Music has always helped me unwind, says Hugh as new single is released
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Caithness songwriter Hugh Calder is releasing the first of three singles today.
Girls 'n' Boys is being released independently and will be available on major platforms such as Spotify and YouTube.
It will be followed by The Clock is Ticking in the middle of the month and Let Me Be the One at the end of June.
It will be the culmination of a busy period for 62-year-old Hugh, whose first album If You Break The Rules was released in March on the Nottingham-based Yeiskomp digital label. Three of his compositions have also featured on a compilation chill-out album called Sunrise Atmosphere.
Hugh, who comes from Lybster and now lives and works in England, performs under the name InsideTheWhale. He writes the songs, plays the instruments and mixes and masters the material.
"The feedback so far has been really good, which is great as the songs are on major platforms," he said. "It is good to get the stuff out there. Music has always been a way to help me unwind, to let go of the daily stresses of life, and I can only hope that it does the same for others."
His music is described as being electronic chill-out, although some tracks are more upbeat.
The name InsideTheWhale came to Hugh one day when he was contemplating the story of Jonah and the Whale. Yeiskomp released a song of his in December last year called This is Where I Am.
Hugh played guitar and piano in several local bands, including II Bit Ram and Nemesis, but left Caithness in 2013. He moved to Guernsey before settling in Nottingham two years later and began writing and recording some of his own compositions. He bought a midi keyboard and began using a MacBook with recording software.
Hugh, who is a mental health support worker, said: "Music is a huge part of my life. I don't listen to much, just play mostly. I seem to write best through life events and experiences. My biggest fans and critics are my children and stepchildren and my wife Dorothy."
