Parisian Alt-Rockers release ‘Living Out Of A Suitcase’. An EP that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster.
The Scottish Music Scene has always been exciting to me, especially at grassroots level. Our cities continue to nurture homegrown talent and are well versed at showing support to bands who are trying to break through. What I hadn’t ever thought about until I was in Paris last year was that the bands coming out of Scotland would be influential to bands over foreign water….
The Xcerts – The pride of Aberdeen – , so happened to announce a EU tour after I booked my flights to Paris for a solo trip to see John Mayer. It seemed like fate that I could go and see the band so far away from home. They are a band I have followed for over 15 years and seen in many venues across Scotland both as headliners and support acts. It felt like a comfort blanket giving me a warm hug, the taste of a cup of tea in your own home after a holiday. It was a sign that all was going to be okay, I was getting a little taste of home in Paris, as I embarked on what can now only be described as a life changing solo adventure.
You are probably wondering what any of this has to do with the EP in the title right? Well, Fences\\\\ were the support band for The Xcerts and I was blown away by their stage presence, their musicianship, their craft but also how much of their music was steeped in Scottish culture. They proudly take influences from the likes of Biffy Clyro and US rockers Circa Survive. They provided a hint of nostalgia for bands gone by that I had seen in sweaty venues with friends as a teenager. I messaged my friend as soon as the band were off stage to get him to look them up because I needed to spread the word about this cool band. For many in the crowd, they had seen the band before but for me I was discovering something new, in a wonderful city far from home.
Fences \\\\ are a Paris super group: Gianni (vocals, guitar), Felix (vocals, guitar), Mike (bass, backing vocals), and Loïc (drums, backing vocals) who each spent years playing in other bands before joining forces to share their own vision of rock music. The music is steeped in history, each bringing their own powerhouse elements to the music, it’s rooted in influences of Scottish and US rock bands but holds no limits, it’s nostalgic yet fresh and it certainly is memorable.
Living Out Of A Suitcase is a 3 track EP which explores the friction between wanting to escape against the pull of love. It is packed with anthemic choruses that belong on a large stage. The band’s arrangements in the songs beautifully illustrate the highs and lows of life, almost echoing the thought process of push and pull. This EP is the last in a body of work which explores the bands journey – the good, the bad and the ugly!
The opening track Living Out Of A suitcase intro leads you to believe you are in for a more relaxed time until the drums and bass come and punch you right in the gut. It’s rock that slaps you in the face, demands your attention and wows you all at the same time. Fences\\\\ are unapologetically themselves and that’s probably why I love their music so much.
The band creatively lean into stunning string and brass orchestral big sounds, adding some striking dynamical elements to each track. It’s possibly unexpected but it’s part of the bands strong identity in their captivating instrumentation. It’s what sets them apart!
Any Last Words, the intentional syncopation of guitar, drum and vocal parts is what makes this track stand out amongst the rest. It’s bold, impactful. The lyrics were relatable as it talks about being weighed down and feeling slightly lost and unsure what to do next.
Fences\\\\ wish to push the boundaries of rock music, they continue to expand their discography with anthemic sing-a-longs fit for large shows. Their epic instrumental breakdowns and soaring choruses make me wonder why they aren’t bigger!
I have grown to love the Paris music scene after many visits and being introduced to new bands. This band played a major part in the birth of Bonnie Scotland Presents of sorts, they really blew me away in Paris and I would absolutely love to bring them to Scotland as I KNOW they would go down a storm.
Fences\\\\ is the type of Bonnie Scotland Presents want to shout about and connect music fans to, bands that may go undiscovered or under the radar – especially if from another country.
