Evelyn Laurie / Understory / Richard Buchanan / Orange Circus / Arthur Coats

Evelyn Laurie Mon 25th Jan 2021

I’ve been singing and writing songs all my (long) life, in many genres! Around 16 years I found a home in jazz and developed my voice through attending (loads of!) workshops. Although I soon started performing professionally at gigs around Scotland, having a day job meant music was very much on the sidelines. Around 4 years ago I decided to focus full time on singing and songwriting. I released my debut album, “A little bit of me”, in 2018 to critical acclaim.

The tracks I’ve sent are from my forthcoming album, “My Scottish Heart” due for release early 2021. It’s a collection of 18th/19th century Scottish songs, reinvented and given a contemporary spin. The title track is an original. The wonderful musicians, led by Euan Stevenson, worked with me on a session basis.

I’m very proud of this work and keen to reach the Scottish diaspora worldwide with it.

Understory Mon 25th Jan. 2021

Tom Evans / Heather McAslan / John Sandall
Understory is a trio with roots in England and Scotland whose members grew up absorbing tunes through their feet and fingers. Bringing an array of classical upbringings and jazz forays to a mutual love of traditional music, they delight in deconstructing tunes and songs and putting them together anew.
Tom Evans (accordion, feet) and John Sandall (little fiddle, big fiddles) first met as fellow Shooting Roots tutors running traditional youth music workshops at festivals around England. Having grown up twenty minutes apart, and both regulars at local sessions in the South-East, it took a careful accident of nature to ensure they never crossed paths. Completing the trio is Glaswegian Heather McAslan (mandolin, piano, words). Tom discovered her in a stepping session, playing epic tunes and foot tapping. Between them they have for years been immersed in the folk scene of the South-East, playing with the likes of Suntrap, Songhive, Climax Ceilidh Band and the Brighton Ceilidh Collective.

Leaning on their mutual trust and playfulness, Understory crafts unique journeys with the tunes they love, whether traditional, contemporary or self-penned. Settle in and hear the music evolve with the mischievous joy these three find in playing together.

Richard Buchanan Mon 25th Jan. 2021

Former bass player in Scotland’s greatest 90s musical underachievers, The Lost Soul Band, Richard started writing songs 6 or 7 years ago. For him, writing songs is as much a means of exploration as it is an opportunity for expression – as much about storytelling as it is about making music. Richard performs his songs live as a solo artist and records lo-fi versions of these songs for self-release.

Second Sight is from Richard’s 2019 album of reworkings of Gaelic folk tales from Tiree; Ten Told Tales. Caroline and A Thousand Cuts are both from A Minor Arc – a 7 track mini album Richard recorded during lockdown and released in November 2020.

Richard is already writing new material for his 2021 release schedule and hopes for a return to live performances later in the year.

Orange Circus Mon 25th Jan. 2021

Flash Heath / Raven / Jessie / Dusty
The Orange Circus Band is a raucous Celtic/Bluegrass collective. Our Band members are from Cornwall, Wales, Virgina USA and England so we take our inspiration from these places updating traditional folk songs and Appalachian Fiddle tunes, adding new verses and arrangements as well as writing our own original material.

“I can’t think of anyone else out there making music like them. If Jonathan Richman and The Velvet Underground joined forces and made a Bluegrass album, this would be it”

Arthur Coats Mon 25th Jan. 2021

Aberdeenshire based fiddler/ guitarist. From a young age surrounded by traditional music; taught and mentored by Jonny Hardy (OBD) Since leaving Aberdeen City Music School 2018 (bursary funded) 2019 and 2020
Touring and festivals as a solo artist . Variety of session work with independent artists including Highland Fire Ceilidh: local and national.(Inverness / Highlands / Aberdeenshire . Arranging and recording own compositions. I am passionate about Quebecois music and rhythm/podorythm.

Since Lockdown: Live streamed performances on FB Music from Scotland. Music video productions/performances for Stonehaven Folk Club/ Portsoy Folk and Creative Scotland and New Roots showcase final (England) and Gordon Duncan Memorial Fund for funding and promotions.
Arthur has been playing Fiddle since the age of 7, growing up in rural Aberdeenshire, north east of Scotland. His first teacher Sharon Hassan was a very big influence in his musical development. Upon attending his second annual ‘Gaitherin’ He was inspired to take up the Guitar by John Coletta (The Humpff Family). At the age of 12 Arthur was awarded a scholarship to attend the ‘Aberdeen City Music School’ to study Fiddle and Guitar. Here He was taught by Jonny Hardie (Old Blind Dogs), who is still a huge influence on his music. Around this time Arthur was at the Sidmouth Folk Week, he saw ‘Le Vent Du Nord’ who would become his favourite band. They continue a big influence on his music.

While unable to go and see the artists live during lockdown they are still able to bring you their music via all their social media so please go and check out how busy they have been writing and performing their music during this difficult time for all artists
All enquiries to Liz Clark dkos.info@yahoo.com