Scotland's music: 3 rising stars
There are many strands to music of the Celtic lands...
Learn a bit about a quartet, a solo artist, and a duo each draw on differing aspects of these Celtic strands, yet all are connected -- by their creativity, by their understanding of tradition, and by Scotland.
The quartet is Tarran, with a melodic frontline of harp and fiddle, backed by bluesy, jazzy and yet entirely Celtic keyboards, whistle, and bodhran. The four musicians offer tunes which are intricate, often lively, and all well worth the listening, Their debut recording is called Heartwood.
Malachy Arnold plays the harp, Breanna Wilson is the fiddler, Sophie Joint is on keyboards, and Rory Stark is on bodhran and whistle. The band is based in Glasgow, with members from Ireland and Scotland.
They have among them recognition as Young Traditional Musician of the Year finalist, all Ireland champion, and Molley prize winner. When they’ve joined as a four piece, they’ve won the Battle of the Folk Bands at Celtic Connections, and also been honored with a Danny Kyle award at that same festival.
Chloe Matharu’s instruments are harp and voice. She is of Scottish and Indian heritage.
As a songwriter, she has a ready source of inspiration: on land Chloe Matharu is a singer and songwriter, at sea she is a navigational officer in the Merchant Navy. The music on her Small Voyages debut recording, and its name, too were inspired by her experience while a cadet in training for her role in the Merchant Navy.
Her ideas and her harp playing draw in Scottish maritime tradition, as well as her own experiences. There is a subtle hint of her Indian heritage in the tonality of her voice, that adds to a style that the BBC with justice has called haunting. She sings in English, Scots, and Welsh.
Matharu has been honored by awards, as well, with her music chosen as Celtic Music Radio’s album of the year< She was also an emerging artist finalist at the Goderich Festival in Canada, a public vote choice at the Wales Folk Awards, and a Danny Award winner at Celtic Connections.
Maria San Miguel comes from Castile in Spain. Galen Fraser comes from California with a strong touch of Scotland, as he is the son of renown Scottish fiddle player Alasdair Fraser.
As the duo San Miguel Fraser, the wife and husband combine their understandings of these traditions into a twenty-first century sound which honors them while bringing them forward.
They each play several instruments; Maria is a singer, as well. Their album Dots of Light is a fine introduction to their connection, creativity, and energy to record.
Each of these acts brings unique and creative ideas to Celtic music. I’ve been fortunate to see each of them play live; keep an eye out for a chance to do the same. You will find it well worth your time. They each have recordings to explore, as well. It is bound to be interesting and rewarding to see the directions Tarran, Chloe Mathau, and San Miguel each take with their music.
You may also wish to see
Manran and the McDades: moving tradition forward
Ports of Call, from Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas
Seven ways to explore Scotland through music
Photograph of Tarran courtesy of the artists; photographs of Chloe Matharu and San Miguel Fraser by Kerry Dexter
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