Drawing us in with expansive and sublime whale calls, intertwined with an evocative folk melody, LOWLAND FOLK open WhaleSong Sounding with situational prose with a historic edge, manifesting a conscious ode to the oceanic giants.
We appreciate the philosophical depth that the opus showcases and the high emotional quotient that is brought to life by LOWLAND FOLK with their narrative brand of storytelling, luscious harmonies, and poetic prowess.
WhaleSong Sounding serves as a poignant reminder of the profound and often overlooked connection between humans and marine life. Whales, as majestic and intelligent creatures, symbolize the health of the oceans and the broader environment. By highlighting their plight through music, LOWLAND FOLK evoke a deep emotional response that transcends mere awareness, fostering a sense of empathy and urgency to protect these magnificent beings. Music has the unique power to connect people on an emotional level, making the message about ocean conservation more impactful and memorable.
Considering the current state of the oceans, with issues like pollution, fishing, and climate change threatening marine ecosystems, a song about whales underscores the critical need for action. Whales play a vital role in maintaining the balance of marine environments, and their decline is indicative of larger environmental problems. By experiencing a song that conveys the beauty and significance of whales, listeners are more likely to reflect on the broader implications of human activities on the ocean and feel inspired to advocate for and support conservation efforts.
Creator and vocalist Stewart Brown confesses, “Many years ago, I met Sir Peter Scott after writing songs about his father’s ship, the ‘RRS Discovery.’ He and Lady Scott requested a song for whale conservation, which I promised to write. Recently, my wife and I recorded this song with royalties going to marine conservation. Sir Peter’s daughter, Dafila, was so impressed that she allowed us to use his painting of a breaching humpback in our video. The song has received strong endorsements from the Ocean Alliance and the Marine Conservation Society.’.”
We learn that LOWLAND FOLK is a long-established family folk band, originally named The Lowland Folk Four. The band consists of founder Stewart Brown (vocals, guitar, concertina, banjo, whistles), his wife Anne (vocals, recorder, concertina), and his brother Ramsay (vocals, guitar). Initially, Philip Gore (vocals, guitar, mandolin, mandola) was the fourth member. The name changed to LOWLAND FOLK when Alan Barty (fiddle, mandolin) joined.
The band has released three albums: their first, ‘Eh’ll Tell The Boaby,’ with EMI, followed by ‘Time To Be Singing Again‘ and ‘This Is Lowland Folk‘ under their own record company, Balaena Records. They also contributed to the composite album ‘Coorse And Fine‘ (Springthyme Records). Currently, they are re-mastering their albums for streaming. LOWLAND FOLK has appeared on various radio and TV shows, including ‘The Hootenanny Show,’ ‘The White Heather Club,’ ‘My Kinda Folk,’ and their own special ‘The Road To Dundee.’ Their notable stage performance was a guest spot at the Royal Albert Hall’s ‘Fiddler’s Rally Show.’ Although retired, they occasionally perform at concerts and festivals, including the ‘FifeSing 2023 Traditional Song Festival.’
We love what the band stand for and the intentional manner in which they create. We have added WhaleSong Sounding to our New Music Spotlight playlist, as well as our new TIMELESS playlist, whilst we anticipate future releases from the talented creators.