Aidan O'Rourke stands as a contemporary giant within the realm of folk and traditional Scottish music, revered both as a gifted fiddler and an imaginative composer. He is best recognized as a member of the acclaimed folk trio Lau, which has garnered a host of awards including 'Best Group' at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards on four occasions. O'Rourke's work extends far beyond Lau, however, as he has crafted a solo career marked by innovation and a deep reverence for storytelling.

One of his most ambitious projects to date is the '365' series, an expansive collection of musical pieces released over 2018 and 2019. The works were inspired by James Robertson’s short story collection "365: Stories," for which O'Rourke composed a tune each day for a year, resulting in a total of 365 individual compositions. In this project, O'Rourke collaborated with Mercury Prize-nominated musician Kit Downes on piano, effectively melding traditional folk influences with contemporary experimental flair. His passion for narrative and culture also led him to produce the soundtrack for "Iorram: Boat Song", a documentary that brings to life the fishing community of the Scottish Hebrides. Aidan O'Rourke's body of work attests to a creative force deeply rooted in tradition yet ceaselessly pushing the boundaries of folk music for the modern audience.

Genres

Scottish Fiddle

Scottish Folk

Latest Release

Iorram: Boat Song (Original Soundtrack)

Aidan O'Rourke

Album - 12 Tracks - Released August 6, 2021