HIS first memories of music are of his mum and dad headlining festivals around the world and now Hector Shaw is following in their musical footsteps by forging his own creative career.
Inspired by the passion for music of Capercaillie’s lead singer Karen Matheson and composer and producer Donald Shaw, who also founded Celtic Connections, the 20-year-old is planning to release a series of singles this year followed by his debut EP in the summer.
Although Hector began writing songs when he was at school, he didn’t start performing publicly until three years ago.
Now, as a student of English Literature at Edinburgh University, he has become part of the city’s normally burgeoning live music scene, selling out his first headline show with a full band at Sneaky Pete’s in January last year.
He has also performed with Scottish touring project Hit The Road, including a headline slot at Websters Theatre as part of the tour – and at Celtic Connections and Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.
His debut single, Gravity, is due out on February 19 and was produced by Sorren Maclean and recorded and engineered by Gordon Maclean at An Tobar in Tobermory on Mull after Hector supported his mum there.
He told the Sunday National: “I have so much gratitude for them for their support throughout the process. The musical support of my parents has also been so appreciated. Although my music has a foot in what they do and that folky element, it’s exciting to bring in my own influences and forge my own path.”
He added: “My first memories of music were being at festivals around the world with my mum and dad. They toured quite a lot when I was younger, and I remember being at these cool festivals in Australia
and America.
“It was just normal for me. I didn’t question it that much but looking back I feel really lucky to have been able to travel and have such an immersion in music at such a formative age.”
While he was immersed in the folk music of Capercaillie, he was also exposed to pop tunes played by his cousin who looked after him when his parents were playing.
“I vividly remember her always playing Can’t Get You Out Of My Head by Kylie, so it’s all about balance,” he said.
“As I got older, I got into a lot of indie rock and guitar bands and then I started listening to singer-songwriters, particularly artists for who playing the guitar well was a big part of their act. Listening to musicians like Laura Marling, John Martyn, Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell, I loved the way their songs were so informed by guitar lines.”
He said he had always written stories and poems when he was younger and his love of words led him to not only study English at university but also start to combine lyrics and music.
Although he “can’t wait” to begin gigging again, particularly now he has new material, Shaw said he hopes to be able to perform some livestreams in the meantime.
“With Celtic Connections, we’ve seen what can be done in terms of livestreaming and taking things online and although it’s not the same as the real thing, it’s great to have this option,” he said.
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