Different Life

by Steve Byrne (Composer), Emily Smith (Producer), Paul Jennings (Performer)

Dumfriesshire born singer Emily Smith first made her mark on the Scottish music scene when she won the 2002 BBC Radio Scotland's Young Scottish Traditional Musician of the Year Award. In the same year she formed her own band and has since toured throughout Europe and Australasia. In 2003 Emily graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama with an Honours degree in Scottish music. During this time she developed her skills on piano and accordion and established her own singing style drawing on the many sources available to her. Emily has a warm and open stage manner and these same characteristics shine through in her musicianship. Her voice blends delicacy with surprising power and is equally alluring whether enriched by instrumental backing or unaccompanied. With an imaginative approach to instrumental arrangements she gives a contemporary edge to ancient songs. As well as performing with her band Emily has worked with performers such as John McCusker, Karine Polwart and Irish band North Cregg. She has also been included in the acclaimed 'Scottish Women' group featuring Scotlands top female vocalists and is a member of Scotlands 'folk orchestra' - The Unusual Suspects. Emilys debut CD 'A Day Like Today' was released in 2002 on Edinburgh based Footstompin' Records.

Audio CD

Published August 23, 2005

About the author

I grew up during my early years being told and feeling that something was wrong with me. Into my teens I became aware that something was wrong with my family. Into my 20’s {forever referred to as the good old days} I was unaware, just living life like a human flame thrower. In my 30’s I became aware as stress, failure, accomplishment and depression took hold. I grew up searching for a healthy manhood role model in an attempt to raise myself and promising not to pass on my up bringing to others. When that is your saving grace used as a survival tool for many years and then you cannot follow through on the promise to yourself, it is devastating. It’s a condition by which you judge yourself. It’s a condition you cannot meet. What if you cannot stop the cycle that you promised yourself you would?