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Scatter

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When one thinks of Glasgow, the same images often come to mind: rain, dark skies, dirty tenements, and a grey bleakness. From all of this comes Scatter, whose music is so colourful and lively that it seems to be in direct opposition to these stereotypes.

A large group with somewhat fluid membership, Scatter create music to spite those who classify sound into genres. There’s a lot of brass instrumentation (over some fairly swinging rhythms), but you wouldn’t call them jazz; there is a proliferation of voices and acoustic instruments, though you wouldn’t call them folk; but there are flourishes of stranger sounds - electronics, vocal babbling, and odd percussion - as well as ethnic/rock leanings. At their core, Scatter are a glowing ball of musical energy; the clatter of various instruments are layered to create their dialogue.

Some members have performed with Vibracathedral Orchestra, and a similar musical language is evident - the harmony of glowing tones combined in a common goal. But Scatter have a raucous side, and there’s a joyous spirit that runs through their music, present even in the quieter moments, and resonating through the silences.

Their debut album, 'Surprising Sing Stupendous Love', is a genre-defying aural document that bounces back and forth from idea to idea, from jazz and folk to rock and electronic sound manipulation. Colourful brass instrumentation, gently damaged free-form folk, muffled clusters of soundscapes, visceral ceremonies of strangely seducing strings, mauling tribal frenzy and some pretty groovy rhythms, make up a record which is packed with emotion, joy, intimacy and sheer brilliance.

It's difficult to explain exactly what it is that makes Scatter such an essential band, but I guess you could say that it's because they're really carving their own little position in the music heavens. In spite of their leftfield leanings, Belle & Sebastian recently invited them to support at shows in London & Edinburgh. Oh, and one of their number also moonlights in that little-known Glaswegian combo, Franz Ferdinand.