Eliza Carthy and Ben Molleson

A New Alliance

Name: Eliza Carthy and Ben Molleson
Born: Yorkshire and Edinburgh, respectively
Lived in Scotland: 7 years (Eliza) and on and off, all his life (Ben)

Why does a musician who has been acclaimed by The Times as an “international star of English folk” choose to live in Scotland?

“I wanted to bring traditional English music to Scotland,” explains Eliza Carthy. She lets out a hearty chuckle.

“I didn’t get any work here for the first four years!”

Scottish audiences may have been a bit slow on the uptake but they’re making up for it now. Next year sees Eliza performing all over the UK, including the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow, Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange and The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen.

Award-winning

“The Lemon Tree and the Bongo Club were always very supportive but I’m definitely part of the community now. I get lots of gigs in Scotland.”

Which is only right and proper for an artist with Eliza’s credentials. Last year saw her album ‘Anglicana’ nominated for a Mercury Music Prize, the second time she’s been nominated for the prestigious award.

And she scooped a record three trophies at the 2003 BBC2 UK Folk Awards – Folk Singer of the Year, Best Album and Best Traditional Track.

Special mindset

“Before I moved to Scotland I’d never lived in a city before. When I first arrived, I was living in an egg box of a flat in the centre of Edinburgh, but even so, I knew it was right. The music scene is very strong up here.

“The scenery is so beautiful. These great expanses of empty land give the Scottish people a special mindset. I love the fact that there are no laws of trespass in Scotland. And I love the sense of humour.”

Eliza is now settled deep in the rural landscape of the Scottish Borders with partner and fellow musician, Ben Molleson.

“It’s funny but there are quite a few traditional songs about Scottish lads and Yorkshire lasses,” laughs Eliza.

Paradise

Ben was born in Edinburgh but was brought up in Uganda, where he lived until he was eight years old.

“Africa felt like paradise. I wasn’t that keen on moving back to Scotland,” he laughs.

“I feel differently now, though. As a musician and producer I’ve travelled all over the world and lived in many places but, you know, I love the Scottish people and the climate. When I’m away, I miss the cold and rain. It’s a beautiful, cold, clean place to live.”

Recording studio

Ben plays the viola and the guitar, and runs a successful recording studio from the couple’s Border’s farmhouse.

“I work with folk artists, jazz musicians, all kinds of musicians,” Ben explains. “They’re usually pretty taken with the farmhouse and the setting. If we weren’t away touring so much, we’d probably have a few ducks and sheep!”

Free-thinking

And although both Ben and Eliza are often on the road, it’s clear that Scotland feels like home.

“The Scots have a directness; they say what they mean. There’s no messing around. I love that,” say Ben.

“There’s a freedom of choice here, a history of independent thought. It’s a free-thinking place where you can have a strong political debate over a drink in the pub.

“In Scotland you can be whoever you want to be, do whatever you want to do.”

Insider information:

Ben and Eliza both agree that there is nothing to compare to the wild, empty wilderness of the west coast.

“Skye has a little bit of everything that Scotland has to offer and Wester Ross is just so beautiful, there’s

nothing to beat it.”

Information correct at 2007

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