Meursault

Scottish indie-folk outfit Meursault started out during 2006 in Penicuik — the hometown of singer/songwriter Neil Pennycook — on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Scotland. The name Meursault was taken from the lead character of French author Albert Camus' novel L’Etranger, which was one of Pennycook's favorite books. For some time, Pennycook performed alone under this moniker until he eventually added new members as the sound of the project grew and evolved. The lineup settled in 2008 into a group of multi-instrumentalists including Fraser Calder, Calum MacLeod, Phillip Quirie, Pete Harvey, and Gavin Tarling, who completed the sextet. The extension of the band allowed Pennycook to become far more expansive than the acoustic songs that he initially set out playing. A unique blend of acoustic instruments such as guitars, ukulele, and banjos, were accompanied by synths and electronic drums to create the band’s distinct sound.

Many of the tracks on debut album Pissing On Bonfires/Kissing with Tongues were recorded on the living room floor of a borrowed flat. This gave their songs a warm, lo-fi sound and suited their D.I.Y. indie-folk style. The record was self-released in 2008 before they signed to Scottish indie label Song by Toad where it was officially released in 2009.Their second album, All Creatures Will Make Merry, was greeted with great critical acclaim in 2010 and was played on BBC Radio 6 by DJ Marc Riley as well as BBC Radio Scotland. This created a busy summer schedule that included a national tour alongside appearances at U.K. festivals such as RockNess, T in the Park, and Glastonbury. The highly anticipated third album, Something for the Weakened, was released in 2012 and veered away from the electronic, synth sounds of previous records and incorporated rich string arrangements and lush melodies.