Gnoss

Memory has a funny way of playing tricks on you. In spite of seeing and hearing Gnoss last time at the Community Hall, in spite of looking at Gnoss’s socials and in spite of listening to their oeuvre on Spotify, the close encounter sensory experience of being in the same room as Gnoss had somehow faded in my synapses. I did remember they were good… more than good, but the second they hit the stage it all came rushing back… they’re extraordinary!

Kicking off, reverbed fiddle from Graham and synth pads from Connor set the scene. Sound quality is second to none, a transparently delicious soundscape. They have their own soundman in tow, attuned to deliver every nuance. All musicians are listening to the mix on (very discreet) earbuds, so they take the sound very seriously, which is a joy for the audience, nothing is wonky, every detail of their wonderful playing is perfectly balanced for our discerning lugs.

And what wonderful players they are, each incredible in his own way.  The first notes of flute/whistle player Connor Sinclair’s tune ‘Good Crieff’ - celebrating his home town - hits the ears like an express train, the attack is breathtaking. Refined ferocity. Fiercely energetic but never once losing grace and poise.

Speaking of trains, one of their tunes is inspired by one Mike Brodie, a chap who left home at 18 in 2004 to hop freight trains across the USA and capture his experience on camera. Googling now, I find his photographic work to be remarkable and must delve further – but that’s for another time, how interesting to come away from a gig with some added value to think about. And of course, wags that they are, it gave Orcadians Graham and Aidan license to jape about their first time seeing a train. It wasn’t until they had moved to Glasgow at age 18 – surprised that the trains didn’t have faces on the front.

And that’s the other thing about Gnoss, they’re actually jaw-achingly hilarious. Of course, every comedian needs a straight man and for Gnoss it’s Connor. He doesn’t say much and appears distant from the ongoing japery. Craig (bodhran/percussion) describes the unfortunate time they let Connor introduce one of his own tunes, a tune specially written for his aunt’s birthday, playing at her actual birthday party; Connor revealed his aunts age in his introduction – which didn’t go down very well. Craig, in describing ‘Connor’s talk‘, accidentally and amusingly Spoonerises the expression to the great mirth of the band and the sharp ears amongst us.

But enough of the bants, what about the playing? Amazing whistle and flute from Connor. Remarkable fiddle and – not often seen –tenor electric guitar from Graham. A tenor guitar has 4 strings and is tuned in fifths (like a fiddle) so that if any normal guitar player picks one up to show off, they’ll just look foolish. Brilliant ‘normal’ guitar and singing from Aidan – is it just me or has he a touch of the Marty Pellow about him? And finally, what can I say about Craig on the bodhran – such an essential part of the Gnoss engine, he adds drive, colour, texture, delivering everything that a bodhran is capable of.

So, reverence to Crail Folk Club, a magnificent evening of heart-warming and life-affirming music!

Words by Callum MacLeod, photos by Peter Salkeld.