NOW THERE’S a good match between two of these isles’ loveliest indie-folk musical forces.
Lost Map, the cottage caravan industry label run by Pictish Trail’s Johnny Lynch from his fastness on the Inner Hebridean island of Eigg (pop: 87 or thereabouts), thus proving you can do lovely musical things far, far away from the capital – indeed any of the major cities – has teamed up with Emma Kupa, erstwhile of Standard Fare, Mammoth Penguins, the Hayman Kupa Band, for a new standalone single.
“It’s called “Happy Birthday”, it isn’t an Altered Images cover, but is a gentle reminder to celebrate the good things in life, whether on your big day or any other day.
It’s available throughout this month on all digital streaming platforms – and we’ve bagged an embed of it for you below – and through the label’s PostMap Club subscription club, which bags you loads of goodies over a year – actual real-life postcards to your door, exclusive tracks, more. There’s a birthday card edition, so you can send someone near and dear to you a birthday card with the download code for the song to play – just for them.
“’Happy Birthday’ is pretty self-explanatory,” says Emma of the song. “I wanted to write a song to wish a happy birthday to loved ones, but also when it’s my birthday I reflect on life so far, etc, and I always tend to see what I haven’t achieved or what I regret.
“So, it is also a message to myself to focus more on the positives and also just be grateful to be alive and for what I do have.”
Brushed drums and a cycling banjo proceed with a delicate touch underneath Emma’s trademark bedhead voice, real and cracked and sleepy, quietly seductive and lyrically uplifting.
Connect with Emma online at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and at her WordPress site.
