“‘Cos it’s fun, that’s why.” Hamish loves the folk scene in all its variety – ‘cos it’s fun. The participation, the interaction, the spontaneity: the total “live” performance thing.
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Having appeared as the guest artist at clubs from Cumbria to Sussex and featured at festivals from Yorkshire to Dorset, he is equally at home in a small, intimate acoustic setting with whites-of-the-eyes contact right up to bigger stages with audiences in hundreds and thousands. “Seeing them floundering about in all those little coloured sugary balls is such a hoot” he says. (Okay, so he’s never actually played to thousands. But that’s not going to stand in the way of a fantastic joke about cake decorations.)
Meanwhile, back at the profile… communication is what it’s all about. Whether it’s putting over the drama of a traditional ballad or setting up a rousing chorus, the audience is always an integral part of the performance.
He doesn’t like to mention his self-deprecating sense of humour. “Because”, he says, “it’s not very good.”
Originally from the east coast of Scotland, folk music was always part of the landscape. But it was on moving south half a lifetime ago and discovering English folk music that his performing really took off. His repertoire is now taken from the traditions on both sides of the border, laced with some original and contemporary material. And fun. And cake decorations.
These days, Hamish is The Main Man behind Berkhamsted Campaign for real Music and BURP!(Berkhamsted Ukulele Random Players)
“Hamish entertained us with a wide and enjoyable variety of material, combining the engaging meaning of folk with the vibrant rhythm of some powerful guitar work. Definitely an accomplished performer, he certainly provided a top-quality evening’s music for all at Fleet. He’s on the list for next year!”
- Phil Garvey, Fleet Folk Club.
Hamish is a very talented singer and superb guitarist. As a performer he gives an apparently relaxed delivery that puts the audience at their ease; he chats to them, and jokes with them and while they are recovering from the giggles he delivers a heart wrenching song that makes the hair on your arms stand up and brings a tear to your eye. Magic.” - Alan Hewson, Mad Nanny Music
We always look forward to Hamish playing for us as you can always expect the unexpected!!!!
