Stornoway (band)

Stornoway
Stornoway backstage at Worthy Earth Festival 2023
Background information
OriginOxford, Oxfordshire, England
GenresIndie folk,[1] indie rock, chamber pop, britpop
Years active2006–2017, 2022–present
LabelsCooking Vinyl, 4AD
Members
Past membersRob Steadman
WebsiteOfficial website

Stornoway are a British indie folk band from the Cowley area of Oxford. As of 2023 the band is led by ornithologist[2] Brian Briggs as singer, guitarist, and main songwriter, with multi-instrumentalists Jon Ouin and Oli Steadman.

Their sound incorporates an ever-changing selection of stringed instruments and keyboards, supported by a typical pop backline of guitar, drums and bass guitar, embellished with avant-garde percussion including DIY hardware (saw & axe),[3] cutlery, and Welsh gravel.[4] The trio typically performs live with additional musicians including Thomas E Hodgson on trumpet and percussion;[5] Susie Attwood on violin and percussion; Charlotte Glasson on violin, percussion, saxophone and flute;[6] Felix Higginbottom on drums,[7] percussion and backing vocals; and Adam Briggs on trumpet and percussion.[8]

The band is named after the Scottish town of Stornoway on the Hebridean Isle of Lewis, having never been to Stornoway when they decided to name themselves after the town. They have since visited multiple times, the first expedition comprising a performance on 9 April 2010 and the signing of their recording contract with label 4AD.[9][10] They have explained "We were looking in books about knots and [...] guides to natural history of the seashore [...] this [Stornoway] was the only one that stuck, and it was reinforced by the fact that if you see the BBC weather forecast, Stornoway is up there... so we get this wonderful free promotion every time there's a weather report".[11]

Starting with Dig The Mountain![12] (and followed rapidly by Beachcomber's Windowsill[13] & Tales From Terra Firma[14] on reissued vinyl), the band have released their music chiefly on recycled materials and packaged in sustainable card packaging. They are informally linked to many nature conservation trusts including HIWWT, RSPB, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, British Trust for Ornithology, and the Woodland Trust.[15]

  1. ^ Geddes, Jonathan. "Indie-Folk Band Stornoway Head to Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket for Farewell Tour". Sunday Herald. Herald & Times Group. Archived from the original on 16 July 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Alumni Stories: Brian Briggs".
  3. ^ Oates, Rachel. "A Farewell To Stornoway". Affordably Fashionable. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  4. ^ Seekings, Megan. "A Season Of Stornoway". Cool Music And Things. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference NesbitHodgson was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Glasson, Charlotte. "Past Gig List". Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Nightshift Magazine May 2023" (PDF).
  8. ^ Lester, Paul. "New band of the week: Stornoway (No 534)". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Oxford band Stornoway to play first gig in Stornoway". BBC. 9 April 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  10. ^ "Blink and You Might Miss Them – Stornoway Announce Album Debut and Spring 2010 Tour". allgigs.co.uk. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference TGTF interview was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ "Stornoway Dig The Mountain".
  13. ^ "Stornoway Beachcomber's Windowsill".
  14. ^ "Stornoway Tales From Terra Firma".
  15. ^ "Stornoway, as Official Champions of @woodlandtrust , are working to spread the awareness of #ashdieback and its tragic effects on the British landscape". Retrieved 22 February 2024.