ARRAN WINNER JOHANNES SET FOR SPECIAL STUDIO SESSION

Written by celtic music radio on September 15, 2023

Arran-bound, Johannes Meiser

Winning a Celtic Music Radio competition means German musician, Johannes Meiser is on his way to Arran for a special weekend recording session.

His host is Stan Robertson, owner of the Isle of Arran Recording Studio in Lochranza, who teamed up with the volunteer-led station to offer the prize.

Stan has been in touch with Johannes who started his career in the mid 90s as a singer in a rock band but taught himself to play guitar and soon after was a member of a Celtic folk band. He has been playing solo – under the stage name Jo-Solo – since 2007, performing all over Germany and in Switzerland. During the pandemic he busked and says he expanded his repertoire considerably.

But he loves playing Irish/Scottish music. “The melodies, the songs and their stories seem to appeal to me,” said Johannes.

“Whether the song is over 100 years old or just written, it’s the lyrics that make the songs so special.

“Most of the time they are not trivial – unlike in pop music – but make sense. Or they are simply beautifully written. “I am really looking forward to my visit to Arran, to meet Stan and make music with him.”

STAN ROBERTSON, Isle of Arran Recording Studios

Stan, who opened the studios in 2022, said: “It’s going to be a full weekend of recording and playing and Scottish hospitality.

“I have been working with Jo remotely to discuss and prepare for his sessions after he won the competition that Celtic Music Radio readily ran. It will be a great session.”