In his old(er) age, Scotland’s eminent comi-tragic chronicler of life’s triumphs and disasters Adrian Moffat hasn’t lost any of his rambling mischievousness. The now silver-bearded ex-Arab Strap frontman is set to hit the road again this month, co-leading a project that’ll shine a light on his nation’s music and storytelling traditions. Joined by award-winning film-maker Paul Fegan, Moffat will traverse the length and breadth of the country, cataloguing regional songs and tales while collaborating with fellow raconteurs along the way. The ensuing film, called Where You’re Meant To Be,’ is to be premiered at the close of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Moffat will support this folkloric pop odyssey with a spring tour, where he’ll be uncorking a fresh batch of original and traditional material, all inspired by Scotland’s oral traditions. Staying true to his intrepid, alcohol-soaked roots, Moffat’s live shows, replete with free tipples, will approximate traditional ceilidh dances, where folk sagas and bruised laments will be recounted. Via these ragtag cultural narratives, Moffat will dissect Scottish national identity, taking in the communities and places (from Glasgow Barrowlands to Loch Ness) that resonate deeply with his fellow compatriots. In village halls, church halls and social clubs throughout the country, he will be supported by a crack team of indie stalwarts including The Twilight Sad vocalist James Graham, Bdy_Prts’ Jenny Reeve (violin, vocals) and Stevie Jones (double-bass, guitar). That’s not to mention the appearances of championship bothy balladeers Geordie Murison and Joe Aitken, folk-punk dissident Wounded Knee, and national folk treasure Sheila Stewart, who’s been coaxed out of retirement to duet with Moffat.
Don’t get your hopes up of getting a ticket to one of these special shows, though, as every date is already sold out. If it’s any consolation, a song from the project, ‘Jack McGraw, is available for streaming now. It sees Moffat reimagine a Scottish ballad of a wounded soldier, and can be heard here:
