Curlew (Gill Higgins, she/her) is a celtic alt-folk multi
instrumentalist. She incorporates acoustic string, wind and
percussive instruments, field recordings, synthesisers and
loop pedals. With ethereal vocals and grounding drones, she
explores the interaction of nature and machine, and the way
that music can unite strangers.
Curlew supported The Bluebells and The Twilight Sad at
Glasgow’s The Old Fruit Market (sold out), and has joined
Honeyblood (sold out), Carla J. Easton and Andrew
Wasylyk & Tommy Perman on tour. She has had ambient
folk soundscapes exhibited in Glasgow Botanic Gardens’
Kibble Palace as part of Glasgow Science Festival ‘24, and
two performances at Edinburgh Fringe Festival ‘24.
In her session work and as a band member, Curlew has written, arranged, performed, toured and recorded vocals, harmonium, synth and piano with the likes of A. Wesley Chung (LP records), Broken Chanter (Olive Grove Records/Last Night in Glasgow), Carla J. Easton (Olive Grove Records), Elisabeth Elektra (alongside Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai, and Johnny Scott of Chvrches), Fidra, Honeyblood (FatCat Records/Marathon), Man of the Minch (The Bothy Society/Olive Grove Records),Paix, Ruby Gaines (IceblinkLuck), Siobhan Wilson (Suffering Fools Records), and Skinny Dipper (Olive Grove Records).
“...it is a nigh on silent packed audience that is hooked as
she skilfully and beautifully blends layers of
vocal and music
through use of loop pedals.
Switching between harmonium and keyboard,
her set is a bewitching one...”Geoff Shaw, Resound
Gill’s songwriting and musical directing in her folk-pop band CLR theory is met with critical acclaim.Their album WAVES was launched to a sold out Celtic Connections crowd, they have performed live on BBC Scotland Nan Gadheal and Afternoon Shows, they have sold out all of their headline shows to date and had festival appearances at The Reeling and Under Canvas Festivals.