Singer inspired by CLAN’s work
With the digital age well and truly upon the music industry, we are hearing more and more about how difficult it is for new musicians and artists to make a living when they are at the start of their career.
With this in mind, you’d be forgiven for thinking that donating the profits from a single early on in your career is an unusual thing to do but for one north-east singer that is the step she has taken after being inspired by the work of much-loved charity, CLAN Cancer Support.
Leanne Smith has released, ‘Can’t See You’, with all profits being donated to the north-east cancer support charity. The song was written in memory of a family friend’s son, Andy Nicholson, who passed away in 2007, with Leanne choosing CLAN as the beneficiary after a visit to the charity’s CLAN House left a lasting impression on her.
Leanne explained: “I first had the thought of doing a song for charity late last year but I didn’t really know where to start so I spoke to a family friend called Marjorie Nicholson, who sadly lost her son in 2007. I decided to write a song in memory of Andy and I asked Marjorie what charity she thought I should donate to. She’s done a lot of work for CLAN in the past and told me that it might be a nice fit.
“I visited CLAN House in Aberdeen to see first-hand for myself the work that the charity does and I was really blown away. From the friendly welcome from the staff to the range of services that the building offers, it was completely inspiring to see the support the charity provides for so many people in Aberdeen and the surrounding area.
“There was a real positivity and sense of hope throughout the centre so I knew straight away that I wanted CLAN to be my chosen charity for the single.”
The track was recorded and produced in the north-east by Steve Ransome at RSD studios near Turriff and was released digitally and in CD format in October. Leanne recently performed the song at CLAN’s Christmas Cracker event at the AECC in Aberdeen in front of over 500 people, her biggest audience to date.
She added: “I was asked along to CLAN’s Christmas Cracker to play the song and I jumped at the chance. I was quite nervous before I went on but after I hit my first chord I relaxed and it was just like playing to one or two people in a room.
“Seeing everyone there to support the charity really hit home as to just how many people the charity help and is loved by; I felt proud that my song was part of the night and it was an amazing experience that will be with me for quite some time.”
Since dabbling with guitar in her younger years, Leanne fell in love with the instrument during secondary school and went on to attend the music college in Perth where she hopes to continue studying at for the next two years. With a debut album already released and with plans for further new material next year, the future’s definitely looking bright for the 20 year-old from Macduff.
“It’s been a busy but exciting end to the year and I’m really looking forward to kicking on into 2014 and releasing a batch of new songs that I’ve been working on. It is my plan to release another album around May which I’m really looking forward to. I love writing and performing so the more I can do this, the better.”
Leanne’s single “Can’t See You”, is available digitally and in CD format with all proceeds going to CLAN Cancer Support. To listen, please visit www.facebook.com/LeanneSmith or her dedicated YouTube channel.
CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfort support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness. Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Elgin, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Kirkwall and Lerwick.
For further information about CLAN Cancer Support please call (01224) 647 000 or visit www.clanhouse.org
