SUSAN GRACE BATES
SUSAN GRACE BATES
Harpist & Singer
Photos taken by Louise Bichan
PURCHASE
Order Skorsa: The Riddle of the Earth
"...a smashing debut album that should raise the very talented young woman's profile..."
The Irish Post ✭✭✭✭✩
"That this is a debut album is hard to accept, the musicianship and composition belie the fact, as does the versatile talent on display...
...The essence of ‘Skorsa: The Riddle of the Earth’ is the singular impression of Susan’s touch on the harp, beyond lies a pure and soaring voice and the skill to bring together the right musicians to translate the elements into life."
Folkwords
"It was a real joy producing this album - Susan is a very creative and imaginative musician and I think her personality shines all the way through this recording. She has a bright musical future ahead of her!"
John McSherry
(At First Light, Lunasa, Coolfin, the olllam, Tamalin, etc.)
"Susan plays and sings beautifully on this album of traditional and contemporary music and songs. Much of the time Susan stands out as a soloist but her deep sense of musicianship sees her binding together this wonderful band of musicians you hear on the recording.
Both her harp and voice are pure and engaging, genuine and heartfelt.
Such care has been taken to provide us with a wonderful experience in listening to this thoughtful and uplifting album.
Sit back and enjoy!"
Chris Stout
(Fiddlers' Bid, Catriona McKay & Chris Stout)
"This is an exquisite collection of songs and tunes centred around the clarsach and voice of Susan Bates who creates a very warm, distinctive and varied sound. She is emerging into a very strong, precise player and the album shows this to perfection. She has a very versatile voice, with the addition of boundless harmonies tumbling over each other to excellent effect, which is a highlight.Her harp also is used in leading tunes, supporting songs solidly or cascading over each other resulting in an orchestra of exalting strings. This album has real beauty and depth in parts, good solid tunes and also comic moments in others."
Corrina Hewat
(The Unusual Suspects, Shine)
"Susan Bates has that uncanny ability that all great musicians have, of delving into the tradition, uncovering material that others might overlook and presenting it in a new and refreshing way. Allied with her ability to compose beautiful tunes and dream up alluring new songs, she is sure embarking on a musical journey that will bring her to the attention of listeners the world over.
Treasure this unique, adventurous and charming new artist."
Dónal O'Connor
(At First Light)
CONTACT
For bookings: susangracebates@yahoo.co.uk
For press: Oonagh Derby - oonagh@redboxrecording.com
TOUR
2016 Dates...
Susan Grace Bates School of Music first concert:
Saturday 17th December - Doagh Methodist Church, 7pm
4th Dec. - Holestone YF, Parkgate
Tuesday 13th December - Cairncastle Primary School, 10am
Wednesday 14th December - Cairncastle Primary School, 7pm
Thursday 15th December - Cairncastle Primary School, 10am
Sunday 18th December - Carol Service, Doagh Methodist Church, 3pm
24th Dec. - The John Toal Show, BBC Radio Ulster, 11am
5th March - Feis Chataibh, Golspie
18th March - Strathaven Folk Club
15th & 16th April - Festival at the Fort, Fort Augustus
22nd May - Brackenhill Wedding Fayre
24th May - Ballyclare May Fair
28th May - Ireby Folk Festival
2nd June - Final Recital at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Past Performances...
Album Pre-Release
17th May 2015 - The Old Hairdresser's, Glasgow
Album Launch
Ballyclare Launch - 1st July, Breckenhill. Tickets Here
Belfast Launch - 22nd August, An Droichead Festival, The Black Box, Belfast
Summer 2015
11th-13th June - Poland
13th June - Vintage Gathering, Glynn, Co. Antrim
19th June - Bangor Golf Club, Co. Down
23rd June - BBC Radio Ulster, Colum Sands' Folk Club
28th June - McConnell's, Doagh, Co. Antrim
3rd July - Ballyeaston, Co. Antrim
4th - 10th July - Various locations in Ireland
10th July - Cairncastle, Co. Antrim
11th July - Burnside Village, Co. Antrim
12th July - BBC Radio Ulster, Drogheda
18th July - Dalriada Festival, Glenarm. Tickets Here
19th July - Dalriada Festival, Glenarm. Tickets Here
31st July - Cairncastle Folk Festival, Ballygally
1st August - Cairncastle Folk Festival, Ballygally
22nd August - An Droichead Festival, The Black Box, Belfast
26th August - Half-Way House Hotel, Larne
28th August - Titanic Belfast
6th September - SS Nomadic Boat, Titanic Centre Belfast
18th September - Culture Night, John Hewitt Bar, Belfast
19th September - Nur Restaurant, Glasgow
26th September - An Droichead, Belfast
Winter 2015
16th December - Ballyclare
17th December - Ballyeaston
