The 2011 Kintyre Songwriters Festival promises to be the best year yet.

This year we not only bring you some fantastic local talent, but also some amazing musicians from around Scotland.

Ivan Drever

Ivan brings his unique and distinctive talents to Campbeltown for a weekend you'll not want to miss.

Singer, songwriter and latter day troubadour from Orkney, Ivan has recorded a whole host of albums both solo and with other performers. Having worked with "Knowe o' Deil" and as a solo artist, Ivan joined Wolfstone in 1990 and their work took them worldwide. His songs and tunes have been recorded by an impressive list of artists, including one co-written with Duncan Chisholm which featured in the Robin William's film "Good Will Hunting"

Robin Adams

Bringing a fresh take on acoustic music, you'll be asking yourself "why have I never heard of Robin Adams?"

A reluctant participant, he's played the usual showcases - T Break, Go North, Music Works, In The City, and has even been conferred the inaugural Billy Kelly Songwriting Award by some of Scotland's most successful songwriters and wordsmiths. Add to this, he downright looks the part and is more than a little charismatic.

 

Dave Arcari

Journalist, photographer, PR consultant, artist and record label manager, Dave somehow also finds time to be a musician

Slide guitarist & songwriter Dave Arcari’s alt.blues sounds owe as much to trash country, punk and rockabilly as they do pre-war Delta blues and have been showcased via six internationally-acclaimed solo CD releases. His latest album – Devil’s Left Hand – was released on Buzz Records on 1 November 2010.

In 2010 Arcari added two hugely successful shows at the legendary Glastonbury Festival to his impressive list of festival appearances which includes BluesAlive (Czech Republic & Poland shows), The Great British R&B Festival, Peer Festival (Belgium). He has also played industry showcases at the North by North East (NxNE) music festival in Toronto, Canada and he was a finalist the UK Indy Music Awards reaching the top four in his category (best male solo artist).

With more than 100 UK dates a year plus regular shows in Finland, Estonia, France, Germany, Belgium, Poland and Canada, Arcari is one of the hardest gigging live artists on the circuit.

The Gilchristians

With a revolving lineup, The Gilchristians were formed in 2008 after the tragic death of their namesake, Kenneth Gilchrist. The band keep the songs of Kenny alive with each performance either bringing out versions of songs that haven't been heard for years or latter day classics that simply demand an audience. Who knows what this year will bring!

 

 

Adriana Spina

Adriana's music is a sparkling slant on the Singer/Songwriter genre. Joined by a four-piece band, her sound has proved such a success that she is now regarded as one of the most exciting talents in the independent Scottish music scene.

Having made her debut Celtic Connections performance in 2010 in support of Horse, her live performances are not quickly forgotten, with songs catchy and heartfelt in equal measure. Her music has also taken her to the USA, Italy as well as frequent dates across the UK.

Adriana sold out her 2009 run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and made headlines in the Summer of 2008 when she was handpicked to support Sheryl Crow in the American superstar's only UK headline date of her tour.

Adam Fortune

Adam Fortune is a singer/songwriter, technically based in Dundee but in actuallity is a bit of a nomad as he spends a lot of his time busking around various cities in Scotland, particularly Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Constantly writing, he records whenever he can get the opportunity and in September of 2010 compiled a home recorded 8-track CD titled "Penance", distributed for free at gigs, and on the streets. His music is an attempt at an echo of his musical idols, such as Tim and Jeff Buckley, Damien Rice, Glen Hansard, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan, amongst many others.

 

 

Iain Taylor

Iain hails from the south-west, and has spent the majority of his adult life on trains and buses traveling up and down the western coast. Whilst known for his musical contributions to a number of acts including indie-folk collective Randolph's Leap (signed to Glasgow indie label Olive Grove Records), dub-rock group Tauntra, and Kintyre's own Jack the Wolf, Iain will be performing a selection of solo material that he hopes to collect in the form of an EP over the coming months.

 

 

David Fee

David Fee has been writing songs, honing his craft, and singing his own honest truth into the late night hours for a number of years now. He was born in Nottingham, England, but has lived since 1996 with his family in Kintyre working mainly as a carer. Here he has written the vast majority of his emotionally perceptive and passionate songs that carry a sometimes quirky sideways view on life. The songs on his upcoming album often start off in a vulnerable place, but are always on the look out for the ray of hope that can shine a light towards a path which leads upwards and outwards. You can find him at www.feetunes.com.

 

Emily and The Stragglers

Born in Hong Kong, Emily lived in London for most of her life, but never imagined she would be rescued from the big smoke by a Scot! After getting married, Emily moved to St Andrews, then to Sauchie and finally to Campbeltown – in her own word’s “God’s own country!” Emily has been singing and writing songs for many years but having 3 young kids, time is something she hadn’t had, but recently she has returned to her passion once again. Being a Christian, God inevitably is the central influence in all her songs. Emily will be joined by her band of stragglers, Gordon Cosgrove, Fraser Cosgrove, Stephen Jordan and Rebekah Holden.

 

12 Past Midnight

Surfacing from their band space in Campbeltown commonly known as the Annexe, 12 Past Midnight started out as a young cover group for personal amusement and "kicks". As the boys gained experience, they discovered a much larger love for music and performing which led to a re-arrangement of line up and composition of their own material. Portraying an energetic feel, the four piece set out to paint a picture of youth within which all audiences can relate too through their reflective lyrics and style of play. Influences range from the likes of Frightened Rabbit, Pixies and Manic Street Preachers.

 

Gullion

Individually, each member has been playing somewhere with some band or other for years, where we have distilled our multi-instrumental talents into a potent musical force. After being formed as Gullion just over a year ago, Robert Black, Christophe Adie and occasional drummer Andrew Black have created a unique musical fusion citing influences from Delta Blues to Synth Pop. Gullion consists of Guitar, Bass, Keyboards and Drums but they are not afraid to throw some interesting noises into the soundscape. Using lyrics that inspire and entertain to get that tune that will stick in your head.

 

Emily-Rose Conlon

Originally from Belfast but now living in Edinburgh, Emily-Rose is a 20yr old singer/songwriter.

She has recently partaken in the 7th Belfast Nashville Singer/Songwriter's Festival, 'in the round' concert and showcased 4 of her songs.

 

 

Jack The Wolf

Jack The Wolf are a group of like minded musicians from Glasgow, Scotland. With an eclectic style ranging from acoustic rock through to all out prog-folk Jack The Wolf gig regularly in and about the Glasgow area and sometimes further afield..

 

 

 

IAMIAMLES

iamiamles. No wait, he is. Wait a minute, what?

A dark and brooding native of Kintyre, Les has been writing songs for several years in various locations, on various instruments and in varying styles settling this time round on a blend of upbeat folk / pop.
Thankfully, Les has been released on parole long enough to allow him to perform at this years Kintyre Songwriters Festival due to a plea bargain and a very reasonable jury. HeIsHeIsLes. www.myspace.com/iamiamles

 

Megan Hill

I am 19 years old from Campbeltown, and currently in my 2nd year at the RSAMD in Glasgow studying secondary music teaching. Yes, I am mad! I focus on piano and vocals within my songs, and also guitar at various points. Artists including Eva Cassidy, Joni Mitchell, Katie Melua and David Gray have influenced my songs.

 

 

Old Man Mountain

He has been described as a relentless tyrant, a fantastic freak, and a learned philosopher, feeble and weak about the mouth and of rarest beauty, stern and solemn, one of the most remarkable wonders of the mountain world.

The formation of Old Man Mountain was carved by glaciers and was first recorded as being discovered by a surveying team circa 1805. The official history says several groups of surveyors were working in the Kintyre area at the time and claimed credit for the discovery.

 

A New Hope?

After playing many a successful gig on the back of a McFadyens lorry, in 2001 the band separated for a time as College, University and sitting around a flat in Glasgow beckoned. The band re-formed in 2006 and are, some say, "mildly better than before". But, still based in Glasgow (although the bass player now lives in Stirling as his high rise was being demolished to make way for a Tesco), they are enjoying things more than ever.

 

 

Mr Wroe's Ho's

The Ho's formed in 2008, and since then have been toying with the idea of actually getting some proper recordings of their songs together. Still, that hasn't stopped them from experimenting with drum loops, samples, keyboards, violins, guitars and vocals, and occasionally pulling off the occasional S.A.S. style surprise gig here and there.

 

 

Amber Wilson

Amber Wilson is a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Aberdeen, Scotland. From her teens she played locally in bars and clubs throughout Aberdeen City.

In 2007 Amber was invited to join UK trip-hop band Morcheeba. A european tour followed including performing to a crowd of 16000 at the B'Estival in Bucharest.

As a solo artist, Amber Wilson has also played various Scottish music festivals such as the Go Dundee festival and Go North. Her 2011 UK tour takes in Aberdeen, Birmingham, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Sounds in the Ground Festival in Stornoway, St. Magnus Festival in Orkney and the Kintyre Songwriters Festival.

 

Ross Macinnes

Residing in Coatbridge, Ross Macinnes is a 27 year old multi-instrumentalist from Campbeltown who's influences range from acoustic pop to Prog metal. Ross is in the process of arranging a string of gigs in Glasgow and is a regular on the Glasgow open mic scene. His music is predominantly acoustic and easy on the ear with influences including Ginger/Devin Townsend/Francis Dunnery/Twisted Melons/Jack The Wolf/Adam Fortune/a new hope?/Mr Wroe's Ho's and Sir Kenny Gilchrist.

 

 

The Twisted Melons

Hailing from the remote peninsula of Kintyre, The Twisted Melons consists of the three Johnson brothers. The band's melodic rock fusion melds big melodic pop hooks to eclectic arrangements and cutting-edge technology, expanding consciousness and making life totally better. New album "3.3" saw them working with legendary producer and Led Zeppelin collaborator Stuart Epps, and was released on Monday 7th September 2009 on Melomania Recordings. Their eclectic approach has seen them perform live with artists as diverse as Dutch prog rock legends Focus, 80s popsters Deacon Blue, post-rockers The Twilight Sad and top progressive metal band Enochian Theory.

 

Tickets are available from TicketWeb