Inverness singer-songwriter Moteh Parrott releases debut album that was delayed 10 years by tragedy and other difficulties in his life
Indie folk-rock singer-songwriter Moteh Parrott brought out the 10-track vinyl on the 15th anniversary of the death of young brother Laurence who was 19 when he died in an accident while swimming with friends in the River Foyers near Loch Ness, and he has dedicated the record to his memory.
This tragedy led to difficulties in Moteh’s life, which combined with the pandemic, and, more recently, surgery on a wrist, led to the 10-year gestation of the album.
The Stones are Merely Sleeping combines a signature sound with elements of Celtic music, leading to Moteh’s style being described as “a Highland wilderness with all the sweeping colour and spirit which that encompasses”.
He said: “I have tried to make difficult things into something positive, and a lot of tracks in the album have been inspired by that experience.
“Me and Laurence both got into music while at school, played in bands together, and I have put a dedication to Laurence in the album.
“It has been on a bit of a journey since Laurence’s death.”
He added: “I have struggled with mental health issues for a long time, but I’ve always been determined to use creativity to work through life’s challenges with light and optimism.
“Losing Laurence in tragic circumstances formed my main inspiration for pursuing music. Through songwriting I've been able to process my experiences in a positive way, process this grief and try to emerge on the other side with feelings of hope, peace and determination.
“This has helped me personally, but as a songwriter, the cycle of creativity isn’t complete until the music has found listeners who connect with it.
“The songs on the album come from a very genuine place, so I hope they will resonate with people and help them in their own healing. It’s been a longer and more complicated road than I had initially planned to release this body of work, but it feels fantastic to reach this point.”
He said the album was doing well especially in the Netherlands, and “it was great to have it out in the world”.
A tour had been planned for this year but due to his wrist operation in May, this has been postponed until next April. This will include a gig at Upstairs at the Gellions, and dates will be revealed later.
Now Edinburgh based, Moteh, who was shortlisted for BBC Radio Scotland’s Singer-Songwriter of the Year Award in 2019, brings together reflective, uplifting lyrics with open-tuned electric guitar and cello in this 10-track debut, now available to download, stream, and purchase on CD and vinyl.
The Stones are Merely Sleeping can be likened to concept albums – alongside upbeat anthemic songs, the tracklist includes interludes and poetry which explore overarching themes of loss, relationships and wider spiritual questions.
Artists including Frightened Rabbit, Elbow, Laura Marling and Bon Iver influenced Moteh, but lyrics also take inspiration from nature and social and environmental justice and his early family life.
Born in Oku, Cameroon, to parents working in rainforest conservation, Moteh writes about world events such as war and climate change, as well as tapping into universal human experiences of love and mental health.
The album’s title comes from a poem Moteh wrote while kayaking on Loch Mhor in the Highlands which he included in the track Seven Generations.
