Fife-based singer-songwriter Panda Su comes back for a “hometown” gig at Drouthy Neebors on Thursday (April 21) to celebrate her latest release, the I Begin EP.
The new record comes out on Monday and like her growing army of fans, Su can’t wait.
“It’s really exciting. I had written a few new tracks and I really wanted to get them out. An album takes a long time and I just thought it was time I had something out.”
After an exhausting 2010, during which she completed three UK tours and played in Europe and America, Su had a five-month break from touring but used that time to record the new CD.
“It was a really busy year last year, but I really enjoy touring. I love travelling and visiting new places and to get the chance to play gigs while I’m doing that is a bit of a bonus as well.
“You get into a mindset when you’re touring. Obviously, you’ve got the gigs to do but you’re a bit of a free spirit when you’re on tour, so to get the chance to see places is great. I would tour all the time if I could.
“But the problem with that is I don’t write on the road really so I have to spend time at home writing new material.”
The half Portuguese/Scottish songstress was born in the rural Highlands and having spent her formative years deep in the forests of Fife, she found her own voice early last year with the release of the critically acclaimed Sticks & Bricks EP.
Awarded best newcomer in the 2010 Jockrock Scottish Music Industry Awards, Panda Su has gained a worldwide following, through a gruelling schedule of touring and is a popular attraction at festivals, while the inclusion of her song Eric is Dead in TV show Skins brought further prominence.
Panda Su will be playing songs from her new EP next Thursday in Drouthy Neebors, having played the length and breadth of the UK over the past month and copies of her new EP will be available to fans at the gig.
“We didn’t play any gigs from October until February when we went on the last tour so we’re really just getting back into the swing of things,” she said. “We’ll be doing all the new songs at the gig and we’re experimenting with a bit of a cover. We’ve never done that before, so that’s quite exciting.
Her collaboration with local producer Robin Sutherland also went well, and she even enjoyed a bit of help from some well-known Dundee musicians.
“Robin did such a great job mixing the first CD, we were really pleased so we got him to do this EP. He has a great little studio in Muirhead, but it was quite difficult getting there sometimes because of the weather. We recorded it over November and December when the weather was at its worst.
“But we were really pleased with the way it’s turned out. He’s done an excellent job on it.
“Andrew Mitchell from The Hazey Janes came in as well and played some guitar and sang on some tracks and Michael Benbow from Revolver plays drums. I would say it’s a wee bit more experimental than the last record.”