Following on from the success of their debut album ‘Symbiosis’ Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton will release their second album ‘Symbiosis II’ this spring (20 April). Winners of the best duo category at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2017 and nominees for the same award in 2018, Ross and Ali have been busy in the studio creating an album full of new and original material.
The duo have shared one of the tracks with FRUK for which Ross added:
“We are both extremely excited about our latest album Symbiosis II which is due out on 20th April, here’s a wee sneak peak before the release date its a called BIRDS, the tune was composed by Ali and its called The Freedom of Birds”
https://soundcloud.com/rossainslie/ross-ainslie-and-ali-hutton-birds/s-ppgrZ
Packed full of their own compositions, partly commissioned by some of their fans, Ross and Ali have welcomed lots of their fellow friends and musicians to record on this album. Revolving around skilfully played guitar, cittern, whistles and bagpipes, which are the bedrock of the award-winning duo, the arrangements also include a full string section, the extensive use of synthesisers, drum kit and bodhran. The result is a much bigger sound with more adventurous and epic arrangements.
SYMBIOSIS II FEATURES
Ross Ainslie – Highland Pipes, Whistles, Cittern and Banjo
Ali Hutton – Highland Pipes, Whistles, Acoustic and Tenor Guitar Duncan Lyall – Moog and Synth
Martin O’Neill – Bodhran and Drums
Steven Byrnes – Drums
Patsy Reid – All Strings
Gus Sicard – Snare Drum
Ross and Ali Upcoming Tour Dates
6 April – The Atkinson, Southport
7 April – Gulbenkian, Kent
12 April – Kings Place, London
13 April – Old King’s Head, Belper
14 April – Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal
20 April – An Lantair, Stornoway
21 April – Glenbuchat Hall
22 April – Cyclefest, Isle of Man
23 April – Perth Concert Hall
27 April – Sabhal Mor Ostaig
28 April -Drygate, Glasgow (Full band and string section)
Symbiosis II is available for pre-order on 28th March from
http://www.rossandali.bandcamp.com/
It is released on all platforms on 20th April.
Read our review of their first Symbiosis album here.