Soundtrack to My Fringe: Pre-Edinburgh Soothers
My lead up to the Edinburgh fringe typically mirrors the five stages of grief. With six weeks to go, there’s denial: Fringe? I’m not worried about the Fringe! I’ve got loads of time… Four weeks ahead, I’m kicking myself: Why am I doing this AGAIN??? Three weeks, and I’m toying with the idea of somehow getting out of it: I could do a runner. Just leave and spend the summer in, I dunno. Birmingham? With two weeks to go, that whimsy has dissipated, and it’s full on pre-fringe depression: My inbox will never be empty again. I’m drowning in press releases. The end is nigh. If previous years are anything to go by, this dank cloud will lift soon, and turn (grudgingly) into something resembling acceptance. And maybe even anticipation. Until then, I’m resorting to an old cure—the fringe’s musical back catalogue. Here are a few tracks from edringe veterans that frequently make it to the top of the Fringebiscuit workin’ playlist:
Live a Life You Love — Alex Rossi
Last up at Edinburgh in 2014 with the Rhythmic Circus Band, Alex Rossi is one of those cool-as-a-cucumber musical chameleons, seamlessly blending funk, soul, pop, hip-hop, blues, jazz and rock'n’roll. Eight bars in and ‘Live a Life You Love’ plunges us headlong into this delicious fusion, topped with Rossi’s sensuous vocals – a perfect antidote to the pre-fringe madness.
Butterfly — Broken Bones Matilda
Broken Bones Matilda brought their sultry blend of musical storytelling to the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe with their Midnight Creeper tour. We haven’t shut up about them since, and for good reason. In ‘Butterfly’, lead singer Sarah McGrigor’s tantalising vocals—delicate yet soulful—effortlessly mingle with the gravelly harmonies of song-writer and husband Sam Gotley. The result is an unusually authentic take on folk Americana, channelling the likes of Bob Dylan, Nick Cave… need I say more?
Revelator — Camille O’Sullivan
A regular fixture at the Edinburgh Fringe, Camille O’Sullivan is back again this year with a show that explores the style of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. The Revelator, while far from her most experimental offering, finds that sweet spot between rough and polished. O’Sullivan’s vocals are multi-layered, at once soothing and haunting, and perfectly set off by the serenely badass guitar solo midway. Goosebumps come as standard.
But It Did — The Band From County Hell
Channelling all-time folk-punk legends The Pogues in both name and attitude, the Band From County Hell is celebrating the release of their seventh album King of Scotland by returning to Edinburgh. For the 2019 Fringe, the band will headline for one night only at Stramash on August 18th. From their previous studio album, But It Did brings BFCH’s signature high-energy mix of tight multi-instrumentals and gritty Celtic vocals. If this one doesn’t have you tapping your foot, check your pulse.
Catch Camille O’Sullivan in at The Pleasance Courtyard, Jul 31 - Aug 25.
You can see The Band from County Hell at Stramash, Aug 18.