Releasing a debut single is always a daunting prospect and while 20-year-old newcomer Hector Shaw may have been steeped in fine music from birth thanks to his parents – musician, composer and producer Donald Shaw (Celtic Connections/Capercaillie) and revered songstress Karen Matheson (Capercaillie), this young man has no need to ride on anyone’s coattails. No pressure of course…
Aided by Sorren Maclean on guitar, Hannah Fisher on backing vocals and Andrew Samson aka DUNT on drums, Gravity is a convincingly strong debut. The backing is kept low-key and gentle, with the percussion is set back in the mix and the acoustics are upfront which makes for a great jazz-like sound. It also places the singer front and centre, a place where that emotional energy can really shine – which it does here. It comes as no surprise that John Martyn and Joni are influences:
“Gravity is a song that’s really close to my heart and explores the desperation of witnessing someone you care about suffering. The track talks of the confusion and longing you feel when you see that person distance themselves from the world.
“Musically, I’m continually inspired by John Martyn and Joni Mitchell, particularly their percussive hybrid of folk and jazz guitar playing. I wanted to recreate that timbre in a song of my own.
“This has been my first proper recording experience and I’m grateful to have had the chance to collobrate with the musicians involved and for their support. I’ll always look back on the experience of recording my first single with real fondness and now feel so excited to share it with others.”
He certainly nailed it…a name to watch for.
Originally from Glasgow and now studying English Literature at the University of Edinburgh, Hector quickly became part of the city’s normally burgeoning live music scene, selling out his first headline show with a full band at Sneaky Pete’s in January 2020.
He has performed with Scottish touring project Hit The Road, including a headline slot at Websters Theatre as part of the tour, and at a number of much-loved Glasgow venues such as The Hug and Pint as part of Celtic Connections, Stereo and Broadcast. He has also performed at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.
The debut single was produced by Sorren Maclean and recorded and engineered by Gordon Maclean at An Tobar in Tobermory on Mull in September 2020.
Hector plans to drop a string of singles in 2021, followed by his debut EP in the early summer.
Gravity will be available to download and stream on Friday, 19 February. It can be pre-saved here.