Live Music Music

Landmark Award

karen
27/02/2017
0

Birnam CD receives Hands Up For Trad’s Landmark Award

We’re all very chuffed here at Birnam having just become the latest recipients of a Hands Up For Trad “Landmark Award” in recognition of us having navigated our way through the ever-changing channels of the music business for over 30 years.

We’ve been on the go since 1986, initially as “Birnam Tapes”, Scotland’s first real-time cassette duplication facility. “Birnam Tapes” offered Scottish-based artists the option of small-scale music production at a time when the possibility of releasing independent self-financed albums was just beginning to nudge into the outer edges of a working musician’s budget. The deeply-ingrained and seldom questioned edict that you had to be “on a label” to release an album was still prevalent, but musicians were becoming more confident about doing things for themselves rather than handing over control of their music (and, often, their careers and finances) to others.

The word got around pretty fast and we were soon churning out batches of cassette albums for a wide range of artists from all over the UK.

We began to receive increasingly regular requests to supply albums on CD. It was clear that CD would soon be the new standard and we needed to respond, so we struck deals with a couple of major European pressing plants. In a highly sleekit move, the name of the business “Birnam Cassette Duplication” (once the transition was complete) was seamlessly abbreviated to “Birnam CD”.

As our list of clients grew, we were repeatedly asked if we could help with other aspects and tasks that need to be taken care of once an album is completed so we are now “BIRNAM – CD / PR / DESIGN / ONLINE”. We don’t just offer CD, DVD and vinyl pressing and design for packaging, we also offer a full graphic design service for tour posters, flyers, social media graphics and other band merchandise, downloads & streaming, online CD sales (worldwide via our own shop and Amazon), physical distribution and – most significantly in recent years – music promotion.

Of all the additional services independent musicians need, PR may well be the most vital. We introduced our range of media promotion packages about 5 years ago, to help artists get their music heard more widely, and it has organically grown to become a hugely significant part of what we now do. It’s extremely satisfying to see a top-notch independently-released album we have promoted be named “album of the week” on a national radio show or gain a 5-star press review. In response to very positive feedback and encouragement from the artists we have worked with, we are now expanding the range and scope of our PR services to reach media hotspots and audiences internationally.

Martin will be participating in the forthcoming Trad Talk event at the Tolbooth, Stirling on Sunday 11th March. Tickets available from  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/trad-talk-tickets-31941761669

Creative Digital Live Music Music Posts

Looking Ahead in 2017

karen
09/01/2017
0

And we’re back!

After a very relaxing festive period, all of us here at Birnam CD are primed, ready and looking forward to 2017.

The year just gone was our 30th year as a business, and also our most successful year to date. To flag up just a few of last year’s milestones, we produced and delivered a record amount of CDs, DVDs and vinyl, made more tracks and albums for more artists than ever before available for downloads and streaming, launched a host of new services, overhauled our website and saw our (now expanded) promotional packages have their most popular year to date. Now we are looking ahead to further progress in 2017.

An awful lot of the artists we have worked with have already confirmed that 2017 is going to be a very busy year. Here are just a few events we are currently eyeing up…..

Just round the corner is the world-renowned Celtic Connections festival. Last year, we delivered 16,000 CDs to a range of artists in time for their album launches at the festival. This year, the number of CDs being delivered is already up there (and we aren’t done yet). As always, we are looking forward to heading to Glasgow to attend a number of album launches, events and concerts throughout the festival. The full list of Birnam clients performing is – as in previous years – too huge to fit into a humble blog post, but we will be providing extensive coverage of what they are all up to at the festival through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+.

Further down the line, the Scottish music scene in 2017 remains as rich and far-reaching as ever. TradFest returns to Edinburgh at the end of April and spills over into early May, providing some fantastic concerts and great networking opportunities. In May, the Orkney Folk Festival celebrates their 35th year, with Eddi Reader and Flook amongst the acts already confirmed. June sees Skerryvore’s “Oban Live” return for its second (well, technically third, but who’s counting?) year, with one of Scotland’s most renowned bands again joined by We Banjo 3 and Skipinnish, with many more acts yet to be announced. Out on the beautiful Isle of Lewis, HebCelt will be back in July, and already have Dougie Maclean, Skerryvore and Peatbog Faeries confirmed to appear. August brings two of Scotland’s most popular events with Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, and the incomparable (and often inexplicable) Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Of course, all of these events are just a drop in the ocean when stacked up against the full wealth of Scotland’s music scene. Be sure you get out there and enjoy what Scotland has to offer in 2017.

As for Birnam CD, we have no intention of slowing down. We are working on several exciting new projects and services to roll out over this coming year. Unfortunately, we’ll have to keep tight lips for now, but expect to see some big announcements from us in 2017. Or, better still, sign up to our newsletter here and have news of new developments delivered straight to your inbox.

Live Music Music

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

calum
21/12/2016
0

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

We’re closed from Friday 23rd December and open on Wednesday 4th January 2017.

If you’re looking for things to do in January then check out Celtic Connections in Glasgow which starts on 19th January and runs through until the 5th February. It’s the largest annual winter music festival of it’s kind and we’ll be posting about it when we come back in January but in the meantime, have a look at the Celtic Connections website to see the great line up of musicians and gigs. Hope to catch up with some of you at the many, great events.

Wishing all of you a very Happy Christmas and a great New Year.

Live Music Music

MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016

calum
09/12/2016
0

The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016

What a fantastic night we all had at the Scots Trad Music Awards this year. Hosted by Dundee’s Caird Hall for the second year in a row, the event is justifiably touted as one of traditional music’s biggest highlights. This year did plenty to retain that sentiment; wonderful performances from a variety of Scotland’s homegrown talent, moving speeches from some of the most renowned voices on the scene and, of course, and great craic.

The ceremony launched with a thunderous performance by the Scott Wood Band, backed by an impressive accompaniment of guest musicians. Passers-by on the street from outside the scene could be forgiven for thinking they were overhearing a roaring rock’n’roll performance, for you’d be hard-pressed to find more energy in a performance across any genre.

As ever, the awards were hosted by Mary Ann Kennedy and Tony Kearney, who did a great job of keeping things moving along at a good pace, with one notable (but very understandable) exception. When BBC Radio Scotland’s Take The Floor claimed Trad Music in the Media, and Robbie Shepherd (who this year retired from the show) took to the stage to collect the award alongside his successor Gary Innes and the rest of the team from the show, the audience couldn’t wait to jump to their feet and offer the longest standing ovation of the night. Given how much Robbie has contributed to our traditional music scene over the years, the comperes certainly can not be held to account for the time this show of admiration went on.

With the Scott Wood Band kicking things off with such a high-octane set, one might have wondered if that would set the tone for the rest of the evening. However, the other acts that were brought out to play really demonstrated the wealth and breadth of the Scottish folk scene. Dallahan brought their far-reaching brand of music to the stage, blending traditional Scottish elements with material from across Europe. Songs of Separation, which combines the talents of many of the most respected and recognised women in Scottish and English music, delighted with their beautiful harmonies and moving arrangements. Abercraig, a collection of very talented youngsters local to the area, reminded everyone that traditional music is alive and well in the next generation. Talisk, featuring BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year Mohsen Amini, got the feet moving with their compelling music. The Halton Quartet injected a little jazz into the evening, the Robbie Shepherd Tribute Band brought along some fantastic dance music, and as if all that wasn’t enough, the crowd were also treated to performances by Tryst and Wilma Kennedy with Finlay Wells.

To round off this post, Birnam CD would like to reiterate not only our sincere congratulations to all of the winners and nominees, but also special congratulations to all of our clients who took home awards: Skerryvore (Live Act of the Year), Feis Roise Life Long Learning Project (Community Project of the Year), Piping Live! (Event of the Year), Ellen MacDonald (Gaelic Singer of the Year), Rachel Newton (Instrumentalist of the Year), Lori Watson (Scots Singer of the Year), Trail West (Dance Band of the Year), and Kris Drever (Composer of the Year).

Thanks to Simon and the team at Hands Up For Trad for another great evening. We look forward to seeing everyone in Paisley next year for the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2017!

Creative Live Music Music

Nominations Shortlist – Scots Trad Music Awards

karen
10/11/2016
0

Shortlist Nominations.

Shortlist nominations have been released for the 2016 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.  The 16 awards cover a wide range of categories and recognise the best Scottish trad talent across Scotland.  We sponsor the ‘Album of the Year’ and this years’ 10 nominations are all hugely talented musicians – we wish each of them good luck!

Public voting is open until Friday November 18th, place your vote HERE.

Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Saturday 3rd December, at the Caird Hall Dundee. The full list of nominees:

Album of the Year

Abyss by Talisk

Astar by Breabach

Brighter Still by Adam Holmes and The Embers

Hearts Broken, Heads Turned by Jarlath Henderson

Hello, Goodbye by John McCusker

Matter of Time by Dallahan

Songs of Separation by Songs of Separation

SYMBIOSIS by Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton

The Hebridean Sessions by Daimh

The River by Hamish Napier

Composer of the Year – Sponsored by PRS for Music

Graham MacKenzie

Hamish Napier

Kris Drever

Freeland Barbour

Mairearad Green

Joe Armstrong

Community Project of the Year – Sponsored by the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust

Merlin Academy of Traditional Music

Feis Rois Life Long Learning Project

Fuaran – Fèisean nan Gàidheal

Friends of Wighton

Event of the Year – Sponsored by VisitScotland

Piping Live

Orkney Folk Festival

Pulse

Hamish Feature Film

Gaelic Singer of the Year – Sponsored by Macmeanmna

Ellen MacDonald

Calum Ross

Joy Dunlop

Kaela Rowan

Instrumentalist of the Year – Sponsored by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society

Tony McManus

Innes White

Mohsen Amini

Rachel Newton

Craig Paton

Live Act of the Year – Sponsored by Greentrax Recordings

Blazin’ Fiddles

Elephant Sessions

Mànran

Niteworks

Skerryvore

Treacherous Orchestra

Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year – Sponsored by the Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland

Simon Gall

Lori Watson

Hector Riddell

Shona Donaldson

Up and Coming Artist of the Year – Sponsored by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Dosca

Top Floor Taivers

Ryan Young

Tannara

Club of the Year – Sponsored by Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland

Stonehaven Folk Club

Dundee Acoustic Music Club

Rolling Hills Folk Club

Mauchlin Accordion and Fiddle Club

Scottish Dance Band of the Year – Sponsored by the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs

Trail West

Sixties Bairns

Peter Wood Shetland Dance Band

Lomond Ceilidh Band

Folk Band of the Year – Sponsored by Threads of Sound

Rura

Rant

Barluath

Breabach

Scottish Pipe Band of the Year – Sponsored by The Glenturret Single Malt Whisky

North Lanarkshire Schools Pipe Band

Police Scotland Fife Pipe Band

Johnstone Pipe Band

Stirling and District Schools Pipe Band

Trad Music in the Media – Sponsored by Skippinish

Scots Radio Podcast

Take the floor

fRoots

Fresh Folk

Music Tutor of the Year – Sponsored by Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative

Jim Hunter

Simon Chadwick

Daniel Thorpe

Mhairi Marwick

Lynsey Tait

Rachel Hair

Venue of the Year – Sponsored by the Musicians’ Union

The Cat Strand

The Reel, Orkney

The Glad Café

Drouthy Cobbler, Elgin

To find out more about the Scots Trad Music Awards visit : scotstradmusicawards

To book tickets for the Award Ceremony please visit: www.dundeebox.co.uk

Live Music Music

Scots Trad Music Awards

karen
07/10/2016
0

 

MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards

The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards is an annual event which takes place in December. The 2016 award ceremony will be held in the Caird Hall, Dundee on 3rd December. The awards highlight Scotland’s wealth of traditional music in all its forms and aims to create a high profile opportunity to bring the music and music industry into the spotlight of media and public attention.

There are 16 categories of awards, including Live Act of the Year, Album of the Year, Composer of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year and Gaelic Singer of the Year.  Winners of the awards will be unveiled at the awards ceremony in December.

Public voting is open until Friday 14th October – To nominate your favourite acts and organisations VOTE HERE

To find out more about the Scots Trad Music Awards visit : scotstradmusicawards

To book tickets for the Award Ceremony please visit: www.dundeebox.co.uk

Live Music Music Posts

Record Store Day

karen
07/04/2016
0

Record Store Day 16.4.16

Record Store Day was started in 2007 when over 700 independent stores in the USA came together to celebrate their own unique culture. The independent music sector in the UK followed the USA trend and this year will be the ninth year of events. Record Stores across the country organise events including performances, meet and greet with artists, DJ’s and many other one of unique events.

Celebrating the UK’s independent record shops – the independent record stores are not tied to any big record labels and the day provides an opportunity for them to promote themselves and the huge variety of music which they cover. Record stores across the UK participate – shops in Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Stirling, Kilwinning, Ayr, Edinburgh and Perth are organising events, to find out what’s happening locally in your area visit  Record Store Day

Record Store Day is recognised as contributing to the Vinyl revival. Many thought that Vinyl (and CD) sales would be affected by the increasing move to digital but what we are finding is that digital music in many cases supports and encourages Vinyl (and CD) sales. People are listening to music online and choosing to purchase a physical copy, Vinyl is seen by many as a collectable art….so, the vinyl revival continues. According to the 2015 BPI Music Marketing Report, 2.1 million LPs were purchased in 2015, representing a 64% increase on previous years and a 21 year high.

 

 

Live Music

Mairi Orr’s Album Launch

karen
25/06/2015
0

Mairi Orr’s Edinburgh Album Launch

 

On Saturday the 20th of June, I attended the first launch concert for Mairi Orr’s debut album Jenny Does Burn along with Martin and a very eager friend of mine. I say that it was Mairi’s first launch concert as the singer held a second on the 28th of June in Glasgow. The concert we attended was in Edinburgh at The Voodoo Rooms, a venue I had never visited before, but one that I fell in love with straight away. The concert was in a cosy room covered in dark drapes and illuminated by candles burning from each table as well as tiny lights dotted around the coverings. It was a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Mairi and her band elected to do a straight run-through of the album for their live set. Opening number The Drover gently lulled the audience into the evening. Don’t You Wed Another Man Maggie took things up a notch with its fast-paced brand of bluegrass. Title track Jenny Does Burn told the tale of the last woman to be burned as a witch in Scotland to an oddly charming tune, given the subject matter. By the end of the set, and subsequently the album, Mairi had very effectively demonstrated her grasp of a variety of genres with no song sounding like the one before it.

Following rapturous applause from the audience (and then some), the band returned for a rendition of Dirk Powell’s take on traditional song Moonshiner. Feet were tapping, hands were clapping, it was a great concert from start to finish.

Mairi’s debut album Jenny Does Burn is available now from Birnam at our own shop, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com. It is also available digitally through prominent platforms such as iTunes, Amazon MP3 and Google Play.