‘Firsts’ can tell you a lot about a person. First album, first concert, first movie etc etc. So, we thought we’d get the ‘firsts’ from the artists themselves. Here, rising Scottish singer/songwriter Rhona Macfarlane shares some of the moments that made her.
First Song You Wrote: It is hard to remember my first official song I wrote.. I was always creating as a child but the first one that sticks out to me was ‘Daisy World’ which I wrote when I was 7! It was for me and my best friends band Rainbow Girls. We even made DIY T-Shirts and everything! My first ‘proper’ song I wrote and recorded was called ‘Black Wall’ when I was 15. I actually re-recorded it for my EP Closing The Window.
First Live Performance: I did a lot of performing growing up, whether that was in school shows, playing the violin, piano or singing. My first songwriter/songwriter debut was with the Montrose Youth Festival. I must have been 14/15 at the time.
First Official Concert: My first official concert was at the Montrose Music Festival where I played an hour set a pub in the highstreet. The Montrose Music Festival was invaluable to my development as an artist/performer. It really pushed me to finish writing my own songs, to learn covers of some of my favourite artists and to practice so I could be ready for the performance. I have fond memories of the Montrose Music Festival, there was always such a buzz and everybody was very supportive. For a small town it was quite amazing what the committee achieved with attracting acts such as Madness, Bryan Adams, Deacon Blue..Jools Holland!
First Festival: Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival (Free range folk stage!). I actually had tonsillitis during this performance but the amazing energy and atmosphere at Belladrum really lifted my energy. I have such fond memories of this show! I urge anyone to go!
First Headline Show: My first official headline was at Montrose Ropeworks. My good friend and talented artist Kim Canale ran a beautiful art exhibition at an old abandoned rope works. It was a really unique space and we decided to collaborate to host my EP launch as well as showcase her art which was inspired by my EP ’The Tide’.
Rhona’s new single, ‘See You Grow’, is out now. Listen here.
