We interviewed Scottish singer/songwriter Amy Duncan in June last year on the run up to her Scottish summer tour (read the interview here). During the tour she showcased a new body of songs called Undercurrents at Summerhall which she told us would later be released as her 5th album. Talking of the themes she explained
“The underlying theme in ‘Undercurrents’ is about going below the surface to connect with the deep and hidden emotions, engaging fully with life, rather than observing from the edge. It is about seeing through limiting personal beliefs and finding the truth underneath.”
We are pleased to announce that her new album is now due for release in February 2016. Undercurrents was funded by Creative Scotland, and again produced by Calum Malcolm. The album follows on from her acclaimed 2013 Linn Records release Cycles of Life, a Featured Album of the Month on Folk Radio UK in 2013 (read the album review here). There is a strong musical progression in this new body of work, which has been highly praised by Bruce Findlay (manager Simple Minds).
The album features Amy’s long term collaborator Fiona Rutherford on harp whose album Sleep Sound was also a featured album on Folk Radio UK (read the review here). Also joing Amy is bassist Lawrie MacMillan (Stiltskin, Ray Wilson), drums by Liam Bradley (Van Morrison, Ronan Keating) and Scottish Chamber Orchestra musicians; Sijie Chen (violin), Jane Atkins (viola) and Donald Gillan (cello). Strings were written and arranged by Amy who also plays acoustic and electric guitars, piano and double bass on the album.
Amy is raising funds to promote and press the album on vinyl and CD through crowd funding platform Pledge with all pledgers receiving an instant download of the 2 singles from the album. Amongst exclusive offers such as Amy’s acoustic guitar, and original artwork, there will also be the opportunity to buy tickets to a listening evening on 6th February at Loud & Clear in Edinburgh, where the vinyl will be played for the very first time on a high quality music system followed by a short Q&A with the audience.
The vinyl record will be released through Diverse Vinyl and following the release Amy will be touring UK.
Visit Amy’s Pledge page here: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/amy-duncan