Aidan Moffat releases Where You're Meant To Be outtakes LP

One of our favourite films from last year was Paul Fagan’s Where You’re Meant to Be, an evocative love letter to Scotland’s folk scene. The film follows Aidan Moffat as he travels the roads of Scotland with his versions of much-loved traditional songs, updated with his own bawdy lyrics.

The Arab Strap frontman has today released an album, called Songs That Weren’t to Be, of tracks that didn’t quite make the film. “These are the lost songs and demos from Where You’re Meant To Be,” writes Moffat on his Bandcamp page, “including four previously-unheard-by-anyone tunes, newly remixed studio versions of songs from the live set, and some of the demos that kicked them all off.”

The album features 11 tracks with some eye-catching titles. We’re particularly drawn to The Macaroni Pie Song, Big Kilmarnock Bunnet and A Nicer Cunt You'll Never Know, which as you might guess is a bit rude, as Moffat warns on Twitter: “Aye, I should have said to everyone – DON'T PLAY IT AT WORK! The featured track has a LOT of c-words.” The album also features Moffat’s version of The Parting Song, the signature tune of the late Sheila Stewart – the undoubted star of Where You’re Meant To Be who initially had plenty of not so kind words for Moffat when she first heard his interpretation of her most famous song. The record also features contributions from James Graham of The Twilight Sad and Out Lines, and Bdy_Prts' Jenny Reeve.

The album is for sale on a pay what you want basis. “If these are of interest to you, then I expect you’ve already bought the live album and the DVD – not to mention coming to the gigs or going to the cinema – so I’ve decided to make this a Name Your Price album,” said Moffat. “So it’s up to you, pay whatever you think it’s worth or whatever you can afford.” Although the singer does suggest a reasonable price: “FYI, the price of a pint of Peroni in my local hostelry is £5.20.”

To stream or download the album, head to Moffat's Bandcamp page.