Name: WORKSHOP - songwriting for community
Start: 2024-11-30T11:00:00+00:00
Location: Duncan Place Leith

Saturday 30th November
Session 1: 11am - 1pm
Session 2: 2-4pm
Join songwriter and music researcher Lou Mclean for a 2 hour workshop about songwriting as a tool for empowerment. Together we will explore what it means to be part of a community in contemporary Scotland, and how songwriting can develop that sense of belonging.
This event is part of Fair Saturday and is supported by the City of Edinburgh Council and Fair Saturday Edinburgh Community Engagement Fund.
- EVENT DETAILS -
In this session, Lou will introduce Scotland’s rich history of working class women songwriters and then lead the group through several writing exercises designed to empower you to find your unique songwriter's voice. The aim of this workshop is to encourage you to continue the rich tradition of women's community songwriting, and to think about how your individual skills can fit into a community collective today.
We will spend 2 hours learning, writing and sharing. There will be opportunities to connect with women's community groups who meet more regularly. Please note this session is suitable for all levels of songwriters, from complete beginners to seasoned pros!
*please note this event caters to women, non-binary and trans individuals, but anyone who feels comfortable in a woman/femme centred space is welcome. If you have any questions, please contact the host*
---Host bio---
Lou Mclean is a songwriter, activist and performer originally from Kirkcudbright, Scotland. Lou has a Bsc (hons) in Psychology & recently gained her MA in Songwriting from the University of the West of Scotland with distinction. She was awarded the Paolo Nutini songwriting prize in 2023 and her latest EP, Killjoy, has been playlisted by The Skinny, the Scottish Alternative music Awards and more.
Her songs have been played on BBC Scotland, Amazing Radio UK/USA and she was recently shortlisted for a Creative Edinburgh Award, which will be announced on 15th Nov.
Her research interests are working class women's access to songwriting, the gender gap in music and collage as a feminist pedagogy. Her passion is empowering people to find their voice through songwriting. She performs live with her riot grrrl pop band 'Lou & the Killjoys' and lives in Leith with her rescue parrot, Pepper. She is conceptualising and planning her first full length studio album as we speak.