Whitehill Grove Take Off!
Alex Matthew
Returning after almost a year without a release, you’d be forgiven for thinking Edinburgh indie-rockers Whitehill Grove were slowing down. Yet after twelve months of gigging steadily and with a powerful new single to set the pace the boys are only just getting going as they set off on a tour of the UK this autumn!
As my conversation with half of Edinburgh four piece Whitehill Grove came to a close last week I asked if either of the pair had anything left they’d like to add. After a small pause for thought bassist Danny Gillies eagerly responded by thanking a few key players and then expressing his and the rest of the group’s huge enjoyment at returning to touring.
Gillies’ statement is surprising, only because the manner in which he delivered it suggested my half hour with the pair had not confirmed this time and time again. Whitehill Grove are a band who love just about everything surrounding their music from performing live to recording their next single to writing lyrics and composing their signature rabid guitar riffs. They even enjoy being interviewed about their work. Some bands would see answering repetitive questions on their craft as a tiring but thankfully brief exercise which would hopefully result in the reward of exposing their music to a few more precious people. Whitehill Grove on the other hand were in fantastic high spirits (even despite a five hour plus travel time for one member) and came across as an affable bunch of boys who were simply ecstatic being given the opportunity to partake in doing something they love.
Backstage at their Aberdeen Gig on 19th October 2019
Take Off manages to be different to previous Whitehill Grove singles whilst still retaining the key elements which made them so appealing in the first place. It’s the perfect way to advance a sound and demonstrates the maturity, music-wise, which has occurred since their last single which dropped just over a year ago.
This adoration of music not only rises to the surface in their personas but luckily shines through in their tunes also, particularly the groups latest release Take Off which dropped on the 12th October of this year. Frontman Callum Fergusson spoke delightedly about how far the band had come recently and his claims are more than solidified with this razor sharp refined piece of punky indie-rock that the group have just released.
Now bassist Seth Allen and drummer Ethan Deane preparing backstage
Ferguson’s supremely punchy delivery makes itself known from the opening beat and as ever races hand in hand excellently with the group’s signature driving guitar slices which are in turn complemented brilliantly by Ethan Deane’s thunderstorm style drumming (periods of steady calm beats which are sharply contrasted by electric explosions of energy and chaotic sound). Meanwhile Seth Allen’s impressive switch to bass shows not only his personal musical talent and variety but also helps to further the strength and depth in the song’s sound and ultimately adds just another tasty ingredient to an already flavoursome brew. In the other direction former bassist Gilles makes the transfer over to guitar, on his first track he serves up riffs which help to spawn the energetic vibes spilling out over the brim of the song. His playing is almost as catchy as the track’s lyrics.
Unfortunately however the lyrical content doesn’t particularly ooze much depth but what the words lack in substance they more than make up for in memorability and catchiness with hooks left lying around to spare. This is further aided by Ferguson’s aforementioned passionate and crowd rallying delivery which will no doubt serve them well on the group’s upcoming tour.
Something not often spoken of but which deserves a special mention are the backing vocals, here provided by the rest of the quartet. Much like Allen’s bass but to a lesser extent they add further layers to the strong musical construction of the song and help to enhance and support Fergusson’s impressive lead performance.
On stage at their gig in Aberdeen, playing at “The Cellar”
Whilst the raggedy chaotic style of their previous releases added to their charm in some instances, Take Off is all the better for tightening up the group’s sound and helping to bring it together in a more cohesive coherent manner that results in an overall more enjoyable listen.
The pair spoke confidently about their satisfaction with the new track and by the sounds of things it looks like this won’t just be a three minute diversion but indeed the beginning of an exciting new direction for the band. This should no doubt leave supporters hungry to see what the four piece produce next. One can only hope that this time the gap won’t be as lengthy till their next music drop but rest assured when Whitehill Grove dish up their follow up to Take Off fans will be starving to hear it!
Check Out My Filmed Interview With Whitehill Grove Below!
