Stornoway have announced that their first two albums Beachcomber’s Windowsill (2010), and Tales From Terra Firma (2013) are finally being repressed on vinyl, the first time for either title in over a decade. With many fans asking for them, these new editions will come on black ReVinyl housed in FSC-sourced card sleeves, being released by 4AD on 19th January 2024.
“It means a lot to us to have these first two albums reissued on vinyl. The recordings on these albums are all homemade – captured on an 8-track portable machine, and recorded in wind-battered barns, churches, camper vans and college bedrooms. They all bring back powerful memories of that exciting time in our career. We poured our hearts and souls into these albums and the songs still speak to us today, and feature heavily in our live shows. We hope you enjoy revisiting them as much as we have!”
Brian Briggs
Stornoway are the indie-folk quartet formed by Oxford University students Brian Briggs (vocals, guitar) and multi-instrumentalist Jon Ouin, and later joined by South African brothers Rob (drums) and Oli Steadman (bass). Having honed their sound as a DIY guitar band unusually rooted in folk tradition, putting out a series of word-of-mouth EP’s before finally signing to 4AD, Stornoway released Beachcomber’s Windowsill in May 2010, a thrilling debut album that gained wide-spread critical acclaim for its powerful melodies and emotional depth. Featuring singles ‘Watching Birds’, ‘I Saw You Blink’ and ‘Zorbing’, it quickly gained Silver status in the UK.
Tales From Terra Firma followed in March 2013, a more ambitious, complex and imaginative body of work that explored ideas of birth, death, marriage and coming of age. Written by Briggs in his ‘adventure capsule’ campervan in urban Oxford, they recorded in locations across the city before producing it themselves in their garage studio ‘Stornostudios’, with help from mix engineer George Shilling (having loved his work with Teenage Fanclub). Hailed for its intimacy, charm and resistance to outside influences, Stornoway’s second album was as unique and special as their first.
Following a hiatus since 2016 after the release of third LP Bonxie, Stornoway returned this year with new album Dig the Mountain!. Now the trio of Brian, Jon and Oli, their sold-out UK tour that ended at Kentish Town Forum on 3 November has been extended, continuing in February 2024, just after these represses land. Stornoway have also just released their first ever Christmas single, ‘Excelsior’, featuring Gwalia Welsh Male Choir, taken from the Dig The Mountain! deluxe album, which is available now through Cooking Vinyl – head HERE.
Both represses come in their original sleeve designs. Beachcomber’s Windowsill is complemented by a stunning sleeve by designer Chris Bigg, featuring illustrations of nature motifs pulled from the themes of the album. The sleeve for Tales from Terra Firma was designed by artist Kirini Kopcke, who uses fragments of lyrics to create a picture for each ‘tale’.
For more information, and to pre-order head HERE
Stornoway – Beachcomber’s Windowsill
[CAD3X20LP]
“Beautifully rendered and melodically magnificent; a Constable landscape of a record.” – NME
“Emotional depth that transports their music from throwaway sunny songs to something altogether more poignant and enduring.” – The Observer
A1. Zorbing
A2. I Saw You Blink
A3. Fuel Up
A4. The Coldharbour Road
A5. Boats and Trains
A6. We Are The Battery Human
B1. Here Comes The Blackout
B2. Watching Birds
B3. On The Rocks
B4. The End of the Movie
B5. Long Distance Lullaby
Stornoway – Tales From Terra Firma
[CAD304LP]
“No curse of the second album for Stornoway, who’ve stretched out without losing sight of the intimacy of their charming debut.” – The Guardian 5/5
‘Beautifully crafted songs.” – NME
“A substantial and richly evocative work.” – MOJO
A1. You Take Me as I Am
A2. Farewell Appalachia
A3. The Bigger Picture
A4. (A Belated) Invite to Eternity
B1. Hook, Line, Sinker
B2. Knock Me on the Head
B3. The Great Procrastinator
B4. The Ones We Hurt the Most
B5. November Song
STORNOWAY ONLINE:
Facebook: @Stornoway
Twitter & Instagram: @Stornowayband
