Laying down the Lau – folk pioneers are back with a new album

MODERN folk music’s most innovative band Lau have returned with their third album – ‘Race The Loser’ (via Reveal Records).

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The trio’s captivating live and studio performances have seen Lau pick up three consecutive BBC Folk Awards for Best Group (2008-2010).

‘Race The Loser’ was made in Scotland with American producer Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, Laura Veirs, R.E.M.) and pushes Lau’s complex yet accessible sound even further to the outer reaches of folk

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music – whilst retaining all the strengths of the original acoustic trio – (Kris Drever, vocals/guitar; Martin Green, accordion; Aidan O’Rourke, fiddle).

Kris said: “Tucker picked up our ball and ran the full length of the pitch and off out of the stadium with it!”

While Martin added: “We found a producer who understood both our traditional roots and encouraged me to find a place for our love of electronic music within Lau’s sound.”

The band have spent the two and half years since the critical and commercial success of their ‘Arc Light’ album collaborating on a variety of special projects – including EPs with electronic producer Adem and Scots singer Karine Polwart and a live show and documentary for the BBC with rock legend and former Cream bassist Jack Bruce.

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In addition, Lau (pictured) wrote a vast new orchestral piece ‘Strange Attractors’ with composer Brian Irvine which debuted at The Sage, Gateshead, in 2011 and was performed by Lau and the Northern Sinfonia.

These collaborations have added much to Race The Loser’s sonic quality, electronic explorations and original songwriting.

The album features Lau’s best, most universal and significant music yet.

Lau will be playing live at Glasgow’s Oran Mor on November 3 and Edinburgh’s Queens Hall on November 6.

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Also on their way to Glasgow are Canterbury, the critically-acclaimed band who have released a new album ‘Heavy In The Day’ via Sweet Lime Records.

Storytelling lyrics, massive choruses and countless epic moments result in a huge sounding record.

After their sold-out UK tour earlier this year, the band are heading back out on the road.

They stop off at the Glasgow ABC on November 11.

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