Mackintosh magic translates into special sound for fiddlers
Acclaimed Scottish fiddle group RANT, made up of four of Scotland’s finest fiddle players, are taking their third album ‘The Portage’ on tour including Stirling’s Tolbooth on Saturday, April 4.
‘The Portage’ was recorded over four days in the renowned Mackintosh Queen’s Cross in Glasgow – the only church in the world to be designed by architect, artist and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
This special space was the ideal setting to capture what RANT do best – showcasing the rich resonance of their four fiddles in various tunings, textures and layers in a stark, honest recording.
The musicians – two from the Shetland Islands and two from the Highlands – will now bring this sophisticated, authentic performance to life for Stirling crowds this spring.
Audiences can expect to hear
RANT’s iconic sound, which is both rich and lush, yet retains all of the bite and spark synonymous with Scottish fiddle playing.
Using just their fiddles, Bethany Reid, Jenna Reid, Lauren MacColl and Anna Massie will weave a tapestry of melodies both old and new from across Scotland and Scandinavia.
Lauren MacColl of RANT said: “Recording ‘The Portage’ in such a special, tranquil location, rooted in the undeniable artistic style and importance of Charles Rennie Mackintosh was an unforgettable experience that allowed us to capture our sound in a really focused, natural way.
“Earlier this year, we returned to that room to play Celtic Connections and we’re now planning on taking the same magic that was created at the Mackintosh to the Tolbooth.
“We have been playing and honing our sound together for several years now and our live set reflects our love for a wide range of material each member brings, along with the stories which lie behind the music. We look forward to putting on an unforgettable night for people in Stirling.”
Since the release of their debut album ‘RANT’ in 2013 which won them critical acclaim in the form of a Herald Angel Award for outstanding performance across all the Edinburgh Festivals, the band have made major festival and concert appearances across the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia. They provided strings for Julie Fowlis’ ‘Gach Sguel’ album, and their music has been used for both BBC and ITV national television programmes.
Known for their work as soloists and with various bands, this album and tour a celebration of the instrument they all have a passion for. Catch them across at the Tolbooth, Stirling on Saturday,April 4.
Tickets: https://stirlingevents.org/ tolbooth-event/rant/