Niteworks ready to release its cinematic new album A’ Ghrian
Folk-electronica powerhouse Niteworks is set to release its dramatic new album A’ Ghrian on Friday January 14.
The band expertly blur the lines between Scottish traditional, folk and Gaelic music with cutting-edge electronica, creating a unique and exhilarating sound that has seen them rightfully earn a reputation for unapologetic innovation. The new album features an electrifying mix of Gaelic, Scots and English folk songs infused with cinematic electronica.
A’ Ghrian [Ah Ghree-un], meaning ‘the sun’, marks a new dawn for Niteworks as they incorporate English folk and Scots songs into their repertoire for the first time, alongside Gaelic tracks.
This is something that’s at the heart of their vision, as drummer Ruairidh Graham explains: 'There is so much value to be found in Scotland’s minority languages and cultures that deserve to be presented to mainstream audiences in ways that are accessible to them. This means the music and culture that goes along with it can be celebrated not just by those who use it, but by a much wider audience that want to enjoy it too.'
The band, comprising Innes Strachan (synth/keys), Allan MacDonald (pipes), Christopher Nicolson (bass) and Ruairidh Graham (drums), grew up together on the Isle of Skye. Their traditional roots, paired with their experiences discovering club culture and electronic music in Glasgow, helped create their folksy electronic sound.
As you might expect, there is an abundance of vocal talent to be found on the new album, including stunning guest vocals from long-time collaborators Sian (Eilidh Cormack, Ceitlin Lilidh and Ellen MacDonald) including a solo vocal from Ellen.
The inimitable tones of celebrated Scottish singers Kathleen MacInnes, Beth Malcolm, Hannah Rarity and Alasdair Whyte also feature.
Ruairidh continued: 'With this album we’ve sought to create a more expansive sound that’s cinematic in its nature.
'We were partly inspired by our work writing the music for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Fare Well film that reflected on what 2020 had been like for many during the pandemic. The nature of the project required broad expansive sounds, and that led to us going further in that direction through the writing and recording of the album. Our upcoming orchestral concert for Celtic Connections further reinforced our desire to keep down that path. A lot of the material from this album will lend itself well to that show and with the backing of a full orchestra it’s going to be really powerful – we still can’t quite believe it’s happening!'
The band will tour the album with live dates scheduled from this month until the end of 2022, including a sell-out return to Celtic Connections in January.
For more information visit niteworksband.com