Gary Innes Aims For Chart Success. | |
16 January 2011 Modern Gaelic band Mànran, who feature Fort William and Scotland shinty star Gary Innes, are hoping to become the first band in the 21st century to take a Gaelic song into the official UK top 40. Mànran are regarded by many as being the hottest new band on the Scottish music scene. Combining driving accordion, fiddle, Highland pipes, Uillean pipes and flute with powerful songs in English and Gaelic, all underpinned by rocking drums and bass. Their new single “Latha Math” or “Good Day” was written by singer Norrie MacIver and it describes an idyllic and peaceful day in his native island of Lewis in the Western Isles. It is released on Monday 17 January 2011 and is available only from download on iTunes, Amazon, Play.com, HMV Digital and all other major music sites. The single was produced by two of the country’s top producers, Calum Malcolm (Wet Wet Wet, Simple Minds and Runrig) and also legendary accordion player and musician Phil Cunningham. “Latha Math” has to achieve at least 7500 downloads in the seven days from Monday 17 January 2010 to break into the Top 40. Innes admits it will be a challenge to convince that number of people to buy the single: “It is a big target but we are a strong team of musicians. We really need the public to get behind us and support Gaelic and traditional music.” The Scotland forward, who featured on the cover of Runrig’s last album ‘Everything You See’, added that chart success would be important for the Gaelic language: “If Gaelic is to survive as a living language the kids have to think it is cool. A Top 40 hit alongside Rihanna, the Black Eyed Peas and Katy Perry can help achieve that.” Mànran have already received the backing of Runrig, who regularly play to sell-out crowds across Europe. Runrig were the last band to make it into the Top 20 with a Scottish Gaelic song “An Ubhal as Airde” – “The Highest Apple” – which reached Number 18 in the charts in 1995. Capercaillie’s 1992 EP A Prince Among Islands is regarded the first Scottish Gaelic language single to reach the UK Top 40 singles chart, peaking at number 39. Runrig founder member Calum MacDonald urged everyone who is interested in music, Gaelic and shinty to download the single next week: “Anyone who has an eye for goal like Gary Innes will have an eye for the charts. Runrig will be delighted if they make it a hat-trick of chart wins for Gaelic songs.” The band, which was formed in April 2010, is made up of; Norrie MacIver (Guitar/Vocals) Gary Innes (Accordion/keys) Ewen Henderson (Fiddle/Pipes) Calum Stewart (Uilleann Pipes/Flutes) Ross Saunders (Bass) Scott Mackay (Drums) |