Adam Ross of Randolph’s Leap, “one of Scotland’s most witty, wistful and well-loved indie-pop groups”, has announced his solo debut album ‘Staring at Mountains’ that will be released on Olive Grove Records on 14th January 2022. We had a taste of his solo work with Howling at the Sun, a lockdown album released as Randolph’s Leap, although Ross played all instruments. In his review of that album, Thomas Blake notes: “Ross’s voice has always been the delicate heart at the centre of the band’s most arresting moments, and the DIY ethic of these recordings keeps that voice in the foreground while maintaining its vulnerability.”
Those same characteristics shine through on Adam’s lead single ‘Cairngorms’, a song title that suggests there is maybe more inspiration going on with those mountains when it comes to seeking songwriting inspiration. Nan Shepherd’s mountains certainly hold their charm and magic.
Adam:
Cairngorms’ is, funnily enough, inspired by the Cairngorm mountains. I really love mountains and I’ve climbed a few in my time but I’m not a “Munro bagger” or much of a mountaineer really. I’m more of a rambler. I’ve spent a lot more time looking at mountains than climbing them, hence the title of my new album.
The Cairngorms area around Aviemore is one of my favourite places to spend time. I’d read about how the mountain range was originally known as Am Monadh Ruadh, which means “red hills”, but over time they’ve taken on the name of the specific peak Cairn Gorm which can be interpreted as “blue cairn” or “green cairn”. I liked the idea of all these primary colours existing in the granite. So some of that is referenced in the lyrics.
The album was recorded on a bit of a whim. I was working with Jenny Sturgeon on a youth music project and we were staying in an ancient (allegedly haunted) castle called Delgatie Castle. Jenny had a good microphone with her, so I borrowed it and recorded a bunch of songs which had been waiting for the right time. If you listen really closely, you can hear the ghosts. I added more songs later, including some recordings made in a former lighthouse keeper’s apartment at Todhead Lighthouse on the east coast. Jenny sang some backing vocals and the last piece of the puzzle was asking Pedro Cameron from Man of the Minch to play some fiddle. I love what he has added to the songs and I’m really looking forward to some gigs we’re doing together this month and at Celtic Connections in January.
Cairngorms delivers a blissful 3-minute escape that will leave you longing for the summer – it is also our Song of the Day. Pre-Order the album today which is also Bandcamp Friday and don’t miss Adam’s live dates (see below).
The album takes a great deal of lyrical inspiration from the Scottish landscape, with song titles transporting the listener on a journey from the Cairngorm mountains to Sanna beach on the west coast. Adam’s folk music influences shine through on this album which features stunning violin accompaniment from Pedro Cameron (Man of the Minch) and vocal harmonies from Jenny Sturgeon. Human relationships are also at the album’s heart, with Adam taking inspiration from observational songwriters such as John Prine and Loudon Wainwright III.
Since 2010, Adam has been making music as the lead singer in Randolph’s Leap, an indie-folk collective of up to eight musicians known for their joyful live gigs and prolific output. In 2018, the Randolph’s Leap back-catalogue inspired a touring theatre show called The Isle of Love which depicted life on a Hebridean island as told through Adam’s lyrics. Lockdown has seen Adam diversify his songwriting output, releasing a collaborative EP with Gareth Perrie under the name The Polychromes as well as two country-pop albums under the pseudonym A.R. Pinewood.
‘Staring At Mountiains’ is available to pre-order on vinyl, CD and digital download from today (Friday 5th November) and includes an instant download of the new single, ‘Cairngorms’, which is released on streaming platforms on Monday 8th November. The album will be celebrated with a launch gig at Glasgow’s Hug & Pint on 21st January as part of Celtic Connections.
LIVE DATES
2nd November – Glasgow, Glad Café ^
11th November – Kyle of Lochalsh, Skye Bridge Studios *
12th November – Findhorn, Universal Hall *
13th November – Glenbuchat, Village Hall *
12th January – London, The Lexington
21st January – Glasgow, The Hug & Pint (album launch) ~
^supporting The Burning Hell & Paper Beat Scissors
* with Man of the Minch
~ Celtic Connections show
Pre-Order the album: https://randolphsleap.bandcamp.com/album/staring-at-mountains