Shetland and its music was well represented at a major music festival and conference in Montreal recently, when two normally individually promoted festivals, ‘Strictly Mundial’, which focuses on world music and ‘Folk Alliance’, which represents the folk music world in the USA and Canada, joined forces for the one off, massive event in the city.
Young Shetland fiddle group ‘Swinging Fiddles’ (Maggie Adamson – fiddle; Laura Lockyer – fiddle and Ryan Couper – guitar) were invited by the festival organisers to perform a number of showcases at the event, while Shetland Arts Trust music development officer Davie Gardner, and events co-ordinator Richard Wemyss, attended the event, again at the invitation of the organisers, to take part in the festival trade fair, meet music promoters and agents from across the globe and to capitalise on any possible impact of the Shetland music showcases.
Over 2000 individual showcases and performances took place during the week long event, from more famous names such as Emmylou Harris and Kate and Anna McGarrigle, to individuals artists and acts simply starting out in the industry. The music showcases were punctuated by a large number of workshops, lectures, receptions, trade events and other music related initiatives.
Davie Gardner of SAT said “It was certainly quite an event and the Shetland presence went down really well both during the showcases and especially during more informal moments such as performing on the trade fair stand and at sessions during the festival. ‘Swinging Fiddles’ made quite an impact on everybody, both musically and socially, especially as they were the youngest musicians showcasing at the festival”.
Mr Gardner said their stall also attracted a great deal of interest throughout the four-day trade fair, which could well lead to more musical visits to both the US and Canada and external involvement at future Shetland Fiddle Frenzy’s, not to mention additional events and festivals in Europe, especially exchanges with Scandinavia.
“It might seem strange that you have to go all the way to Canada to attract work from Scandinavia, but that’s just how the music industry works” he said. He went on “We also attracted a great deal of interest from American and Canadian radio stations and one fairly large American TV station, so hopefully increased air-time will positively profile both Shetland and it’s music on a wider scale than before.
One unique aspect of the visit was a performance by ‘Swinging Fiddles’ at a ‘house party’ in Montreal. House parties are an increasingly influential part of the American and Canadian social scene, whereby visiting groups and musicians are hired on a private basis to perform to gatherings of music enthusiasts in more private surroundings. “None of us really knew what to expect” said Richard Wemyss, “but the event turned out to be great, with around 40 music fans giving ‘Swinging Fiddles’ a rousing reception and standing ovation following their performance. It was a great way to meet other musically minded people from the area and simply take part in an enjoyable , informal but purposeful event” he said.
While performing at the house party, the Shetlanders met up with Quebecan musician Gilles Losier, who has visited Shetland a number of times in the past with Aly Bain, and for many years was piano accompanist with the late Johnnie Cunningham, Phil’s older brother. “It was an emotional moment for all concerned” said Davie “especially as Gilles was so taken with the new generation of Shetland musicians. Although reasonably elderly and partially sighted, he now intends to visit Shetland again very soon, which is great news”.
The visit ended on another high note (pardon the pun) when Maggie Adamson won a guitar in a prize draw organised by the promoters of the 2006 Folk Alliance event in Austin, Texas.
For further information contact Davie Gardner on (01595) 697550.
