The folk music band Lau is performing its new, third album Race the Loser at The Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh on November 6, and TheSouthern is giving away two free CDs.
To win one, answer the following question.
What does ‘lau’ mean in the dialect of Orkney, where the band’s Kris Drever is from?
The trio’s live and studio performances have seen Lau pick up three consecutive BBC Folk Awards for Best Group (2008-2010).
“Race the Loser features Lau’s best, most universal and significant music yet,” writes Lau’s publicists. “It’s the sound of three free-thinking, exceptionally talented friends embracing with open arms yet another new chapter of what has already been an extraordinary musical journey.
“Race the Loser was made in Scotland, with American producer Tucker Martine, and pushes Lau’s complex yet accessible sound even further to the outer reaches of folk music, while retaining all the strengths of the original acoustic trio of Kris Drever on vocals/guitar, Martin Green on accordion, and Aidan O’Rourke on fiddle.”
Kris said: “Tucker picked up our ball and ran the full length of the pitch and off out of the stadium with it.”
O’Rourke added: “We’re more confident in our writing and the noise we’ve created this time feels closer to the sound which we have been aiming for.”
The band spent the two and half years since their Arc Light album, collaborating on a variety of special projects including EPs with electronic producer Adem and Scots singer Karine Polwart, and a live show and documentary for the BBC with rock legend, Cream bassist Jack Bruce.
Lau also wrote a vast new orchestral piece, Strange Attractors, with composer Brian Irvine which debuted atthe Sage, Gateshead, and was performed by Lau and the Northern Sinfonia.
The publicist continued: “These collaborations have added much to Race the Loser’s sonic quality, electronic explorations and original songwriting.”
To enter the competition, send your answers and address to Southern Life, The Southern Reporter, The Hermitage, High Street, Selkirk, TD7 4DA.