Doric rapper, Jackill! I spent the rest of the monthgearing up towards the BBC Radio Young Traditional Musician of the Year Final, which was held in City Halls in Glasgow, which was won by the wonderful Charlie Stewart.
February/March
There was no rest for the wicked and I headed up to Aberdeen to host a fundraising concert for my debut album, which coincided with the launch of my indiegogo campaign, which raised £6,368. The Old Roots, New Shoots team had a brilliant reception at our Lemon Tree performance too! I took my first trip to Uist for a performance at the South Uist Folk Club, and failed then passed my driving test…
April/May
April had the trio heading out for our spring tour! We headed to Huntly, Herga, Lewes, London, Glenbuchat, Montrose and Fochabers, St Albans, Haddenham and Edinburgh! We took part in the Hands up For Trad Battle of the Folk Bands too! After wisdom teeth removal, I headed straight up to Orkney for the first time to play at Orkney Folk Festival with the full band. What a great festival! I also performed in a collaborative performance titled “Interwoven”, featuring BMus Traditional Music Students and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Big Band.
June was the month with lots of unaccompanied singing! First, Luc McNally and I headed to Portsoy 8th Haal in Banffshire. Then it was the Keith TMSA Festival, where I was placed 1st at Best Local Singer and 2nd at Traditional Singer! I also started recording my debut album featuring guest Simon Gall!
Myself and Luc McNally featured at the Inspiring Aberdeenshire Awards ceremony and performed in the gale at Portsoy Boat Festival. Then it was off to Sark! What a beautiful little island. Before this year, I had no clue it even existed. The trio had such a fun time on the charter boat…
July started as it meant to go on, very very busy! The first saw us performing at The Reid Hall in Forfar, supporting Manran with our good pals from Gnoss. Next was Aberdeen’s Silver City Stramash concert with the North East’s finest, Old Blind Dogs, who were presented with their Landmark Award by Hands Up For Trad. I was back upto the North East the following weekend for Stonehaven Folk Festival, joined by Aidan Moodie and Graham Rorie. We had a lovely Friday night concert with the Jarlath Henderson Band. On the Saturday of Stonehaven, I held a workshop titled “Songs of the North East”, using Tam Speir’s wonderful songbook, “Fin I Wis Young”. The last July festival was Cullerlie Traditional Singing Weekend and it was grand! The guests and audience alike were comprised of some of Britain and Irelands great folksingers. It was lovely to meet with old friends and make new ones too. Highlights included a great workshop titled “Songs of Place” held by Matt Quinn and Sid Calderbank. Guests included Margaret Bennett, Pete Shepheard, Rita Gallagher, Matt Quinn, Mark Dunlop, Bob Knight, Annie Reid, Jim Taylor. It was terrifying to sing infront of so many brilliant folksingers, who really know their stuff, but it was lovely to hear such a wealth of unaccompanied song in one festival, held at Tam and Anne Reid’s farm, Cullerlie Farm Park, home to Tracey and Eric, Paul and Sarah.
Join one of Scotlands finest young ballad singers, Iona Fyfe for an intimate performance of Songs of the North East at the Acoustic Music Centre on the 18th of August. Doors will open at 21:30 for a 22:00 start.
Held in the Ukranian Community Centre, tickets will cost £8 for adults with concession tickets costing £6/5. Tickets are available online or on the door. Do bring along your voices and join me in rhyme…
Iona Fyfe 