A Coatbridge musician is preparing for the release of her debut album, inspired by the life story and memory of her late grandmother.
Sarah Markey performs on flute, harp and vocals on “cheerful and adventurous” 10-track album Leaving Lurgangreen, which will be released on CD and as a digital download this Friday, May 6.
It features a mixture of her original compositions alongside traditional music from Scotland, Ireland and Spain, in a musical journey which “draws on themes of heritage, immigration and friendship”.
The talented 27-year-old has dedicated the album to the memory of her grandmother, Sarah Grant, naming it in honour of her move to Scotland from her hometown of County Louth.
Leaving Lurgangreen, the title track, is described as “an upbeat, cheery tune dedicated to Sarah’s granny and their Irish connections”; and a nearby town inspired love song The Star of Sweet Dundalk.
Scotland is represented by tracks including The Spark Among The Heather, telling the story of the Highland clearances and crofters’ war in Skye; and the playful Late Night in Glasgow, inspired by the performer’s enjoyment of the city’s annual Celtic Connections music festival – while Sarah’s time in Spain is reflected through pieces including fast-paced Licor de café, featuring traditional Asturian tunes.
Sarah told Lanarkshire Live : “It wasn’t until choosing the title that I realised the biggest inspiration behind the album for me was my granny, Sarah Grant – she was originally from Lurgangreen and moved over to Scotland to start a life with my granda, John Grant.
“They were my first introduction to traditional music and they always will be an inspiration to me.”
She added: “The theme of immigration is definitely something that has inspired my album, both from my family’s background as well as my own experience of moving abroad to Spain and Italy.
“The album is a reflection of my musical journey so far and gives an insight into where music has taken me and the people and places that have inspired me along the way.”
Originally from Shawhead, Sarah began learning flute and penny whistle from the age of seven at the Comhaltas music group at St Patrick’s Church in her hometown.
The former pupil of St Mary’s Primary, St Patrick’s and later St Andrew’s high schools continued playing throughout her schooldays in Coatbridge and also learned the harp with North Lanarkshire traditional music group.
She was a finalist in the 2019 BBC Scotland young traditional musician of the year competition, held as part of the Celtic Connections festival and which was won by Airdrie fiddle player Benedict Morris.
Sarah’s music career has seen her collaborate with top traditional artists including Calum Stewart and Mec Lir; and she is joined on her album by a number of musicians on instruments including double bass, bodhran, uillean pipes and mandola, with older brother Conor contributing bouzouki and banjo.
The album was recorded and mixed by at Gran’s House recording studio in Lamington, South Lanarkshire, with additional recording taking place in Galway and mastering work being completed in Glasgow.
Leaving Lurgangreen can be pre-ordered online and h ere.
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