Shetland-Music.com

Frideray are a slightly unusual band in Shetland terms, given that they focus more on our vocal rather than our instrumental tradition - although they are equally all very fine instrumentalists in their own right.

Frideray

They hail from the tiny island of Fair Isle, the most southerly in Shetland, lying around 25 miles south of the Shetland mainland, 'Frideray' being the old Norse name for the island.

Given that the island measure only around 3 miles long by one mile wide with a population of around 70, it boasts and incredibly high number of talented individuals, not only in musical terms but across a wide range of craft related and other cultural entities.

With six family members in the group, equivalent to around 10% of the total population of the island, Frideray have already made their mark well beyond its shores, not only being a hugely popular local band but with two appearances (to date) at Glasgow's famed Celtic Connections festival to name but one national appearance.

Tight vocal harmonies are the order of the day, with many of the songs sung in their native Shetland dialect and strongly influenced by the environment around them.

Their latest album, appropriately entitled 'Across the Sea', is however a rich eclectic mix of vocal music not only from Shetland, but from the wider world too, ably demonstrating their own diverse approach.

Lise Sinclair from Frideray is also currently forging her own solo identity so look out for her name in that respect in the future too.