Musings on Scrum's 'Killing Time'

I've been a bit of an online fan of Scrum for some time now. Hearing them every now and then on Wyldwood radio, last.fm playlists, and looking them up on youtube, of course. However, being one of those annoying foreign fans, I didn't manage to get my hands on any of their CDs until Castlefest when I bought Killing Time. In my defense, I also requested Pro Libertate for my birthday and converted my mother to the band so I think I'm making up for my slowness ;-)

The title track is a pretty good sign of what is to come. Energetic rocky music with a clear folk influence, it's certainly a good opener. If you manage to stay still once listening and, once you get to know it a bit, if you don't sing along then you're a stronger person than me! Most of the songs are in this vein although with a few notable exceptions.

The Scrum version of Caledona stands out as the first slower piece. The addition of a female voice, and for the final verse, works really well. The highlight of this piece, for me, has got to be the way that the bagpipes enter out of no-where and just add so much. Okay, I might have a thing for bagpipes.

Another cover (if once can call it that), Loch Lomond, is quite traditional in style but still has its own unique sound with some uplifting harmonies that give it strength while allowing it to be a relaxing calm piece. Under the Scotsman's Kilt, however, is given a more rocky sound in the second half. For some reason, this rendition of this song reminds me of my late grandmother who I can picture in the place of one of the girls in the story so I, personally, enjoy this track!

Probably an appropriate 'final song' to focus on is one of the first tracks I heard from Scrum, 'Going Home'. This fast paced piece is another bob and sing along one (maybe I just have a weakness for this?) and is really good fun. The lyrics aren't overly complex but capture the idea of the tune so well.

With a combination of sentimental and lively songs, this album works as a balanced listening experience. The continued themes and genre links some dramatically different pieces together to make a holistic experience which is thoroughly enjoyable, and on many levels.





If you would like to find out more about Scrum then you can visit their website. You can purchase Killing Time direct from the band or, probably easier if you're in the UK, via amazon. 

Apologies for this post being even more disjointed than normal... wrote it late at night and after hours of studying!

Castlefest review: Friday

For introduction post and Thursday round-up click here

Friday

Friday was the first day of the festival itself. My mother and I got up early and walked towards the unknown (i.e. a shuttle bus) and waited. The queues of people waiting by Hillegom station must have been quite the sight! Although I would have liked to have camped, as planned, the atmosphere on these shuttle buses was lovely and we were also lucky enough to have drivers who felt like putting on music for most of the journeys... got to get into the mood, right?

The first act I was lucky enough to see was Lisa Cuthbert. I first got into Lisa's music last year when I accidentally ended up listening to a small part of her set and found it truly beautiful and rather haunting. She has the most stunning voice with true emotional qualities. Her subject matter, and songs, are stunning too. Her CD, Paramour, is a concept album centred around the theme of the Magdalene Laundries which were religious run institutions in Ireland in which fallen women lived in awful conditions. I won't go into her music too much at the moment but will probably review Paramour at some point and would urge you to get it because it's a wonderful album.

Lisa's set this year included several sections in which she played solo and also played with a new band. Despite the fact they have only been playing together since December, if my memory serves, they worked together really well. It's exciting to see the project growing and developing. That said, I'm pleased that the set still does contain some of the stripped back sound that I really did fall in love with.

The highlight of this set for me was hearing my favourite, Gartan Mothers Lullaby, played live. It's such a simple, bittersweet sounding piece that truly does show off Lisa's emotional and vocal range.

After the set (which was spent mostly hiding in the shade) I went over to the merchandise stand to see if I could get my scrapbook drawing signed. This was the first time of meeting Lisa, and also her drummer, and it really must be said that she was lovely. She spent a lot of time with everyone talking about her music, life in general, and really bothered to make everyone feel special. And she did sign my drawing so I was pleased with that too!

After that great start, my mother and I gravitated towards the Forest Stage where Shantalla were playing. Indeed, my mother was supposed to go and see them and not Lisa Cuthbert but, hearing Lisa's performance while 'dropping me off'  the mother decided she wanted to stay too. We were lucky that we managed to catch the end of Shantalla's set and therefore got the best of both worlds.

Shantalla are a band that I vaguely know, and know that they're good, but don't really listen to. I did, however, really enjoy the part of their set that I managed to catch! I think it's really worth commenting upon the lead singer, Helen Flaherty, who, not only has a lovely voice, but has a real joyous energy on stage and brought a lot to the overall atmosphere.

After a brief detour to catch a few minutes of The Moon and the Nightspirit (too many set clashes!) it was back to the Forest Stage for Folk Noir. Although I really do like Folk Noir, I'll be honest and say that I didn't really manage to see all of their set as I had to go and sit down part way through it. One year I will be healthy ;-)

The parts that I did see brought all that I expect from that group, beautiful music with a somewhat nostalgic tone along with a presentation that is professional but not too stiff. There's something great about seeing this group perform live in that it rather feels that you are watching a group of talented individuals jamming together rather than a polished performance. There's that kind of intimate feeling and, perhaps, that is what makes this group stand out.

I'm really looking forward to the prospect of a CD release from the current Folk Noir line up as opposed to the early EP which is wonderful but simply not enough! I don't know if there's one in the works but it was mentioned last year so fingers crossed!

We then moved to one of the other stages to sit in the shade and listen to the next band on our itinerary, La Horde. Now, if you know La Horde you will know that there is no way you want to sit down and listen to them because they are a real party band. I honestly don't know how to describe
them as a band, or their music, other than feel good crazy stuff. From the expected tunes, played in unexpected ways, to tunes you wouldn't really expect at this kind of festival (I like to move it, for example), their sets are fun and unusual! I know there was one set that was planned to be a pyjama party, complete with pillow fight, and also, I've heard, a 'wall of hugs'.

After a bit of a break (listening to Euzen from a distance, and also catching the very end of Rastaban's set) it was time for Scrum. Now, last year, I was really disappointed by Scrum's set. I really do like their music and felt that, surely, this was because the sound tech was messed up. That said, I wasn't expecting too much this time, just in case. However, Scrum did live up to my original high expectations this time (re-enforcing my idea that it was the tech not them causing problems before).

Scrum play a mixture of traditional celtic folk tunes, with a rocky twist, and original pieces in that style. This results in a high energy, high impact performance. This is another band that is really easy to connect with as an audience. Although their musical performance is of a high and polished quality, there is an openness about their stage presentation that makes them seem as though they've just jumped up there for a laugh as opposed to being serious professionals. To be honest, with this genre with all its earthiness, you need to have that kind of attitude on stage. They were also lovely guys and signed my scrapbook painting even though I believe it caused some confusion as people couldn't work out quite what it was!

After Scrum, it was time for The Dolmen who are a band from Weymouth. Despite the fact I lived just down the road from there until a few months back I have only managed to go to their shows in mainland Europe. If any of my English friends are reading this, go see them, okay?

This late night set was full of people who really wanted to dance and have a wonderful time and with The Dolmen's music it was an easy thing to do! Although I was alone for this set I was approached by a fair number of people either to chat or to dance so thank you to anyone who absorbed me into their groups for a time. I think this was one of the most fun and friendly crowds of the festival so, for me, it's one of my highlights for sure and a brilliant way to round off day one!



I have a lot more photos on my facebook page, and Saturday's review can be read here!

Castlefest Opening Concert (preview)

 As with all recent posts, I wrote this a few days ago with scheduling to post today.

So today is the opening concert of Castlefest. All things being well I will have set up my tent and will be listening to some amazing music from Pater Moeskroen, Rapalje, and Scrum as we speak!

Pater Moeskroen

This song translates to "Whiskey is the Devil". Doesn't stop them from drinking it though!

Pater Moeskroen produces some darn good fun music, which is thoroughly enjoyable.

The band themselves are a six piece who have, according to their website, and my Dutch, eighteen albums and five DVDs to their name so far. Although I haven’t followed this group I have listened to their videos on youtube and am very excited to see them live.

Rapalje

They look like they’re enjoying this so much that it’s contagious!

Now this is a band that I have listened to a fair bit, and own a few CDs by. The first time I saw a video of them performing live, with Aimee, we spent a fair time deciding if they were actually drunk up simply pretending. We weren’t convinced that anyone could play that well drunk…. Or sober. In short, we were impressed.

This is the band I’m most excited to see tonight!

The original video that Aimee and I watched some time ago.

Scrum

Well, I couldn’t leave the alcohol theme just yet could I?

Scrum are another fast paced, enjoyable band. It seems that this evening has been constructed to get people ready for the weekend! Mind you, with them playing at quarter to eleven, p.m., I wonder how anyone will get any sleep.

I’m pleased that they’re playing actually because they are a band that sings in English. By this time of night my Dutch understanding will be dead so it’s nice to have an 'easy' language to wind up with!

With this theme in all the music it will be a miracle if anyone 

wakes up without a hangover tomorrow!