Too Long Away

"A ravishing collection of original and traditional songs."
- The Sun

"Impressively varied and thoughtful…Smith deserves to become yet another new folk celebrity."
- The Guardian

Though only in her mid-twenties, award winning Scottish singer and songwriter Emily Smith has firmly established herself as one of Scotland's leading lights in folk music.

Since becoming "BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year" in 2002 Smith has gone on to gain further accolades of "Up and Coming Artist of the Year" nominee (Scots Trad music Awards, 2003) and "Scots singer of the Year" nominee (Scots Trad Music Awards 2005). She gained an Honours degree in Scottish Music at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and is now not only a respected interpreter of traditional songs but is also gathering interest with her own compelling songwriting. Smith became the first ever winner from Scotland in the USA Songwriting Competition in 2005 after winning the folk section with her song "Edward of Morton", another of her songs "Always a Smile "was short listed in the final ten. To date she has released three critically acclaimed studio albums 'A Day Like Today', 'A Different Life' and 'Too Long Away'.

Raised in rural Dumfriesshire in the South West of Scotland, Smith has always held a passion for local history and a keen sense of belonging, which shines through in her music and the enthusiasm she displays when talking of her home region. "Dumfries and Galloway is often a forgotten part of Scotland and through my material, whether traditional or my own songs, I try to portray the beauty and diversity of where I come from. I love being able to sing a song and picture the exact setting of where the event took place, or to sing some of Robert Burns' material and know that he travelled the same roads and admired the same landscapes as I do today."

Many of the traditional ballads in her repertoire are sourced in Dumfriesshire. On stage, Smith's manner is relaxed and informative. Her show is song based with a few upbeat instrumental sets thrown in for good measure. Audiences can be assured of an energetic and varied performance. An accomplished performer on accordion and piano she is joined by her band on guitar, fiddle, banjo and double bass.