Local singer songwriter Shirley Barr may be late to the table, but her recently discovered passion for compelling songwriting and performance shows she’s earned her place. Working as the marketing manager at the Universal Hall venue in the Findhorn eco-village, her life was already immersed in live music. However, lockdown saw her signing up for an online songwriting course tutored by Boo Hewerdine and Findlay Napier. She hasn’t stopped writing since.
Over the next three years she taught herself to play tenor guitar, ukulele and shruti box. Using these, sampled loops and field recordings, she creates songs which are quirky, insightful, and sumptuously layered, melding beautiful melodies with novel lyrics to create soundscapes that leave you wanting more.
In 2023 she participated in Moniack Mhor’s four-month long Stages songwriting mentorship programme, curated by Boo Hewerdine. Working alongside eleven other emerging songwriters, and with support from various industry professionals, a collaborative album was written and recorded at the Chem 19 recording studios in Glasgow. The programme culminated with an album launch at Eden Court, Inverness, in October 2023.
Fabulous record
2024 has already seen the release of two singles from her debut EP, Begin Began Begun, which was produced and engineered by Ewan MacPherson (Hushman, Salt House, Shooglenifty) at the recording studio in Universal Hall – the same studio used by The Waterboys to record Universal Hall, their eighth studio album. Mike Scott was delighted to hear that the studio was back in use again and said “What a fabulous record by Shirley and the matching video! Beautiful,” of The Rope – the first single from her EP.
The EP launch night at Universal Hall will take place on Friday 6 September, with a full band. Support on the night comes from Beth Porter of The Bookshop Band, Spell Songs (Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis, Kris Drever) and Red Carousel string quartet.
Shirley can also be seen live at Kinloss Church Hall and Annexe during the fifth Findhorn Bay Festival, as support for Iona Lane on Wednesday 25th September. She is delighted to have local musicians Amy Henderson and Jamie MacRae playing alongside her on the night.
For more information head to Shirley’s website at www.shirleybarrmusic.com or head over to https://linktr.ee/shirley_barr_music
What people ave said about Shirley Barr:
“Shirley’s songwriting is intricate and understated. Her delivery is gentle and genuine, her sense of musicianship makes it hard to believe she has only been in the business for a relatively short time.” Ewan MacPherson (Hushman, Salt House, Shooglenifty)
“Shirley is a cool new voice on the roots side of the Scottish music scene. Bound for greatness I’d say!” Mattie Foulds (Caribou Recording)