Review by Susan Szymborski
Aberfeldy
Ironworks, Inverness, 28 April 2007
Aberfeldy
SUSAN SZYMBORSKI finds it was worth missing out on the barbecue for Indie heroes Aberfeldy
IT WAS a beautiful, blue-skied Saturday evening. Corks were being popped and the food had just been put on the barbeque. Not the best time, perhaps, to be leaving for the darkened vault of the Ironworks.
But, to be honest, I didn’t mind too much – I was off to catch one of Scotland’s freshest Indie groups: Aberfeldy. The Edinburgh 5-piece breezed into Inverness as part of a 9 date tour of the North of Scotland, with funding support from the Scottish Arts Council’s Tune Up scheme.
Likened to The Magic Numbers, I was looking forward to a slice of summery jingly-ness. I took a seat at one of the (thoughtfully provided) tables and relaxed with a drink.
First on the stage was Country singer and guitarist, Sandy Write. He delivered a set of Rogers-esq Country ballads with a little help from some familiar faces. Aberfeldy supported the support, wearing cowboy neckerchiefs and supplying fiddle, organ, strings and drums to Write’s performance.
Then I discovered one of Inverness’ hidden gems. Lowtide Revelry are a 7-piece which enchant with gravely male vocals, Shirley Bassey-like female vocals and a big band sound, complete with trumpet. Sultry, bluesy, lovely – and local!
During the break, I got chatting to the people at my table. They were big fans of Aberfeldy and informed me that people describe them as a “good Belle and Sebastian.” As an adoring B and S fan, I resented this assertion, but was consoled by the fact I’d probably love Aberfeldy.
And I did. A good crowd had amassed over the course of the evening and Aberfeldy’s blissed-out, melodic Indie went down a treat at the end of a sunny day. Glockenspiels, organ, synths and fiddles created offbeat electro loveliness. The songs ranged from the 80s-inspired ‘Uptight’ to a cult track about the late Scottish mountaineer and rambler, ‘Tom Weir’.
With it’s soft vocals, upbeat melody and dark lyrics, ‘Summer’s Gone’ is a perfect summer tune. I began to wonder if the band’s name (chosen because Aberfeldy was a childhood holiday destination for band members Riley and Murray Briggs) says more about their music than you’d first think.
The barbeque was sadly over by the time I left the Ironworks, but next time I won’t miss out. With two albums to explore and a third on the way, Aberfeldy will be a firm garden fixture for summers to come.
© Susan Szymborski, 2007
