Scottish singer-songwriter Horse McDonald has been touring Scotland with her one-woman play about her triumph over adversity through music.
ARE YOU FROM A MUSICAL FAMILY?
I used to say no to that question but I now know my uncle sang for Scottish Opera and my dad sang loads. On my mother’s side, her great aunt was a Tiller Girl and her granddad was in am-dram.
DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A MUSICIAN?
I did, but I also drew and painted and have qualifications in art and design, photography and AV Tech.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR SONGWRITING PROCESS.
I sit with my guitar and sing out loud the first sounds that come to mind as I try various chord patterns. I record as I go. I choose the ideas that have a wee spark and I take those and sing them out more. They blossom and grow and have their own characters. I keep filtering down until I have a definite shape to each song. They have to make me happy for me to carry on working on them further. Words come from out of the sound and rhythm in each.
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SONGS AND WRITING?
Most of my best work comes out of where I am emotionally – passion, happiness, sadness, all that is within me. I don’t usually set out to write about something specific, I write in a notebook about how I am feeling and I refer to those words when I am writing, it happens through osmosis.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE MUSICIAN?
I don’t think I could isolate one musician. John Martyn would certainly be high up on my list though. The perfect and inspiring marriage between the voice, melody, words and playing – a true harmony, glorious.
IF THERE IS A MUSICAL GENRE YOU WOULD CLASS YOURSELF IN, WHAT IS IT?
I don’t think I easily fit in any specific one. I have performed solo, duo, with full band, with acoustic instruments with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the Barrowland several times. The SSO. BT Scottish Ensemble. I often sing my song Careful a cappella. So it would fit in many genres.
DO YOU MISS HOME ANDFAMILY WHEN YOU TOUR?
I do, very much. Skype or FaceTime are life savers – two weeks are almost bearable, but heading into three weeks I get quite sad.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO GO ON TOUR?
I am fond of loads of towns and cities I have performed over the years in the UK. I love time in Germany.
WHO WOULD BE YOUR DREAM COLLABORATION TO WORK WITH?
Possibly Nona Hendryx to create something from out of my teenage dreams. However, I am excited to say that, although not creating something new, in the summer I am doing a three-night residency at the Hideaway in London with David McAlmont – probably one of my favourite voices ever. It’s Dusty v Shirley, so we both sing songs by these iconic voices and will also duet. I cant wait. Definitely a tick off my bucket list.
IF YOU COULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING ELSE WITH YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT HAVE BEEN?
Sculpture. But my life is certainly not over yet.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO WORK IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
I am not sure there is such a thing any more? I would say write songs, perform but find your own voice – be a good you, whatever that is. Standing on the shoulders of giants, enjoy being creative – it isn’t all about the money. Have a day job if you have to.
