As musicians, the trio of Lesley Thompson Smith, James “Jimmy” Anderson, and Christopher Martin Smith have been busy since they were just wee bairns.

“I started playing the violin at the age of six,” Lesley tells Celtic Life International in a joint text chat alongside her bandmates. “There was always music in the house; my mum sang, and my dad enjoyed listening to classical music. I have had a love of listening to music since I can remember, and I started lessons as soon as I could.”

“Music runs deep throughout my family,” Jimmy chimes in. “My mother was an amateur singer and performer, and many in my father’s family were involved in Scottish music. I have been performing on stages since I was nine or 10 years old. The guitar became my real love.”

“I was the youngest of a musical family,” adds Chris. “My mother and father both sang, as did my older sisters. I have been on stage from the age of five, mostly performing traditional Scottish songs.”

After a few years playing solo or with side gigs, the three eventually found their way to one another and started Skyrie.

“Lesley formed the band, and I was invited to join in 2015,” notes Chris. “We have gone through a few iterations, with the final addition of Jimmy on guitar in 2020.”

“I was kind of late to the performing party compared to Chris and Jimmy,” admits Lesley. “I worked as a software engineer in my early twenties, then started a family, and it has only been really over the last five years that I have been free to spread my musical wings.”

The trad trio recently unlocked another achievement; located in Fife, Scotland, they had always performed close to home – until this year, when they toured across the pond for the first time in support of their latest recording, Hunger Road.

“With Hunger Road, we transitioned from being an entirely instrumental ensemble playing traditional melodies to performing original songs, often with three-part harmonies,” says Chris.

“Releasing original music, and then touring America, has been immensely challenging and, conversely, incredibly rewarding,” adds Lesley.

“Lesley and I collaborated for the first time in songwriting,” continues Chris. “I provided the lyrics, and Lesley wrote the music for one track call ‘Exiled’. And then someone had to sing it, so she started taking singing lessons.”

The harmonic transition appears to have paid off.

“The response to our live performances have been very positive,” Chris confirms. “With regards to a general response to the release, it is still early days. It is our hope that the stories behind ‘Hunger Road’ – and the song ‘Exiled’ in particular – will appeal to the Scottish and Irish Diaspora around the world.”

After a crucible like a US tour put them to the test, the members of Skyrie have emerged from the other side stronger as a band, having broadened their horizons and grown their sense of sonic self.

“When a group of musicians are really firing off each other, they communicate subliminally, and the music can twist and turn, heading off in different directions like magic,” Jimmy beams. “I liken it to a shoal of fish who appear to simultaneously change direction with no obvious leader.”

“It gives me tremendous joy to create new music shares,” shares Lesley, “and I also get a big kick out of being able to share a connection and an emotional journey with fellow musicians and an audience.”

“Our plan is to tour two or three times a year in the US,” Chris caps off. “We are also keen to explore the potential to perform ‘Exiled’ in Canada to the descendants of the Highland Clearances and tell the story of why they are there. We are looking forward to a return to the creative process here at home and honing our performances at the local folk clubs and festivals, and abroad.”

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