Orkney Bands

“Y’know, nowadays, we just like saying yes to things really.�
Embrace headlined the Saturday of Magfest, a new side project of the famed St Magnus Festival. I caught up with guitarist Rick McNamara before the ‘these are our greatest hits from ten years ago aren’t you people lucky’ show. Continue reading ‘Embrace Interview: Rick McNamara’

For those of you who care (this being a band website) … I came to Orkney this month with the Edinburgh University String Orchestra on our Highlands and Islands tour. This orchestra are one of the University’s many (I’d say the best) ensembles and perform regularly in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland, conducted by some of Scotland’s most promising young conductors and seasoned professionals. Continue reading ‘EUSO Orkney Tour’

“Get low and do the tootsie roll”
Signed to hipper than now Paris label Ed Banger Records, Uffie is the next big thing on the “we’re never going to stop doing this and no we’re not electroclash and it wasn’t a fad” scene. She’s bound to play Trash lots and tour with the Soulwax boys and be remixed by Justice - it’s beginning to feel like electro-pop-idol. Continue reading ‘Next Big Thing: Uffie’

If the title hasn’t already left you scratching your head, this night promises “Rave energy and string quartet subtlety by turn!” …err what now? Featuring Karen Tweed, Ian Carr, Ola Bäckström and Carina Normansson, SwÃ¥p will be hitting Orkney for two performances during their Highlands and Islands tour this month. Blurb:

SwÃ¥p present chilling, thrilling musical adventures in Anglo-Scandinavian roots ‘’n’’ reel and song, where Swedish polskas & schottis shake hands with jigs & waltzes from all over the British Isles & Ireland. Continue reading ‘SwÃ¥p - the Du Da tour’

Woodwick House hosted the final leg of pianist Bill Well’s Scottish tour, featuring four modern Japanese acts as part of the Arts Council’s programme of cultural exchanges. The format of the gig was ill conceived, fragmented into many different sets that were too short to develop fully. The collaborative pieces, which should have been a highlight, proved under-rehearsed and were too shambolic to deliver on the promise of spontaneity and pure improvisation.

Nikaidoh Kazumi opened with whimsical Japanese folk singing, accompanied only by the simple fingerpicked melodies of her badly tuned guitar. Her voice was emotive and engaging, and as she enthusiastically nodded her head to keep time, much of the audience unknowingly nodded along too. By suddenly unleashing broken and jagged tones with complete abandon, Nika offset her initial childlike style and revealed a surprising expressive range akin to Bjork. Continue reading ‘Bill Wells with Maher Shalal Hash Baz, Tenniscoats, Kama Aimi & Nikaidoh Kazumi.’

Tomorrow see’s the release of Lily Allen’s first single ‘LDN’, a limited edition 7inch which will likely be snapped up exclusively by Shoreditchers and not make it anywhere near this far north. But don’t worry, Lily’s hit on the sound of the summer (not bad going for April), and if we’re lucky might even bring us some decent weather (yes, it really is that good). Continue reading ‘Next Big Thing: Lily Allen.’