Edinburgh-based band Full Fat share new album Live in Leith – plus fourth single How Do I?

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Edinburgh-based band Full Fat have released their energetic and captivating new album, Live in Leith, showcasing a “hard to define but impossible to ignore” sound that will captivate both dedicated fans and new listeners alike.

Recorded in front of a live audience at The Pianodrome, a moving art installation in Edinburgh, the impressive collection of songs draws from funk, rock, soul and indy inspirations, with down and dirty bass lines, driving percussion and captivating lyrics all skillfully crafted by frontman Fraser McKain and bassist Fraser Urquhart. ​

Inspired by frontman Fraser’s experience of balancing his day job as a Secondary School Music Teacher and chasing his dream of music for a living, the fourth single How Do I? Is also out today. Telling the story of his move from Aberdeen to the central belt, the impact these students had on his life and how tough it was to leave them the song name was born of the question he kept asking himself “How do I tell them?”.

The new single and album follows on from previous singles Young Pretender (released 9 May) which boasted a slower, more melancholic vibe, exploring themes of anxiety, with Purple Honey (released March 28) exploring passion, desire and pleasure, and Mimosa Mondays (released April 19) delving into the highs and lows of having one-night stand.
 
With the goal of making music more accessible for performers and audiences, while also making the case for better investment in the creative industries in Scotland, the band were joined for the album recording by three talented local acts – Megan Black, Groovedown, and the student band from Leith Academy high school – who all received a copy of their recordings free of charge. 

Fraser McKain, Full Fat founder and frontman, explained: “The creative arts are becoming more and more something that is only accessible to the affluent, both as creators and consumers, either through a monetary barrier to affording equipment, travel fees etc, or simply not being able to afford to dedicate the time needed to a creative career. 

“The current cost of living crisis means that it’s also less likely that people will be able to afford to subsidise original music by buying tickets, merch or the music itself. We don’t think that creatives should take a hit for that reason, or that young talent should feel scared to pursue creative careers. Live in Leith was an attempt to bridge this gap through the power of the local community and independent music scene, and I’m very proud to say that it was a resounding success.”

Another special element of recording their songs live was being able to release banter tracks within the album, which Fraser says have become something of a Full Fat tradition. 
“Banter tracks are important to us because they capture us at our most real – when we are performing on stage and communicating with each other, and the audience, in the most authentic way possible. I personally feel that I come alive when I play, sing and share my music and stories on stage. Having the banter tracks to capture the little snippets between each song, and enhance the listening experience, is really special.

“In my opinion, too much of art and music is pretence and posturing, and often involves creating something fictional and false in order to sell a product. I take great pride in being real and myself, especially with my music. These banter tracks are some of the rawest evidence of this, and evidence that even when the music and the goal is a serious one, the process of making art can be fun.

To celebrate the release of Live in Leith, Full Fat will play a special launch party gig at The Mash House, Edinburgh, on Saturday, June 15, where they will play alongside Kultura, and The Academics. Tickets are available now here