Who is Siobhan Miller?
Siobhan Miller is big news. She’s a multi award winning singer and songwriter. She’s critically acclaimed and adored by her fans. She’s performed runs at Boston’s Majestic and on Broadway. She has top, top musicians clambering to work with her. She’s appeared and performed in hit TV drama ‘Outlander’. She’s about to release her 4th solo album in only 5 years and….. She’s coming to Colonsay!!
Born in Penicuik, Siobhan grew up in the folk scene singing at festivals she attended with her parents from a young age. Growing up in a musical family, she made her singing debut at the Auchtermuchty Festival when she was 13 years old winning both the children’s and women’s competitions. Continuing to sing, learn songs and develop her music she formed a strong partnership with Orcadian musician Jeana Leslie. Together they won the 2008 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award.
After two albums in partnership with Jeana (2008’s In A Bleeze and 2010’s Shadows Tall), Siobhan graduated from Glasgow’s RSAMD with a 1st Class Honours degree in Scottish traditional music. She then joined Salt House, a group with the finely matched abilities of Lauren MacColl, Ewan MacPherson and Euan Burton. Their album Lay Your Dark Low was released in 2014 heralded as “seamless” by The Guardian.
2020 marks the release of her fourth solo album ‘All Is Not Forgotten’, a return to her acoustic roots that combines the traditional songs she loves with new original material. It show’s Siobhan developing many of the ideas from previous releases Mercury (2018), Strata (2017) and Flight of Time (2015) which highlighted her extensive range through traditional, contemporary and self-penned material, as well as her “delicate, nourishing vocals and lyrically rich compositions” (The List).
Why bring her to Colonsay?
We’ve been after Miss Miller for quite some time, but never quite managed to make it happen. In 2020 we were not to be defeated and made sure to secure her services. Not just because of all the greatness highlighted in the paragraph above, but also because we’re sure Siobhan will be both a great fit and a huge hit here on Colonsay.
Her live shows are fantastic. Regular Ceòl Cholasa attendees have written to us in their droves to recommend her and those of us that have been lucky enough to see her in concert know exactly why. A set that is sure to be as spellbinding as it is warm and friendly. Siobhan will take us all on a journey – from the achingly beautiful to the rich and life affirming. All delivered with a warm wit and captivating presence.
Joining Siobhan will be…. well, actually, we’re not sure. The most excellent Euan Burton will be taking up bass duties, but beyond that we can’t say for certain. Here’s a recent roll call of collaborators to give you an idea of the talent we can expect: Kris Drever, Louis Abbot, Innes White, John Lowrie, Megan Henderson, Charlie Stewart… award winners all. So whoever comes it is sure to be a spectacular show.
As soon as the full line-up is known we will update this article.
When can I see her?
A very good question! There is lots of juggling still be done so we can’t say for sure. However a Saturday night and a Sunday afternoon reprise seems likely at this stage.
In the meantime check these videos from Siobhan’s youtube channel:
How do I get to see her in the flesh?
By purchasing a ticket of course! Festival passes for Ceòl Cholasa 2020 are £100, but an early bird discount of £20 is applied to all tickets purchased before the 29th February. Click on the tickets page to see all the options. The full weekend pass gains you entry to all the concerts in the hall, the stomping late night Ceòl Ceilidh and the workshops. It also entitles you to a seat at hotel gigs (though this is strictly first come, first served).
Remember, Ceòl Cholasa is a limited, bijou event. It’s best to purchase your ticket as soon as possible as then you can rest assured that you will be one of a maximum of only 250 people attending the best wee music festival in the west!