They've been quiet for awhile, but now Stornoway return in fine form with 'Tales From Terra Firma'.
The album which is a compendium of stories – birth, death, marriage, coming of age: The Big Stuff. The songs were mostly written in a camper van in land-locked Oxford but on listening, the yearning for adventure and the freedom of the coast and wild places is palpable. As is true of classic songwriting partnerships, lyricist Brian Briggs’ eloquence coupled with his crystalline voice unite with Jon Ouin’s stunning arrangements and alchemise to form a musical mirror. Tales From Terra Firma reflects powerful life experiences, the great outdoors and the passing of time, which is a major theme of the album. Stornoway have self-produced a record that marks a new sophistication in compositional and, in particular, lyrical qualities, while still retaining the charm of their debut that so many fell in love with.
And so to the songs themselves. Brian suggests: “The title of the album conjures up for me, the romantic notion of an adventurer, exploring new lands and reporting on his experiences. Discovering what it is to be human and an enthusiasm for adventure, which I feel is true of me.” This notion was seized upon by drummer Rob Steadman who worked in conjunction with artist Kirini Kopcke to bring an action-adventure sensibility to the album’s artwork. Inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Hergé and Ukiyo-e and using the ligne claire style, the aim was, as in the songs, to contrast the drama and adventure of the high seas with something very rooted in the real world. Bass player and other band multi-instrumentalist Oli Steadman transformed into the band’s “super geeky esoteric experimentalist” as well as tutor to Brian in the finer points of learning Logic.
Oli and Rob’s parents’ garage in Oxford became band HQ : Stornostudios. It was here that together they brought 'Tales From Terra Firma' into being. Whilst the band strengthened their grip on experimenting, arranging, song writing and the artwork underneath; the majority of the tracks are simple, melodic pop songs that are warm and inviting and quintessentially Stornoway.
'Knock Me On The Head' is the single from the album. Complex time changes exist alongside the huge hooky chorus and it is in a sense microcosmic of Tales From Terra Firma, encapsulating the history and evolution of Stornoway in a single track. It features the qanun (Turkish zither), a harpsichord and whimsically, a spoon solo by Rob Steadman.
Tracklisting for 'Tales From Terra Firma' is as follows:
1) You Take Me As I Am
?2) Farewell Appalachia
?3) The Bigger Picture
?4) (A Belated) Invite To Eternity
?5) Hook, Line, Sinker
?6) Knock Me On The Head
?7) The Great Procrastinator
?8) The Ones We Hurt The Most
?9) November Song
The band are now on tour across the UK until the end of March.
Fri 08 Feb Hebden Bridge Trades Club
Sat 09 Feb Pocklington Arts Centre
Sun 10 Feb Middlesbrough Westgarth SC
Mon 11 Feb Glasgow Oran Mor
Tue 12 Feb Gateshead Sage Gateshead
Thu 14 Feb Oxford Town Hall
Fri 15 Feb Oxford Town Hall
Sat 16 Feb Folkestone Quarterhouse
Mon 18 Feb Newbury New Greenham Arts
Tue 19 Feb Poole Mr Kyps
Web 20 Feb Pontardawe Arts Centre
Thu 21 Feb Kingston New Slang/McCluskys
Mon 11 Mar Liverpool Kazimier
Tue 12 Mar Manchester Band On The Wall
Wed 13 Mar Leeds Cockpit
Fri 15 Mar Norwich Open
Sat 16 Mar Sheffield Leadmill
Sun 17 Mar Preston 53 Degrees
Tue 19 Mar Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
Wed 20 Mar Brighton Concorde 2
Thu 21 Mar Bath Komedia
Sat 23 Mar Leamington Spa Assembly
Sun 24 Mar Exeter Phoenix
Mon 25 Mar Gloucester Guildhall
Wed 27 Mar London Forum
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