MUSIC NEWS Scotland

The deadline for Lamp House Music’s project ‘One Step Beyond’ is this coming Friday – 3 June 2016 at 9pm.
The acclaimed Music School and Rehearsal Studios based in Haddington are keen to remind young people of this fantastic opportunity – particularly those who have been busy with exams at school and college and therefore have not yet submitted their application.

‘One Step Beyond’, with support from Creative Scotland, offers free places for youth music bands and solo artists, ages 16-25, based in East Lothian and Midlothian.

‘One Step Beyond’ will run in July/August 2016 and aims to enhance participants’ knowledge and experience of the music industry whilst equipping young people with the tools to assist them with the next step in their music careers.

Lamp House Music’s ‘One Step Beyond’, which was announced in April, will provide the opportunity for up to 50 young people to work with music industry experts, completely free. Each band/artist involved will rehearse at Lamp House Music (Haddington), record two songs in professional recording studio, The Sound Café (Penicuik), plus take part in various Music Industry Workshops – including a Music Marketing & Branding Session to include professionally produced photographs and band logo forming part of a bespoke Press Pack for bands/artists to use alongside their completed tracks, as a valuable promotional tool to support their future musical careers.

At the end of the project, participating bands and artists will perform in a Live Showcase to an invitation-only audience to include several renowned music industry professionals who will be offering advice and feedback to all of the performers. The Live Showcase venue has now been confirmed as Queen Margaret University’s Student Union.

Callum Maguire, Education Manager at Lamp House Music, said, “In recent weeks, young people have been very busy with exams at school, college and university – but with exams now over, we are keen to remind youth bands and solo artists from East Lothian and Midlothian, of this fantastic opportunity, which is fully funded by Creative Scotland. But the closing date for applications is this Friday – so there’s no time to delay!”

In addition, Lamp House Music are working in partnership with Edinburgh College – offering their students paid work experience on the project as Assistant Sound Engineers. Students will work alongside professional engineers at The Sound Café in Penicuik, in the recording part of the ‘One Step Beyond’ process. Applications for this are also to be submitted via the Lamp House Music website, by Friday 3 June 2016.

To apply, bands/artists (and Assistant Sound Engineers) must complete a short application form available online or from Lamp House Music. The deadline date for all applications is Friday 3rd June 2016.

More information can be found at http://www.lamphousemusic.co.uk/one-step-beyond or by calling 01620 825630.

‘One Step Beyond’ is supported by Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative – Access to Music Making Programme – £16,520.

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We are delighted to have the Scottish Music Centre as a sponsor of the MUSIC NEWS Scotland ‘Latest News’ Blog – please click HERE to view their website and see the vast array of services they can offer Scottish musicians.

!! Watch the 2015 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards / Na Trads @ http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06r83dq/na-trads-2015

The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards celebrated its 13th year in style on Saturday 5 December with a glittering awards ceremony which was their biggest and best yet – as the awards were streamed worldwide for the first time ever (See below for a full list of winners).

Broadcast live on BBC ALBA, BBC Radio Scotland and globally through the BBC ALBA website, the prestigious awards – organised by Hands Up for Trad – saw stars of the Scottish music scene take to Dundee’s Caird Hall to celebrate and honour the very best of traditional talent.

This year’s notable winners include Treacherous Orchestra, who clinched the coveted Album of the Year award, sponsored by Birnam CD, for their second album ‘Grind’, while founding band member, Ross Ainslie, scooped PRS for Music’s Composer of the Year. This year has been a busy one for the band, having toured the UK promoting the album to rave reviews. Ross Ainslie, has weaved tour dates around the band’s to promote his collaborations with some of the biggest names in trad and also worked with Greg Lawson on the orchestration of Martyn Bennett’s GRIT – Celtic Connections Opening Concert, which was awarded Event of the Year on the evening.

Other winners of the prestigious prizes included Gaelic Singer of the Year winner, Griogair Labhruidh, who beat off stiff competition from Alyth McCormack, Ainsley Hamill and Fiona J MacKenzie. Griogair has made a name for himself in recent years as not only a talented singer but also as a tutor and performer in Gaelic rap, bringing the language to a more mainstream audience through eclectic events across the country.

Greentrax Recording’s Live Act of the Year went to Rura, who’s energetic live performances has earned them national acclaim and a string of sold-out shows in 2015, despite having formed only a couple of years ago. Their line-up is made up of some of the biggest names on the Scottish folk scene, including Adam Holmes, Steven Blake, Jack Smedley, David Foley and Adam Brown – each having played individually across the globe.

Pipe Band of the Year went to Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band, who wowed 50,000 music fans at Glasgow Green this summer when they won the heralded 2015 World Pipe Band Championships, becoming the first Scottish band to win the title in 10 years.

Event Founder and Hands Up for Trad Creative Director, Simon Thoumire, said: “This was our first year in Dundee and it was more than worth the wait. We’ve had a spectacular night with tremendous talent being celebrated, so congratulations once again to tonight’s nominees and worthy winners. Year upon year, we see some of the best talent in the world come to these awards and we are humbled to see our 13th year one of the biggest and best yet, with support from the public and acts continuing to grow.

“We would also like to thank the Caird Hall, for being such warm hosts, Dundee City Council for their overwhelming support this year and MG ALBA for their continued contribution to the awards and allowing the whole world to tune in and enjoy the evening with us – we can’t thank you enough for your support.

“We’re delighted to announce that in 2016 the Scots Trad Awards are staying put and will return to Dundee’s Caird Hall on 3 December – so keep your eyes peeled for more exciting news in 2016.”

The evening saw performances from some of the country’s best loved acts, including the legendary Peatbog Faeries, who are currently celebrating 20 years of music, world-renowned fiddler Duncan Chisholm and Gaelic singer Cathy Ann MacPhee and Winner 2015 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of The Year singer, Claire Hastings, before the night was concluded by a fantastic ceilidh.

Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said: “It was great to see Scotland’s traditional music being celebrated along with Gaelic language and culture at the Scots Trad Awards, and to know that the event was broadcast worldwide on BBC ALBA bringing Scotland’s traditional music to a global audience. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting our unique languages, culture and music and last night all three were brought together to celebrate Scotland’s rich heritage. I would like to congratulate all the winners and everybody involved in putting on such a great event.”

Iseabail Mactaggart, Director of Development and Partnerships, said: “Hands Up for Trad and MG ALBA have worked successfully in partnership for the past eight years to showcase some of Scotland’s finest performers and celebrate our rich musical culture, spanning the Scottish Gaelic, Scots and English languages.

For the first time this year, Na Trads were streamed worldwide via http://www.bbc.co.uk/alba. Making BBC ALBA’s content available to bigger and new markets is just one of the benefits that ensue from successful co-productions such as Port, a BeesNees/TG4 series, which won the award for Trad Music in the Media tonight. Co-production is not only an aim in itself, it is vital to enhancing the success of our creative sector, pooling resources and reaching new markets, exposing them to Scotland’s content and rich cultural heritage.”

Stuart Fleming, Senior Manager of event sponsors PRS for Music of PRS for Music, said: “PRS for Music are delighted to be here in Dundee to celebrate the vast wealth of talent in Scotland’s Traditional Music scene. We’d like to congratulate all tonight’s nominees and winners”

Ian Smith, Head of Music at Creative Scotland, said: “The Trad Awards are an important part of Scotland’s cultural life, celebrating our indigenous creative culture in music brilliantly. Congratulations to all of the winners, nominees and to Dundee on their hosting such a prestigious event.”

The full winners list for this year’s MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards:

Album of the Year sponsored by Birnam CD – Grind by Treacherous Orchestra

Club of the Year sponsored by Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland – Orkney Accordion and Fiddle Club

Composer of the Year sponsored by PRS for Music – Ross Ainslie

Community Project of the Year sponsored by Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust – Live Music Now Scotland

Event of the Year sponsored by VisitScotland – GRIT: Celtic Connections Opening Concert

Gaelic Singer of the Year sponsored by Macmeanmna – Griogair Labhruidh

Instrumentalist of the Year sponsored by Royal Scottish Country Dance Society – Mairi Campbell

Live Act of the Year sponsored by Greentrax Recordings – Rura

Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year sponsored by Traditional Music and Song Association – Fiona Hunter

Scottish Dance Band of the Year sponsored by National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs – Simon Howie

Scottish Folk Band of the Year sponsored by Threads of Music – Dàimh

Pipe Band of the Year sponsored by The National Piping Centre – Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band

Trad Music in the Media sponsored by Skipinnish – Port, BBC ALBA

Music Tutor of the Year sponsored by Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative – Jenn Butterworth

Up and Coming Artist of the Year sponsored by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – League of Highland Gentlemen

Venue of the Year Award – SEALL at Sabhal Mor Ostaig

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https://twitter.com/Na_Trads

http://www.facebook.com/NaTrads2014/

http://www.handsupfortrad.co.uk/tradmusicawards

Thank you to the Scottish Music Centre for sponsoring our ‘Latest News’ blog ….. http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com/

Early bird tickets for the 2016 Hebridean Celtic Festival have sold out in record time after organisers announced Scottish rock legends Runrig will headline the event.

Several hundred advance weekend tickets, held at last year’s rates, were snapped up by fans from across the world within hours of going on sale last week. Hundreds more were made available and have also now been sold, making it the biggest and fastest sale of early bird tickets in HebCelt’s history.

But those fans not so quick off the mark can still book their place at the award-winning festival. Regular weekend tickets for HebCelt 2016, covering the main arena (Thursday – Saturday) are now available at http://www.hebceltfest.com/booking.

Further announcements will be made next week on the festival line-up and day tickets will go on sale in the New Year when the full programme is confirmed.

The 21st HebCelt will be held from 13-16 July in Stornoway in the island of Lewis. It was confirmed last week that Runrig will close the ‘coming of age’ celebrations on Saturday, 16 July during the nationwide tour in support of their 14th – and last – studio album, The Story, which is released in January.

The news drew a huge and immediate response with music fans from across the UK and Europe and as far afield as the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand ensuring their attendance next summer.

Some 85 per cent of the advance tickets have been bought off-island, again highlighting HebCelt’s incredible popularity and international appeal.

Festival director Caroline Maclennan said: “The response to the advance tickets sale has been phenomenal. We started getting enquiries immediately they went on sale and they just kept coming. We had to increase the allocation because of demand and they sold out as well.

“I think the romantic notion of seeing Runrig in such a unique setting in the Gaelic heartland is a big draw for the fans.”

A complete trip and tickets package can be arranged via festival partner Hebridean Hopscotch Holidays. Deals include three nights’ accommodation at the Caladh Inn, in Stornoway, main arena weekend tickets for the festival, plus foot passenger ferry tickets from Ullapool, for £299 per person. A package including return air travel between Inverness and Stornoway is priced £449 pp – Further information at http://www.hebrideanhopscotch.com

The 2016 visit will be Runrig’s fourth appearance at HebCelt and the band are also honoured in the festival’s Hall of Fame for their outstanding contribution to Celtic music.

They said HebCelt is as close as it gets to coming home and, therefore, there could be no more fitting place to include on their forthcoming tour.

Last year, HebCelt marked its 20th anniversary by hosting its biggest number of live performances ever with more than 50 hours of music and arts events staged in the main arena in the grounds of Lews Castle, as well as an Lanntair arts centre in the town centre and other venues in rural areas.

Over the last two decades the festival has generated more than £20 million for the local economy and attracted an audience from throughout Europe and countries including the US, Australia, Japan, Canada, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Stay connected with all the festival’s news:

https://instagram.com/hebcelt

http://www.facebook.com/HebCelt

http://www.hebceltfest.com

Thank you to the Scottish Music Centre for sponsoring our ‘Latest News’ blog ….. http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com/

Paolo Nutini : photo by Andy Buchanan

The 17th Annual SSE Scottish Music Awards raised a total of £148,000 for Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland. Auction prizes included a guitar signed by Paolo Nutini, donated by Trespass. The man himself encouraged attendees to bid by offering up a personalised tour of Paisley and literally the shoes on his feet! The lucky winner won the tour and footwear for a steal at £3,300. The Paisley born singer-songwriter also made the winning bid of £8,000 for a trip to a luxury Gleneagles lodge – outbidding himself all in the name of the charity about which he spoke eloquently and at length, mentioning therapy sessions he has been part of and his ongoing and long term support for Nordoff Robbins Scotland.

Rab Noakes : photo by Andy Buchanan

Awards during the evening, on Saturday 28 November, went to Paolo himself and others included Rab Noakes, Model Aeroplanes, Amy McDonald, Single By Sunday and KLOE (full list below).

Another highlight of the night included PR mogul Murray Chalmers winning the Sunday Mail Music Business Award whose 30 years in the industry has seen him work with artists such as Coldplay, Kylie, Paloma Faith, Noel Gallagher and Muse, who all personally congratulated Murray on the night.

The night, hosted by STV’s Jennifer Reoch and Ewen Cameron, brought together some of Scotland’s most celebrated acts and artists and honoured them with numerous awards, handcrafted for the occasion by Scottish woodwork designer Paul Hodgkiss.

Winning the SSE Best Live Act Award was Paolo Nutini, who smashed a headline performance to 35,000 people for Glasgow’s Summer Sessions at Bellahouston Park, as well selling out two SSE Hydro shows at the start of the year.

Of the charity, Paolo said: “It’s great to be invited along and to continue the relationship with Nordoff Robbins that we have built up over the last ten years. The awards are a celebration of Scottish musicians which is great but more importantly, they are a catalyst for raising money to help this great charity do the fantastic work that they do. Please, if you don’t know about Nordoff and the work that they do then look into it and give them your support. Music can be a powerful thing.”

Colin Banks, Head of Sponsorship at SSE said: “The 2015 SSE Scottish Music Awards was a hugely successful evening, raising a significant amount of money for Nordoff Robbins Scotland, which will allow the charity to continue the life-changing provision of music therapy throughout the country.

“SSE is proud to have awarded the Best Live Act prize to the amazing Paolo Nutini following a year which saw him play sold-out shows at The SSE Hydro and Bellahouston Park, amongst a worldwide tour taking in almost 100 shows.”

Also honoured was Clare Grogan who took home the prestigious People Make Glasgow Special Recognition Award and performed with her new all-girl band line up. The multitalented singer and actress has been a spokesperson for her home town of Glasgow, which was named as one of National Geographic Traveler’s Top 20 world destinations for 2016.

Presenting the award was Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, who said: “I was honoured to present the PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW Special Recognition Award to Clare and to shine the spotlight on a leading musician that has helped to raise Glasgow’s profile as a world-class music destination.”

Pioneering boy-band Bay City Rollers picked up the Sir Reo Stakis Living Legends Award before closing the show in an outstanding tartan-clad performance which had the whole room on their feet. On his return to the music industry, singer

Les McKeown said: “This award means so much to me personally… as it’s from the Homeland! It’s truly amazing to see all this love for The Rollers again … I would like to thank everyone at SSE Scottish Music Awards for honouring the Rollers in such an incredible way after all these years. This award is bigger than the Oscars because the Nordoff Robbins charity help change peoples lives… that’s special! Rollermania is back!!”

His bandmate, Alan Longmuir continued: “Winning this award makes me feel immensely proud and a wee bit emotional to receive this wonderful recognition after all these years. Nordoff Robbins Scotland is such a great charity and shows that music can be such a powerful healer. It was a privilege to be asked to close the SSE Scottish Music Awards show tonight and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did and that everyone continues to support such an amazing cause.”

Guitarist Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood extended their gratitude: “Winning this award is simply amazing and I feel very honoured. I’m very thankful to be involved in something that shows that music can be such an amazing thing! A big thanks to the SSE Scottish Music Awards team and please everyone continue to support the Nordoff Robbins charity.”

Ticketmaster’s Tourmaster Award went to stadium filler and indie rock legend, Noel Gallagher who will be playing the SSE Hydro next April sent his thanks by video link saying: “If you’re coming to the Hydro next year, I’ll see you there. Thank you very much.”

The audience were also treated to a performance by the BBC’s The Voice champion, Stevie McCrorie, and Grammy winner Foxes picked up the SSE Hydro and Raymond Weil UK Artist of the Year.

Donald MacLeod, Chairman of Nordoff Robbins Scotland said: “This years’ SSE Scottish Music Awards has been the biggest yet – with headline acts like the Bay City Rollers, Noel Gallagher and Paolo Nutini all being honoured. The last 17 years have been an incredible journey – not only for the Awards but also for the charity itself. Huge thanks to SSE for allowing us to grow – we’re overjoyed that the charity will reach more and more people all across Scotland and in particular when we open our new facility in Aberdeen. We want to thank everyone who has helped, supported and donated tonight – every penny counts towards bettering peoples lives through music, and that is an incredible achievement.”

The full list of awards and winners is as follows:

SSE Best Live Act

Paolo Nutini – http://www.paolonutini.com

People Make Glasgow Special Recognition Award

Clare Grogan – http://www.facebook.com/ClareGrogansAlteredImages/

Sunday Mail Music Business Award

Murray Chalmers – http://murraychalmers.com/

Nordoff Robbins Contribution to Music Award

Rab Noakes – http://rabnoakes.com/

Jack Daniels Best Breakthrough Award

White – http://www.calledwhite.com/

Hard Rock Cafe Best Emerging Artist

Model Aeroplanes – http://www.modelaeroplan.es/

Sir Reo Stakis Living Legend Award

Bay City Rollers – http://www.lesmckeown.com/

King Tut’s Songwriting Award

Amy McDonald – http://www.amymacdonald.co.uk/

Ticketmaster Tourmaster Award

Noel Gallagher – http://www.noelgallagher.com/

STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh Scottish Music Hall of Fame Award

Donovan – http://www.donovan.ie/en/

Capitol FM’s Performance

Single By Sunday – http://www.facebook.com/SingleBySunday/

SSE Hydro and Raymond Weil UK Artist of the Year

Foxes – http://www.iamfoxes.com/

Big Apple Rekordelig Award

KLOE – https://soundcloud.com/kloemusic

For more information on Scotland’s only music therapy charity visit:

http://nrscot.org.uk/ or to make a donation please visit http://www.justgiving.com/nrmt or call 01506 239578.

Text MMCL14 to 70070 to donate anything up to £10

http://www.facebook.com/nordoffrobbinsscotland

https://twitter.com/NRScot     #SSEScotMusicAwards

Thank you to the Scottish Music Centre for sponsoring our ‘Latest News’ blog ….. http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com/

We are delighted to have the Scottish Music Centre as a sponsor of the MUSIC NEWS Scotland ‘Latest News’ Blog – please click above to view their website and see what services they can offer Scottish musicians

Scottish rock legends Runrig will make the Gaelic heartland part of their 2016 UK tour by headlining next year’s Hebridean Celtic Festival.

The band will close the 21st HebCelt’s ‘coming of age’ celebrations on Saturday, 16 July during the nationwide tour in support of their 14th – and last – studio album, The Story, which is released in January.

With a sell-out crowd predicted, fans are being urged to book in advance. A limited number of early bird weekend tickets for the award-winning festival will be available to buy online at http://www.hebceltfest.com from Friday (27th November). Held at last year’s rates, the prices range from £83 (£64 for concessions and £20 for children under 14 with under 5s going free) for the main arena events.

It will be Runrig’s fourth appearance at HebCelt, where the internationally-renowned band are also honoured in the Hall of Fame for their outstanding contribution to Celtic music.

Runrig

They say HebCelt is as close as it gets to coming home and, therefore, there could be no more fitting place to include on the tour.

Guitarist and founder member Rory Macdonald said: “Of all the festivals we have played there is no doubt that HebCelt stands alone in the band’s experience. It is the festival that is closest to the music and the people that inspired us. It is very much home ground.”

Brian Hurren, the band’s keyboard player, added: “I can’t wait to get the sounds and the emotion of the studio recordings transposed into the context of the live show. It was a very special album for us all and the live tour will be no exception.”

HebCelt director Caroline Maclennan, added: “Runrig are quite rightly regarded as musical legends, not just in Scotland but across the globe. We are so excited they will be joining us next year – their only gig in the Highlands and Islands – during their nationwide tour.

“Their rise has been mirrored by the increase in interest in the Gaelic language and they are seen as local heroes in these parts. We know their huge following in the islands will be thrilled that they will be back with us in 2016.

“We will shortly be announcing some other superb acts and look forward to presenting a diverse and innovative programme for 2016 to give our audience around the world plenty to look forward to.”

The original Runrig Dance Band performed for the first time as a three piece in 1973 at Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall with Rory Macdonald on guitar, brother Calum on drums and Blair Douglas on accordion. Singer Donnie Munro joined the following year.

Later Blair left, and they were joined by accordionist and old school friend Robert Macdonald, who died in 1986 after a long battle against cancer.

Subsequent changes saw guitarist Malcolm Jones, drummer Iain Bayne and Richard Cherns, on keyboards, join. When Richard left in 1986 his place was taken by Pete Wishart, which completed the classic Runrig line up that was to endure for a decade.

In 1997 Donnie left to pursue a political career and his place was taken by Canadian Bruce Guthro. Pete was later replaced by Brian Hurren in 2001 to put in place the current line-up.

Last year the band staged Party on the Moor, a massive gig at Muir of Ord, near Inverness, to celebrate their 40th anniversary and the remarkable journey from island dance band to international phenomenon.

Their 2016 tour starts in Aberdeen in February after two years of writing and recording the new album. A single, also called The Story, and video are already available.

HebCelt has grown from a small event attracting less than 1,000 fans, to an international showpiece for Celtic and traditional music, generating more than £20 million for the local economy over two decades.

Last year, it marked its 20th anniversary by hosting its biggest number of live performances ever with more than 50 hours of music and arts events staged in the main arena in the grounds of Lews Castle, as well as an Lanntair arts centre in the town centre and other venues in rural areas.

Audiences included visitors travelling from throughout the UK and Europe as well from the US, Australia, Japan, Canada, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

This year’s festival will be held from 13-16 July.

Stay connected with all the festival’s news:

* on Twitter (https://twitter.com/hebcelt)

* on Instagram (https://instagram.com/hebcelt/)

* on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/HebCelt)

* online (https://www.hebceltfest.com/)

Thank you to the Scottish Music Centre for sponsoring our ‘Latest News’ blog ….. http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com/

We are delighted to have the Scottish Music Centre as a sponsor of the MUSIC NEWS Scotland ‘Latest News’ Blog – please click above to view their website and see what services they can offer Scottish musicians