Yvonne Murray, Best Young Ambassador at the Highlands and Islands Tourisim Awards 2011, is currently plotting a success end of the year with more than an eye on 2012 events, but she was able to spend some time to talk about 2011…
What’s your involvement in the music scene?
Festival Organiser and Promoter at Bogbain Farm
How has 2011 been for you musically?
2011 has been interesting – the biggest sensation was obviously when Mumford came to town and we were lucky enough to go to that gig. Northern Roots at Bogbain had some amazing stuff as well including the New Rope String Band who were achingly hilarious.
What was the best local act this year and why?
Best local act of the year for me would KOBI – and that’s why I’ve invited them to a new festival I’m running next year…!
What was the best non-local act you have seen this year?
Best non-local act was a woman called Edwina Hayes who came to play at Bogbain for Northern Roots. Her voice was absolutely gorgeous and her songs have been covered by the likes of Nanci Griffith, who I am also a massive fan of. Edwina sang the title track on the blockbuster, ‘My Sister’s Keeper’ but is one of the nicest women you could meet…and really really funny too – that was a brilliant night.
What was your favourite music experience this year?
There’s been a few, but not as many as I’d like! Listening to Bruce MacGregor play the fiddle is always very special. Being at the Mumford gig was also cool and sitting in the Glen Albyn watching Coldplay’s set at T in the Park was also pretty cool, believe it or not! Oh, and at the very end of Belladrum when it started pouring, being in Mother’s Ruin being absolutely thumped by the bass – fantastic!
What do you want from Santa?
For people to know that Bogbain always has good bands on, even if you haven’t heard of them!
What’s your hopes for the music scene in 2012?
Would like to see some Highlands and Islands acts become “big” in the central belt and make a name for themselves. Also want Bogbain to be on the forefront of everyone’s mind for gigs and events.
What are your plans for 2012?
Bogbain is hosting a new music festival with BrewDog beer – if you haven’t heard of BrewDog yet, believe me, you will! Got some brilliant bands lined up for ‘Brew at the Bog’ – Endor, Kitty the Lion, Washington Irving, Three Blind Wolves, etc; as well as local acts KOBI, Midnight Glory and He Slept on 57. Open Day Rotation are ones to look out for at the festival – headed up by Willie Campbell from Stornoway…fantastic sound! Ally McCrae from BBC Radio 1 will also be with us – he’ll be hosting the event and DJing aswell. We’ve got a great guy called Woody Pines coming too from America. There’s also the Inverness Whisky Festival and then Northern Roots which has the strongest line up to date. Also, Bogbain is getting a new bar/restaurant and a bit of a facelift so it’s all go…!
Got anything to plug?
As above! Oh, and Duncan Chisholm, Iain MacFarlane and Marc Clement will be playing at Bogbain on Sunday 18th December and we have a massive party planned for Hogmanay! Visit www.bogbainfarm.com for more info! If you want any work at the festivals, give us a shout too!
Thanks to Yvonne for her time.