Featured in ‘The List’ Hot 100 Cultural Scots 2024
The Guardian Album of the Month – Not Just Ship Land “Her voice thick with velvet and mirk…hovering between the comforting warmth of The Breath and the whip-smart forlornness of early Adele…Hamill has a big intriguing voice, it’s Scottishness ever-present.”
“One of the best of her generation.” RnR Magazine
Mix Heather Small & Julie Fowlis and you’ve got singer songwriter Ainsley Hamill. Ainsley is one of the UK’s most distinctive and versatile singers, known for her remarkable voice, storytelling, and emotive style. Hailing from the West Coast of Scotland, Ainsley has built a career celebrated for its authenticity, merging traditional Scottish folk with a modern touch.
In early 2025, Ainsley will release her much-anticipated third studio album, Fable, produced by Sam Kelly. Drawing inspiration from Scottish folklore and myth, Fable combines Gaelic, Scots, and original compositions with a rich tapestry of sounds from musicians Alistair Iain Paterson, Toby Shaer, Signy Jakobsdottir and Euan Burton.
Recorded in Glasgow, the album delves into the legends and landscapes of Scotland, with each track weaving a narrative that resonates with ancient stories and contemporary relevance.
Her previous album, Not Just Ship Land (2021), named The Guardian’s Album of the Month, showcased her “voice thick with velvet and mirk,” likened to the warmth of The Breath and the forlorn depth of early Adele. Produced by Malcolm Lindsay, the album celebrates the unsung heroes of Govan and Glasgow, capturing Ainsley’s move into a more introspective and thematic songwriting style, with a focus on feminism and equality.
Ainsley’s accolades include being a BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Finalist, a Gaelic Singer of the Year nominee at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, and representing Scotland at Eurovision in Gothenburg.
Her festival appearances are numerous, including a decade of performances at Celtic Connections and international stages like The Festival Interceltique de Lorient.
With roots nurtured at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Ainsley has a deep connection to Gaelic and traditional song. Formerly a member of the folk band Barluath, her songwriting featured on their albums Source and At Dawn of Day, along with several singles. She currently performs with Fourth Moon, blending Gaelic and English material and her signature step dancing.
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