More power to Moray band
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FRESH from being a musical tonic at Gordon Castle's gin festival two weeks ago, Moray-based band Gordon James and the Power were back on stage in Fochabers at the weekend for Speyfest.
The band – Gordon Cruickshank (31) on guitar and vocals and John McKenzie (33) on bass and vocals, both from Keith, Blaire Mackenzie (27) on drums, from Knockando, and Kenna Ross (22) on keyboards, from Nairn – have made quite an impact on the north music scene since forming almost three years ago.
The four-piece are not only rapidly picking up followers with each appearance but radio plays and thumbs-up reviews for their heart-on-sleeve brand of indie-pop and jaunty, often unexpected interpretations.
It's through these surprising covers that the band show their playful side. They have been known to confidently twist Motorhead's Ace of Spades, Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book or The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme tune. It's all material to work with and their approach is refreshing.
"We try and make the songs our own and put our own unique spin on it," said Gordon. "We try and make it interesting for us, try to catch people off guard."
But – power by name, power by nature – the band are determined to present their music their way. Their focus is firmly now on writing their own songs and, ultimately, the members envision a life earning a living purely from music. It seems that they're on track.
Gordon said: "We were a pub band for about a year and then kicked in to the phase we're in now – which is producing our own original material."
The band have taken their music twice to London and took up the offer of a residency in Norway after being spotted at a gig in Buckie.
Tipped as ones to watch in 2019 in national press reviews, the band are powering to bigger and better things. After Speyfest on the Friday the four made a dash across land and sea to play ButeFest on Sunday.
The band have released well-received singles Blood, In Beauty and Form, and Follow Me, since their self-titled EP in 2017. They will head to Edinburgh soon to record an as yet unnamed track, which will be the first that the newest member Kenna appears on.
Gordon James and the Power have their sights on clinching a record deal – and simply "to make more music". Catch them on the Burke and Hare stage at Belladrum this weekend – their second visit to the festival – or Sruighlea Stirling Summer Festival two weeks later.
