Hello. We’re Admiral Fallow, a five-piece band (Sarah, Louis, Kev, Joe and Phil) from Glasgow, Scotland, who’ve been playing together for about seven years. We’re joined for live shows by guitarist Stu. Our music has been described as ‘orchestral indie pop’; in addition to the usual instrumental line-up we sometimes use flute, clarinet and accordion as part of our songs. We’ve recorded two albums, and really enjoyed the opportunities that have come our way to tour in the UK, Europe and USA over the past few years. At the moment we’re working on album number three.
You released your last album, Tree Bursts In Snow, last year. What have you been up to in 2013?
We’ve been involved in some new experiences and unusual gigs this year. We toured Ireland back in February, which is always a lot of fun. Our tour manager Davy used to live in Galway; on our night off there we frequented some local establishments and tried to get his pals to dish the dirt on his student days, with limited success. We also had our first visit to Australia in April, opening for Frightened Rabbit at their shows in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. We had a total blast, and – unusually for most tours – got to spend a good few days in one place: Melbourne! So as well as the gigs we managed to do some touristy things and also explore a few different areas on local recommendations. In the summer, we played some festivals much closer to home in Scotland. Another recent highlight was a special concert at the 850-year-old Paisley Abbey, with full orchestral backing from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, co-headlining with the Twilight Sad. We’ve also been focusing a lot on writing new music this year, in preparation for the next album.
If you’ve been working on new music or writing new songs, what can you tell us about it? How does it differ from your earlier work?
We’ve taken a different writing approach to that of our last two records. This has involved holing up in a residential Highland studio for a few chunks of time so far this year, and continuing to work on things at home when we get back. I think a change like that in itself can influence the music you make, as local rehearsal studios, however convenient, aren’t always the most inspiring of surroundings! In addition to these retreat-style weeks, we’ve tackled the music differently, too. In previous years we would most often add our own parts on to an existing song that Louis had brought, however fully formed, and flesh things out that way. This time we’ve written the music all together from scratch, and then sort of hung the song forms on top of that. It’s been more collaborative and challenging, but it felt like the right time to shake things up a little, and hopefully it’ll yield interesting results.
You’re playing the Australian World Music Expo in November. Have you played in Australia before?
Our chums Frightened Rabbit were kind enough to have us on board for part of their tour there earlier this year. It was great be able to play in front of a ready-made, enthusiastic – and hopefully appreciative – audience, as it can be really tricky when branching out to tour in new territories to know if anyone’s even going to be at the gigs. We didn’t expect to be coming back to visit so soon, and are really looking forward to it, as we met lots of friendly people last time. And it’ll be nice to escape rainy Glasgow for ten days or so…
What can the uninitiated expect from one of your live shows? Maybe some new material?
We generally play a mix of songs from our first two albums, and within that the material’s quite varied as well: within a typical extended set you could expect some poppier straight-ahead songs, some with more complex arrangements and some acoustic-based, simple and stripped back. We tried out a new song for the first time back in Edinburgh in August – if we have time on this visit maybe we’ll brave it again!
You’re currently based in Glasgow, what can you tell us about the city’s music scene?
Glasgow has a diversity of musical life, particularly if you know where to look. It’s home to lots of well-established bands, but on most nights of the week there are local acts playing. And there’s a big range of gig venues, from small clubs like Nice n Sleazy’s to the legendary Barrowland Ballroom to the newly opened Hydro arena. As well as the indie and pop side of things, there’s also a vibrant folk and traditional music scene, and a strong jazz contingent, plus two Glasgow-based orchestras. I sound like an ambassador but I’m not! Not until they give me the Ferrero Rocher anyway.
What other local acts would you recommend we check out?
Olympic Swimmers, Three Blind Wolves, Blood Relatives.
What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
Lots of 45s including Edwin Starr – 25 miles and Junior Walker – Roadrunner. I’m a terrible dancer but somehow manage to lose my inhibitions when Motown’s involved.
Roy Harper – Flat Baroque and Berserk. Maybe a slightly strange choice but I like it.
Simon and Garfunkel – Greatest Hits. I remember coming home from school aged about 8 after falling out with my friends, my mum put on ‘I am a Rock’, and I leaped about and felt great.
What Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with and why?
I reckon Nick Cave could teach us a thing or two. I’d like to shred some flute with Tame Impala as well.
What’s on the cards for the rest of the year and early 2014?
The main focus when we get back from AWME is to continue writing new material in earnest, and that’ll be the case into early next year as well, building on what we’ve come up with so far and crafting it all into the shape of an album. Then recording it!
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
Check out our two albums Boots Met My Face and Tree Bursts In Snow. Here’s a free download link, exclusive to Australia, with a song from each: gum.co/admiralfallow
Keep an eye on admiralfallow.com for news and gig updates.
AWME 2013 will take place from 14th – 17th November at Arts Centre Melbourne, The HiFi, The Toff, and Ding Dong Lounge. Tickets for all concerts will be on sale soon!
AWME 2013 Lineup
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Damien Dempsey
Hollie Smith
Sola Rosa
Stephen Pigram
The Cambodian Space Project
Dereb The Ambassador
Coloured Stone
Knox
The Orbweavers
The Putbacks with Emma Donovan
Grizzly Jim Lawrie
Impossible Odds
Whiri Tu Aka
Stan & The Earth Force
Slip On Stereo
Maya Kamaty
Tjupurru
+ more to be announced
AWME 2013 Dates
14th – 17th November, Melbourne
Across venues Arts Centre Melbourne, The HiFi, The Toff, and Ding Dong Lounge.
Tickets for all concerts will be on sale soon!
EARLY BIRD FOUR DAY PASSES/ WEEKEND PASS NOW AVAILABE at www.awme.com.au
