Aberfeldy (band)
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Aberfeldy are a Scottish
indie pop Indie pop (also typeset as indie-pop or indiepop) is a music genre and subculture that combines guitar pop with a DIY ethic in opposition to the style and tone of mainstream pop music. It originated from British post-punk in the late 1970s and s ...
band founded in
Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. The city is located in southeast Scotland and is bounded to the north by the Firth of Forth and to the south by the Pentland Hills. Edinburgh ...
in 2002. Formed by the singer-songwriter Riley Briggs, the band is named after the Scottish town where Riley's grandfather had a caravan. Known for their melodic, folk-influenced pop sound, they gained attention with their debut album, ''
Young Forever "Young Forever" is a song by American rapper Jay-Z, released in early 2010 as the fifth single from his 2009 album '' The Blueprint 3'' on the Roc Nation label. The song was produced by Kanye West. It is a rework of Alphaville's 1984 song " Fo ...
'' (2004), which featured the single "Heliopolis by Night". The album was recorded using vintage analogue equipment, giving it a distinctive warm and organic sound. They followed up with ''Do Whatever Turns You On'' (2006) and ''Somewhere to Jump From'' (2010), showcasing a blend of acoustic instrumentation, harmonies, and whimsical lyricism. Their style incorporates elements of folk, pop, and indie rock, earning them comparisons to artists such as
Belle and Sebastian Belle and Sebastian are a Scottish indie pop band formed in Glasgow in 1996. Led by Stuart Murdoch, the band has released twelve studio albums. They are often compared with acts such as the Smiths and Nick Drake. The band took their name from ...
and
The Magnetic Fields The Magnetic Fields are an American Band (rock and pop), band founded and led by Stephin Merritt. Merritt is the group's primary songwriter, producer, and vocalist, as well as frequent multi-instrumentalist. The band is named after the André B ...
. Although Aberfeldy have been less active in recent years, they continue to perform sporadically.


Formation

Singer/guitarist Riley Briggs formed Aberfeldy between 2002 and 2003, meeting the band in various locations in Edinburgh – Sarah and Ian through The Royal Oak bar, Ken through an advert for a punk band and Ruth through working as a barmaid in The Bongo Club. Riley's early songs, some of which were included on ''Young Forever'', were written as a result of the breakup with his partner.


Career


Recording

In 2003, Aberfeldy recorded fourteen songs with producer Jim Sutherland at his studio above Edinburgh's Bongo Club, using only one microphone and no overdubbing. The resulting tracks were licensed to
Rough Trade Records Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London, England. It was formed in 1976 by Geoff Travis, who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove. It is currently run by co-managing directors Travis and Jeannette Lee and ...
and released in 2004 as the album ''Young Forever''. The single "Heliopolis by Night" was ''
NME ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming and culture website, bimonthly magazine, and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a "Rock music, rock inkie", the ''NME'' would be ...
''s single of the week on release. The follow-up single "Love Is an Arrow" was featured by
Lorraine Kelly Lorraine Kelly (born 30 November 1959) is a Scottish television presenter. She has presented various television shows for ITV and STV, including '' Good Morning Britain'' (1988–1992), ''GMTV'' (1993–2010), ''This Morning'' (2003–2005, ...
on
GMTV GMTV (an initialism for Good Morning Television), now legally known as ''ITV Breakfast, ITV Breakfast Broadcasting Limited'', was the name of the national ITV (TV network), ITV breakfast television contractor/licensee, broadcasting in the Uni ...
's ''Kelly Plays Pop'' section. The record sold out in less than a week, due to not enough copies being pressed. The single reached no. 60 in the UK charts. The animated video, by Chris Waitt, was nominated for an MTVU Woodie award for best animated video, but lost out to the
Gorillaz Gorillaz are an English virtual band created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett in London, England in 1998. The band primarily consists of four fictional members: (vocals, keyboards), Murdoc Niccals (bass guitar), Noodle (gui ...
. "Summer's Gone", from the ''Young Forever'' album, saw use in a range of commercials. It was used in Argentina to advertise
Quilmes Quilmes () is a city on the coast of the Rio de la Plata, in the , on the southeast end of the Greater Buenos Aires, being some away from the urban centre area of Buenos Aires. The city was founded in 1666 and is the seat of the eponymous '' ...
beer. It was used again for a
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commercial in the US and Canada, appearing initially during the 2007
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and also during ''
American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...
''. In 2010, the song was featured in a commercial for Travelers Insurance. Drummer Ian Stoddart (onetime member of Win) departed in late 2005, and was replaced by Murray Briggs, Riley's brother, formerly of the Anarcho/
street punk Street punk (sometimes alternatively spelled streetpunk) is an urban working class-based subgenre of punk rock, which emerged as a rebellion against the perceived artistic pretensions of the first wave of British punk. The earliest street pun ...
band
Oi Polloi Oi Polloi are a punk rock band from Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of ...
. A well-received second album, '' Do Whatever Turns You On'', produced by
Calum Malcolm Calum Malcolm is a Scottish record producer, sound engineer and keyboardist, who is based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Career From 1974, he has worked with bands and musicians such as The Blue Nile, Capercaillie, Clannad, Emily Barker, Fish, The ...
, was released by Rough Trade on 3 July 2006. However, in October 2006, Rough Trade announced that they no longer wished to work with the band, twelve weeks after the album's limited (UK & Australia only) release. Ruth Barrie (keyboards, vocals) and Sarah McFadyen (violin, vocals) left Aberfeldy following the 2007 Tune Up Tour. Bree Wright (keyboards, vocals) joined for a short time, but did not stay with the band beyond a summer tour. Shortly afterwards Vicky Gray (violin, keyboards, vocals) and Chris Bradley (guitar, keyboards, vocals) joined the line-up. The band completed 2007 with two gigs at the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh. Aberfeldy released a single in October 2008, "Come On, Claire" with 17 Seconds Records. This was followed with their third album, ''Somewhere to Jump From'', which was released on 6 September 2010 through Tenement Records, preceded by single "Malcolm" on 16 August 2010.


Touring

As well as touring throughout the UK, Aberfeldy have supported
R.E.M. R.E.M. was an American alternative rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe, who were students at the University of Georgia. One of the fir ...
at their
Loch Lomond Loch Lomond (; ) is a freshwater Scottish loch which crosses the Highland Boundary Fault (HBF), often considered the boundary between the lowlands of Central Scotland and the Highlands.Tom Weir. ''The Scottish Lochs''. pp. 33-43. Published by ...
gig, and Blondie and the
Scissor Sisters Scissor Sisters are an American pop rock band formed in 2000. The band's current line-up consists of Jake Shears (vocals), Babydaddy (various instruments), Del Marquis (guitar, bass) and Randy Real (drums). Former members include vocalist A ...
at Edinburgh's
Hogmanay Hogmanay ( , ) is the Scots language, Scots word for the last day of the old year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner. It is normally followed by further celebration on the morning of New Year's Day (1 ...
celebrations (2004), and played at
T in the Park T in the Park festival was a major Scottish music festival that was held annually from 1994 to 2016. It was named after its main sponsor, Tennents. The event was held at Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire, until 1996. It then moved to the disused ...
(2005). They performed at the 2005 and 2006 South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas. Aberfeldy toured the UK in May and June 2006. For part of that tour they supported
The Beautiful South The Beautiful South were an English pop rock group formed in 1988 by Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway, two former members of the Kingston upon Hull, Hull group the Housemartins, both of whom performed lead and backing vocals. Other members stayin ...
. During June and July 2006 the band supported
James Blunt James Blunt (born James Hillier Blount, 22 February 1974) is an English singer, songwriter and musician. He is known for his songs "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover". As a British Army captain in the aftermath of the Kosovo War, Blunt ...
for four of his UK and European tour dates. The band also had festival dates and an extensive headline tour in autumn 2006, as well as supporting
Paolo Nutini Paolo Giovanni Nutini (born 9 January 1987) is a Scottish singer-songwriter from Paisley, Renfrewshire, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Nutini's debut album, ''These Streets'' (2006), peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart. Its follow-u ...
on his UK tour. In October 2006, the band were invited to play at the Cervantino festival in Guanajuato, Mexico; the concert was seen live by over 10,000 people and broadcast on radio and TV. Aberfeldy toured Scotland in April and May 2007 part of the
Scottish Arts Council The Scottish Arts Council (), was a Scottish public body responsible for the funding, development and promotion of the arts in Scotland. The Council primarily distributed funding from the Scottish Government as well as National Lottery funds ...
's Tune-Up Tour. They also played several open-air gigs during the summer.


Members

* Riley Briggs – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards * Murray Briggs – drums * Ken McIntosh – bass * Kirsten Adamson – keyboards, vocals * Chris Bradley – guitar, keyboards, vocals


Discography


Albums

*''
Young Forever "Young Forever" is a song by American rapper Jay-Z, released in early 2010 as the fifth single from his 2009 album '' The Blueprint 3'' on the Roc Nation label. The song was produced by Kanye West. It is a rework of Alphaville's 1984 song " Fo ...
'' (2004) *'' Do Whatever Turns You On'' (2006) *''Somewhere to Jump From'' (2010)


Singles

* "Vegetarian Restaurant" (2004) * "Heliopolis By Night" (2004) – UK No. 66 * "Love Is an Arrow" (2005) – UK No. 60 * "Summer's Gone" (2005) * "Hypnotised" (2006) * "Come On, Claire" (2008)


Additional Appearances

* ''Woodland Casual'' (2015) by Dominic Waxing Lyrical


References


External links


Myspace site with sample tracks and tour datesRiley Briggs is a participant in burnsong
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aberfeldy (Band) Scottish indie rock groups Scottish indie pop groups Rough Trade Records artists Rock music groups from Edinburgh