An Tobar Summer Sessions: Hector Shaw

Hector’s first memories of music are of his mum and dad headlining festivals around the world and now he is following in their musical footsteps, by forging his own creative career.

Inspired by the passion for music of Capercaillie’s lead singer Karen Matheson and composer and producer Donald Shaw, the 20-year-old has released a successful series of singles this year followed by Gravity, his debut EP in the summer.

Although Hector began writing songs when he was at school, he didn’t start performing publicly until three years ago.

Hector said: “My first memories of music were being at festivals around the world with my mum and dad. They toured quite a lot when I was younger, and I remember being at these cool festivals in Australia and America.”

“It was just normal for me. I didn’t question it that much but looking back I feel really lucky to have been able to travel and have such an immersion in music at such a formative age.”

While he was immersed in the folk music of Capercaillie, he was also exposed to pop tunes played by his cousin who looked after him when his parents were playing.

“I vividly remember her always playing Can’t Get You Out Of My Head by Kylie, so it’s all about balance."

“As I got older, I got into a lot of indie rock and guitar bands and then I started listening to singer-songwriters, particularly artists who made the guitar a big part of their act. Listening to musicians like Laura Marling, John Martyn, Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell, I loved the way their songs were so informed by guitar lines.”

Hector will be the second featured artist on An Tobar's Summer Sessions with his band including Orla Noble, Sorren Maclean, Hannah Fisher and Joe Smillie. Catch the event on Thursday 22nd July at 8pm on our digital channels

An Tobar, Argyll Terrace, Tobermory, Pa75 6RB,