Louise Bichan is a USA-based Scottish musician and photographer who uses both mediums to tell stories old and new.
Growing up in the remote but culturally rich Orkney islands, a place where creativity abounds and playing music has been a part of the social fabric for centuries, gave Louise a solid grounding in music. She started playing fiddle at the age of 7 after witnessing the magic of live music: “I remember the butterflies in the tummy feeling when watching concerts at the Orkney Folk Fest as a kid, wanting to be a part of it all.” The sense of community and belonging it gave her was infectious; she pestered her parents to let her learn.
In the years since, she has honed her craft, first amongst the cream of Scottish folk at Glasgow’s renowned session scene and performances with talent like Orkney group Fara and award-winning singer-songwriter Rachel Sermanni, before a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, Boston, where she developed her style further.
Masterfully blending traditional and classical arrangements, her music is thoughtful, and complex, curious and playful. She composes in response to her roots and the world around her; weaving through stories of connection, to people, nature, the past and the possibility of the future.
Discography
Ethan Setiawan Gambit 2023
Corner House How Beautiful It's Been 2022
Corner House Caribou Party 2021
Between Islands Between Islands 2020
Making Tracks 2019 Live Tour 2020
Martin Butler Poems and Songs from the Woodlands Edge 2020
Louise Bichan & Ethan Setiawan Self Titled EP 2019
Peter Eldridge, Kenny Werner Somewhere 2019
Corner House Smart Folks 2019
Corner House Corner House 2018
Various Un-Herd Volume 61 2017
Louise Bichan Out of My Own Light 2016
Orkney Folk Festival Fiddle Gathering 2016
Fara EP 2014
Richy Carey All at Sea 2013
Rachel Sermanni Underneath Mountains (Middle of Nowhere) 2012, Eggshells single (Middle of Nowhere) 2012, Blackcurrents (Middle of Nowhere) 2012, Bothy Sessions (Middle of Nowhere) 2011
French Wives Dreams of the Inbetween (Electric Honey) 2012
Skalder Cora 2009
Hadhirgaan Keep it Up 2003
Honours
2019 Berklee College of Music String Department Chair Award
2017 Berklee College of Music American Roots Award
2015 Berklee College of Music Worldwide Scholarship Tour Award
2005 Ronnie Aim Memorial Prize for composition
Previous appearances include:
- BBC TV’s Hogmanay Live Show 2012
- Reading Festival BBC Introducing Stage
- Celtic Connections Festival, Scotland
- Hebridean Celtic Festival, Scotland
- Belladrum Festival, Scotland
- Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland
- Sligo Live Festival, Ireland
- Shetland Folk Festival, Scotland
- Union Chapel, London, England
- Lorient Interceltique Festival France
- Milwaukee Irish Festival, USA
- Freshgrass Festival, USA
- Red Wing Roots Music Festival, USA