Award-winning folk supergroup Mànran released an uplifting new single, Standing Still on Friday 20 September, marking the start of a slight change in musical direction for the celebrated Scottish outfit.
The upbeat folk-pop number, written by the band’s Kim Carnie and Aidan Moodie, is the first in a string of singles to be released ahead of the band’s landmark appearance at the first ever Hoolie in New York at Carnegie Hall next April.
The record-breaking band continues to grow in popularity and win new fans around the globe captivated by their eclectic mix of musical influences and charismatic stage presence.
Standing Still sees the unstoppable seven-piece create a single – their first original new material since 2022 – that is grounded in their Celtic roots, but with a distinct contemporary quality.
Kim’s unmistakable lead vocals and Aidan’s skilled driving guitar are joined on the track by the deft, flawless instrumental accompaniment of Mànran’s remaining members – namely Ewen Henderson on fiddle, Gary Innes on accordion, Marcus Cordock on bass guitar, Ryan Murphy on Uilleann pipes and flute and Mark Scobbie on drums.
Standing Still is a song about trying to look at the breakdown of a long-term relationship in an objective light; re-evaluating the feelings you had for someone when you were head over heels, and about coming to terms with the fact that, once the haze of love has cleared, that you weren’t right for one another.
The band’s latest release coincides with their performance at Lochaber Live in Fort William, the first edition of the festival in 30 years, having been lovingly rebooted by the band’s very own Gary Innes.
Mànran have a string of live performances lined up throughout autumn and winter, including tours across Scotland and England and the band’s third performance on Scotland’s biggest stage – Glasgow’s OVO Hydro – as part of Hoolie in the Hydro 2024.
Kim Carnie said:
“Over the years, Mànran have developed their sound with various writers and members bringing different influences to the table. Aidan and I love pop music so it’s been a lot of fun to work on new material for Mànran that combines the band’s Scottish sound with more of a pop leaning. We had the pleasure of working with producer Ross Hamilton to really bring our vision to life and capture the contemporary sound we were after, while retaining the heart of the group. Standing Still is a reflective and hopeful song that I think a lot of people will relate to but also that anyone can enjoy.”
Aidan Moodie said:
“We’re especially looking forward to performing the single live for the very first time at what will be a hometown show for Gary and Ewen – the newly rebooted Lochaber Live. Performing live has always been at the core of what we do and how we connect with our audiences and we hope to see as many people as we can out on the road before the end of the year. It feels like a really exciting time for Scottish music as a whole right now, with so many traditional bands playing huge, iconic arenas and venues and it’s incredible to be a part of that. Mànran has been going for 15 years this year but we continue to find new audiences and we hope fans both old and new will like what they hear with Standing Still.”
Having spent 15 years at the heart of the Scottish traditional music scene and with four hugely successful studio albums under their belt, Mànran are internationally recognised as one of the most iconic and respected Scottish bands on the road today.
The seven-piece show no signs of slowing down as they continue to push boundaries and explore new musical and geographical territory each year, bringing their uplifting and unique live performances to stages across the world.
Having played in over 30 countries, including the USA, Asia and Australia, the multifaceted musical powerhouse have amassed a loyal fanbase worldwide for their self-penned tunes performed on a mixture of traditional and modern instruments, alongside their outstanding songs in both Gaelic and English.
Standing Still was recorded and produced at Buzzkiller Music in Paisley by Ross Hamilton (Robbie Williams, Olly Murs).
The single is now available to download and on all major streaming sites.
Live dates
Oct. 5, 2024 – Illkirch, France – L’Iliade
Oct. 11, 2024 – Corran Halls, Oban – Royal National Mòd Opening Concert
Oct. 12, 2024 – Aviemore – Ceilidh In The Cairngorms
Nov. 27, 2024 – Bradford-On-Avon – Wiltshire Music Centre
Nov. 29, 2024 – Lakeside Arts Theatre – Nottingham – Sold Out
Nov. 30, 2024 – Aberdeen – The Lemon Tree
Dec. 7, 2024 – Glasgow – Hoolie In The Hydro
Dec. 28, 2024 – Stirling – Albert Halls
Dec. 29, 2024 – The Square – Strathpeffer Pavilion
Dec. 30, 2024 – Kingussie – Badenoch Centre
Jan. 1, 2025 – Portree Community Centre
Jan. 3 – 4, 2025 – Kilmarnock – Mànran – Live @ The Big Top
Apr. 5, 2025 – Hoolie In New York, Carnegie Hall
For more information on Mànran please go to: www.manran.co.uk / Facebook @MànranOfficial / Twitter @ManranOfficial / Instagram @manranofficial
