Corinne West

Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline, May 7

American singer-songwriter Corinne West is much more than just a hugely talented lyricist, musician and vocalist.

She is also a compelling storyteller and a commissioned printmaking artist who started her own business called The Art Studio which specialises in custom glass and metal installations.

In addition she is a certified alchemical hypnotherapist and helps creative people whose minds are “blocked” to rediscover their muse.

So it’s entirely appropriate that she’s playing one of Scotland’s newest art and music venues, the Fire Station Creative, in Dunfermline.

The building, which opened two years ago, was converted from a dilapidated former fire station into a creative huband now hosts events such as live music shows in the café and Corinne’s eager to perform there.

“It’s a brilliant new facility,” says Corinne. “It has an art gallery, studios and serves up amazing food. I’ve played Dunfermline a few times – I did Carnegie Hall – and I love it here.

“The UK is one of my favourite places in the world and Scottish people are just so welcoming.”

California-based Corinne is a poet, a tunesmith, a visionary and an utterly stellar performer. Described as having “a voice of gold,” her music evokes the eternal stories of mystic troubadours, while speaking with power and grace to a modern audience.

A well-established figure on the acoustic roots/folk scene, Corinne has recorded five critically-acclaimed albums and has toured extensively throughout North America and Europe. But after years of touring, writing and performing since she left home with a guitar at the age of 15, she decided to take time out from music in 2011 and took up a post as artist in residence in the Austrian Alps.

“I had a break for a while, I realised I wasn’t putting out the music I wanted to,” she admits.

“You can get tired and it affects the things you write about so you need a rest and you need to get refreshed.”

After a year there she went home and got down to writing songs that once more meant a lot to her.

Her latest album Starlight Highway received glowing reviews as well as gaining her Best Album and Best Female Solo Performer at the Graham Steel Music Company Awards 2017.

Her UK tour coincides with the release of her new single The Yew Tree, a cover of the song written by Brian McNeill of The Battlefield Band.

“It’s the first time I’ve done that,” she explains. “I’ve only had one project where I’ve co-written with someone else.

“Little ideas often spring up in my head so I always keep a pen beside me. It’s like a musical puzzle put together.”

Picture: Chris Richardson. The American folk singer is looking forward to performing in Scotland.