Stornoway, Roundhouse

While we eagerly await their third album, pining indie-folksters Stornoway pique our appetite with an August gig.

Who?

This summer, Oxford’s Stornoway bring their big-hearted indie-folk to the Roundhouse. ‘Neo-folk’ artists with are ten-a-penny these days, but Stornoway’s joyous music convinces: the artfully weather-beaten foursome have Celtic gusto and moonlit sentiment down to a T. 

Output 

Their second album Tales from Terra Firma, a curious title from a band who deal in seascapes, (2013) was adored by fans and critics alike on its release last year. The album was wilder than their 2010 debut Beachcomber’s Windowsill. The emotional, ecological lyrics and swelling harmonies of their first album remain intact, but are given a bit more bite. Jauntier guitar, African rhythms and host of new instruments (a Turkish zither, anyone?) kept the airy melodies interesting. 

Their ‘surprise’ EP last September, You Don’t Know Anything, was made up of tracks that didn’t make it on to Tales From... It’s a testament to their talent that this hodge-podge of offcuts made a thoroughly listenable record, simple and sweet as a 99 Flake. 

A perfect recipe...

The secret of Stornoway’s success is their combination of indie authenticity (channeling British Sea Power, or Guillemots -what is it about coastal nomenclature?) with an unashamed pop sensibility. They give us catchy tunes that we can hum without being embarrassed. But what we love most about these folksters is that they are the kind of boys we went out with at seventeen (or wanted to): lovesick and singing about albatrosses with their thumbs through their cardigans.

With a third album on the way, though under wraps: the Oxford band may even debut a track or two. Don’t miss out – the gig is selling fast.