FESTIVAL MUSIC | Sounding 72 THE LIST FESTIVAL 17–28 Aug 2017
Modern Studies (left & below) and Lomond Campbell (above)
<< The performances, St John says, are something of a celebration for both acts. ‘Besides the opportunity to play these songs live with a full cast of players, they also give us a chance to plot our next adventures,’ he admits. Having signed to bigger labels – Modern Studies to Fire Records in the United States and Campbell to Heavenly Recordings – both acts are at something of a fork in the road. To commemorate the occasion, they’re releasing a single together on Triassic Tusk featuring covers of each other’s tracks, with Campbell offering up a bluesy take on ‘Father Is A Craftsman’ and Modern Studies presenting an atmospheric version of ‘Every Florist in Every Town’.
Discussing the single, Campbell says: ‘Swell to Great was one of my top albums of 2016. Great songs, accomplished production and a sound unlike anything else in Scotland just now. We decided to cover each other’s music, initially as a promotional thing for the gigs, but when I heard the two songs side by side I knew it was ripe for a physical release.’ Praising Campbell’s work in return, Scott says that: ‘[He] writes the most deceptively classic songs, truly great, but you delve under the surface and there are so many quirks. It’s a total gift to have good material as a jumping off point.’ St John agrees, pointing out that, ‘I guess it resonates with what we do in a lot of ways, a bringing together of approaches, knitted together by the love of a decent hook.’
Despite the busy schedule of both acts, there is a possibility that Sounding could be taken on the road in its own right. ‘The Made in Scotland initiative has that idea at its heart, so I’d love to think we could take it on the road; we’d need a bloomin’ bus for the orchestra, and it would be a massive undertaking unless it was scaled down,’ says Scott. Campbell is also enthusiastic about re-staging the event: ‘Both our debut albums are due for a worldwide re-release around the same time this year so a tour together would be apt. Having said that, Sounding is pretty ambitious and we’d need some decent backing to take it on tour. Wealthy benefactors make yourself known.’ For now, they’re focusing on making Sounding as good as it can possibly be. If it ends up a one-off run, Scott says, then that’s okay: ‘I think that makes the impact of this run of shows all the more special.’
Sounding: Modern Studies and Lomond Campbell with the Pumpkinseeds Chamber Orchestra, Stockbridge Church, 20–22 Aug, 7.30pm, £12 (£8).