UVA is the stop in your tracks debut EP from Glasgow based producer naafi that you simply didn’t know you had been waiting for this spring. That wait is over with its release today. Seriously, go listen now.

The Fife-born artist blends experiences from growing up with music that looks to set feelings free, in keeping with life’s journey so far. The new EP, which takes the name from a single which already earned airplay on the likes of BBC Radio, follows the first single ‘Magnolia’. “I think it's actually quite hopeful,” says naafi of the EP.

“Making this record was quite cathartic. It’s an introspective look into my childhood growing up on army estates and also subsequent periods of change in my life. I think I always felt a bit more comfortable being unsituated or not attached to being in a particular place - I still feel that now. I started making it toward the end of lockdown in that limbo period; spending a lot of time by myself reminded me of moving around when I was younger.”

For those new to the sound, naafi has quietly but progressively been growning an impressive reputation through collaboration work in recent years with credits including co-writting on some of TAAHLIAH’s award-garnering Angelica EP, production work on Alliyah Enyo’s debut album alongside a special performance at last year's Hidden Door festival with Enyo, and Soundbox - an artist development programme with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra pushing the boundaries between classical and electronic genres.

“I think I'm drawn to more textured sounds,” says naafi, “I like to make my own samples from recording stuff on my phone and manipulating it in Ableton. Recording my voice on my phone and laptop - very much bedroom producer vibes - means I tend to be kind of ‘lazy’ when I’m making stuff so I hate having to sit at a desk or set up equipment - the best stuff always comes when I'm comfy and or not thinking too much. I’m not looking for the most polished thing, it feels more intuitive rather than knowing beforehand what I want and making it.”

• The UVA EP is out now. naafi supports DJ Haram (Armand Hammer, 700 Bliss) at Glasgow's Flying Duck on 28 May.

🎻 Celebrating its 50th year at the heart of the capital’s traditional music scene, Edinburgh Folk Club’s weekly folk, roots and acoustic nights are ready to blaze their way through spring and into summer at the city’s Ukrainian Community Centre, with a new committee formed to take EFC forward for the new season from September.

Things kicked off last week with Ivor Novello Award nominated singer-songwriter Boo Hewerdine while award-winning fiddle player and singer Tom McConville, who first appeared at EFC in the mid-1970s and has performed there many times since, will make a welcome return this time around. Scots singers, Fiona Ross and Christine Kydd perform on April 17, before acclaimed Out All Night singer-songwriter Findlay Napier closes the month out on Wednesday 24.

The EFC’s annual Songwriting Competition is also scheduled for Wednesday 29 May. Entries are open until Monday 20th. Full details are available at this link.

🐣 Hopefully some of you will have been enjoying some time off over Easter, as did the newsletter, so just catching-up on HebCelt releasing day splits for this summer’s festival on Lewis. Taking place between from 17th – 20th July. tickets are on sale now after what were festival breaking attendance records last year.

Talented Gaelic trio Sian, friends of our podcast The Willie Campbell Band, dynamic fusion group Mec Lir, the all conquering Skipinnish, Manchester indie-folk group The Deep Blue, local singer-songwriter Scott C. Park, acclaimed Scottish fusion band Gnoss, and Isle of Skye electro-trad party-starting duo Valtos are just some of the names lined up.

Award-winning Scottish trad group Kinnaris Quintet will join the Main Stage, while supergroup James will make their HebCelt debut in the headline slot as they perform in the Hebrides for the very first time. Others include The Lumber Jills, the ready to kick off their tour next month Elephant Sessions, rising Scottish duo The Laurettes, local electro-Celtic band Face The West and alternative rock legends Del Amitri, and many many more. HebCelt Artist Programmer, Michelle Shields, said: "With so many brilliant artists performing across our three stages, there’s a wealth of genres and styles to choose from so we hope there’s something each day for everyone.”

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🎧 Look out for the new single ‘When She Calls My Name’ coming from Georgia Parker on April 19.

👋🏻Thoroughly enjoying the new live wire new track ‘This Is Not A Goodbye’ from Dundee-based Be Charlotte.

🍾 Don’t forget to catch BBC Introducing Scotland winners Bottle Rockets when they play King Tut’s in just ten days time.

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