One of the most exciting folk-based bands to emerge from Scotland in recent years, RURA returns with their feverishly-anticipated second album, Despite the Dark.
Rugged and hard-hitting, yet intricately disciplined, instrumentals sit alongside heartfelt, anthemic songs, in a masterpiece release from the Glasgow and Edinburgh-based five-piece.
Lead, looping melody lines from fiddler Jack Smedley and Steven Blake, on Highland pipes and whistle, are bolstered by a punch-packing rhythm section of bodhran and guitar from David Foley and Adam Brown – a powerful combination, matched by the earthy honesty of singer-songwriter Adam Holmes’ vocals.
Recorded by highly respected recording and live engineer, Andrea Gobbi, and produced by one of Scotland’s foremost multi-instrumentalists, Ali Hutton (Treacherous Orchestra, Old Blind Dogs) – the album is an all-round triumph.
The tone is established within the seven-and-a-half minute opening track, Dark Reel. Not only was it the band’s first arrangement of new material for the record, but it illustrates the band’s natural progression towards larger arrangements and heightened production levels.
Following tracks weave between similarly high octane sets, and songs – namely the stirring Between the Pines – to the delicacy of Cauld Wind Blast, The Lowground and The Glorious 45.
The intensity and suspension of closing number The Lasher bookends nine tracks of powerful, whilst contrastingly stripped back, subtle arrangements of instrumental and vocal mastery, demonstrating the band’s musical maturity, and highlighting both an innate understanding of their chosen material, and unashamed joy in what they do
Despite the Dark Tour Dates – April 2015
April 05 – Inverness, Eden Court – www.eden-court.co.uk – 01463 234234
April 09 – Fareham, Ashcroft Arts Centre – www.ashcroft.org.uk – 01329 223100
April 10 – London, Kings Place – www.kingsplace.oco.uk – 020 7520 1490
April 15 – New Galloway, The CatStrand – www.thecatstrand.com – 01644 420734
April 16 – Skye, Seall at Sabhal mor Ostaig – www.seall.co.uk – 01471 844207
April 17 – Stornoway, An Lanntair – www.lanntair.com – 01851 703307
April 18 – Stirling, Tolbooth – tolbooth.stirling.gov.uk – 01786 274000
April 19 – Banchory, Woodend Barn – www.woodendbarn.com – 01330 825431
April 24 – Edinburgh, The Mash House – www.rura.co.uk
April 25 – Glasgow, Stereo – www.rura.co.uk
April 30- May 3 – Shetland Folk Festival – www.shetlandfolkfestival.com
For all press, interviews, sessions and media enquiries, please contact Bob Buchan
Tel: 01577 830433 / 0777 333 1663
Email: bob.buchan@btinternet.com
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