Two of the most forward-thinking and thoroughly exciting female Northern Irish singer-songwriters of a generation, Alana Henderson and Katharine Philippa both make their debut performance at this year’s Glasgowbury festival. Having encountered a considerable, ever-increasing amount of praise for their equally enchanting, it is no exaggeration to say that both artists are bound for very big things indeed. Easily two of the most unequivocally “must see” acts in this year’s line-up, we talk to the girls individually about their plans for the summer and all things Glasgowbury…
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This is the first year you’ve played Glasgowbury. Are you excited about playing? What’s the gameplan?
Alana Henderson: Totally. I actually thought I wasn’t playing up until very recently. An email from the festival had gotten trapped in someones outbox so my invite came late. But luckily enough i’m all about delayed gratification so I’m now extra pleased at the prospect!
Katharine Philippa: I think, like all things, I feel many emotions that intertwine and lock together; ‘excitement’ is one player! I have no particular gameplan – other than to play, with my usual desire to be honest to myself and the music.
Alana: The gameplan is to play with more of a band behind me, as opposed to my usual solo set-up, going with the slightly bigger vibe that Glasgowbury has, i think i should step things up a gear! I’ve already managed to persuade a really great violinist called Chris Heron to join me. He plays some great stuff with a loop station, so maybe we’ll even incorporate that into my set a bit. Definitely some percussion. A bigger sound basically.
What has been your experience with Glasgowbury as a festival-goer?
Katharine: This will actually be my first time as fully fledged Glasgowburian! I have played one of the G-Sessions and on my journey there traveled through some beautiful scenes of NI; so I’m looking forward to playing in Draperstown outside, rather than inside.
Alana: I have never been before, though I’ve heard great things!
In your view, how important are the likes of homegrown festivals like Glasgowbury to Northern Irish music generally?
Alana: So important. The fact that we have a strong enough music scene to warrant a festival like Glasgowbury is testament to the quality of musicians here in Northern Ireland and that’s really heartening. There is often a bit of a defeatist attitude that Northern Ireland’s music scene is ‘too small’ for a band to ‘make it’, which i think is completely not true. Glasgowbury is a serious, professionally run festival providing a platform for musicians at the start of their careers as well as bigger names.
Katharine: Northern Irish festivals to Northern Irish musicians are like veins for blood. ie. very necessary!
Alana: Personally I feel really proud to play at a local festival that has such a great reputation far and wide and that I know has grown from grassroots level based on a bunch of hard working individuals with belief in the value of what we have here, lots of great local bands and great local fan who are willing to support homegrown music.
What do you think makes Glasgowbury unique, if anything? Any particular highlights in mind?
Katharine: Each experience is unique, I guess. Glasgowbury, under the guise of ‘festival’ is unique by having its own mountainside location and its own conjuring atmosphere. Every festival is unique; yet every festival replicates a mingling of people, music and experience…
What other acts at this year’s festival are you looking forward see?
Alana: It’s so hard to narrow it down. Little Bear, Ryan Vail, Rams’ Pocket Radio, Runaway Go, Silhouette… and bands I haven’t heard yet. I look forward to being surprised!
Katharine: I’m just looking forward to just hearing good music – whoever that comes from. I’ll come from lots of acts I’ve already seen live, I’m sure; but I’m looking forward to catching Miss Alana Henderson and her cello for the first time.
Aside from the festival, what are the plans for you over the summer?
Katharine: My current interest lies in creating power from minimal human numbers; it’s not about me – it’s about the music. My band is currently myself, Korg, Zoom and Box. Occasionally, Loop and/or and other humans are brought in, but really it’s just that initial quartet. I am, and have been, squirreling away translating some new material, which I will hopefully release before entering into my final year, studying Music at Queen’s. Lots of growth, mistakes, learning and living planned for the summer months, too; lots of shapes.
Alana: I’m playing a few other festivals and I’m just back from playing in Hamburg and playing a few dates supporting Duke Special which was very exciting. I’m doing some traditional music stuff too as well as my own music, so the summer is a really busy time. It’s all music-related though: no holidays, just playing away like crazy and enjoying every minute of it!
Get your Glasgowbury tickets here.
Small But MASSIVE!
