Giles Perring, owner of the Sound of Jura Studio in Knockrome, is organising the first House Concert on the 25th of June 2017.

Giles: A few things have all come together at the right time to realise a longtime dream of bringing an audience into our studio for an intimate evening of wonderful music and an evening meal. A team of us has pooled energies to put together this event, showing off Jura’s ‘cultural quarter’ of Knockrome, and we’re very excited about the whole thing!

The studio, which has been the setting for a growing catalogue of acclaimed music recordings from people like Something Secret, Yat Kha, Aline Frazão, Karl Culley and Mekons, is a lovely space for music making, and Knockrome Old School is, of course, sited overlooking Lowlandman’s Bay, which is one of the most beautiful spots on the island.

We are bringing together a concert featuring Madagascan singer and guitarist Rivo Noarivelo who will have just recorded an EP at the studio with a 3 piece band who reflect the very hip, and accomplished artistry that typifies the Norwegian music scene, with references from world, jazz and contemporary music. This treat is coupled with the act whose availability has catalysed the whole event, Twelfth Day Catriona Price [fiddle, voice] and Esther Swift [harp, clarsach, voice]. Twelfth Day have made visits to Sound of Jura as recording musicians on several occasions, but we have tempted them across to the island during a long tour to promote their second album ‘Cracks in the Room’, produced by folk legend Chris Wood. The evening also promises a window into the world of Sound of Jura’s house producer Giles Perring who himself, composes almost exclusively for film, TV and theatre. On this occasion, with some of his preferred musicians on hand, they will be playing some of his own music live – a rare occurrence indeed.

We’ve decided that in order to make this a proper evening in the spirit of sharing that’s embodied in the word ‘ceilidh’, we want to really give people the opportunity to take in the surroundings and the good company, so we will be offering an evening meal with the trimmings. We’ll start the food from 7pm, and we’ll follow on with the music as the evening gathers steam.

We’re really hoping people will be able to support what we really think will be a very special evening, with very special music, in a very special part of our island at a very special time of year. We are offering the whole experience for £30, with children under 12 welcome free [but please contact us in advance so we can manage numbers].

The schoolroom studio offers limited space so we are recommending that people book in advance, online at our tickets page, which accepts credit and debit card payments as well as PayPal. Tickets can be book here: www.soundofjura.com/tickets.htm. Very much hoping to see you on the night.