It’s been two years since I chatted to Scottish country/folk singer Isla Grant about her love of Tasmania. Isla reiterates to me the biggest attraction of Tasmania for her is the people who are ‘just lovely’. It was due to these lovely Tasmanian fans and her fan base worldwide that Isla is returning to Tasmania at all.
Two years ago I interviewed Isla on what was considered her farewell tour but her fans had other ideas. Isla informs me that straight after posting her announcement of it being the last tour her Facebook page was inundated with requests imploring her to continue touring. With that kind of reaction Isla couldn’t say no and tells me that thankfully we can expect continuous touring from her every two years or so.
The retirement decision had been arrived at because Isla and her husband Al Grant were considering entering new territory taking a new direction with their lives but any such plans will have to be put on the backburner for the time being.
Right from the beginning music was part of Isla’s musical life with her grandfather on the fiddle, her father an accomplished piper and two brothers both singers. Not to mention Isla’s mum was also a singer, albeit non-professionally, so it was no surprise when Isla began performing in folk clubs.
As well as this considerable genetic musical inheritance Isla was born with the God given talent of song writing. So skilled is she in the craft of song writing that she tells me a song usually arrives to her and is completed in about 45 minutes. As to her feelings on procrastinating over a song Isla says that just wouldn’t work as the type of music she performs is highly emotional and the feelings need to be put down on paper while she is still feeling those emotions. If she were to let a song percolate for too long those original spontaneous emotions would be impossible to capture.
If emotions are the inspiration of Islas music they are also the effect of her music and this is demonstrated by the reactions of fans at her concerts. Isla tells me that at a concert the other night on her present Australian tour a tearful lady held her hands and told her how her music of faith had helped her through serious illness another fan told her of his late wife’s love of Isla’s music which she played day and night just before bed.
The intensity of this feedback makes Isla feel both frightened and powerful. Knowing her music can transform lives Isla realises how important it is and how obligated she is in providing a suitable stage presence that enhances the message of her songs.
You can see Isla Grant at the following venues
Friday the 20th of October, Devonport Entertainment Centre
Saturday the 21st of October, Princess Theatre North, Launceston
Sunday the 22nd of October, Theatre Royal, Hobart
Paula Xiberras
