Strontian singer Kathleen proves a hit at Oban Live
Young songwriter was the winner of Oban Unsigned competition
Oban Unsigned winner Kathleen Robertson was still on a high, buzzing with excitement after her Friday night opening set in front of the growing crowd at Oban Live when she spoke with us this week.
The 19-year-old singer/ songwriter from Strontian, who works as a waitress and did an HNC music performance course at West Highland College last year, shared the Friday night stage at the town’s Mossfield Stadium with Blazin’ Fiddles, Hermitage Green from Ireland, Tide Lines and headliners Skipinnish.
‘It was a great experience and I learned a lot of new things on the production side of playing live, about things such as sound checks and levels,’ said Kathleen.
‘I got some great feedback too. I was a wee bit nervous obviously as this was the biggest crowd I’d played for, but once we got into the songs I started to relax and really enjoy myself.’
Kathleen and her band played a three-song set comprised of a Gaelic song, a Celtic fusion number and a song she had written herself.
‘The audience reaction was pretty good – I got quite a few cheers which was really nice.
‘And the organisers were so nice to us – they treated us like we were any other professional band.’
Asked what the rest of the summer holds in store, Kathleen says she leaves in August for a year-long trip to Australia, three months of which will be spent farming in the Sydney area.
Her long-term dream is one day to have a full-time career in music. ‘Hopefully, yes. It might take a wee while – we’ll just have to see,’ she said.