Lindsay Ritch Biography.

Lindsay Ritch was born near Glasgow in Scotland. She began violin lessons at her school at the age of seven.

This was a very significant time period for Lindsay, as she recalls...
"When I was seven years old I picked up a violin that was lying around in our living room, I instantly liked it and jumped at the chance later when my Mum kindly offered to enrol me on lessons at my school".

Although a classically trained violinist Lindsay found herself drawn to folk and traditional celtic style influences. This began a hobby and a profession that has spanned over two decades,

After leaving school at 18 Lindsay took a year out, she and Irishman Finnian McGurk formed the band "Pigswill", a mix of traditional and celtic style roots, began playing local pubs and clubs all around Scotland. In the summer of that year she embarked on a six month long adventure that took them on a van journey to the Greek island of Corfu.  

Lindsay fondly remembers...

"We toured the local bars playing our music, being paid a pittance, to raise enough to afford the ferry and fuel money to get back!".

At 19 years old Lindsay attended University at Edinburgh, whilst continuing with Pigswill, three years later they renamed the band Dark Horse.

They released one album in that line up "Dark Horse... allegedly", before returning to Pigswill and releasing an album "A Twist in the Tail".

In 1999 Pigswill disbanded, Lindsay released her first solo album "Lindsay Ritch" under her own label "Poor Little Ritch Girl Productions".  To promote this she began touring England and Wales alongside singer/songwriter Stuart MacGregor, a folk/rock collaboration. They appeared as support acts for Texas, Davey Arthur the Fureys.

Lindsay released three more albums, appearing with MacGregor up until 2006 when they went their seperate ways.

Lindsay has continued to promote her music at festivals, stately homes and fairs, in 2009 she released her new album "The Calm before the Storm", a collection of original music continuing in the celtic genre. A further album release is planned for 2012/13.   AntP

Click for Lindsay Ritch Interview 2009