Shetland music looks set to make a major impact on one of the largest stages and markets in the world from 10-13 February 2006 when Shetland Arts Trust attends the North American ‘Folk Alliance Music Convention’ in Austin Texas with two of the islands most popular bands. The Shetland delegation also forms part of a larger contingent from the wider Highlands and Islands region.

Fiddlers Bid and Shoormal, both of whom were signed to an American music agency following an Arts Trust visit to last years convention in Montreal, will each perform a live showcase on two separate days during the event, while the Arts Trust representatives and the musicians will also take part in the conventions extensive trade fair, media receptions and promotional events, and music industry panels.

The convention, one of the largest of its kind in the USA, if not the world, runs over a very full four-day period and attracts around 3000 international delegates, with literally hundreds of top class bands and musicians vying to showcase during the event, many of them already established international names.

SAT’s music development officer Davie Gardner said “This is a major opportunity for us to make an impact on, and inroads into, a potentially massive market, while also effectively raising Shetlands overall profile in this particular sector. It’s tremendously encouraging that Folk Alliance believe Shetland has two bands of suitable quality to perform at this prestigious event. For some time we have been very much aware of the opportunities that exist in the USA and Canada for the kind of thing Shetland has to offer, both musically and culturally. However without someone on the ground to co-ordinate and manage things on our behalf, making the most of any opportunities that previously came our way, especially given the vast distances, costs and market complexities involved, proved very difficult. Now with an incredibly influential and experienced agent such Wooden Ship Productions acting for us, run by Robyn Boyd who has a personal love of all things Shetland, the possibilities already appear extensive. Indeed meeting demand may now be our greatest difficulty – a good problem to have. Also having two great bands such as Fiddlers’ Bid and Shoormal to demonstrate what we have to offer is almost certain to make the kind of market impact we are seeking to achieve”.

Shetland will also be part of a wider Highlands and Islands delegation, funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Arts Council who are also making the trip for promotional purposes, although Mr Gardner stresses that Shetland will also retain its individual identity throughout.

“In total there will be around fifty of us out there, including four other great Highlands and Islands acts, one of which is Saltfishforty from Orkney. In addition there will be BBC Scotland presenters and producers to cover the event plus others from the national music industry, so we certainly aim to make a big and important impression “ he said. “The fact that that we have an established American agent attending the convention with us means that we will now be able to immediately and constructively react to any interest we generate. It’s a major step forward for Shetland music in every sense of the word”

Freda Leask from ‘Shoormal’ said “This is a tremendous opportunity for the band and we are all very excited and more than a bit nervous about the whole thing. Our albums created quite a bit of interest in America and we got a lot of airplay over there, but had no way of supporting that interest by playing live until now. We have no real idea what to expect so we will just have to take things as they come”.

The Folk Alliance Music Convention runs from this Friday 10th February  until Monday the 13th February 2006 inclusive.

For more information contact Davie Gardner on (01595) 694001 or 07748-153574 work mobile.