As the musicians take the stage in front of Nobles Bar's large dominating set of stained glass windows the sun comes out and highlights the central image high above them, of Madonna and child in a boat alone in the ocean.
Forming an arch above this piece of religious iconography and written in capitals in Ye Olde style Font is the word PERSEVERE. It couldn’t be more appropriate for below them is Aberfeldy emerging from what seems like an uncertain and lengthy period in the musical wilderness. And now having morphed for a third time into its latest and newest incarnation they are about to prove that staying power is half the battle.
An hour later I’m hobnobbing with various colleagues and guests and one well-known Scottish radio and television presenter exclaims ‘I think Riley’s a fucking genius’ as he describes the frontman’s talent as lyricist, vocalist and musician. It seems I’m not the only one relieved and excited by the new material and it seems like Aberfeldy are back with a bang as they look, feel and sound like the band that had made sudden waves a decade ago, quickly building a strong and loyal fanbase captivated by its unique sound.
But before this, when I heard that Aberfeldy were to launch their third album, the suicidal sounding Somewhere to Jump From and forthcoming Scottish tour in a bar in sunny Leith I felt both a pleasant rush of hope and nostalgia as well as a touch of mild apprehension (lets face it, it was to take place in a bar in sunny Leith after all). The hope and nostalgia came from the fact that I was a huge fan of their first album Young Forever with its elegant stripped back summery pop tunes and frontman songsmith Riley Brigg’s playful and witty lyrics.
But after their auspicious debut came what seemed like archetypal second difficult album syndrome. By then, despite the growing horde of fans, the pressure was on to repeat the success and acclaim of the first. Things looked promising when they were picked up by Roughtrade but were thrown headfirst into playing support to huge bands they had nothing in common with, where no potential fans of their gentle and intimate vibe had a chance to get to know them. Things quickly unravelled it seemed. But also whilst the second album Do Whatever Turns You On had three or four classic toe tapping singalong tunes, overall it strayed far from the bands signature sound, just as the touring strayed from the original spirit of their intimate live performances in modest venues which suited their modest beginnings.
So it seems that when Aberfeldy didn’t turn into the next Franz Ferdinand for Roughtrade, the label dropped them, a short-sighted decision they may come to regret. Matters weren’t helped when three of the band members moved onto new pastures, the gap quickly filled by a trio of talented local musicians and ‘Feldy’ (as they’re known by the fans) soldiered on the best they could.
So here I am in Noble’s Bar and my apprehension melts away as it turns out to be an attractive and spacious venue. There’s a terrific atmosphere as it’s packed with the party faithful along with musicians from other Edinburgh bands, radio and television presenters and music journalists. There's an air of an event, not just a promotional gig, busy but intimate and with an air of hopeful expectation.
They launch into the new album's title song Somewhere to Jump From and I’m taken aback immediately by two thoughts at once: one, this is great and two - this looks and feels like the original Aberfeldy. Once again there’s two attractive and talented ladies (Kirsten Adamson and Poppy Ackroyd) on keyboards and fiddle flanking vocalist and songwriter Riley Briggs. Behind them is new guitarist and singer-songwriter in his own right Chris Bradley, drummer Murray Briggs and bassist Ken McIntosh who’s been with them from the start for what must be nearly a decade.
As Ken fingerplucks and bops his way around in front of the backlit windows it occurs to me he’s practically a trademark symbol, he looks like an ‘Aberfeldy sillhouette’. As with Riley, he’s become a recognisable shape almost and it occurs to me how important that consistency is in creating what appears to be a familiar brand identity, not in the logo or corporate sense but in the ‘this I the band I once knew and loved - and they’re back' sense. There’s that nostalgia rush.
So I stand delighted and enchanted once again as they work their way through a selection from the new album: Claire, Malcolm, Turn the Record Over and California, West Lothian all sounding like classic Feldy tunes with those tinkly keyboards, violin strains and Riley's ability to suddenly go up several octaves with a high falsetto voice. For the encore they resort to tradition by playing their anthem Heliopolis, the crowd duly joins in the chorus with its Radio Ga Ga style clap-along and pinched noses routine where the vocals sound like their on helium. If I recall correctly its something to do with Egyptian pyramids and alien abduction. It sounds very Stargate but its really more Flash Gordon.
Lyrically then Heliopolis isn’t their most serious song but its one of their most memorable and like the rest of the gig before it, its a blast of the style and substance that allowed them to burst onto the scene all those years ago. It feels like they are back from a period in limbo, comfortable in their own shoes again and here to stay.
Photo by Julia Nicolle
The single Malcolm is released on August 16th and The album Somewhere to Jump From is released by Tenement Records on August 23rd.
Aberfeldy play the following dates and venues:
Ullapool – September 17th
Aberfeldy Town Hall - October 2nd
Dundee, Dukes Corner - October 7th
Glasgow O2 ABC, 9th - October
Aberdeen, Lemon Tree - October 10th
Edinburgh, Liquid Rooms - October 15th
Inverness, Ironworks - Ocotber 16th
- Log in to post comments