Words: Linn Branson
We had our First Listen to Nieves almost 14 months ago on uploading their debut track 'Winter', upon which we then commented that vocalist Brendan Dafters had "one of the strongest Scottish accented vocals to be heard this side of the border since Andy Stewart."
A year on, while that in-your-face-and-in-your-ears vocal still remains as compelling as ever, what has changed in the interim is their move from a duo (of Dafters and Herre de Leur) to a four-piece (joined by Ross Forsyth on drums, and Martin Murray, lead guitar), and if new single 'Black Tie' is indicative, they are losing some of the more 'folk-ish' edge of previous.
"The introduction of Martin and Ross has been a breath of fresh air to be honest," says Brendan, when we caught up with him this week. "They have slotted in perfectly both in terms of their personalities and what they bring to the table musically. The last year has been predominantly spent getting our live sound where we want it."
He is not, however, of the opinion they have cast their folk side completely: "I think our folk routes are still there - our sound has just grown in size. I feel like we can give our songs everything they need now, where before we were a bit limited at times. The new EP should hopefully be like seeing your wee cousin after a couple of years but he's two feet taller and his voice has broken.....oooft that's a weird analogy...!"
The track gets a digital release on June 12, and is the first to come from their forthcoming second EP, 'Matriarch’, which will be self-released in September alongside a Scottish tour.
In a press release the band describe 'Black Tie' as follows: "The song explores the turmoil within a family who are faced with making the decision to turn off a loved one's life support machine. The narrative comes from the perspective of the oldest son, who finds himself unable to cope with the lingering doubt in the aftermath of the choice he has made."
Just by reading that, before even listening to the song itself, you will gather it is no lighthearted bit of musical frippery. The weighty tone and de Leur's sombre piano bring to mind Richard Walters' work as Liu Bei; while Dafters' broad dialect vocal delivers an honest grit to sincere and impassioned lyrics.
'Black Tie' is a song that is a league above almost everything else you may currently hear, and this is a track you can't help but listen to repeatedly. And should you have been in the unfortunate position of having to carry out such an onerous task as it is about, you will no doubt be brought to floods of tears as well.
"Our lyrics are usually inspired by things happening around us but they aren't always particularly personal. Our main objective is that there's a story to every song- I like it when people can take what they want from the words," says Brendan.
The one thing that did concern us and which we broached with the band, was whether they felt the inclusion of several 'f' word expletives might prohibit their getting airplay? "Don't worry, we have a clean version!" laughs Brendan. "To be honest, no other word would do for that section. It's so important to the song and we just couldn't bear to dilute it."
Nieves play XPO North on June 11, plus Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, August 6 - 8. "September is going to be really busy with two shows at Loopallu in the middle of a Scottish tour - so keep your eyes on our Facebook page for those dates!"
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