Hear talented folk musician by cosy fire
Award-winning Scottish folk musician Ewan McLennan is playing a gig off the beaten track when he stops by Aberfeldy this Saturday, writes Melanie Bonn.
Singer/songwriter Ewan, a major figure in the Scottish folk scene, will visit The Weem Inn on November 26.
The small Perthshire venue is a stop on a UK wide tour which draws from his three critically acclaimed albums, his BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award and his performances and collaborations on the Transatlantic Sessions.
The 30-year-old musician spoke about his music, which often has a melancholy, political edge.
“The folk tradition contains songs that touch on every corner of our lives,” answered Ewan. “It deals with the broad spectrum of human emotion and experience - melancholy is certainly part of that, but only one part of it.
“The great Irish folk song collector, Frank Harte, wrote the following, insightful words: “Those in power write the history, while those who suffer write the songs, and, given our history, we have an awful lot of songs.”
Ewan said he’s looking forward to playing by the cosy fireside of the Weem Inn: “I’ve been to Perthshire before many times and think it’s one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland, but I’ve never been there to perform. So this is a first time for me in that respect and I’m really looking forward to it.
“I do all kinds of gigs and concerts, but you know often it’s the small, intimate ones that are the best.
“Folk music often suits that environment. People can expect songs and tunes from me; sung and played on the guitar and banjo.
“They can expect storysongs and ballads that tell tales of history, drinking, work and nature - both traditional material from hundreds of years back to new songs written by me.”
The gig starts at 8pm.