| Heather Findlay -Lead vocals, Acoustic guitar, Bodhran, Tambourines, Penny and Low whistles and Recorders |
Heather knew from an early age that being predominantly an artistic person;
she would become involved in the Arts. Had it been performing arts, or
practical art she would have been happy doing either. Around the age
of 12 or 13 she became increasingly involved in dancing, singing and
acting for school shows and amateur productions. Heather's interest in
music began to grow and she decided she would like to play the guitar.
At the age of about 14 Heather's Grandpa bought her an acoustic guitar
shortly before he died. This made her desire to play even greater as
she had such admiration and respect for him she wanted him to be proud
of her.After leaving sixth form Heather was advised by her English /Drama tutors to make a further study of performing arts and to continue studying Art by her Art teachers. A tough decision, but Heather chose to move on to study Art at college. Still feeling the need to sing, dance and perform, she knew that she would have to meet up with Music and performing arts again soon. Whilst at college Heather met some people in musical circles and found herself spending more and more time in a studio environment recording, singing and dancing with various acts. On one particular project Heather found herself working alongside model Nell McAndrew as fellow backing vocalist dancers. In around 1995 Heather began working on her own ideas with York based music producer and writer Mark Fordyce (ex- “The Mood”). This lead to some live performances and although this felt good to Heather being vocally active and performing again, programmed music didn't feel like the way forward. Later moving in to a more acoustic orientated world of music introduced Heather to an earthier vibe she seemed to be looking for. At the age of 19 the picture began to become clearer as to where she seemed to be going. In her wildest dreams she would become a singer /songwriting guitarist who would design her own album sleeves!! Still at this age Heather became involved with York based singer, song writing guitarist Chris Helme who later joined the “Sea Horses” – (John Squire, guitarist of “The Stone Roses” follow up project). Heather was inspired by Chris's voice, charisma, song craft and his self-motivation. Chris introduced Heather to a lot of new music and musicians. Two of which happened to be Liam Davison and Bryan Josh. Chris also introduced Heather to a girl named Julia Jenkins, with whom she developed a very close friendship. Julia, with similar musical interests and tastes to Heather, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, managed to bring herself, with virtually no help or tuition, to an astonishing level of singing and song writing. This had an inspirational effect on Heather who would sometimes practice playing guitar with Julia and harmonise with her on some of her songs. During this time Heather was invited to sing with “Shed Seven” on their album “ Let it ride”. You can hear her vocals on the track entitled “ In a hole” on which she harmonises with their front man Rick Witter. In April 1997 Heather was asked to join Mostly Autumn. She had never vocalised with an outfit anything like the size or sheer volume of Mostly Autumn before. All the band members were very much-accomplished musicians (most of which music teachers of some description!). This both excited and apprehended her but, she soon realised this was the place to be. There was an overwhelming sense of realism in Bryan’s song writing that appealed to Heather who knew at this point she'd found the niche she was working towards. - Real issues, organic uncontrived music played by earthy people who inspired her. With both Bryan and Liam as an occasional tutor Heathers guitar playing improved, as did her record collection!  Heather began her stretch of collaborating with Bryan Josh on the 2nd album “The Spirit of Autumn Past” released in 1998. The track Evergreen, an earthy, emotional and powerful piece features her first Mostly Autumn penned lyrics. This album saw an increased amount of lead vocals by Heather with other occasional lyrical interjections on tracks such as “Please” and the title track itself. Much to her surprise following the release of TSOAP Heather that year received an award from the Classic Rock Society', for Best Female vocalist 1999 and this was presented to her by ex -Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett - a great honour for her as for the rest of the band who also received an award for Best New Band 1999. The next landmark in Heather’s career was playing with ‘Blackmores Night’ as support act on numerous tours throughout 2000. Naturally this saw a rise in the profile of MA. As this meant that MA appeared in a 3-piece format – (Bryan, Angela & Heather) each had to take on a slightly alternate role than usually seen in the seven-piece. For the first leg of the tour they played instrumentally. Mainly Jigs and Reels both traditional and original. For the following legs vocals were integrated in to the set list. Owing to the departure of Bob Fauldes from the MA entourage at this point, Heather was required to learn whistle playing as a back up melody instrument for the tunes which previously featured a violin/flute arrangement. Eager to meet this new challenge Heather taught by Angela, quickly became proficient in harmonising with her flute work on Whistles and Recorders. The vocalist newly adorned with Bodhran, Penny and Low Whistles, Recorders, Guitar and Tambourines, Heather was now able to along with Bryan on acoustic Guitars and Backing Vocals and Angela on Flute and Recorders and Backing Vocals create a dynamic and interesting 3 piece. The tours they completed at this time were a new challenge for them all, particularly Heather who was seen for the first time as multi -instrumental lead vocalist with the band. During the autumn of 2000 Mostly Autumn were now ready to record their 3rd album “The Last bright Light”. Continuing to expand within their own individual roles this album featured alongside work by Liam Davison and Angela Goldthorpe, new songs to an extent self penned by Heather with additional input from Bryan Josh. These were “The Eyes of the Forest” and “ Shrinking Violet”. Both very personal songs the latter to be later hailed as Heathers “Swan song”. “Never the Rainbow” - collaboration between Iain Jennings and Heather is also featured here. The track “Noise from My Head” also recorded at the time of these sessions was included on a special limited edition version of the album. This track followed in the style of “Please” from their previous release being a team effort between Josh, Jennings and Findlay. This was the first album Mostly autumn released which in its sleeve and cover artwork featured Heathers own illustrations. Heather completed most of the work for this during the sessions of TLBL whilst at the studio. This helped her to capture as much of a feel for the song material as possible. In spring 2001 Heather, Bryan and Angela, were invited by Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night to join them on stage as a part of Blackmores Night for a series of shows in the UK designed purely for promotional purposes in order to present their forthcoming album “The Fires at Midnight”. These performances took place over 2 weeks at Lumley Castle in the north of England and were showcased before no more than 70 people per night including record company agents, press and a number of selected fan club members. In these shows Heather was asked to play Bodhran, for which Ritchie himself complimented her natural rhythmic ability.  After seeing the Artwork Heather had done for the cover of TLBL
Ritchie Blackmore approached Heather asking her to create some
illustrations for their own forthcoming album too. Heather gladly
accepted the offer! Her illustration for the song “Hanging Tree” was
included in the sleeve of “The Fires at Midnight”.The summer of 2001 saw Heather, Angela and Bryan continuing to tour as a three piece with Blackmores Night throughout Germany, Holland and Scandinavia. The three of them were often invited to join BN for the final song or so each night. Ritchie would often come out to watch the MA shows from the stage side and could sometimes be just heard playing along with them on Candice’s tambourine! Mostly Autumn continued to gather increasing acclaim following the April release of TLBL. One such landmark of achievement was again at the 2001 CRS awards. This year the band received two more awards. One award was given for Best Band and another for Best Song “Shrinking Violet”. - A proud moment for both Heather and the band. Heather was also nominated for Best Multi-instrumentalist award and Best Female Vocalist. The end of 2001 came to a close with MA back in Germany with the full band for a 3-week tour supporting Uriah Heep. At this point the pace had become so fast for MA that Heather had hardly had time to stop and realise that she actually was now a Professional Singer/Songwriter, (a multi-instrumentalist one at that!) who had produced album artwork for not only the band she played in herself but, for Blackmores Night too. Time to thank her lucky stars she thought! After much touring throughout 2002, (both in their own right and as support acts) their first shows in the USA, the making of their first two DVD’s, the recording of the interim statement album “Music inspired by The Lord of the Rings” (commissioned for a Discovery channel documentary) and of the Anthology album “Catch the Spirit” (for which Heather created the artwork), Mostly Autumn in January through April 2003 began pre-producing and recording the all new and much waited for 4th album “Passengers” Two of Heathers newest entirely self penned creations “Bitterness Burnt” - dedicated to her own late father James Findlay and “Caught in Fold” can be heard on this album. Power ballad “Another Life” co-written by Iain Jennings is also one of the tracks on the album “Passengers”. Heather feels that her vocal work featured on “Passengers” is the best she has produced to date. She has always had the ability to sing with empathy and feeling and still does, though there is definitely a noticeable development to be heard here. It’s the same voice but, with a lot more confidence and conviction in delivery. Heathers illustrative interpretations of some of the songs from “Passengers” are to be included in the DVD/Book “The Grand Opera House” to be released later this year. Arjen Lucassen has invited to Heather to sing and collaborate with him on the forthcoming “Ayreon” release. Sessions for which are to take place before the end of 2003. Watch this space… Other albums that feature Heathers voice include: Let it Ride -Shed Seven Ascension – Gabriel Delicate Flame of Desire - Karnataka Julia Jenkins - Shine Heather’s Artwork related to this biography can be viewed at this site by following the link http://www.mostly-autumn.com/hfdrwgs.html |