About

For some, music is a career, for others it’s a calling. Doricana may have been Colin Clyne’s debut album, but it was built on years of touring, years of honing his acoustic guitar based mix of Americana, Celtic, folk and pop influences.

A native of Stonehaven, Scotland, Clyne recently ended a 10 year stay in Southern California, where along with Scotland he had a sizeable following. He is now based back in the NE of Scotland, however plans to tour the US in 2014 are underway.

On the 13th of August 2012, Clyne attended The San Diego Music Awards in California, USA, where he was crowned as the ‘Best Acoustic Act’. Remarkably, Clyne also won this award in 2011. This award has previously been won by internationally acclaimed artists Jason Mraz and Jewel. More recently, Clyne was named by NBC San Diego as one of San Diego’s top 12 Singer Songwriters in amongst an elite list which also featured Jewel, Tom Waits and the late Jim Croce.

Clyne’s introduction to music was via his mothers record collection, a mix of international acts such as Dylan and Neil Young, with homegrown heros, such as The Corries or the Furey’s. Though he began to make music by the age of 16, directly inspired by Oasis, an accident to his hand took away his ability to play until he was in his mid twenties. This only increased his resolve to become a touring artist, kicking into overdrive from the moment a guitar was back in his hand.

Playing shows in both solo and band mode, Clyne has become a seasoned road vet, impressing crowds at venues ranging from Hollywood’s infamous Viper Room, to Scotland’s Tartan Heart Festival (Belladrum) and all manner of stages in between.

Clyne appeared at the 2012 Stonehaven Hogmany Party in Scotland, where he opened the stage for International touring band The Red Hot Chilli Pipers in front of 6,000 party goers. He has also shared the stage with one of The US’s biggest Celtic bands, The Wicked Tinkers. In and around Scotland he has also shared the stage with the likes of Dave Arcari and James Grant (Love & Money). He is also due to support Big Country, Donnie Munro & Skerryvore in the coming months.

Now sponsored by Timberline Guitars and Rotosound UK (strings), Clyne has also been a regular on European and American radio with numerous appearances, including BBC Scotland, Northsound Radio Aberdeen as well as 91X and KPRI in Southern California. He has also appeared on STV (Scottish TV) and the KUSI Channel 6 and NBC television stations in the US. Clyne also appeared as a top ten pick from Jim Gellatly ‘The voice of new music in Scotland’ and has also gained admiration from BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins, who described his song ‘Stonehaven Radio Station and Me’ as ‘…a very fine piece of work…’. STV (Scottish TV) have also praised him as being a ‘…rising star in Scottish music…’ and a ‘…cult figure in the NE..’.

The songs on Doricana, were a blend of Clyne’s Scottish influences and love of American music, recorded and produced by Grammy award winning Engineer Alan Sanderson, best known for his work with The Rolling Stones and Burt Bacharach.

Doricana included guest appearances from session musician extraordinaire Dennis Caplinger (Johnny Cash / Eric Clapton), Matt Hensley (Flogging Molly), Rick Nash and Larry Grano (both of The Eve Selis Band), Tim Foley and Enrique Platas (both of Skelpin) and opera singer Victoria Robertson, with production work in London, San Diego and San Francisco.

2014 saw Clyne return with the release of his brand new studio album The Never Ending Pageant. Recorded in Santee, CA & mixed and mastered by long term cohert & Grammy award winning Engineer Alan Sanderson once again at San Francisco’s legendary Hyde Street Studio. Clyne sat on this until he returned to his homeland. Upon his return he released his latest offering in July 2014 through one of Scotlands leading indie record label ‘Fat Hippy Records’ who also boast The US Voice Season 3 runner up Terry McDermott & one of the UK’s leading Bluesman Gerry Jablonski as artist’s on their roster.

The Never Ending Pageant garnered both critical and chart success with it reaching a peak of #6 in the UK iTunes Country album charts in amongst country greats such as Dolly parton & Johnny Cash. Lead off single ‘Merry Go Round’ also reached a peak of #48 in the UK iTunes Country single charts. The record was heralded by STV as being a ‘…truly stunning collection of songs..’ this was confirmed with further great reviews and 8 of the 11 tracks currently sitting at the semi – final stage of the UK song writing contest, the finalists and winners will be announced in October.

2014 continues to be a banner year for Clyne, with more touring, recording and soundtrack work on the horizon. Whether a fan of all manner of different genre’s Colin Clyne’s music is a special sound, which can touch the heart or lift the spirit.