In the first few months of the year I was spending time working on some music with Dave Webster from Sinderins as part of the Gardyne Youth Music Initiative.  This was a great project that gave me some invaluable experience with experienced musicians and also access to the wonderful facilities at the Gardyne Theatre.  This culminated in a concert in June at the Gardyne Theatre hosted by Jim Gellatly.  Also earlier in the year I took part in the Music for Youth Exchange at Platform Glasgow.  This gave me an opportunity to perform (and get feedback), meet some music professionals and to take part in a song writing workshop with Carol Laula.  This event was hosted by Vic Galloway.  I also attended the Wide Days Music Convention where I again took some feedback on one of my songs after submitting it to the “Are You Brave Enough” session where the feedback can be very honest!

In addition to these events I worked most of the year on some new songs with the release of Golden Leaves in October.  This was encouraging with some really positive feedback and a broadcast on Rapal on BBC Radio nan Gaidheal.  Jim Gellatly also played a couple of my other songs on his Amazing Radio show on Sunday afternoon.

Gigs have been fun this year, supporting Courtney Elena at Clarks in Dundee, Rory Butler at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh, Reverieme in King Tut’s in Glasgow with the highlight being a last-minute request to do a support slot for Martha Reeves and the Vandellas at Oran Mor in Glasgow.  Performing at the Montrose Music Festival is always a highlight and the Gardyne YMI Show at the Gardyne Theatre in Dundee was a great night.

Outside of my singing I again took part in the National Youth Orchestra for Scotland and we had an amazing opportunity to play at the BBC Proms this year – the Albert Hall was spectacular.

Looking forward, I have another release coming out shortly culminating in the release of my three track EP in Spring.  There are some exciting plans associated with the release so keep connected.

Best Wishes for 2017.

Rhona

You can connect to my profile on amazingtunes.com/rhonamacfarlane and listen again at Listen to ‘Remembrance’ airing on Amazing Radio

My journey was surprisingly calm, the sun was shining and I had plenty time.  That was until the tram was delayed and 5, 10, 15 minutes passed with no sign….until FINALLY it arrived. A sigh of relief was let out as I still had enough time to get to the BBC Studio.  That is of course if you rely solely on Google maps!  The friendly Edinburgh residents gave me directions and I began running down the streets with my guitar in one hand, I have never ran so fast in my entire life. It must have been a sight to see.  I arrived half an hour late, red faced and gasping for breath – perfect preparation for a sound check.  With little time to gather my thoughts it was time to go live. It was such a strange feeling.

Janice was lovely and made me feel very at ease. I was up first to sing. I sang one of my own songs ‘Remembrance.” It seems to be the favourite from my EP.  It’s a song I wrote a few years ago after a Remembrance Day service and  tells the story of a woman who has lost someone through war. I tried to describe the scene and imagine what she went through. I know, cheery stuff.

The song went well (thankfully). It’s was a scary thought that if I had fluffed anything, so many people would hear.

Janice was lovely and complimented my song which meant a lot. A really amazing experience and something I won’t forget.  The photo you see is of course, after the show when calm had returned.