Shoormal

Shoormal are Shetland's unique vocal group who first performed at the 1997 Shetland Folk Festival. They have recorded two critically acclaimed albums "Indigo Skies" (own label) and "Migrant" (CDTRAX247), been nominated for the 'Best Newcomer' at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and are revered throughout the musical world for their unique slant on their own island culture. Their second album was said to be 'the best album to have come out of Shetland that year' and created an opportunity to participate in the Folk Alliance Convention in Austin, Texas, USA in 2006, leading to a signing with an American Agency.

Joyce McDill, Freda Leask and Donna Smith sing primarily in three part harmony and these stunning harmonies have become key to the Shoormal sound. The remaining five members, some of the best musicians in Shetland, synergise with the singing to provide Rythm and counter-melody. Trevor Smith and Gordon Tulloch play acoustic guitar; Gregg Arthur plays piano and accordion; while Jonathan Ritch and Archer Kemp complete the rythm section on bass and drums. Shoormal's music is very much a team effort. Jonathan Ritch will be well known to many for his fantastic bass playing with Fiddler's Bid and other Shetland Bands.