FARA at Lochaline Village Hall

Scottish powerhouse quartet Fara are about to unveil a third studio album fuelled by their native Orkney’s revolutionary role in renewable energy.

Fusing the talents of three fine Orcadian fiddlers and vocalists – Jeana Leslie, Catriona Price and Kristan Harvey – alongside stand-out Highland pianist and newest member Rory Matheson, Fara have firmly secured their foothold at the forefront of the Scottish folk scene.Shortlisted in 2015’s Scots Trad Music Awards for Up and Coming Act of the Year, Fara performed a triumphant set at the 2017 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards at the Albert Hall as Horizon Award nominees and have gone on to win a German Critics’ Choice Award and a Live Act of the Year nomination at 2019’s Scots Trad Music Awards.

Their Orkney homeland is intrinsic to their music. Says Jeana: “Orkney has so many faces – the colours, sounds, light and water are always changing”. Catriona agrees: “I’m still floored by the landscape every time I’m there.”

Their feisty, multi-awarding sound is now encapsulated in the sweeping, passionate 12-track Energy Islands – inspired by Orkney’s pioneering role in renewable energy. Says Catriona: “Having been born and raised among the breathtaking natural beauty of Orkney we wanted to highlight its role in raising awareness and curbing the climate crisis.”