Càrnan - Calmac Kenny (Official Video)

Calmac Kenny is the upbeat and energetic debut single from Highland duo Càrnan. The track from
the contemporary traditional band with a “funkier take on trad” will be released on Friday 4th
March.
After playing together for many years musicians Louden Mackay and Arthur Brook joined forces to
form Càrnan in 2020, using their incredible synergy to create contemporary tunes that are firmly
connected to the music and culture of the Highlands.
Accordionist Louden Mackay, from Kintail in Lochalsh, has performed with the BBC Philharmonic
Orchestra and studied at the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music (NCETM) in Plockton. He was also taught by some of the best traditional musicians in Scotland, including Ally Mackenzie, Andrew Waite, Sandy Brechin and John Carmichael. Louden’s music is inspired greatly by artists like Silly Wizard and Gary Innes, as well as the sights, sounds and characters of Kintail.
Guitarist and singer Arthur Brook, from Sleat on the Isle of Skye, started his musical journey as a
fiddle player, before picking up guitar in his teens. His tutor, Scottish guitarist and singer Doc
Livingstone, introduced him to many genres of music, including Irish Folk. His musical inspirations
include artists such as Anna Massie, John Martyn, Leonard Cohen and John Doyle. Arthur is currently studying medicine at Aberdeen University with the dream of taking to the stage in between shifts.
The inspiration behind their very first single Calmac Kenny, which was penned by Louden, was to
celebrate the duo’s friend landing an apprenticeship with the iconic Highland employer and ferry
company Caledonian MacBrayne, fulfilling a lifelong dream of his.
Louden Mackay said: “This single was written for our good friend Kenny who landed his dream job,
and is a tribute to his hard work!
“We wanted to write and arrange a single that encapsulated the bright and fresh sound of the box
and guitar alongside some bouncy melodies and signal what else is to come for Càrnan. It was the
first idea we had as a band so we’re delighted with how it turned out.”
Arthur Brook added: “Creating this single was a real passion project for us so we found time when
we could to write and arrange the tunes between work shifts and University. We think it offers up
something unique and fresh because of the differing key signatures, as well as the fusion of
contemporary original music with the sound of the Highlands, and we really hope people enjoy it.”
The cheerful track, which was recorded at Wee Studio in Stornoway and produced by Keith
Morrison.
Calmac Kenny will be available to stream on all digital platforms from Friday 4th March 2022.
www.weestudio.co.uk
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

[@robbiehamilton787]

What a tune lads 🙌🔥

[@danabowring]

lovely tune, you've got a fan in minnesota USA 👍 keep it up càrnan

[@stevelucas5497]

Utterly brilliant!

[@fatheroblivion45]

👍❤️