The Hour

Catriona McKay and Chris Stout have been developing and performing their own unique approach to folk music for the past 15 years. The two musicians met at classical music college in Glasgow and in Chris’s words ‘were the only two folky rebels on the course and naturally sought each other out to play tunes.’

While folk music grew out of socialising and people sitting together singing and playing, Chris talks of how ‘the music has developed and sits just as easily on the concert hall stage now as a pub.

McKay and Stout are recognised as one of Scotland’s most innovative and exciting musical duos. They are also members of award winning Fiddlers Bid (Scottish Traditional Album of the year) and their new album ‘White Night’s explores their evermore adventurous yet accessible musical landscape.

Catriona explains that it comprises mostly new, original material barring one traditional Irish song. ‘Our own songs, while very much based on traditional tunes, are inspired by the modern influences of our daily lives so that gives things a modern slant and keeps it moving forward.’

The duo perform a couple of songs in The Hour studio from their new record based around their travels in Scandinavia. In this performance, Catriona adds a touch of glamour by accompanying Chris with the Harp while he plays Shetland Fiddle.

The folk stars will be touring the UK over the next few months and you can see them perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe on August 16^that St Andrews and St George’s Church.

For more information on McKay and Stout.