In Conversation With Lewis McLaughlin 26th October 2024
Join Liz on Saturday 26th Oct 2024 at 12pm when she will be in conversation with Lewis McLaughlin re his new album – ‘A Hope In Fear’, Lewis’s second much anticipated release.
Lewis McLaughlin began writing songs in secret at the age of 14. After honing his craft through intimate pub gigs and local performances in Edinburgh, he made the leap to Glasgow, where he collaborated with Andy Monaghan of Frightened Rabbit fame on his debut album. Released in 2022, the album garnered widespread acclaim and set the stage for McLaughlin’s meteoric rise in the indie music scene.
Now based in Glasgow, and working again with long term collaborator Monaghan, Lewis ventures into uncharted sonic territories, crafting a daring and audacious soundscape that remains true to his introspective and narrative-driven songwriting style.
With “A Hope In Fear,” McLaughlin delves deeper into themes of self-discovery and resilience. The album serves as a testament to his personal journey of overcoming fear and embracing new beginnings. From the anthemic energy of “Pressure” to the romantic balladry of “Autumn,” each track offers a glimpse into McLaughlin’s evolving narrative.
From the atmospheric textures of “Burnin’ True” to the infectious hooks of “Getting Better,” the album deftly navigates the spectrum of human emotion with authenticity and grace.
Featuring a lineup of seasoned musicians including Lewis and Euan McLaughlin on guitars, Donald Barker on keys and vocals, Chloë Bryce on fiddle and vocals, Finlay Johnston on bass and vocals, and Steven Stark on drums, the album boasts a dynamic and cohesive sound. “I wanted this album to capture the raw energy of our live performances,” explains McLaughlin. “We recorded it over a few intense weeks, allowing the band’s musical expertise to shine through.”
Since releasing his debut, ‘Feel the Ground You Walk Upon’ in March 2022, Edinburgh born Lewis McLaughlin has achieved great success. He won the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition in 2022 with his song Summer. The song has resonated with countless people across the U.K and beyond, and has caught the attention of stars such as Coldplay’s Chris Martin and George Ezra to name a few.
In the following years, he toured throughout the U.K, played at festivals such as Glastonbury, Latitude, Belladrum, Connect and Moseley Folk Festival and has supported the likes of Rachel Sermanni and Flyte. Lewis has been championed by BBC Radio 2 (Zoe Ball), BBC 6 Music, and has been aired extensively on BBC Radio Scotland. He also appeared on TV as part of BBC 2’s coverage of Glastonbury 2022 and on BBC Scotland for The Quay Sessions with Roddy Hart in 2022. He has been featured by the likes of NME and Rolling Stone UK.
Track List
1 Burning True
2 Getting Better
3 A Hope In Fear
4 Over The Moon
5 Human Beings
6 Pressure
7 Rain On Me
8 Those Days
9 Autumn
10 Pine-Lay me Down
11 Not Runnin’