Big moment for young Inverness band Cala as they unveil debut album live
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On Saturday, six-piece trad band Cala, who started out in Inverness, will launch their debut album From The River at a gig at Bogbain Farm.
The line-up has changed since the beginnings of the band and their debut single Causeway released in 2020.
Here bassist Calum MacQuarrie answers some questions before their album launch gig.
Q Tell people the Cala story so far?
A Calum: All of us went to the same school, so we are very good friends and get along well. Since Causeway, we have adapted our sound and arrangements to something we are very proud of, which can be seen in our debut album. Now the six of us are Ivan Steele on whistle/flute/pipes, Finlay MacLennan on fiddle, my brother Alasdair MacQuarrie on guitar, me [Calum] on bass, Angus Walker on drums and piano and vocals from Amy Naulls.
Q The title of the album itself – From The River doesn't seem to be a track, so how did you decide on the title you have chosen?
A The title From The River was an idea that came about when we started to think about our first gig together – Capers In Cannich. The festival had a river next to it, so we thought we are a product of that festival in a way as that’s what kick-started our gigging.
Q How long have you wanted to get an album out for people to hear? And how did you decide The Wee Studio with Keith Morrison was where you wanted to record From The River?
A Recording was great fun. We signed under The Wee Studio records label which meant we worked with Keith Morrison and Scott C Park and they nailed it. They knew when to help us out, but they also knew when to give us space and let us do our thing which we appreciated a lot. The ideas they contributed really boosted the album and added elements that we couldn’t have thought up. We look forward to workingwith them again!
Q There is a real contrast of tunes and moods within the album – Cha Labhair is a beautiful song – and 101 would get the Devil himself dancing! How did you decide on the tunes/songs to include – and also the running order to present them at their best?
A We are very picky about the tunes we choose to make the 'final cut'. There were a few sets that we have which didn’t make it into the album simply because they didn’t fit. We tend to go for tunes that haven’t been recorded that much and put our own unique spin on them. It’s also apparent when we arrange a tune and it comes together so easily – that’s when we know that a tune or song will make it onto the album. In terms of the order, we spent so long trying different combinations, the only two that remained constant throughout those combinations was the first track and the last, as we knew how we wanted the album to start and end.
Q What does 2023 hold for you – gigs, festivals, possibly a tour, maybe? And where can people see you locally next (after Bogbain!)?
A We have our very own Album launch show in Bogbain farm on Saturday (April 22), and our first abroad gig in Lorient, France which we’re really looking forward to. We also have a bunch of Scotland festivals which we look forward to announcing. We are looking to put more shows on after Bogbain farm and look forward to the future!
Cala play Bogbain on Saturday.
