Having wowed crowds at last year’s Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival and Edinburgh Mela, Scottish-Iranian band GOL are back with their incredible fusion of traditional Persian arrangements, electronica, jazz and world music. Lead singer Roxana Vilk tells us about the artists who have influenced the group and what tradition means to her. Tell us about … Continued

Written by broadcaster Fiona Ritchie and Doug Orr (with a foreword by Dolly Parton, no less) Wayfaring Strangers: The Musical Voyage from Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia tracks the musical journey of traditional Scots and Irish songs, transported across the sea by generations of emigrants to America, where they blended with the sounds of their … Continued

Singer, actress and MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards nominee Gerda Stevenson treats us to a a unique evening of poetry and song as part of this year’s TradFest, accompanied by musicians Seylan Baxter, Rob Macneacail and Kyrre Slind. Here she talks about her influences and recent album, Night Touches Day, songs from which she’ll … Continued

Two singer-songwriters from opposite ends of the Atlantic come together for a double bill at this year’s TradFest. A troubadour, balladeer and storyteller cut in the old style, Scottish singer Ewan McLennan received critical acclaim for his first album Rags to Riches, which won him the prestigious Horizon Award at the BBC Folk Awards. Sky … Continued

Famously referred to as “Mississippi Sheiks meet Doctor Seuss as curated by HG Wells”, Canada-based Sheesham and Lotus & ‘Son have created a sonic and visual presentation of old time high stepping music which is completely unique. We asked them a few questions about their upcoming projects, inspirations and views on tradition before they head … Continued

The links below are all to freely available resources, many of which give background and contextual information as well as music and lyrics. There are many collections of tunes by individual composers, themed collections and tutor-books/CDs/DVDs available from TMF members Taigh na Teud (Scotland’s Music) Songs Scots Language Scots Song Resources National Library of Scotland … Continued

Dowally are Dan Abrahams (guitar), Phil Alexander (accordion and piano) and Rachel Walker (fiddle, whistle and vocals), plus regular collaborator, cello player Graham Coe (The Jellyman’s Daughter). Together they make unclassifiable, thrillingly energetic music, fusing their love of traditional Scottish tunes with jazz harmony, Balkan rhythms and deep Americana raucousness.  What do Dowally have planned … Continued

Formed in 2014, Tannara are Owen Sinclair (guitar/vocals), Becca Skeoch (clarsach), Cameron Ross (fiddle/vocals) and Joseph Peach (accordion). Teuchters at heart, they play traditional Scottish music, some self-penned and occasionally drawing from traditions across the globe. They’re joined at TradFest by rising Scottish folk trio The Lowground, which combines three of Scotland’s most exciting young … Continued

The Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh has launched a new scheme to support four young players of Scottish traditional instruments. The musicians, aged 12 – 16, have been chosen for their proficiency in both classical and Scottish traditional musical genres. The fiddle, clarsach, accordion and bagpipes will be played by the youngsters at a variety … Continued

In Celtic mythology, Brigid – sometimes known as ‘Bride’ in Scotland – is the goddess of healing, poetry, smithcraft, and childbirth. Myths and stories of her power, goodness and compassion have existed for centuries, and she is still celebrated as both a saint and a goddess around the world. The celebration of Bride in February … Continued