VISUAL EP
The visual EP offers an immersive audio-visual experience. The three distinct Gaelic tracks aim to be a focus for the Deaf community to connect with Gaelic and Scottish identity and heritage. These connections are often quite focussed on sounds/tunes which are inaccessible to D/deaf people. Whilst the visual aspects of the EP ‘playfully ‘complement and enhance the auditory experience for all audiences, by incorporating elements specifically tailored to the Deaf experience, such as sign language, movement and dance, this project aims to foster a deeper sense of cultural belonging and inclusion.
‘Cailleach Mhor Staighlaidh’ is an intimate collaboration with Icelandic drummer/instrumentalist Signy Jakobsdottir reconstructing the use of vocables of a puirt a beul in combination with percussion and step dance to create a whole new form of expression.
Chan Eil is a self-penned song that is a rebellious mix of the frivolous and the serious with traditional fiddle and guitar and a very catchy chorus that invites participation and inspires movement. The video, featuring vivid textures and costumes, portrays an eclectic mix of moods that women don’t often feel they can express including anger and wildness, as Evie and her dance collaborator Fran Till say ‘no’ to typical expectations and ‘take up space’ in an atypical (for the Trad world) explosion of playful funk dance, to this Gaelic alternative/modern/urban sound.
About ME
I am Evie Waddell, a Gaelic and Scots singer, and fiddler hailing from Stirlingshire. I graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a BMus Traditional Music. My proficiency in Gaelic comes from my education within the Gaelic-medium school system. During my younger years, I actively participated in the intergenerational community group Riverside Music Project. While my passion for Scottish Music is deeply rooted in the influence of Jo Miller, I also draw inspiration from Ivor Cutler, Martyn Bennet, Lisa O Neill, and Rhiannon Giddens.
In 2020, I had the opportunity to showcase my talents in British Sign Language (BSL), acting, music, and dance as I performed with WHYTE in the play MAIM by Theatre Gu Leòr. I have directed and toured my own show called ‘Fàilte Gu BSL’ in 2022-2023. I was a winner of the Danny Kyle Open Stage 2023 and I am a BBC Young Traditional Musician Semi-Finalist 2024. I released my visual EP ‘Cluich!’ in February 2024. I am under the management of The Bothy Society.
In 2020, I had the opportunity to showcase my talents in British Sign Language (BSL), acting, music, and dance as I performed with WHYTE in the play MAIM by Theatre Gu Leòr. The year 2022 marked a significant achievement for me, as I was named a winner of the Danny Kyle Open Stage. I released my debut EP, titled ‘Leviathan,’ on December 23rd, 2022. Moving forward from 2023, I am now under the management of The Bothy Society.
