Iain Duncan is the second Whisky River Band member to share his perspective of 2011.
How has 2011 been for you musically?
Absolutely fantastic, I had some great nights with Buzz, we first put the band together in 1994 doing original stuff but now we just like to get out and have some fun with our favourite covers but what WRB have done this year has been very exciting. We started the year releasing our EP ‘Open your Eyes’ which has sold very well in hard copy as well as online downloads. We were included in this years GoNorth and had some epic gigs with the various showcases as well as playing Seedlings Stage at Bella and winning a spot at this years Bfest in Thurso.
What was the best local act this year. and why?
I have seen Parmaviolets, LJP, Sara Bills and the Hasbeens, Mystic Shoes amongst others put on blistering performances this year but for me The Boosts were just that wee bit special. I felt they offered the whole package in terms of what the industry would be looking for, they had the look, the songs and the stage presence. It’s a real shame they couldn’t hold it together but over the years I have seen some would be great bands unable to maintain a balance long enough to make a difference, but it can be tough trying to keep 4 or 5 way relationships stable.
What was the best non-local act you have seen this year?
I was having a think about this and I don’t think I have actually seen anymore than a few minutes of any one act. Philadelphia Grand Jury were excellent but that might have been last year!
What was your favourite music experience this year?
Lots of highlights but favourite Would have to be the Belladrum weekend and playing the Seedlings Stage. We played well to a packed tent, it’s all you want when you are on stage. I lost my younger brother to a rare form of cancer 2 weeks previous to Belladrum and the support I got from not only WRB but from everyone else on the scene who knew my circumstances that weekend was fantastic, it was a very special weekend for me personally
What do you want from Santa?
Freedom and justice for all
What’s your hopes for the music scene in 2012?
For it to continue in the same way it has done this year, the scene has had great support from GoNorth, Netsounds Unsigned, HAIL, InvernessGigs, Marion Scott/MFR and I hope it will be no different next year. I would like to see the showcases travel more which I think could be done. We did the GoSurf one in Thurso which was a riot and I don’t see why we couldn’t tour it around the countries larger towns to promote the local music scene.
What are your plans for 2012?
WRB will be heading into the studio mid February so we hope to have a full CD release March/April and with any luck we will be starting the whole GoNorth thing again in the spring, other than that we will just have to see what the New Year brings.
Got anything to plug?
WRB EP available from iTunes
WRB app for android, soon to be available for iPhone etc. where you can keep up to date with latest news, videos, songs and upcoming gigs.
www.facebook.com/thewhiskyriverband
www.thewhiskyriverband.co.uk
They can be seen next at :
Winter Showcase, Ironworks 29th Dec
WRB & The Frues, The Market 30th Dec
Dog is Dead & WRB, Ironworks 1st March
Thanks very much to Iain for his time.
Photos by McIntosh Photography