Duncan emerges from her Cocoon
LIKE most musicians, Amy Duncan thought she would be able to play live whenever she wanted, but the Covid pandemic changed all that.
The Scots folk musician is about to release her new album Cocoon, a quick follow-up to 2020’s The Hidden World.
She will mark her return to the stage at Edinburgh’s Voodoo Rooms, which will also be broadcast live, before her first tour finally begins in the spring.
The Glasgow-born and Perthshire-raised singer said: “I always thought it would be a given that I could go and play live whenever I felt ready.
“The pandemic taught me to value my freedom and make the most of opportunities when they arise as you don’t know when life is going to suddenly change. I’m really looking forward to my album launch and connecting with a live audience in this new world.”
Fifteen years after her debut, Amy has changed her sound, switching from acoustic instruments to synths, electric guitar and electric upright bass.
The lyrics touch on life in lockdown and the opening title track refers to Amy partying with her partner Steven and her 20-year-old son Finn when the three were cocooned at home.
Finn, a musician who had just won a place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, plays acoustic guitar. Amy, who is now living in Edinburgh, said: “Every Friday we’d get the tunes on and dance in the sitting room. Those were the good times and the best bits of lockdown alongside the walks.”
The album’s lead single, A Door is Opening, details the daily lockdown walks they took. She said: “The simple action of opening the door and stepping out felt like a special occasion.”
The walks also inspired Treasure Hunt. Amy said: “I’d always try to find something new in the same scenery.”
Recording and releasing two albums in quick succession – and playing different instruments and not being able to tour – has changed Amy.
She said: “I’m not sure why but I’ve always kept myself quite hidden. Making music is easy for me, promoting it is the hard part. But having been stuck at home for so long, I can’t wait to get back on stage. I’m more ready for it than I’ve ever been.”
Amy’s new album, Cocoon, is out on November 26. She launches the album with a show at The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh on November 21, which will also be livestreamed. She plays The Hug & Pint in Glasgow on April 12. For tickets and info, go to amyduncan.co.uk