STORMBIRD will be launched with a live concert on the 26th April 2025 in the ‘Forest Village’ of Nethy Bridge. Doors 7pm.
A night of stories, song and music, featuring Hamish Napier and Becky Doe With support from local musicians Benjamin Godlington, Cailean McKerron, Hebe Boyd-Wallis and Jack Boyd-Wallis.
Tickets and full details here: Stormbird Live Concert Album Launch (Eventbrite)
I’ll be supporting the inimitable Findlay Napier at the Old Bridge Inn in Aviemore. Wednesday19th March, doors at 8pm.
Tickets and details here: Events at The Old Bridge Inn
Now available for pre-order: digital download and CD on bandcamp
STORMBIRD features acclaimed musicians: Hamish Napier, James Mackintosh, James Lindsay, Ross Ainslie, Becky Doe and Iain Forrest – produced by Hamish Napier, Will Boyd-Wallis and Andrea Gobbi.
The STORMBIRD songs are all themed on the sea. The first, Fistful of Sand, featuring Ross Ainslie on whistle, is a powerful portrayal of the unjust clearance of the community from the Isle of Rum. It immortalises my great-great-grandfather John Mòr McLean, only a year old when they were evicted. The Ballad of Billy and Eilidh is a cautionary folk tale with a foot-tapping tune lifted by Iain Forrest’s slide guitar and a pleasingly predictable finish. Sandstone, (released as a single on 18th January 2025) is a love story, defined by Becky Doe’s viola and a heart-wrenching piano solo by Hamish Napier. Into the Open began life in a secret cave during lockdown and became a message of hope inspiring the artist Stephen Redpath to paint the watercolour featured on the CD sleeve. The title track Stormbird, marks a moment in time and stretches it into an intense rendition of a life changing encounter with a Leach’s Storm Petrel on the cliffs of St Kilda.
This EP has been a long time coming. The first track Fistful of Sand has been growing in me ever since I was a boy when my mother told me that my great-great-grandfather was born on the Isle of Rum on the West Coast of Scotland. He was evicted and sailed to Nova Scotia, eventually settling in New Zealand. This story led me to move to the Highlands in my early twenties with a vow to put something back.
I dedicate this EP to my mother Maha, great-granddaughter of John Mòr McLean. All of the other songs have been inspired by the many people, places and creatures I have met on my daily life and work with the National Trust for Scotland. I am grateful to all of them – animal, plant and mineral – for all the joy and comfort they have given me.
29th September – Findhorn, Findhorn Bay Arts Festival. 4pm. Tickets.
20th September – Aviemore – St John’s, Inverdruie. 7.30pm. Tickets on the door.
7th September – Logie Steadings, Logie Timber Festival. 6pm.
21st June – Isle of Iona, Sound of Iona Music Festival.
31st May – Boat of Garten, Guest appearance with Rachel Sermanni.
22nd May – Aviemore, Old Bridge Inn, supporting the John Langan Band.
20th February – Ardersier, Ardersier International Folk Club.
3rd February – Glasgow, Celtic Connections, Drygate Brewery.
26th January – Glasgow, Celtic Connections, National Piping Centre.
20th January – Glasgow, Showcase of the 2023 Danny Kyle Open Stage finalists, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
The first steps to recording the EP took place in August 2023 in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull in Gordon MacLean’s studio. They recorded guitar, guitalele and vocals for five of his most treasured songs. A year later and the five tracks have been embellished with the astonishing talents of many good friends… James Mackintosh of Shooglenifty provided percussion. James Lindsay of Breabach provided bass. Hamish Napier provided keyboards and invaluable production skills. Ross Ainslie added low whistle and Becky Doe, Viola and fiddle. All pulled together and edited by the incredibly talented Andrea Gobbi (GloWormRecording). With more retakes and additions to come the EP is still not complete but we’re looking forward to a launch towards the end of 2024 or possibly early 2025.
