Anna MacDonald Singer Songwriter

Hello,
Last time I wrote was just after the Recital Rooms Acoustic Affair gig where I had had a brilliant time. April was supposed to a quiet reflective month but it didn’t turn out exactly as expected. There were a number of firsts in April. I played at the new venue of the Icarus Club in London. This was the first time I returned since the passing of Andy the hat- a lovely man who will be missed. The new venue is very different but great to play with a fantastic crew. Saturday night found me playing at the Stage Door which is just down the road from the old Vic. Unfortunately there were no Kevin Spacey sightings this time This night is run by Rob Thom who is a great singer songwriter who you should check out if you have the time! Another new venue the environmentally friendly cafe Surya near Kings Cross. This was also my first gig with the promoters Beatniks events. My next gig was at the White Lion in Stratten. These guys run a charity called music for children and I happened upon them when I supposed to going to an open mic night at the white horse in Archway (just about the other side of London…). A happy mistake to make I then had the chance to support the Long Notes in their King Place gig. The audience was 150 ( I had though it would be a folk club of maybe 40) so I had a wee surprise when I headed out front- a lovely one to have! I had a great night. A return to the Green Note in Camden saw me supporting Pilgrims Way. An English folk trio with loads of energy and brilliant songs/tunes. A real pleasure to listen to. I am back there in July if anyone fancies popping down! The next few nights saw me running between Camden and a few more local gigs. Twenty minute sets- short but sweet before heading back to Scotland to play at the mighty Glenfarg Folk Club. I took the whole crew with me- Outi Smith, Jamie Smith and Ali Hutton. Incredible musicians and awesome fun. Thought the drive back in the confined space of the van cab with the two boys was interesting…..
Lastly I got to play two of the Paper Aeroplanes Scottish dates. Always good to play with friends and even better when they are such great musicians. Jake Morley was playing as well- brilliant music again.
It’s about 6am and I have been on this train for around and hour and a half already- might go and get some sleep. I have a gig tonight
see you soon
xxx

My last post was at the end of February but so much has happened since then. There was Weaving Musical Threads in Paisley, the Timorous Beastie tour all over Scotland and I finished up with the Acoustic Affair in the Glasgow City Halls Recital Rooms. Busy busy but much fun was had!
Weaving Musical Threads in Paisley was a community based event which saw me singing on top of the Observatory, in the shopping center, the Museum and in the rather lovely suite in the City halls. I met a few familiar faces and plenty of new ones as well. Elise and her team had put an incredible amount of work to make this event the huge success it was. They continued their fabulous support by attending the Acoustic Affairs on the 30th as their Weaving Musical Threads staff night out. Lovely to see them and I’ll no doubt catch up with them properly soon.
The Timorous Beastie Tour with Rosie Bans and Mike Nisbit then took off. We started in Edinburgh in Henry’s Cellar Bar. This was an intimate venue packed with friendly faces and a great opening night was had. We then moved down to Ayr and Su Casa played host. As always a lovely atmosphere with great food. Friday night saw us hit Dundee for a few songs at Henry’s Coffee House- again spoiled for food and tea ! The tour then temporarily split company with myself and Rosie heading to Crianlarich hotel for a very sophisticated evening of after dinner playing. We were both very well behaved Straight on to Inverness where we were reunited with Mike before playing a roudy Hoots’s- all good fun. After this the other beasties had a wee break while I flitted to London to a gig at 93 Feet East in Brick Lane. I was able to indulge my love of the sleeper train . Down the night before and up after the gig. I do love a bunk bed Back on the tour we played Skye- a home gig for me and it was great to get to spend a wee bit of time there- then back to Glasgow for a grand finale. Brilliant , excellent and exhausting!
I was now getting all geared up for the Acoustic Affair. The band Outi Smith, Jamie Smith (no relation) and Ali Hutton were fantastic. We managed to sell out the Recital Rooms and were turning folk away at the door ( sorry!). I hope to post videos and pictures asap. Thank you to everyone who came , tried to come and those who helped me out on the night. My girls Abi, Charlotte, Fi and Jenny as always did me proud and out sold their previous CD record. They are definitely my secret weapon…..
Currently on a train (where else) heading south. A nice month of a few wee gigs and catching up on everything. I have however, just heard that I have been confirmed as the Long Notes support act on the 13th April. I will update the gig list asap!
hopefully see you soon
x

Timorous Beasties

The first month in London has past and it has been busy. February began with a return to the Troubadour in Earls Court which has great food, a lovely atmosphere and cool staff. It was greatly appreciated that so many folk made the effort to come out on a school night! This gig was followed quickly by a support slot at the Green Note Cafe in London (also great food – I seem to be eating my way around London). The Outside Track were the head liners and they were simply awesome. Brilliant musicians and real nice folks- if you haven’t seen them you are missing out . Graham who runs folk on a Monday at the Green note is having a small festival there in May and I am delighted to be involved. The dates are on my gig list. The next portion of the month was dominated by the folk clubs. I played at Lost Horizons in the Birkberk tavern then over at Twick folk in their newly refurbished room at the Cabbage patch pub. New faces and less new faces- lovely to catch up. I finished February with a gig at the Good Ship in Kilburn. This is a thriving venue and encompasses comedy as well as music. The nights there are run by the enthusiastic John who has to be one of the most organised promoters in London which makes things very easy for the players!

March is already upon us and I am back in Gods own country. I had a great day yesterday playing at Paisleys Weaving Musical Threads. My Saturday began on a windy balcony up on the dome of the Observatory singing out over Paisley Town- absolutely magical. I hope the residents thought so too . I was then doing a small set in the Paisley museum where as well as enjoying incredible acoustics I met up with an old friend who I hadn’t seen for years. We had come through the Scottish choir system mainly run by the talented Mr Christopher Bell, together and we had a good natter over a cuppa in the Arts Centre after I had completed my last set in Paisley Shopping centre. Today I was back in Paisley doing a short set in the city halls. A massive thank you to Elise and all her team for an brilliant and diverse musical programme.

What next…… welllllllll

I have the Timorous Beastie Tour with the talented Rosie Bans and Mike Nisbit kicking off in Edinburgh on Wednesday (full details on the gig pg) which I am really looking forward too. It will take us all over Scotland and I will get to pop home for a wee whiley.

After which a few more gigs in London then the Glasgow City Hall Recital gig on the 30th March . I cannot wait for this and have all kinds of exciting plans so get along if you can. I’ve popped the link below just in case you fancy it

http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/whatson/event/119102-The-Acoustic-Affair-2012-Anna-MacDonald

Loads of stuff coming up. Be lovely to see you at one of the gigs.

take care

x

My brief trip to Glasgow was great. I managed to fit in the Danny Kyle Stage, Thea Gilmore’s Sandy Denny show ‘ Don’t Stop Singing’ supported by the awesome Kris Drever Trio and of course a a wee stop in at the award winning Ben Nevis to have a listen to some tunes! Good times
Back to London on the sleeper which I am now getting very used too and straight to the playing! I had a brilliant time in the Troubadour, Earls Court. It is the third time I have played there. Each time I forget how good the food is and eat too much- not smart before singing. Bumped into some old friends and found some new ones. A successful night all round.
It has been a week of re- visiting . I was delighted to be back at the Green Note Cafe in Camden with ‘Folk on Monday’ and I was even more delight to be supporting the very talented Outside Track. If you haven’t managed to catch these guys I can highly recommend them. Excellent musicians and lovely folk…. listen out especially for the jokes This venue is always a real pleasure to play and the audience were so attentive which is very much appreciated!
As to future events- a tour in Scotland in conjunction with three other Scottish musicians. This kicks off in Edinburgh on the 7th in the Village ( South Fort Street), Dundee on the 9th ( Henry’s Cafe) and the Roxy( in Glasgow on the 16th) are all confirmed with more dates being added in the coming days. If you have any suggestions then please get in touch. They are all very welcome! I have a couple of warm up gigs in Scotland before hitting the road- Linen 1906 Glasgow on the 1st March and then 3/4th with Weaving Musical Threads in Paisley.
I will be out and about gigging in London till then. It’s all go down here I have added all dates to the gig page on the website.

Thanks for dropping in and if you want to get in touch just drop me a line using the email on my contact page.

cheeri bye

Big , not so bad smoke…

I have finally landed in London town and have to report it is not as bad as I thought it might be .It is very big though! I am still excited every time I manage to get the right tube to the right destination around the right time. It’s the little things that count.

I was lucky to start my time here with a great gig in the half moon in Putney. Redvars Bailey runs an excellent night there which I was please to play at . Here is a link to one of my songs recorded by John Rixon ( thanks John)

Friday night brought a spot of jaminess on an unprecedented level – even for me! I happened to get myself a gig at the Roof Gardens in Kensington. Those of you who are on my music page on Facebook will probably already be bored by this but it was very very exciting! A really glamorous place and one I don’t expect to be allowed back into, unless I am lucky enough to get another chance to play there. There were real live flamingos…. real live flamingos- amazing!

Despite my fanfare re London I am actually only one day away from heading back to the motherland. I am playing on the Danny Kyle open stage in Glasgow on Tuesday the 24th which should be great fun. Any excuse to head home! If anyone is free and in the area it starts at five , goes on till seven and is totally free. If you are not in the area but fancy a listen celtic music radio are broadcasting on 1530AM across Glasgow, Pop Up DAB Digital Radio throughout the UK and www.celticmusicradio.net around the world! The craic is always good with the Celtic music radio crew so well worth a listen.

Thanks for popping by and I will be up dating soon with news of a wee tour… or two .

xxx

New year, new website and new EP!

Hello! Thanks for coming for a wee look around my new website. There will be continual updates, new goodies in the shop and free tracks so please sign up to the news letter to keep up to date. I have just finished my new EP and am very excited about it. I hope to get on the road and launch it officially in late February although if you would like a copy before then I am sure I can sort you out with one

My big news is that I am making the move to the big bad smoke which is London town come the New Year. I already have a few gigs in Scotland so will be up and down the road so much folk here will hardly believe I have gone…..

I’m really looking forward to a chilled festive period up north before it all kicks off. I would like to say a big thank you to all the musicians involved in the EP especially Fraser f

Fifield.

Have a great Christmas and pop back soon to see what is happening. All feedback appreciated!

Anna

xxx

New Year, New Website & New EP!

Hello! Thanks for coming for a wee look around my new website. There will be continual updates, new goodies in the shop and free tracks so please sign up to the news letter to keep up to date. I have just finished my new EP and am very excited about it. I hope to get on the road and launch it officially in late February although if you would like a copy before then I am sure I can sort you out with one

My big news is that I am making the move to the big bad smoke which is London town come the New Year. I already have a few gigs in Scotland so will be up and down the road so much folk here will hardly believe I have gone…..

I’m really looking forward to a chilled festive period up north before it all kicks off. I would like to say a big thank you to all the musicians involved in the EP especially Fraser f
Fifield.

Have a great Christmas and pop back soon to see what is happening. All feedback appreciated!

On the 29th May 2010, Anna MacDonald visited the Dundonald Music Festival to take part in the singer and songwriting competitions. After a great performance of “The Banks of Inverurie” Anna was awarded “Best Singer” of the competition. Soon after Anna made her way to London to start recording her new album.

On Sunday 6th June, Anna popped in to jam with Islington and Highbury Folk Meet (see pic) and is now due to appear at the Twickenham Folk Club this weekend.

Still a favourite with loads of people from Anna’s first release “You held out your hand” EP, here is an un-mastered version of “FireBeach”. We hope you like it!

Firebeach