Over the last decade, Charlie Clark‘s professional and personal life has undergone drama, tragedy and chaos as stormy and relentless as the oceans off his native Scotland. And yet throughout the vicissitudes of life, his songwriting has remained as authentic and brilliant as ever from his early days in Astrid and throughout his later solo work that we have covered assiduously here at Backseat Mafia. But it is only over the recent years when Clark began to collaborate with fellow musicians Gill and Craig McIntyre under the name Yama Rama that you feel he has found sanctuary – a safe harbour for his creative expression.
We are therefore honoured to bring you an exclusive look at a new video for the song ‘Sentimental Feeling’ produced for the band’s latest forthcoming release, an EP consisting of a brand new live session, titled ‘The Dystopia Sessions’. The release comes as both video and audio (exclusive to Bandcamp) and the band have announced the first of a monthly community based night titled Sweet Home Yama Rama, which they will debut at Glasgow’s The Rum Shack on 20 February as headliners, with support from Mist & Wing and Jack Borrill.
The indie pop nature of Clark’s previous work has been gently softened in Yama Rama: veering into a more folkloric sound, delicate and shimmering but with the same innate pop sensibilities that are at the core of Clark’s writing, but with the added sense of genuine collaboration with his fellow musicians. Clark says of the results:
I realised I love collaborating so much more than being solo. I hate the idea of being a solo artist. What are you solo from? I’ve never felt such freedom. Nobody’s pushing anything just to get it done. It’s a brilliant collaboration and it’s taking us somewhere we’ve never been musically.
Craig McIntyre says of the collaboration:
I’m not very good at playing other people’s parts. I end up coming up with my own thing. Luckily, Charlie liked it, and it slightly altered the sound. As we worked on more songs, it became something we both really loved.
Gill McIntyre says of the music:
Folk music was designed to bring people together. To tell stories about your life, about little moments in time. That’s what we’re trying to do, without being overtly Celtic or dour. It’s about shared experience.
The result is something quite unique – there are traces of Scottish ancestry in the genes from The Jesus and Mary Chain to Belle & Sebastian, with added touches of Fleetwood Mac and Crowded House.
‘Sentimental Feeing’ is as airy as the clean skies over Stornoway, yearning vocals delivered over crystalline guitars and gentle dappling piano, carried aloft on the arms of strings and glorious harmonies. It has an epic sense of ethereal beauty and emotion, the video capturing the band performing live, augmented by backing musicians, passionate and with a burning intensity:
‘The Dystopia Sessions’ consists of three tracks with videos to be released over the coming weeks. The track will be available on the band’s Bandcamp site here.
Gill McIntyre says of the songs:
They’re three different pillars of the band. Each one shows a different version of us — softer songs, heavier guitars, programmed elements. It’s about demonstrating range.
The band will be launching the EP with a series of events entitled ‘Sweet Home Yama Rama’ in Glasgow, a new monthly night curated and hosted by the band starting at The Rum Shack. Clark says:
We’re our own customers for the stuff we do. We wanted a place where people can meet friends, eat, have a coffee during the show — where everyone feels catered for.
The night is designed as a community space rather than a traditional showcase, with short curated sets and an emphasis on inclusivity. Craig McIntyre says
It’s about contributing. If you want a healthy music community, you have to take part in it — help out-of-town musicians, bring people together.
The opening night on 20 February will feature Mist & Wing, Jack Borrill and Yama Rama, who will perform with an expanded line-up. Craig McIntyre will DJ before and after the bands, with Clark hosting the evening.
Future editions will spotlight both local artists and visiting musicians from further afield, reinforcing Yama Rama’s commitment to nurturing Glasgow’s wider music community. Clark says:
Once a month, it’s our house. When you leave, we just want you thinking: I can’t wait for the next one.
With a full album on the way, we certainly can’t wait to see what’s next.
The Dystopia Session Credits:
Filmed at Dystopia Studio, Glasgow
Camera & Edit: Omar Aborida
Camera: Ana Amorós López
Sound Recording & Mix: Luigi Pasquini
Musicians:
Grace Murray ~ Vocals
Alan Murray ~ Violin
Rachel Wilson ~ Cello
Feature Photograph: Ana Amorós López
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