Artyness columnist Liza Mulholland enjoys the chance to collaborate on music projects
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Well, what a week of music that was! It all started with a garden party, where lots of musician friends gathered to play and entertain the assembled guests.
Through the pandemic, the hosts have been busy building incredibly impressive decking (complete with bar and conservatory) and on Saturday it was all set up and ready for music.
Our band, Dorec-a-belle, opened proceedings and playing for the first time in a year, we took to the stage somewhat nervously, wondering if we would remember the words, the harmonies, our instrumental parts. You know it’s in there but being able to pluck it out of the brain at the right time was not guaranteed after such a long hiatus!
Thankfully, muscle memory and the sweeping sounds of us all together helped everything unfold roughly the way it should and, boy, it felt great to be playing and hearing those five-part harmonies we so love singing.
Davy Cowan, one of the Highlands’ best loved singer-songwriters, was up next, inevitably drawing around him several of us who couldn’t resist jamming along.
It’s always tremendous fun playing with Davy, who is a hugely generous musician as well as a superb talent.
Inverness’s Ali Dooner of Stetsonhead then graced the stage to deliver a stonking set of original songs in his inimitable searing style, with some of us joining in the fun. What a joy!
Later that night local trio Punching Elvis rocked the newly re-opened Market Bar. The upstairs music venue has been closed since the first lockdown and for this, one of the oldest pubs in Inverness – said to have been an inn at the time of Culloden – possibly the longest closure in its formidable history? It was great to be back and dancing to fabulous music.
Many readers are familiar with Under Canvas, the outdoor festival curated by Fèis Rois and Eden Court Theatre, and I was fortunate to get tickets with friends for Monday’s evening of top traditional music and song, being filmed for BBC Alba.
Performances were outstanding, with swathes of fairy lights sparkling in the darkening night making it feel beautifully magical.
The week was topped off by a project of my own; filming a music video for a song I recorded recently. Written by musician Matt Sillars, I’m So Glad I Caught Your Eye is a wee gem, expressing gratitude at meeting someone special.
It was so exciting to be back working with creative friends and the day’s filming in Inverness, with director Conor O’Hara and talented young actors Ronan MacColla and Peigi Barker, was just fantastic.
Collaboration is what I enjoy most as a musician and creating visuals to enhance the song’s story was such fun with this talented team, with everyone giving their all.
I’ll share details when the song and video are released but right now, with collaborative arts back in business and much to be thankful for, I’m so glad!
