Wemyss Bay's Chloe Matharu nominated for Scots Trad Award

Chloe Matharu was delighted to learn of her nomination in the Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year category at the prestigious MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.

Performing solo in English, Scots and Welsh, Chloe has taken to the stage with her harp at venues across the UK.

The talented musician is one of four performers shortlisted in the category, and could be the first Scottish Indian to pick up the prize.

Chloe, of Wemyss Bay, told the Tele: “I think for my community, it would mean a lot.

“I don’t feel that modern day Scotland is really represented by the people performing Scottish music.

“Having someone of my heritage win that, it’s sort of paving the way for more artists and making them feel included.

“It’s the visibility that would be really important to me.”

Now in its twentieth year, the Scots Trad Awards aim to highlight traditional music in ‘all its forms’ and bring it into the spotlight.

The nomination came as a surprise to Chloe, who has had a whirlwind rise to the top of the trad scene since she started performing live in October 2021.

Much of her work draws on her time as a navigational officer in the Merchant Navy – a career which has also supported her in her musical endeavours.

Chloe said she has received strong backing from the seafaring community and feels as though her music has ‘created a sense of belonging’ for those with a maritime connection.

She added: “It’s been quite a short period of time to get this kind of momentum.

“I have an amazing community behind me. I feel like people are really on my side.”

Chloe faces competition from Huntly singer Iona Fyfe, Shetland's Arthur Nicholson and Claire Hastings from Dumfries in the Scots Singer of the Year category.

The winner will be decided by a public vote – which closes on Sunday - and will be announced at a ceremony at Dundee’s Caird Hall on December 2.

To vote, go to surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TradAwards2023.