Message in a Bottle, the new album from Ingrid Henderson, is set to be released on Friday 17th September. The record is a celebration of Scotland’s spectacular coastline and marine life, but also carries a stirring message, examining the environmental impact we have on our coasts and waters.
The catalyst for the album was born out of an audiovisual project commissioned by NatureScot for the Year of Coast and Waters and is Ingrid’s first solo release in 16 years. The album shares the music from the live show and opens a door to the incredible seascapes, artwork and subaquatic animation.
Message in a Bottle features stand-out performances from several stalwart musicians on the Scottish traditional music scene. Ingrid’s beautiful harp and piano playing shine throughout, alongside Anna Massie on guitars and fiddle, Megan Henderson on fiddle, vocals and piano and Conal McDonagh on Irish pipes and whistle.
Ingrid said: “The majority of the material on Message in a Bottle is self-penned in reaction to our Scottish coastline - the story of the bottle weaving through currents, learning about coastal communities and exploring our relationship with the sea.
“Although I have been involved in many group recordings over recent years, this is the first solo project I’ve undertaken since Little Beauty in 2005. Being a busy working Mum, tutor, musical director and presenter leaves little time for personal projects such as this so I’m grateful to NatureScot for the opportunity to focus on such an engaging venture. It’s wonderful to see the project come to fruition and I hope people connect with the material.”
Katie Gillham, Head of Marine Ecosystems for NatureScot, said: “We’re delighted to have collaborated with Ingrid on this unique commission to mark Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters. This beautiful album moves from pieces inspired by marine conservation efforts – the basking sharks celebrated in An Seòladair aig Rubha Dà Chuain, the Sailor at the Point of Two Oceans – to the wonder at the gathering of seabirds after journeys of thousands of miles each year."
“Woven through Ingrid’s music, and the animation and film that accompany it, is a deep connection to the sea and the coast that many people will understand. We hope that Message in a Bottle helps to bring our seas and their wildlife to life for a wide audience."
The album was recorded predominantly in the Old Laundry Studios in Glenfinnan, with mixing and mastering by Iain McFarlane of Old Laundry Studios and Barry Reid of Rose Croft Studio.
Ingrid will be launching and performing the album live at Eden Court, as part of their Under Canvas events, on Wednesday 15th September. Further Scottish tour dates for 2022 are to be announced.
Message in a Bottle will be available to buy on CD and stream and download on all digital platforms, on Friday 17th September 2021.
The Hendersons of Lochaber are custodians of a musical lineage stretching back several centuries. Originally pipers to the MacDonald’s of Glencoe (Clann Iain Abrach), the present generation, to which Ingrid belongs, have become widely known as fine instrumentalists and singers.
Ingrid was the youngest ever recipient of the Radio 2 Young Traditional Musician of the Year award, winning it at the tender age of thirteen and since then has cemented her position as one of the finest instrumentalists in Scotland today, playing with the likes of Gaelic supergroup Cliar, Blazin’ Fiddles and more recently with Margaret Stewart & the Glenfinnan Ceilidh Band. She is principal harp tutor at the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music and until recently lectured on the BA Gaelic and Music at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Isle of Skye. She is also much in demand as a Musical Director having worked on various BBC Alba television projects including the flagship Hogmanay Show, Ceilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire.
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