Roddy Hart

Roddy Hart is a Scottish singer-songwriter from Glasgow. Born in 1979, he performs both as a solo acoustic artist and with his band The Lonesome Fire.

Early releases and debut album

After graduating from university with a first-class law degree, Hart records a 2004 demo album, Home Tapes, in four days on an 8-track recording machine. It appears as a limited pressing on Glasgow independent label Adorno Records, sells out, and leads to an invitation to open for Kris Kristofferson.

Hart begins recording his debut studio album, Bookmarks, in winter 2005 with members of the Scottish band the Trashcan Sinatras. The album is released in 2006 on Vertical Records and in the United States in 2007 on Compass Records. It includes guest appearances from Kris Kristofferson and Eddi Reader on “My Greatest Success” and “Home”.

Touring and collaborations

After Bookmarks, Hart tours and performs with Rosanne Cash, Ray LaMontagne, Deacon Blue, Jeff Beck, Ray Davies, Glen Campbell, John Prine, Teddy Thompson, Fran Healy and others.

Robert Burns and Celtic Connections

In 2009, Hart takes part in Homecoming Scotland by writing new melodies for poems by Robert Burns. He first performs “On A Bank Of Flowers” and “No Churchman Am I” at Brig O’Doon in Ayr, then appears in the Homecoming celebrations in New York. He later performs Burns’s “Nature’s Law” for the Queen at the Scottish Parliament to mark its 10-year anniversary.

Hart also works within Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival. In January 2011, he curates Forever Young: A 70th Birthday Tribute To Bob Dylan, performs with The Lonesome Fire and serves as house band for the evening. The concert features Rosanne Cash, Josh Rouse, Thea Gilmore, Gemma Hayes, James Grant, Tim O’Brien, Kris Drever, Rab Noakes, Laura Cantrell, Eddi Reader and Tommy Reilly, and is broadcast on BBC Radio 2 and filmed for Sky Arts. In 2012, Hart and The Lonesome Fire again serve as house band for Celtic Connections’ tribute to Gerry Rafferty, with acts including Jack Bruce, Paul Brady, Ron Sexsmith and The Proclaimers.

Later albums and production work

Hart releases his second studio album, Sign Language, in 2009 on Vertical Records. It is the first album to feature The Lonesome Fire. “Send A Message” is released as the first single and “Take Me Home” follows in 2010. The album is named album of the year by Scottish journalist Billy Sloan, and “Send A Message” is named one of the Scottish News of the World’s singles of the year.

In early 2010, Hart produces Hello! I’m Tommy Reilly, the second album by Tommy Reilly. He releases his third studio album, Road Of Bones, in 2010 on limited edition vinyl, with wider release on Vertical Records in 2011. The album contains 10 new tracks, including the single “Boxes”.

Broadcasting

Hart presents a weekly BBC Radio Scotland show on Thursday nights at 10.30pm. He is also a regular guest presenter on the Iain Anderson Show and has guest presented The Tom Morton Show.

Bob Dylan project

Hart also works with Gemma Hayes on The Dylan EP, a collection of four new recordings of Bob Dylan songs. The release includes the lead track “Most Of The Time”.