LÒN BÀN
From Kilphedar in South Uist, a township noted for a particularly rich and thriving singing tradition, award-winning singer Sineag MacIntyre grew up surrounded by the Gaelic language and singing came naturally. It’s no accident that folklorists were drawn to this part of South Uist for decades to record singers and storytellers, thus preserving hundreds of hours of songs and stories for posterity.
Her formative years were spent singing and she released the album ‘Laithean Sgoile’ whilst still at Lionacleit school, the first student to appear on the school label in 2004.
Immersion in Gaelic songs and culture continued in Glasgow where Sineag studied BA Scottish Music (Hons) at the former RSAMD, now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The teaching of esteemed singers and folklorists Kenna Campbell, Mairi MacInnes and Calum Ross had a profound influence on her singing. Her curiosity ignited, she continued to broaden her repertoire, gathering and learning songs from all over Scotland.
Awards quickly followed and she was just out of her teens when she won the Traditional Gold Medal at the Royal National Mòd, going on to win the coveted Gold Medal in 2010. She has twice been nominated for Gaelic Singer of the Year at the MG ALBA Trad Awards.
The title of the album is deeply significant and is rooted in her native island. Lòn Bàn is the coastal area between the Atlantic-facing districts of Kilphedar and Boisdale in South Uist where local lobster fishermen used to anchor their fishing skiffs in the summer months.
Her voice, coupled with a natural charisma and sense of humour, has made her a popular and effervescent guest on stages in Scotland and abroad. Sineag makes regular television appearances on music shows including the BBC ALBA flagship Hogmanay Show, Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire, Port and Alleluia.
With Lòn Bàn Sineag answers the growing demand for an album and this carefully curated selection of traditional and contemporary Gaelic songs boasts a stellar cast of musicians. Those featured on the album are Ewan MacPherson (guitar and mandolin), Mhairi Hall (piano), Iain MacDonald (whistles and concertina), Seonaidh MacIntyre (whistles, Highland pipes and small pipes), Sarah Hoy (fiddle), Luke Daniels (button box), Katie Shaw (step-dance), Gillie Mackenzie (voice) and Kathleen MacInnes (voice).
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