The Gig Cartel - Artist profiles: The Langan Band

For over 15 years now, the three members of The Langan Band have been carving out their own lawlessly virtuosic path of sound; rampaging through the boundaries of conventional genre and cavorting into the territories of wild abandon, purest intimacy, and unconditional musical elation.The trio were initially brought together by a deep respect of traditional song and music,yet they discovered a mutual love of the evisceration and regeneration of these pieces into provocative and fascinating new compositions, as was recognised by the band winning theprestigiousDanny Kyle Awardat Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Festival at the start of their journey together. This sound and process went on to inform the band’s now mostly original repertoire, and has resulted in a musical experience quite unlike any other.Ayrshire-bornJohn Langanis found centre-stage, seated on an explosive foot percussion rig of his own devising and fronting the trio with intricate fiery guitar rhythms and witheringly sweet and scathing vocals. To his right standsAlastair Caplin,a classically trained violinist equally discerning in both the London Prog-Folk/Jazz scenes he occupied for years andalso the blistering traditional reels and jigs of his native Outer Hebrides. Stage left is the domain of Angus-bornDave Tunstalland his double bass; from here emanates a seductive concoction of eerily-bowed soundscapes, heart-stopping bass lines, and in conjunction with Caplin’sblurred bowing a truly monumental wall of orchestral noise. The sound of the group reaches its zenith when all of these instruments are joined by the three voices singing together in razor-tight harmony to create an absolute cacophony of joy.Whilst it is possible to see the evidence of influences the band have drawn on and enjoyed (Trad. Scots music, Eastern European Gypsy, Progressive Jazz and American Old-Time toname a few), the true nature of the sound from The Langan Band is best described as un-pigeon-holeable, yet utterly irresistible.Now signed with international agents in USA, Australia & New Zealand, and Scandinavia,the band are truly on their way to becoming a global paradigm of Scottish creativity and success.