Scottish singer/songwriter Rhona Macfarlane shares new single ‘July Rain’
Glasgow-based singer/songwriter Rhona Macfarlane has released her new single ‘July Rain’. The single, produced by Rhona and Matt Ingram (Laura Marling, Lianne La Havas), was recorded at Watercolour Studios in the Scottish Highlands.
Of her new single, Macfarlane says:
“I wanted this song to capture the feeling of being carefree. The song explores the more positive moments of embracing the chaos of life and being truly present in the moment. It is about spontaneity and the exhilaration of embracing life's unexpected twists and turns - finding beauty and happiness in the simple pleasures of being together, even when the weather doesn't go as planned.
It is a testament to the power of love to transcend time and circumstance, and the ability to find beauty in life's most unexpected moments. It's a reminder to cherish the simple joys and savour the magic of being alive.”
Hailing from the small North-east seaside town of Montrose in Scotland, Macfarlane was brought up in a musical household where creativity was boundless. Her early years were spent immersed in music, whether that was through Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell or Rickie Lee Jones on the record player, or the sounds of family playing piano, violin, guitar, bagpipes or clarsach. With ancestors from St Kilda and the Outer Hebrides, Rhona’s childhood included frequent trips to Harris where she was surrounded by folk music and her Grandmother’s Gaelic songs. At the age of 7 she began learning violin and piano and into her teens picked up the guitar.
Through songwriting opportunities such as “Hit the Road” and classical music experience with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, Rhona quickly became enchanted by the world of songwriting while also developing a deep passion for the violin, which she subsequently went on to study at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. This environment influenced her songwriting to incorporate elements of classical music alongside the folk tradition of storytelling, but she manages to deliver it in an entirely modern light, drawing inspiration from artists like Adrianne Lenker, Rufus Wainwright, Joni Mitchell, and Madison Cunningham.
Rhona released her last EP ‘Closing the Window’ in November 2021. The EP is a collection of songs inspired by a time of inward reflection and solitude during the pandemic. A time when family and friend ties were cut and sharing music was limited. The first single was selected as record of the week on the BBC Radio Scotland’s Afternoon Show and other tracks from the EP have also had extensive radio play on numerous BBC shows such as The Roddy Hart Show, Travelling Folk, and the Iain Anderson Show. Her “emotional and reflective storytelling” has been described as “casting a gentle spell over her audience” and evoking a musical landscape that has been described as “building an atmosphere of tranquillity and respite.”
Rhona’s live talent has resulted in support slots for a range of artists such as Josienne Clarke, Josh Rouse, Nell Bryden, Chloe Foy, Martha Reeves and performances at festivals across Scotland/UK such as Celtic Connections, Eden Fest, Esk Fest and the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival. She continues to impress with her live performances and will be playing shows across the UK and Europe in 2024-2025.
Tour Dates
16th August - Under Canvas - Inverness
18th August - Gathering South - Glasgow
24th August - Green Belt Festival - Kettering
6th September - Tolbooth - Stirling
Connect with Rhona Macfarlane online
