Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: (Jamie Thomson) So, Alba Fury is a post-punk/alternative-indie band based in Scotland’s central belt. We formed in early 2023 after me and Michael Ward (co-founder of La Sierra Casa songwriting camp with The View’s Kyle Falconer) decided to develop some demo ideas together. Me and Michael both grew up in West Lothian and went to the same school, so we have shared experiences of growing up in small Scottish towns. It wasn’t until we became a part of the music scene in Bathgate that we properly met and played in our first band together.
Q: Can you describe the musical style of Alba Fury in three words?
A: Melodic, driving, intense.
Q: How do you stay connected with your fans, and what role do they play in shaping your musical journey?
A: Online, we use Instagram to keep people updated with our gigs/releases etc. We also try to stay connected in person by supporting other Scottish bands. Scotland has a fantastic live music scene at the moment. Our fans mean everything. Without them, we’d be releasing music into the void and playing to empty rooms. Thankfully, we’ve managed to find a loyal following of people who get what we’re all about.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Out of Time’. Is there a story behind it
A: Yeah, Out of Time was the first demo I made for Alba Fury. It’s also the one that came together the quickest when we started shaping it as a band. It gradually evolved over the course of about a year, and the version we released is close to the version we play live. It’s a song about mortality. It’s about realising that our time on earth is limited, and the only thing we can do is accept it. It’s a pretty bleak subject, but I think it’s also quite life-affirming. The song is an exploration of impermanence and the conflicting feelings that go with it. I guess it’s also a way of trying to connect with people who have similar contradictory feelings about what it means to make the most of your life.
Q: What is your favorite verse from the song and why?
A: I think the first line from the chorus is probably my favourite lyric. ‘And every night when you’re lying in bed, all the thoughts, all the sounds, all the words in your head’. Just because it has personal meaning to me. It’s about obsessive thinking and trying to escape from your own mind – which is something I really struggle with.
Q: Can you walk us through the creative process of producing the song, “Out of Time”
A: To keep things flexible, we decided to produce the track largely by ourselves. I do a lot of electronic pop production for other artists, and I was keen to take the lead on it, having produced our demos. It was recorded in part, in Aberdeen, with billboard-charting producer Ryan (RYZY) MacKay tracking the drums. We actually shared our studio time with Scottish comedian, actor, and writer, Ford Kiernan. He was writing and recording a single with RYZY at the time and gave us some useful feedback on the track. The guitars and vocals were produced by me in Edinburgh, in my home studio. I also mixed the track and did the post production. We then sent it to a mastering engineer called Philip Marsden in Oxford, who I’d worked with on a few projects before.
Q: What has been the most memorable concert or performance for Alba Fury so far
A: Our debut gig has been the most memorable so far. We played at The Windsor Hotel in Kirkcaldy, supporting a fellow Scottish act called DOVV. The gig was promoted by La Sierra Casa, a songwriting camp in El Xinorlet, Spain. Our singer, Michael, co-founded the camp a couple of years ago with Kyle Falconer from Scottish Band, The View. The gig had a great lineup and a fantastic audience. Everyone was really supportive of one another.
Q: Reflecting on your body of work, each song holding its unique significance, could you share a particular track that stands out to you personally? What makes that specific tune special, and why does it hold a place of pride in your musical journey?
A: We’ve recorded a song called Feel the Same, which will be release as our third single at some point next year. It holds significance for me because it’s about trying to find genuine connection with people. It kind of lays bare a lot of the conflicting feelings I have daily. The chorus lyric is: ‘Cause I am authentic and I am a fake, and I am a lover and I’m full of hate, and I am an expert, I have a degree, and I am exhausted, do you feel the same as me?’ It’s one that we’re really proud of as a band because of its live energy.
Q: Exploring the diverse creative processes within the music industry is always fascinating. Could you provide insight into Alba Fury’s unique approach to crafting music? From the initial spark of an idea to the finished song, how do you navigate the creative journey and bring its musical concepts to life?
A: So far, our process has been to work from demo ideas that I record with drum loops and a bass guitar. I then share the idea with everyone, and if we think it has legs, we jam it together at practice. From that point on, everyone adds their input and the track starts to come alive. Fraser’s drums make a huge difference from the get-go. He’s really good at knowing what type of beat will fit with the bass and the vocal melody. Sam then writes his guitar parts in a way that lets the song breathe. He’s great at combining texture with melody and it just works really well for creating our overall sound. Michael then works his magic on the vocal melodies, changing the phrasing and rewriting lyrics to suit his delivery. It really is a band effort. Without everyone’s unique skills, the songs wouldn’t sound anywhere near as good.
Q: As we wrap up our conversation, looking ahead, what aspirations or dreams do you have for Alba Fury, and what message would you like to share with your fans as they continue to accompany you on this musical journey?
A: For me, it’s about creating something that will outlive you. At least for a few years, hopefully. As a band, we’re always looking forward. It’s early days for us, so we’re currently looking for new opportunities. In 2025, we’re planning to release more singles, gain more fans, and book bigger gigs. It’s something we’re in for the long-term. In terms of a message we’d like to share, I can’t speak on behalf of everyone, but my message to our fans is thanks for all your support so far, and there’s a lot more to come.
