A young band who hail from the Isle of Lewis will launch their highly anticipated debut album as part of the Royal National Mod fringe programme which is taking place in the Western Isles this week. The complimentary event will be held on Wednesday evening at the Sea Angling Club in Stornoway from 8pm.

The group, aptly named Oidhche Chiadain –  the Gaelic for Wednesday night, which is when the group come together for weekly practices – will give a live performance of some of the tracks from their album ‘Ciaradh’, meaning Dusk. The launch will be followed by a dance, both of which will be free entry.

The groupwork classes are run by Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich, a voluntary committee who also run a week-long tuition-based festival in traditional music and Gaelic in July and have been involved in a number of successful projects on the island which offer young people support in developing their music and performance skills.

Peigi Maclennan, the current Chairperson of Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich said of the upcoming event, ‘The group are very much looking forward to the launch of their debut album. They have all come through the Fèis movement here on the island and they have worked extremely hard during groupwork classes. They have become a highly sought after band within the community as a result of their enthusiasm and commitment and the committee are immensely proud of their achievements.’

What started off as a demo CD, when the group were approached by local musician and producer Keith Morrison of Wee Studios last July, has evolved into a complete album with 12 tracks including songssuch as Òran na Cloiche and ’S fhada leam an Oidhche Gheamhraidh by well-known bard Murdo Macfarlane.  The seven-piece band consists of Alanna McCuaig, Mairead Macleod, Fiona Rennie, Caroline MacDonald, Kirsty Watt, Graham Maclennan and John Murdo Macaulay.

Western Isles Development officer Jenna Morrison said, ‘It is always a pleasure to work with Oidhche Chiadain. I have watched them develop into an exciting young band oozing with charisma and confidence. There are so many events taking place this week but I hope people will support these young musicians.   The group and the committee have worked their socks off to bring this to fruition and I guarantee no–one will leave disappointed.’

Ciaradh will be available for purchase on the night at a special launch price of £10. Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich would like to thank the following for their financial support; Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Hebridean Celtic Festival and Creative Scotland.

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Thèid clàr ùr a chur air bhog le còmhlan òg a bhuineas do Leòdhas. Thèid an tachartas a chumail mar phàirt de phrògram Iomall a’ Mhòid air oidhche Chiadain anns a’ chlub Sea Angling ann an Steòrnabhagh aig 8f.

Bidh an còmhlan Oidhche Chiadain – a’ comharrachadh na h-oidhche a bhios iad a’ tighinn ri chèile gach seachdain – an làthair airson taisbeanadh beò a lìbhrigeadh den chlàr, ‘Ciaradh’. Gheibh luchd-frithealaidh cothrom an cuid bhrògan dannsaidh a chur orra agus dannsa phoblach ga thabhann an dèidh sin.Tha na clasaichean obair-bhuidhne air an lìbhrigeadh le Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich, sgioba de luchd-saor thoileach a bhios a’ cur air bhonn Fèis seachdaineil gach samhradh ann an ceòl traidiseanta agus Gàidhlig. Thar nam bliadhnaichean tha a’ bhuidheann air iomadh pròiseact shoirbheachail a chur air bhonn anns an sgìre airson barrachd chothroman ionnsachaidh a thabhann do chloinn airson an cuid sgilean a neartachadh.

Thuirt Cathraiche na Fèise, Peigi NicIllinnein, mun tachartas, ‘Tha a’ bhuidheann a’ coimhead air adhart ris an oidhche gu mòr. Tha a h-uile duine aca air na sgilean aca a leasachadh tronFheis agus bidh iad ag obair cho cruaidh gach seachdain anns na clasaicheanobair-bhuidhne. Tha iad aithnichte air feadh an Eilein mar thoradh air an dealas a tha aca agus tha a’ chomataidh air leth moiteil asta.’

Ged a thòisich an gnothach le Keith Moireasdan, a tha na neach-ciùil agus riochdaire airson Wee Studio, a thug dhaibh an cothrom demo a chlàradh, tha a’ chomataidh air airgead a bharrachd a shireadh airson clàr slàn a chruthachadh. Tha 12 earrannan a’ nochdadh air a’ chlàr seo uile gu lèir, nam measg Òran na Cloiche agus ’S fhada leam an Oidhche Gheamhraidh a chaidh a’ dhèanamh leis am bàrd Mhealboist, Murchadh MacPhàrlain. A’ cluiche anns a’ chòmhlan tha Alanna NicCuaig, Mairead NicLeòid, Kirsty Watt, Fiona Rennie, Caroline NicDhòmhnaill, Graham MacIllinnein agus John Murdo MacAmhlaigh.

Thuirt Jenna Mhoireadan, a tha ag obair le Fèisean nan Gàidheal mar Oifigear Leasachaidh nan Eileanan an Iar, ‘’Se tlachd a tha ann gach uair a bhios mi ag obair le Oidhche Chiadain. Tha mi air am faicinn a’ fàs gu ìre phroifeiseanta làn drùidhteachd agus diùrais. Tha iomadh tachartas a’ gabhail àite tron t-seachdain airson Mòd na bliadhnasa a chomharrachadh ach tha mi an dòchas gun tig daoine a-mach airson taic a chumail ris a’ chòmhlan òg seo. Tha iad fhèin agus a’ chomataidh air obair chruaidh a dhèanamh airson an oidhche seo a thoirt gu buil agus tha mi a’ gealltainn nach e briseadh-dùil a bhitheas ann.’

Bidh CDs rin ceannach air an oidhche aig prìs shònraichte de £10. Bu toil le Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich taing a thoirt dha na buidhnean a leanas airson an cuid taic mu choinneamh a’phròiseict seo; Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Fèis Cheilteach Innse Gall agus Alba Chruthachail.

Source: Fèisean nan Gàidheal