The harp is an instrument more usually associated with orchestras (or angels) rather than contemporary music.
And while electric and even laser harps are now available, the instrument has existed for as much as 3000 years. So it’s a combination of ancient and modern for Gillian Fleetwood’s new release, which uses a which is more than 200 years old.
A cross-genre approach allows the Scots musician to combine her own talents and experience working in both traditional and indie-pop scenes.
The result is ‘Together With Yourself At Sea Level’, 12 tracks which see her combine with Mercury-nominated singer-songwriter C Duncan, blending chamber pop with Scottish traditional influences to stunning effect.
Her first fully self-composed solo album, this deeply personal record sees her play the harp housed at Hospitalfield House, an arts centre in Arbroath on the wind-lashed Scottish east coast, where Fleetwood spent many hours finding solace and inspiration.
“You can see the sea, explore their beautiful gardens, go to the incredible cliffs nearby,” she says of the inspirational surroundings for the album’s creation.
“It’s very rare to find an old harp,” she adds; “they don’t tend to age well, so finding this piece of art and beauty made by hands hundreds of years ago was incredibly special. From that came a joy and freedom to create and leave something honest that could help someone in the future – that has been the driving force in creating this music.”
Fleetwood takes an ambitious cross-genre approach to her music which allows her to combine her own talents and experience working in both traditional and indie scenes with C Duncan’s talents in classical composition and alt-pop music. The rare harp only lets her expand this further, with its pedals giving a fully chromatic landscape for her to explore and grow her voice.
Being a key player in the Scottish harp scene for many years as part of The Duplets, while crossing the indie divide to work with State Broadcasters, Agnes Obel, and Pictish Trail, has allowed Fleetwood to call on a stellar cast of musicians, including members of Kinnaris Quintet, Hidden Orchestra, and former bandmate Martin John Henry of De Rosa.
Aand appropriately enough, the album launched at Celtic Connections on Wednesday 31st January 2024.
Gill plays along with Adam Ross and Kin, at Linlithgow’s St. Peter’s Church, on November 15, tickets available here or at Low Port Music on the town’s High Street..
This article originally appeared in the Edinburgh News.
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