Sound Of Scotland
Columnist Lisa-Marie Ferla discovers new Scottish music for an eclectic autumn
THE introspective days of autumn are the perfect time to curl up and enjoy some new music – and there are plenty of fresh sounds to choose from, both recently-released and due out this month.
Hailing from Keith in the North East, 2018 BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year finalist Amy Papiransky has just released her debut album Read Me Write. A classically-trained pianist and violinist who was able to recruit the likes of Charlie Stewart, Phil Cunningham and Rory Matheson to flesh out her sound, Papiransky writes expressive, heartfelt folk-pop with a soulful flair. She plays a hometown show at Keith Bowling Club on October 12.
The four musicians who make up The Vegan Leather originally crossed paths at an open mic night in Paisley.
Their debut Poor Girls/Broken Boys takes all the best of disco, punk and electro pop and regurgitates them into a celebratory howl against existential despair. Catch them at their album launch show at King Tut’s, Glasgow, on November 2.
Glasgow garage rockers The Echo Session released one single in 2009 before disappearing. Local label Flowers In The Dustbin will release a collection of their early recordings as a “lost” debut album, Wait And See, on October 11. Tam Maher’s songwriting and the band’s harmonies have a classic feel, reminiscent of The Kinks.
The five members of Ardentjohn have long since scattered from the Edinburgh they once called home, but their love of making music together keeps them connected. Their latest album Malin Head is named for the most northerly point in Ireland, where families waved off loved ones seeking their fortune in the new world. The album captures the sense of optimism of its namesake, with songwriting drawn from band members’ own losses.
The wry, observational songwriting and deadpan vocals of Dumfries-born Al Nero, aka Yip Man, on the other hand, draw to mind the likes of The Divine Comedy. Don’t let the title of sophomore album Pure Zen, Ken? fool you – Al Nero’s relocation from southern Scotland to China hasn’t mellowed him any, the lose-yourself dreaminess of the title track aside.
“Everything I write’s a joke,” Nero sings, and while you can almost hear the knowing wink in many of his lyrics, the joyous melodies and clever construction of his songs show the truth is far more complex.
The haunting voice and songwriting of Andrew Eaton-Lewis might sound familiar from his previous work as Seafieldroad and in the band Swimmer One. After All of the Days We Will Disappear, his first new music in five years, tackles themes of grief, growth and legacy. It’s out on October 28, with a launch gig in the week of release at Faclan: The Hebridean Book Festival.
The debut album from Broken Chanter, the new project from David MacGregor of Kid Canaveral on Olive Grove, doesn’t disappoint either – ethereal and expansive, with instrumental and electronic sections complementing MacGregor’s brilliant lyrics. The band are touring in October and November, with several Scottish dates.
Speaking of Olive Grove, the Glasgow-based indie label is working on an ambitious series of vinyl EPs featuring some of their favourite up-and-coming artists and interlinked artwork.
The second volume of The Archipelago EPs features Pocket Knife and Moonsoup. Volume One, which was released in August, showcases songwriters Chrissy Barnacle and Jared Celosse.