Music
Press
Star rating: ****
Something disarming happens when the Gillyflowers floral-frocked front-woman Kirsten Adamson stops singing.
With only a handful of shows under their belt, this may be a support slot to Bristol-based punk-folk heroes Babel, but already Adamson and co know how to work a room. With Adamson's voice and acoustic guitar lent harmonic weight by two similarly apparelled female back-up singers, several examples of wild-flower discreetly adorn the stage. Both lend a showbiz dash to an already tight-knit and well-turned-out combo.
The songs subjects are classic country fare, from the tomboyish stomp of Rich Girl to the all-night drunks of the closing Leave A Light On. There's even a song called Country Boy that's as lovely as any other of that name. Adamson is the daughter of the late Stuart Adamson, the driving force behind Big Country and his own country-styled outfit, The Raphaels, but she is already more than capable of standing on her own merits. The post-show music cuts in before the band reach their set-listed encore of We Get Lost, probably their most sublime moment to date. Chances are you'll hear it when The Gillyflowers play Leith Folk Club at The Village on March 6. - The Herald
COUNTRY ROCK
In the short term, Edinburgh’s Gillyflowers won’t be able to escape drawing attention due to the fact their lead singer Kirsten Adamson is the daughter of the late Stuart Adamson. In the long term, though, the feeling is that they – and Adamson in particular – will snare deserved recognition for being just stunningly talented.
You wouldn’t even know she was Scottish until she opens her mouth, though. Looking summery in a print dress and cowboy boots, and with bleached blonde hair the likes of which Dolly would be proud, Adamson looks like a Southern country belle. She sings like one too, with a twanging delivery on ballads like ‘Wearing Gold’ and ‘Country Boy’, a suitably sassy drawl through ‘Rich Girl’ (sample lyric: ‘I love blood and gore / and I’m into guns / I’m into war’) and a spine-tingling falsetto finale to ‘Leave a Light On’. Yet the slight suspicion persists that she might ‘do a Tunstall’ towards the middle of the road if/when fame comes calling, Adamson is a complete and distinctive artist – so much so that her father’s legacy need never be traded on.
Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Wed 25 Feb - The List
Discography
No Dancing - 5 Track EP - OUT NOW
Queen Of Hearts - Album - Due for Release 2013
Photos
Bio
The Gillyflowers are an ever changing entity that encapsulate the songs written by lead singer/songwriter, Kirsten Adamson.
Brought together in 2008 they began playing live shows around the UK, picking up a handful of promising reviews along the way. With fans desperate for an album to take home, they have spent the last 2 years recording and producing their first record, 'Queen Of Hearts'. Kirsten Adamson comes from a historical musical background in Scotland. Growing up, her two main influences were Kate Bush and her father's band, Big Country. In 1998 her father relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where she would spend her summers and it was here where she was first exposed to country music. Classically trained from a young age, Kirsten was surprised to find that a country twang came naturally to her and on returning home from Nashville was desperate to learn to play guitar too! She was 17 when she eventually picked one up, wrote her first song and hasn't stopped for breath since!
The imminent album, is not just another country record, It's an intimate insight in to the reality of Kirsten's life, in short and so far. From the heart wrenching lullabies of 'Leave A Light On' and 'Before You Fall' to the heart-warming tracks such as 'No Dancing' and 'Country Boy' the 'Queen of Hearts' is sure to hit a nerve. Gritty, gossipy lyrics iced with poppy harmonies, crunchy melodic guitars and melancholy fiddle lines tell tales of longing and loathing, breaking hearts and being heart broken. Adamson's voice and honest lyrics slice through today's musical norm, hitting you with songs for falling in and out of love. 'Queen of Hearts' is an instantly unforgettable début album from an exciting new artist with a long career ahead!
The Gillyflowers first single 'No Dancing' was released on December 30th 2012 and is available for download and in physical form on the similarly titled 5 track EP.
For all news, tour dates and merchandise head to www.thegillyflowers.co.uk or add us on Facebook or Twitter!
''The Gillyflowers have a growing following, and have in Kirsten Adamson a Dolly Partonesque country singer of poise and mighty ability.'' David Pollock - The Scotsman
''With Adamson's voice and acoustic guitar lent harmonic weight by two similarly apparelled female back-up singers, several examples of wild-flower discreetly adorn the stage. Both lend a showbiz dash to an already tight-knit and well-turned-out combo.'' Neil Cooper -The Herald
"See them while you can still see the whites of their eyes. If your heart doesn't melt, ask your doctor for a transplant.'' Ed -17 Seconds Records
Links
