Filska

Filska are a band from the Shetland Islands, and have built their music on the islands tradition of fiddle playing. The word 'Filska' comes from the local dialect and means 'high spirited'. The line up includes, Jenna Reid - fiddle, vocals & accordion, Bethany Reid - fiddle, vocals & piano Gemma Wilson - fiddle & vocals and Andrew Tulloch - guitar & vocals. From an early age, the girls were playing and performing Shetland music together at local events. Joyce Reid, Bethany and Jenna's mum accompanied them on piano. Throughout their up bringing in Shetland they were taught by the late Dr Tom Anderson MBE and the great Fiddler Willie Hunter, who were great inspirations to them. Following this Gemma, Bethany & Jenna were prominent prizewinners in the Young Fiddler of the Year Competition, an annual event in the islands. In 1995, Filska released an album entitled 'Harvest Home', and was the band's first recording. This CD included music from Shetland & Scotland and it's success brought Filska to festivals and concerts on mainland Scotland. Furthermore Filska were asked to perform on a television series, 'Ceol na fidhle' recorded live in Coo Cathedral, Aberdeenshire. In 1998 Filska, still in their teens, returned to the studio for their second album, 'Time and Tide'. This was recorded by Shetland guitarist/Singer, and recording engineer Andrew Tulloch who was soon to become a member of Filska. Their line up of three fiddles, guitar, piano, accordion and vocals introduced Filska to a wider audience as they performed in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, France, Germany, America and Canada. Their trip to the USA came as an invitation to represent Scotland at the Millennium Celebrations held in Disney's Epcot Centre, Florida. The Band's most recent release ' Thousand Miles Away' is a collection of music that includes many of their own compositions. The title track is a song written by Andrew and showcases the musical development and maturity within the band. This fresh and dynamic approach to Shetland traditional music is what gives Filska their highly unique and innovative sound.