Caithness strikes the right note for Canadian singer songwriter
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A Canadian singer/songwriter has been spending lockdown in Caithness writing new songs along with her local boyfriend.
Last autumn Brittany Brodie met Thurso man Ewan Barker when he walked into a bar in Nashville, Tennessee – home of country music – where she spends most of her time.
She first came over to visit him in Caithness in November 2019, along with Thurso musician Andy Williamson, part of a friend group in Nashville with whom she was writing songs.
In March, Ewan, also a musician, travelled to Canada to stay with Brittany and at the end of the trip she was due to go to Nashville.
"The virus started shutting down everything globally and I made a split-second decision to return to Thurso with him," Brittany explained.
"Work had stopped, everything stopped. It has been absolutely brilliant being in a new relationship and getting to know one another – which could have gone either way – but thankfully it has been perfect.
"He is also a drummer and singer, and has been performing in acoustic videos with me that I have been posting on my social media to stay engaged with fans.
"We record them in the flat and have a ball doing it. I have been getting new fans from all over, even as far as Kazakhstan. There are a lot of country music lovers out there."
Along with her team, Brittany has decided to release her original song Favourite Scar as her next single.
This song has been viewed over 26,000 times online and received a tremendous amount of feedback leaving fans wanting more of it. It will be out at the end of July – available at Country Radio and online music sites.
Brittany said: "My current single, Sober, has been doing so good with online streams and at Country Radio.
"Actually my single from last fall, called Lighthouse, went number one at a radio station in Nashville while I have been over here which is mind-blowing.
"That is a song that you all would adore, especially being on the sea here in Caithness – as I wrote it inspired by the ocean and ships, it's a romantic song."
As for her impressions of the county, she said: "I have been in awe of the gorgeous scenery here in Caithness. The air is so fresh in my lungs and the tap water is delicious.
"The sunsets here on the beach are like none I have ever experienced in all my life – they are pure heavenly.
"The hospitality of the local people has warmed my heart and has made me fall in love with this area. I would be blessed to one day have a permanent home here to come visit when I’m not on the road."
The hospitality of the local people has warmed my heart and has made me fall in love with this area.
Brittany, who has Scottish heritage, is excited to have been booked to perform two dates at Belladrum next year and says she can't wait to see everyone there and meet new fans.
Some local music lovers might already have seen her perform last winter when she hopped on stage at the Northern Nashville held in the British Legion in Thurso.
"What a crowd, they were absolutely beautiful people and adore country music," she said. "I would be thrilled to get back there and perform a full band show for them."
The singer's flights back to Canada have been cancelled a couple times, but she is hoping to head home soon for a much-anticipated visit with her parents.
During her stay Brittany has gone on lots of walks exploring the area. She met some "lovely local fishermen" at Loch More, a place she has found inspiring. "The people are just so beautiful and kind to me," she said.
As a royal family follower, Brittany enjoyed her visits to the Castle of Mey on her previous stay in Caithness, where she felt there was "magic in the air", and she also loves Puffin Croft.
"We all must do everything we can to support the local businesses now more than ever," she added.
More information about the singer/songwriter can be found at Brittany Brodie Music on Facebook as well as her website www.brittanybrodie.com and she can be followed on Instagram.
