TEN finalists singing various Celtic and Scots languages have been chosen by jury to perform at this year's Nòs Ùr competition – and Lewis Gaelic rock act 'Sunrise Not Secular' are one of them!
Said band frontman David Nicolson: "We're really excited to have been chosen as finalists. It's good to be recognised for playing a new style with an old language and it's great for that to be showcased through this competition.
"And with the stan
dard of some of the other finalist acts, it really is an honour to be playing there alongside."
Nòs Ùr, meaning 'new style' in Gaelic, is a song competition in Celtic and Scots languages and sees performers vying for the honour to enter the grand European final of the minority languages 'Eurovision-style' song competition Liet International, held in The Netherlands in October.
The event is staged by goEvents, who promote and develop creative arts in the Highlands and Islands; and is supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Highland Council, Scottish Arts Council, Bòrd na Gaidhlig and MG ALBA.
Before heading off to Europe however, the lucky Nòs Ùr winner must first scoop the regional final title at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, on June 20; impressing a panel of judging experts and the public, who can vote on the night via the internet.
Speaking of this year's competition, Nòs Ùr organiser Brian Ó hEadhra said: "The number and diversity of submissions was amazing. We received songs in Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Scots, Ulster Scots, Welsh, Cornish and Breton.
"People often think that songs sung in these languages have to be folk or traditional in nature, but this competition challenges this preconception.
"We have all styles of music in the final including rock, pop, rap and acoustic from singers and bands across the Celtic and Scots region."
The impressive array of entries proves that although they may be considered 'minority', the truth is many of Scots and Celtic languages are secretly flourishing; and awaiting further promotion.
As David commented: "When you look at this competition, the amount of organisations and companies that support it and make it happen is a great reflection on the support for music and songs in minority languages.
"But I don't think overall there is enough promotion in Scotland for new contemporary music in our national language(s).
"In Wales there has been a big resurgence in new music in their own language, but in Scotland there's not so much. However events like Nòs Ùr are acting as a fantastic catalyst to kick start interest in this area.
"It would be great to see more: more musicians, more songs, more shows in our own language – to see a whole scene kick off here as it has elsewhere."
And David, alongside band mates Brian Macleod, Michael Macdonald and Ryan Smith, have certainly done their best in making sure such a revival happens.
The Lewis lads have paved the path forward for upcoming Gaelic acts, establishing themselves and their unique brand of Celtic rock through supporting such heavyweights as the Saw Doctors, the Macdonald Brothers and Scots favourite Paulo Nutini.
Over the last few years they've also performed at Runrig's 'Beat the Drum' festival and Glasgow's 'Winterfest' in George Square, as well as released their debut EP 'Toiseach an Turas'.
Sunrise Not Secular will also be going one stage further this summer as they plan to embark upon a school's project, performing at island secondary schools and holding workshops for pupils in Gaelic songwriting and music.
But until then it's time to take on Nòs Ùr, and the band's competition song – 'Lasair An Oidhche' (Flame in the Night) – could not be more appropriate, as David explained: "The song is representative of our Scottish and Gaelic culture – it may seem to be a small flame in the background, but it's played a big part in the world."
Sunrise Not Secular are joined in the Nòs Ùr competition by two other Scots Gaelic finalists – Mary Ann Kennedy with song 'Mise Fhuair' and group Na Gathan with 'Claigeann Damien Hirst'.
Other finalists are: Àdhamh MacLeòid, with Scots song 'Jist The Grain'; Irish group Fiach with 'Sea Tàim'; Breton entry 'Fulenn' from Iwan B; Malachy Duffin singing Ulster Scots song 'I Dinnay Gie a Hoot'; Phile Innes and Josie Boucharde with their Cornish song 'Kernewek Ov Vy'; band Masters in France with Welsh track 'Y Rhai Gwyllt' and Enda Reilly performing in Irish 'Mol an Aimsir'.
Other related events taking place on competition day – June 20 – include a conference on minority languages hosted by UHI Millennium Institute, and a number of music industry workshops for teenage bands singing minority languages.
And organiser Brian Ó hEadhra added: "A new aspect of the competition, in this its second year, is that under 16s get into the event for free. This is to attract a young audience and hopefully encourage them to start writing in their native tongue, whether it be Gaelic, Scots or whatever.
"I think anyone who comes along on the night will be blown away at the level of musicianship and professionalism of the bands. It certainly gives the Eurovision and the X Factor a run for their money!"
And if you want to find out more and have a listen to all ten Nòs Ùr finalists, log onto www.myspace.com/nosur
