A talented Paisley songwriter is preparing to release her new single this week to help raise vital funds to support people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Evelyn Laurie has penned a new track titled Glow, which will be available to download from Friday.
The jazz songstress said she felt “powerless” by the tragedy currently taking place in Ukraine and wanted to help in any way she could.
All funds raised from the new song - which will be available on Bandcamp - will go towards the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Evelyn, who released her latest album My Scottish Heart last year, said the song is a departure from her usual music.
She told the Paisley Daily Express: “Like most folk, I’ve been shocked by the events in Ukraine and feeling pretty powerless to do anything to help.
“Then it occurred to me that maybe I could use my song writing as a way to raise some much-needed money for charities that are working there.
“I wrote a song recently that’s a bit different to my usual work and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it.
“It’s about shining a light in the darkness in order to try to be strong and positive in the face of adversity.
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
“The sentiments feel right to dedicate it to this cause.”
Evelyn is well known for her jazz performances and her take on traditional Scottish music.
She has won awards for her song writing and was 2018 Renfrewshire Provost’s Champion for Arts and Culture.
Her latest album, My Scottish Heart is Evelyn’s take on traditional Scottish songs from the 18th and 19th centuries and features two of Robert Tannahill’s songs, as well as a poem set to music by Tannahill’s contemporary, Ebenezer Picken.
The album was Evelyn’s second after A Little Bit of Me came out in 2018.
She is hoping Buddies who have seen her perform her songs in town will dig deep and help support her fundraising efforts.
Evelyn added: “There is a saying - ‘It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness’.
“This is my way of sending a wee bit of light and I hope people will support my efforts by buying the track - especially on Friday as Bandcamp takes no fees that day.”
“Although the ‘cover’ price is £1, buyers can pay as much as they’d like for the track in order to help people in Ukraine who are suffering unimaginably.”
You can follow Evelyn’s progress on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EvelynLaurieMusic/ and Twitter @redEvelyn or her website www.evelynlaurie.com
You can hear and buy “Glow” at https://evelynlaurie.bandcamp.com/track/glow
