As a passing familiarity with their craft might tell you, Edinburgh-based slowcore six-piece eagleowl are in no hurry. In the interests of their less-is-more ethos, they have succeeded admirably, and perhaps that would explain why a band that found its initial incarnation in 2005 is only now releasing a debut full-length: on May 13, this silent year will be unveiled through Fence Records, and we’ve got a first watch of the video for album cut ‘not over’ above.
This isn’t to say that they’re lethargic, oh no: the preceding years have seen them perform a slew of live shows, and outside the band you’ll find them lending their talents to other projects – including Fence labelmates Withered Hand, singer-songwriter Benni Hemm Hemm, Woodpigeon or Rob St. John’s similarly evocative solo material.
Singer Bartholomew Owl describes ‘not over’ as: "A message of defiance, but whispered not shouted." Oddly enough, that gives the song greater emotional resonance – sounding decidedly lovelorn with doleful strings and delicate harmonies – but also hinting at a restrained deluge of frustration.
The video is old-fashioned, but hardly nostalgic. Sombre footage is reportedly "edited from various experiments and instructional videos on high speed photography", from flowers blooming in black-and-white to what resembles a mouse being roundly asphyxiated in excruciating slow motion.
You can catch the band live at the following launch shows, culminating in Fence’s showcase at the Oran Mor:
MAY
Fri 10 – Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh
Sat 11 – The Lit & Phil Society, Newcastle
Sun 12 – The Glad Cafe, Glasgow
JUNE
Sat 9 – West End Festival, Oran Mor, Glasgow – Fence Records Showcase
