The Moth and the Mirror: Closer to the Flame

Precisely double the figure that De La Soul recommended, six is not the magic number – something The Moth and The Mirror found out the hard way. “It's a constant head-fug trying to get all of us together, “explains vocalist Stacey Sievwright of the sextet – who hail from literally all corners of Scotland – and their rehearsal dramas.“Oftentimes it'll be a group of three or four, and we meld it together when we get the chance.”

With multiple musical commitments on the side (Sievwright is a past member of Arab Strap and The Reindeer Section, whilst bassist Kevin McCarvel plays in Smoke Jaguar, guitarist Louis Abbott is responsible for Brother Louis Collective and former Make Model guitarist Gordon Skene is also a semi-new addition to Frightened Rabbit), the cockle-warming project has been a slow-build, begun in late 2006. Yet, the half dozen band-fellows, fleshed out by the percussion of Iain Sandilands and Pete Murch, are tough enough not to allow these hair-pull-worthy scheduling conflicts to leave them acquiescent of defeat.

“We usually gather round at Mothy headquarters – i.e. Stacey's flat – and have lots of tea, stupid chat, and then throw some ideas about, “says McCarvel. “At the end of the day there's a long, spiralling iPhone recording of our living room ideas, which we work on in the practice room over the next few weeks.”

Such diligence has been rewarded, with their measurably dramatic folky-pop – described by Skene as “a mouldy storm in a teacup” – making its way onto bills with Maria Taylor and Tilly and the Wall, as well as T in the Park, Connect, various BBC dalliances and a music video for Gaelic television.

That’s not to say that the band hasn’t played the same pub-toilet gig circuit which signifies a rite of passage for any unsigned act worth their sand. But would they have us believe the fact that having certain members of Snow Patrol and Malcolm Middleton in their little black book makes no difference? “Maybe initially it might help to prick up an ear if people have heard of something you've been involved with, but in the long term, each thing you do needs to be able to stand on its own merit,” Skene argues. “The most important thing you get from having a little past experience is just that – knowing what not to do.”

Having played a sold-out single launch at Glasgow’s Stereo at the end of February, the band – poetically named after an old Ladybird children’s story collection – are looking to release their newly mastered album. “It's something that's been a long time coming and we're proud of it; we just want to get it out to sea somehow,” says Sievwright.

Given the strength of their live shows – not to mention recording sessions with Tony Doogan, he of shoulders oft-rubbed by Belle and Sebastian and Mogwai – their debut could be the stuff of beauty. Of course, when Conor Oberst's Team Love label in New York picks you up as a featured artist, that can't be a bad sign either. “Things are getting a little more upbeat, more adventurous,” says McCarvel. Adventurous enough to play a sniggersome game of ‘how many members of The Moth and The Mirror can you fit in the back of a Mini’? We shall see.