I recently recorded my Debut Album at Mareel with the brilliant Tim Matthew. Joining me on the album were; Miguel Girão (guitar), Lea Søndergaard Larsen (bodhran) and Rhona MacDonald (double bass).

We had two days booked in the auditorium with Tim where we just about got everything live recorded in time… Jonathan Bulter joined us on day two to record a music video which will be released alongside the first single. It was two days fueled by coffee, and celebrated with a (baltic) sea swim.

The album consists of a mix of full band, duo and solo arrangements of traditional and contemporary tunes from Shetland, alongside tunes from wider Scotland, Sweden and Ireland.

Musically, the album tells a story of my Shetland roots and how this has grown to be intertwined with threads of contemporary influence and ideas. As well as exploring this conversation between traditional and contemporary, the album also explores the fusion of traditional and classical elements. Some of the most significant musical influences behind the music come from Dave Milligan, Violet Tulloch and Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Now in the mixing stages, the tracks are currently in the hands of Scott Turnbull and I’m busy admin-ing behind the scenes in the run up to the full album release.

I’ll be launching the album in Glasgow at Celtic Connections on February 1st Feb 2024 (link for tickets here…), at a gig supporting Celtic Fiddle Festival. The album will then be available on all streaming platforms on Friday 2nd Feb 2024.

I think that’s all for now, but you can keep in the loop of all things album through my social media which I’ll link below. More soon! X

Instagram – @amylaurensonmusic

Facebook – @amylaurensonmusic

Youtube – @amylaurenson

This album is gratefully supported by Youth Music’s Next Gen Fund.