Spotlight On... Grayling

Watching Grayling perform as part of Wide Days' Talent Development Showcase last week, we were struck by how polished she sounded. Live, her gorgeous Americana and country-tinged songs are taken to new heights by a talented backing band which includes the likes of Scottish music scene mainstay Joe Rattray who also performs with Admiral Fallow, Andrew Wasylyk and Rebecca Vasmant to name a few.

On the night Emma Murdoch, who fronts Grayling, announced that new single Aching (a remedy) would be due at the end of that week, with the Cardinal Fire EP to follow later in the month. Ahead of its arrival, we're delight to catch up with Murdoch this week as we shine a light on the talent that is Grayling.

Firstly, can you start by telling us a bit about yourself; how did you get into music-making and where does the name Grayling come from?
Hello! I'm Emma and I run the artist project Grayling. Grayling started out as a solo project and now I have a lovely band that help bring all my songs to life. Inspired by artists like Courtney Marie Andrews and Patsy Cline, our [forthcoming] new EP is a modern take on classic Americana.

The name Grayling actually comes from my mum – she almost named me that when I was born, after a character from the TV show Inspector Morse. Dr. Grayling was pretty much the only female character in the whole show and my mum thought she was smart and bolshy. However, my dad was opposed to the name as he thought I would get bullied at school and so they settled on Emma… Joke's on him, cause I got bullied at school anyway!

My dad is also a musician who loves classic rock. He bought me my first guitar when I was 15 and although I was scared to sing in front of people until my early 20s, I always wanted to be a musician and a writer.

Who or what would you say inspires you as an artist?
I find writing very cathartic so a lot of my songs are born when I just really need to vent! I hope that although they are personal to me people can relate to the feeling of the song. I’m inspired every day by other female artists in the indie/folk/Americana world; right now my favourites are Hannah Cameron, Helena Deland and Bedouine.

You were part of the Talent Development programme at this year’s Wide Days; how did you find the experience?
The Wide Days Talent Development programme has been a wonderful thing to be a part of! As there are four bands/artists on the programme there has been a lovely sense of community as we go on this journey together. The live showcase was a great experience and I found the conference so informative and helpful. The Wide Days team are there for you throughout the whole year and they’ve been a pleasure to work with.

Image: Grayling live at Wide Days, Edinburgh, 1 May by Gaelle Beri

On the night of the show, you announced your new single Aching (a remedy). Can you tell us more about the song and what it’s about?
Aching was written last year when I was questioning my relationship to alcohol, it was also based on the quote “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I related to this at the time so decided to make some changes – this song was written in the midst of that.

As well as the single, you’ve got a new EP – Cardinal Fire – due at the end of the month, which I’ve read is inspired by nature. Can you tell us more about the EP, its themes and what we can expect?
Cardinal Fire follows similar themes to the song Aching (a remedy). I feel as though over the past few years I’ve been moving through a lot of changes and making room for the new which feels good. 'Cardinal' has a few meanings but it can mean 'fundamental'. I liked the connotations of 'fundamental fire' – the fire/trials/pain you have to go through to become the person you are today. Listeners can expect a lot of pedal steel, country-tinged folk and sad lyrics to cry along to (sorry!).

Beyond the release, what does the rest of the year look like for Grayling?
Next up we have our EP launch on 30 May at the beautiful Òran Mór Auditorium. It’s such a stunning room. I recently saw my friends in Start to End play through Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark there and I just fell in love with the beautiful church. So grateful to be able to put on a show there, with my good friends Rhona Macfarlane and Kenneth Noah Blair opening the show.

We then have a summer filled with festivals which will be gorgeous. Solas festival in Perth, Under Canvas in Inverness and Kintyre Songwriters Festival in Campbeltown to name a few! After the summer I’m hoping to spend the rest of the year hibernating and writing our debut album.

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Aching (a remedy) is out now; Cardinal Fire is out 31 May via Wild Cove Recordings
Grayling plays Òran Mór, Glasgow, 30 May; Kintyre Songwriters Festival, Campbeltown, 7-9 Jun; Solas Festival, Errol Park, Errol, 14-16 Jun; Under Canvas, Inverness, 7 Aug

Follow Grayling on Instagram @graylingmusic