With the release of their new album closing in...Dougie talks to Justin, singer and piper of Highlander about their upcoming album, gigs in 2010 and his views on the critics!

So Justin, Highlander has been hard at it in the studio for the best part of the year...what can you tell us about the upcoming album?

It has taken longer then we thought but when you are making new music from scratch you sort of record on the go. We have come up with something that not only will blow people away; it has also blown us away with what we have achieved.

That seems to go with the territory with Highlander...I recall our work with Reel Men Do Dance, from start to finish each piece would build...how important is the evolving of the music to you and the band?

It's very important to us to keep on evolving our music, as the plan is to just get better with what we do and to do it well. We are always talking to each other about how to better our shows and I must say we all enjoy the shows when we have the DUTK Dancers with us on stage.

On that note, you and I have bonded on similar ground, and that would be our critics, myself a traditional dancer, you, a traditional musician, yet as we emancipate our culture we have been confronted by critics, what does Highlander have to say to those who view your work as "non-traditional"?

You just can't play this music without knowing your traditional background and that is something that these so called critics need to know. Yes it's traditional music with a rock beat behind it instead of side drummers and a bass drummer. It's very simple to me.

And so you are taking this traditional music to the masses, this year alone Highlander have rocked Reel Men Do Dance, The Murrayfield Association, The Scottish Australia Heritage Council, in days gone by, you have travelled to Jakarta and all over Oz, how has Highlander viewed the events of 2009?

We haven't done a lot of shows this year due to recording the album but the ones we have done have been a blast and lifted the profile of the band so things have worked out well for us but we are all looking forward to 2010. We say bring it on.

And so other than the album, what does 2010 hold?

We are waiting on the go ahead for a festival in France and also one in Canada so we are all hoping for the big; "yes we would love to have Highlander at our festival". But on the home front Bundanoon has booked us for the Highland Gathering and on the same night we will be at the Scottish Hotel in Bowral.

And of course I am looking forward to your involvement in Australia Day on the Central Coast and your finale concert at Central Coast Highland Dancing Titles, will we see some of the new content at either of these gigs?

Yes you may hear some new music yes; about time too we say!

Now, Justin for a selfish moment, what was your favourite part of Reel Men Do Dance?

Ok, I'm putting my head on the chopping block here; I will say the last Dance "The Chase" you call it. The music for it is great to play. Sorry mate I can't say punk but I can play it a lot better now.

Not at all...you have picked my latest piece of work so more than pleased!!! lol! Moving forward, what does Highlander have to offer the world of Celtic Rock Music, I mean we have heard the covers, we love the originals...but will Highlander put Celtic Rock Music on the public agenda?

We really hope so but the music game is so hard we get no support in our own city of Newcastle if it's not rock or blues they just don't want to know about it. But never the less we will just keep on doing what we do.

And that I sure do hope! I've got to say, I have seen every musical act Scotland has to offer, and love them all, but you guys rock my world! To date, I can't say there is a band that does Hector better than you...what's your favourite track from Highlander?

Hector the Hero mate there is just something so powerful about the tune. To go from fiddle to pipes just lifts me as I just get lost in the tune. But I will say Caledonia on the new album is the stand out for me now it's very moving and powerful.

I have heard a lot about this version of Caledonia and looking forward to hearing it, must be honest; I just can not wait till the release of the album...but to finish off, you must have a message for other pipers/ musicians like yourself, out there, trying to make a difference, what's Highlander's message to the young, adoring fans?

Never stop dreaming, never give up and never listen to people that tell you that you can't do it. Be proud of what you are doing as those that knock you will never understand you and what you stand for.

Thanks Justin for taking time out for DUTK.com, we are waiting anxiously for the new album...all the best!