Song of Return take a bite out of The Big Apple

Song of Return take a bite out of The Big Apple

After a fantastic live performance in Glasgow at The Garages G2 venue in October 2011, Song of Return were crowned winners of 2011s Big Apple Award competition.

The Big Apple Award was a new initiative launched in 2011 by Creative Scotland, in partnership with Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland and The American-Scottish Foundation.

The winner was selected in a unanimous decision by judges including Mark Millar from Clash, Matthew Rumbold from EMI, Roddy Hart and Yvonne McLellan from Island Records, and Caroline Parkinson from Creative Scotland who said: “It is our ambition for Scotland to be recognised as a leading creative nation and by partnering with Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland, the American-Scottish Foundation in New York and Clash Music, Creative Scotland are delighted to support showcases of Song of Return at Scotland Week in New York."

In November 2011, Song of Return were presented with their award at the Scottish Music Awards 2011 - the Tartan Clefs, where they played to an audience packed with the great and good of the Scottish music industry.

As winners, Song of Return are being flown to New York to play two unique gigs at Joes Pub on Wednesday 11th April and at the Mercury Lounge on Saturday 14th April. As part of the competition prize, the band will be performing for Ian Ralfini, President of Blue Note and Manhattan Records.

Donald MacLeod is a well known concert promoter, owner of renowned Glasgow live music venues The Garage and The Cathouse and Chairman of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland. Donald says: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that every emerging or breakthrough Scottish band dreams of. I wish an opportunity like this had existed when I was in a band. Song of Return are following in the footsteps of bands like Biffy Clyro and Franz Ferdinand to launch Stateside and it’s all thanks to this fantastic competition”.

Song of Return are fronted by Craig Grant (Vox/Guitar) and Louis Abbott (Vox/Guitar), with; Dave Reekie (Bass), Pete Kelly (Drums) & Alex McNutt (Programming/Keys). The band have been playing together for two years and released their debut album, ‘Limits’, in May 2011. Their ‘Trajectory EP’ was issued in December 2011 on Kittiwake Records. Craig Grant had this to say; "We are stoked to be going to NYC. Im really excited to play at Joes Pub which has hosted many huge acts. New York in general has a great musical heritage of course, but I feel also like it has a similar outlook, similar sense of humour to Glasgow"


Song of Return have also announced three Scottish dates at The Tunnels in Aberdeen on 29th March, Edinburghs Wee Red Bar on Friday 30th March and Glasgows O2 ABC2 venue on Saturday 31st, so for a chance to see the band before they fly to the Big Apple visit www.songofreturn.com for more information and tickets.

The Big Apple Award is the first international project undertaken by the The American-Scottish Foundation charity. Camilla G Hellman MBE of the American-Scottish Foundation said;
“We are looking forward to introducing Song of Return to a new audience in New York City. This is the Year of Creative Scotland and it is wonderful that the Big Apple Award is a part of that. The American-Scottish Foundations mission is to be a bridge between these two great countries; this competition is a perfect example of that”.

The Year of Creative Scotland is the beginning of an exciting programme that will embrace London 2012 and celebrate Glasgow 2014 by promoting Scotlands cultural and creative strengths on a world stage.

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Visit: www.creativescotland.org.uk

Visit: www.americanscottishfoundation.com

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