Hello and welcome to this week’s Music Monday coming to you en route to the Western Isles. The wi-fi where I am is a bit spotty, but there’s plenty going on, so let’s plunge right in.

Laura Silverstone has launched her new album Heartwood with a gig at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh before heading straight off to play gigs in Kinross and Skye, but not before she took time out from her hectic schedule to sit down with me for an interview for the podcast.

And I’m so glad she did. In it she talks about the high and the challenges of life on the road as a travelling troubadour, busking and how it works, appearances on live TV, the effort that goes into making and promoting and album all while keeping up the day job of playing live to audiences wherever she can. It’s a masterclass in making your own way in music.

Be sure and check out her new work too.

I’m currently bound for Heb Celt music festival in Stornoway where James, Del Amitri and a host of other acts including Skippinish, Willie Campbell, Kinnaris Quintet, Scott C. Park, Elephant Sessions and more are playing. There’s also fringe events, Sian and The Lumber Jills play in Breasclete, and a packed programme at An Lanntair including Alasdair White, Wayward Jane, Dougie MacLean, ceilidhs and more. Find out more and get your tickets here.

That comes hard on the heels from a triumphant return for Tiree Music Festival which boasted Skerryvore, Trail West, Tide Lines, Valtos, Heisk and others, with the wider community all pitching in to make sure more than 2000 fans could get to and from the event as it bounced back from weather woes the previous year.

Beach yoga, distillery tours and circus acts all brought more fun to proceedings. The festival also saw its carbon emissions drop 1.8 tonnes with support from EventScotland and Highland and Island Enterprise.

You can view some of the best images from the event here.

Congratulations to Rosie H Sullivan on the release of In My Nature (remixes) Ambient EP. She thanks some of those who have helped with the ‘magic’ behind the songs in this post.

Blazin’ Fiddles are playing two days in Orkney. Tickets are on sale.

Skippinnish have a date for your diary already in 2025 with their biggest ever date at Glasgow Ovo Hydro. Details here.

Heron Valley are now taking pre-orders for their brand new album Oak Mountain. You can sign up for it here.

I’ll be back with more once I find some more stable connection, and also with Made In Norway which is a bit behind schedule, so stay tuned.

Also, if you want to support my work, you can vote for the show at the British Podcast Awards. Thanks to those who have already.

Thanks for reading!