“…worth getting evangelical about.” Mojo Magazine

Absent Voices is delighted to have musician Kevin McDermott on board the good ship sugar shed. This photograph shows Kevin's notebooks working out his plan for Absent Voices – which sounds like a belter.

Kevin is known for countless albums made with his band, The Kevin McDermott Orchestra as well as his solo work. Kevin plans to use the Sugar Sheds as a 'portal' to access the flow of musical influence brought to these shores from afar as a by-product of the sugar trade but now 'resonating mightily'.

"With this in mind," he says, "I aim to have a body of work completed, recorded and ready to perform in the Sugar Sheds. "Victor Kiam said, 'Aim for the stars, you might hit the Moon. Aim for the other side of the street, that's as far as you get.'

Born and raised in Maryhill, Glasgow, Kevin started an apprenticeship aged 16 as a welder/burner with Yarrow Shipbuilders. He qualified as a ships draughtsman and worked with Yarrows for nine years, while simultaneously writing, recording and performing semi-professionally as a musician with his band, The Kevin McDermott Orchestra. He left Yarrows after the band signed to Island Records. He has enjoyed an international reputation through touring and recording with the Kevin McDermott Orchestra and also as a solo artist. He has shared stages with many of the best known names in the music industry.

His back catalogue of ten studio albums have been acclaimed for their musicianship and quality of writing. He is currently compiling new material for an album release in 2014 and also will take to the stage at Celtic Connections 2014 accompanied by former Pretenders guitaist Robbie McIntosh.