News / Sproule returns
CANADIAN-born, Austin-based Americana singer Devon Sproule is returning to Shetland to perform two country hall shows, workshops and a writing residency on the west side in the first half of August.
Sproule, who previously headlined well-received shows with her band at the Garrison Theatre and Mareel in 2012 and 2013, will play a solo set at the Bixter Hall on Friday 15 August followed by a show in Fair Isle Hall on Saturday 16 August.
Also performing in Bixter and Fair Isle will be several talented local singers and musicians including Matthew Adam, Magnus Stout, Sheila Duncan, Louise Thomason and Adam Guest.
Prior to that Sproule will work with primary school-aged children at Islesburgh’s summer out-of-school club on Thursday 7 August. She will also run a singer-songwriter workshop for adults in Lerwick two days later. That will be followed by a week-long songwriting residency in Culswick.
Sproule is a gifted writer and singer who has previously appeared on BBC’s Later with Jools Holland and performed at prestigious venues including London’s Barbican.
Her 2003 album Upstate Songs made Rolling Stone magazine’s top albums of the year list, while her first UK release, 2007’s Keep Your Silver Shined, proved to be a hit and topped numerous end-of-year lists.
Sproule’s most recent release ‘Colours’, a collaboration with Canadian singer Mike O’Neill, was showered with critical acclaim when it was released last summer.
Uncut magazine describes her music as “an infectious Appalachian stomp with jazz shadings”, while a Scotsman scribe reckons she has “the polite manner of a pastor’s daughter and the mildly bonkers mannerisms of a swingin’ 1940s jazz singer”.
· Anyone who is interested in taking part in Sproule’s songwriting workshop, to be held in Lerwick on Saturday 9 August from 12 noon, can contact Neil Riddell on 07769707409. Tickets for the Bixter Hall show are on sale here.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -
- Remove non-local ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
