Aidan O’Rourke announces soundtrack album

Aidan O'Rourke
Photograph by Lieve Boussaw

Acclaimed Scottish fiddler, composer and producer Aidan O’Rourke (Lau) releases his debut soundtrack album Iorram via Reveal Records on 6th August 2021.

Iorram, meaning Boat Song, is the first cinematic documentary made entirely in the Gaelic language. Unflinching and unromanticised, led by O’Rourke’s hypnotically rugged and evocative score, the film is a portrait of modern fishing communities in the Outer Hebrides charting the toil and loss of an industry which used to thrive on islands once rich with Gaelic culture.

Archive Gaelic voices recorded in the 1940s, 50s and 60s are at the heart of the film. The voices are gritty, witty, lyrical, innately musical and around them O’Rourke weaves his stripped-back, magnetic new music scored for an ensemble of international folk, jazz and contemporary classical luminaries: Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle), Lizabett Russo (vocals), Brighde Chaimbeul (Scottish smallpipes), Graeme Stephen (guitar), Adam Kinner (saxophone), Thomas Gibbs (harmonium) and Lucy Railton (cello).

Iorram is O’Rourke’s first new release since the culmination of his epic and widely-celebrated 365 tune-a-day-for-a-year project (2019-2020).

About Iorram O’Rourke says:

“I was brought up by the sea on the west coast of Scotland, surrounded by Gaelic voices. I witnessed the decimation of the fishing industry. Making the music for this essential and beautiful film felt like a homecoming of sorts. I’ve aimed to create a sound world that is above all sensitive to the voices of the film. I hope this soundtrack celebrates the grain and contours of their songs, stories and mythologies.”

Artist’s website: https://www.aidanorourke.net/