MAIM | The Album

★★★★ “ominous, with a kind of melancholic eloquence” - The Scotsman

“Born out of the collaboration with Theatre Gu Leor, WHɎTE’s intelligent, thoughtful, and highly illuminating new album, MAIM, is one proudly formed out of experiment and exploration.” - Liverpool Sound and Vision

“Beautiful and ominous in equal parts, this is one of the most affecting pieces of music you will hear this year.” - Folk Radio

“The music is contemporary yet manages to sound completely timeless, ancient but ageless. Unique and individual in their approach, WHɎTE are working in a universe where folk song, theatre and sound art unite.” - Folk London Magazine

Following the hugely successful run of our production of MAIM in collaboration with WHɎTE, at the Tron theatre in March 2020, sadly we were unable to complete our planned nationwide tour due to covid-19 restrictions.

With theatres closed, we focused instead on how we could extend the life and reach of the project, while also supporting freelance artists who were facing a very challenging time. Theatre Gu Leòr was therefore delighted to be able to commission and support the making of MAIM, the third album by acclaimed duo WHɎTE. We in turn are hugely grateful to Creative Scotland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig for their continued regular funding which enables us to commission innovative work like this.

The album is an extension of the music written and performed by WHɎTE, as part of the theatre production MAIM. Both the production and now this subsequent album explore responses to the panic and horror we feel when time is running out - when faced with all we stand to lose - if we don’t make a stand against language and climate extinction.

Six of the album’s tracks featured in the production and have been further developed for the album. Four tracks are original instrumental tracks composed by Ross Whyte, while three tracks feature spoken word by Alasdair C. Whyte based on scenes from the show. All ten tracks showcase WHɎTE’s unique talents and innovative approach to making Gaelic music in 2021.

Through the commissioning of this album, we were committed to providing opportunities for the original cast and some of the creative team too.  Fellow cast members Elspeth Turner and Evie Waddell contribute backing vocals on the album while Alice NicBhathair, originally the assistant designer on MAIM, designed the art work for the album cover.  It also opened up new opportunities for other freelance artists / musicians working in Gaelic.

Almost a year to the day from the opening night of MAIM at the Tron theatre, we are grateful to Ceòl Is Craic (where Alasdair and Ross first met and performed together) for providing the platform to launch MAIM the album, as part of their online events.

All at Theatre Gu Leòr are very proud of all the work that these talented musicians and artists have produced and look forward to the project finding a new audience through the release of MAIM the album. You can pre-order your copy here.

Our thanks to Gordon MacLean at An Tobar for his generous assistance with recording.

Image: Alice NicBhatair