WATCH: Festive spirit and fun at heart of new single for Nairn musician
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
NAIRN is showcased in the video for a brand-new Christmas single launched by a local artist.
The latest production by The Internationalist – the latest project by Andrew Clucas, best known from the Oxbow Lake Band – the song “It’s Christmas” is a sneak peek into a new album on which the songwriter is currently working.
The song features local singer Queen McBean (aka Fiona McBean) and is a Motown-inspired slice of light-hearted soul according to its creator.
“The world needs some joy and escapism,” Andrew said about releasing his first festive song.
"“Mid-winter has always been an important festival/celebration and one our family and friends indulge in, dancing and partying, and that needed a soul sound track.”
The song originated from jingles the musician – who currently lives in Aberdeenshire but hails from Nairn – was writing for a friend’s radio show a couple of years ago.
“I kept that in the back of mind and finally returned to it and wrote proper – or as proper as you can get with the inevitable sentimental Xmas record! – lyrics and middle/chorus parts.”
The video, he says, was a team effort: Queen McBean joins in on vocals, Kenny McKenzie plays the bass, and his daughter Rhiannon filmed the video which saw businesses including the local record shop and The Bandstand bar getting involved as locations, while Andy Lewis produced and played the drums drums.
Andrew Clucas said: “I write a lot in classic soul styles and no doubt am impacted by being into most things ‘mod’, but I don’t normally wear it so obviously and I definitely always sing in my own unique voice/style. Hence why I asked Fi to sing this one!
“I did want that classic soul sound.
“But Christmas songs are all a bit sentimental and the classic soul sound suited it, in my mind anyway!”
The Internationalist’s first album will be called On My Travels, and will feature world music done in a “dance/soul/funk” style.
It is set to be released in summer.
The Oxbow Lake Band has been around for almost two decades with some of their EPs and singles played on national radio.
Andrew also plays in The Fonsecas, a folk band which also has a new album in the works.
