RELEASE DOUBLE A-SIDE SINGLE: BRIGHT LIGHT FEVER/HIGH HOPES
“Absolutely fantastic…Hart’s vocals are incredible…Is it too early to declare an album of the year?” Penny Black Music
"Widescreen…poetic and [with] verve…evoking the epic rock of Springsteen. Local hero turns contender" Uncut
The first single, Bright Light Fever, effortlessly balances Hart’s gift for the Scottish vernacular and big, ballsy anthems. The video even sees cameos from legendary country music star Kris Kristofferson as well as actor and Sunshine On Leith director Dexter Fletcher who invited Roddy and the band to feature in the 2013 film. The second A-side single, High Hopes, sees the band take a slow-burning, tender direction on the album’s soundtrack.
Hart took a leap of songwriting faith on the album – visiting themes of death, desolation, religion and loss- under-pinned by the hopeful romanticism characteristic of his earlier work. Connecting with his band The Lonesome Fire, the result is a vividly widescreen sonic landscape; dark, brooding and atmospheric, but shot through with moments of beauty and hope, given life by the producer of Coldplay’s multi-million selling album X&Y. The album was recorded in locations as diverse as a Glasgow church, the band’s own rehearsal room in Govan Town Hall (once home to Franz Ferdinand), and the legendary Dean Street Studios in London (the birthplace of albums by David Bowie and The Smiths).
Roddy Hart has since toured again with Kris Kristofferson and performed at this year’s Celtic Connections. The band also made history last October when they were the first act to play at Glasgow’s new epic venue The Hyrdo, as support for Glasvegas and The Proclaimers. Most recently, Roddy Hart And The Lonesome Fire wowed audiences in the US in February 2014 with a special performance of Bright Light Fever on The Late Show With Craig Ferguson on CBS. The band were then been invited back for a week-long residency on the show, playing tracks from their self-titled debut album.
As well as having his own show on BBC Scotland, Roddy also curated Forever Young: A 70th Birthday Tribute To Bob Dylan for Celtic Connections 2011, a hugely successful gala concert featuring artists such as Rosanne Cash, Thea Gilmore, and Josh Rouse, which was broadcast by BBC Radio 2 and Sky Arts. The band will again host the Roaming Roots Revue this year, with a focus on the music of Laurel Canyon and featuring an array of special guests. Hart has performed for the Queen at the Scottish Parliament, toured all over the world, and played with artists such as Wilco, Kris Kristofferson, Ray LaMontagne, Ray Davies and Jeff Beck.
‘Bright Light Fever/ High Hopes’ will be released on digital format only.
