Music from a cold climate
There’s a weird phenomenon that I noticed recently; singer/songwriters from Scotland and Canada sound strangely alike. Separated by thousands of miles and huge ocean, they have nevertheless developed a very similar sound. OK, in these days of the internet and online record sales that’s probably not as weird as I’m making it out to be, but why don’t musicians from Scotland sound like musicians from Australia or those from Canada sound like their American cousins in Mexico? My theory – and stay with me on this one – is that they have both developed their similar maudlin, slightly pessimistic style from living in cold countries.
Think about it; those long, dark winters. Nothing to do, except sit round the fire singing songs and waiting for spring to put in an appearance. It’s no wonder that Canadian singers like Rob Moir sort of remind me of Scottish bands like Frightened Rabbit. Both nations seem to have developed the same self-depreciating sense of humour too, which means lyricists are not afraid to take the piss out of themselves if the song warrants it. Canadians and Scots are responsible for some of the most devastatingly witty break-up songs I’ve ever heard!
Of course, I’m just an ex-student looking for London teaching jobs, not a writer at NME, so it’s unlikely that my theory will ever be extended into an entirely new music movement. McMaple perhaps? Or Tartan Beaver? OK, I’m sure a better writer than me can come up with a better name for my musical discovery. Perhaps the same genius who penned the term “nu-metal” to describe that awful marriage of rap and guitars that made a star of Fred Durst. The number of Canadian musicians already living and working in the UK would suggest that they see us as like-minded and likely to appreciate their work. I say they should head north to Edinburgh, Glasgow or even Aberdeen where they’ll be welcomed with open arms!
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