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Julie Fowlis is a singer and multi instrumentalist from the Outer Hebrides of Scotland who has been described as a “revelation”.
She grew up on North Uist, a small island in the Hebrides, in a Gaelic speaking community, and has been involved in singing,
piping and dancing since she was a child. 2005 was a whirlwind year for Julie, having released her debut solo album, being
voted Gaelic Singer of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards, by public vote, and also receiving a prestigious nomination
for the BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award, the first Scottish Gaelic artist to receive such a nomination. The year came to a
close on a high, having supported Bob Geldof during his Nationwide tour at the beginning of December...the following week
her album was the BBC album of the week, and she closed the year with a performance on the BBC Hogmanay Show alongside seasoned
Scottish performers Texas, KT Tunstall, Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain.
She is a member of the successful Scottish sextet, Dòchas, who were voted winners of “Best Newcomer Award”
at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2004, where Julie herself was nominated as Best Gaelic Singer. Having toured extensively,
and after releasing two albums, Dòchas are widely considered as one of the most exciting and dynamic young bands in Scotland
today. It was only in 2005 that Julie released her debut solo album, which immediately launched her music career into
an exciting (and hectic!) new direction. Her good nature, natural charm and energy on the stage makes her a popular
performer, and this is evident in her busy touring schedule, which included a prestigious Showcase concert at the Cambridge
Folk Festival in 2005 – Julie being the first ever Gaelic artist to perform at a Showcase slot.
Her eagerly awaited solo album, “mar a tha mo chridhe” or “as my heart is” was
launched at the Celtic Connections Festival 2005, and includes performances from some of finest Scottish and Irish musicians
around, including: Eamon Doorley, John Doyle, John McCusker, Ingrid Henderson, Allan Henderson, Kris Drever, Ross Martin,
Martin O'Neill and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and the brave and talented Iain MacDonald, who co-produced the album with Julie.
Before any of this, Julie was already quietly making a name for herself as soloist. In 2003, she was invited to be
part of a special project “Gluaiseachd a’ Chuain Siar” which showcased singers such as Maighread and Triona
Nic Dhómhnaill, Alyth McCormack, Mary Jane Lamond, Mary Smith and Julie Murphy. She was also selected as part of the
Celtic Connections “Master and Apprentice” series, where she performed with Arthur Cormack. Julie's reputation
as a singer was confirmed when she was named Winner of the prestigious Pan-Celtic Sean-Nos singing competition in 2004, which
took place in Tralee, Ireland.
As well as appearing on numerous Gaelic Television Programmes such as Tacsi, Fàilte, An t-Urlar
Ur, Air an Urlar, Ceòl, Ceòlraidh, Dè a-nis? and the award winning Aig Cridhe Ar Ciuil, Julie has also been involved in numerous
musical commissions - three by Mark Sheridan, The Curve of the Earth (performed at Celtic Connections 2002 and the Festival
Interceltique de Lorient 2002), The Evangelists, which has been performed three times since 2002 and When They Lay Bare, an
Opera Ballad which was performed over three nights in the Tramway Theatre at Celtic Connections 2003. She was also involved
in Maggie's MacInnes' Commission, A Woman's Song in 2004 and in the musical settings of Sunset Song and Cloud Howe by Wendy
Wetherby in 2004 and 2005, She will also be involved in the third commission of this trilogy at Celtic Connections 2007.
She was a part of the astounding Flower of the West Concert, which celebrated the work of North
Uist's Calum and Ruairidh MacDonald of Runrig, and has just finished recording sessions down in London for the Television
series "Distant Shores", where she was recording whistles for the sound track. This wil be broadcast from January
2006.
Julie continues to perform with Dòchas, and is now also busy performing her solo material at Festivals and concerts both at home and abroad
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Mouth Music
Mouthmusic is fast music where the rhythm is often more important than the words. It was popular during turbulent times
in history when musical instruments for dance music were not permitted - people danced to mouthmusic instead.
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her official website.
oh listen to this voice.
Horizon Award Winner 2006
Gaelic Singer of the Year
2005
an organisation dedicated
to increasing the profile and
visibility of Scottish traditional
music through information,
education and advocacy.
(North Uist)
Uibhist a Tuath (North Uist)
measures some 18 miles
from east to west by 12 from
north to south, with one of
the most complex topographies
you are likely to find anywhere.
Julie Fowlis' family is from
Uibhist a Tuath
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Julie Fowlis, from North Uist,
sings Gaelic work songs during
the Celtic Colours
Conversations Series
In 2004 the McConnell Library of the Cape Breton Regional Library participated in the Celtic Colours International Festival by hosting a Celtic Conversations
Lecture Series. The Series was held during the lunch hour on October 12-15 and a variety of artists were warmly welcomed.
The first Celtic Conversation showcased the beautiful voice of Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis. Ms. Fowlis
performed in a number of events during Celtic Colours with her lively band Dochas. As guest speaker in the Library, she chose to explain and demonstrate the different Gaelic work songs. A few members from
the audience were able to help her along with some of the choruses that were familiar to them. It was exciting to see Gaelic
speakers sharing the language.
Nova Scotia provincial libraries
November/December 2004 issue
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For information or booking,
please e-mail Julie at
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