In this episode of Wordlende we speak to Isla Ratcliff, a Scottish fiddle player, singer and composer, with a background in classical violin and piano. Isla’s work is underpinned by her interests in cultural politics, the environment, spoken word, theatre, and music’s positive impact on our wellbeing. Aged 16, she won the lyrics category of Amnesty International’s Power Of Our Voices protest songwriting competition with her song ‘Death Row’. In 2019 she devised a musical-theatrical production A Reawakened Monument of Antiquity, inspired by the music and cultural-political context of A Collection of Highland Vocal Airs (Patrick McDonald 1784).

We cover folk music, tradition, and politics as well as identity and personal connection to these elements. check out Isla's work here: https://islaratcliff.com/