The clue to the Soundhouse’s origins can be found in its name: this Edinburgh-based organisation dates back to 2002, when singer-songwriter Dean Owens asked his friend Douglas Robertson, a photographer living in a converted shop on the edge of Holyrood Park, if he could host a gig in his house. By 2012, Douglas and his partner Jane-Ann had hosted hundreds of intimate gigs in their home – a literal ‘sound house’, welcoming acts such as Shooglenifty and Michelle Shocked.

Since then, Soundhouse has achieved charity status and currently runs gigs in venues across Edinburgh. These include 11 upcoming events at TradFest 2016, ranging from Canada-based old time-style Sheesham and Lotus & ‘Son, Edinburgh folk duo Blueflint and Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, three master fiddlers hailing from Shetland, Norway and Sweden.

Douglas and Jane-Ann are now looking to create a new space for music and musicians in Edinburgh: a multipurpose venue for recordings, rehearsals and performances, as well as workshops and masterclasses for music students. They’ve gained the unwavering support of Edinburgh’s musical community and are now busy fundraising to make the new venue a reality; find out more or donate on their website.

In the meantime, don’t miss the fantastic Soundhouse artists appearing at TradFest 2016:

• Ewan McLennan & Sky Smeed, Thu 28 Apr, The Pleasance. Buy tickets

• Ewan Macintyre Album Launch, Thu 28 Apr, The Pleasance. Buy tickets

• Dowally, Fri 29 Apr, The Pleasance. Buy tickets
  

• Moishe’s Bagel, Sat 30 Apr, The Pleasance. Buy tickets

• Blueflint, Sun 1 May, The Pleasance. Buy tickets

• Clype, Mon 2 May, The Pleasance. Buy tickets

• Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, Tue 3 May, The Pleasance. Buy tickets

• Alan Kelly Gang, Thu 5 May, The Pleasance. Buy tickets

• Sheesham and Lotus & ‘Son, Fri 6 May, Scottish Storytelling Centre. Buy tickets

• Nuala Kennedy Band, Sat 7 May, The Pleasance. Buy tickets

• Talisk, Sun 8 May, The Pleasance. Buy tickets

Listen to Douglas Robertson chat to Jim Welsh at Summerhall Radio for more on the upcoming TradFest gigs, as well as tunes from some of the above: