August single: The Lovers Of St Kilda
Wave Of The Flood remembers the residents of St Kilda and the 95th anniversary of their leaving
Singer-songwriter Lindsay Strachan, known by her musical moniker Wave Of The Flood, releases her latest single The Lovers of St Kilda—a powerful, atmospheric waltz that captures the harsh beauty and enduring romance of life on one of Scotland’s most remote islands. The single is the third in Strachan’s attempt to release a single each month throughout the course of her 45th birthday year in celebration of the “45”– the original vinyl single format.
Produced by award-winning folk legend Kris Drever (Lau), the track is a deeply evocative tale set against the backdrop of St Kilda’s dramatic cliffs and ever-changing sea. Drever also lends his signature guitar playing and vocal harmonies to the recording, joined by John McDonald on deep as the sea double bass and Cameron Henderson with haunting fiddle.
The Lovers of St Kilda tells the story of a young couple eking out a life on the edge of the world. From gathering gannet eggs on perilous cliffs to spinning yarn by the peat fire, Strachan weaves a lyrical portrait of survival, resilience, and love as wild and deep as the Atlantic itself. The song's refrain—The boats they come, and the boats they go—echoes like a timeless chant, marking the passage of time and the transience of life on the isles. This August release marks the 95th year of the remaining residents finally leaving the island for good.
Strachan shares:
“This song is inspired by the real lives and legends of the people of St Kilda—those who lived in harmony with nature, in hardship and in love. After visiting a few years ago, I wanted to capture both the romance and the tragedy of a place that feels almost mythical now, despite living there until so recently.”
The release is supported by a video, which is made up of real photographs taken of the islanders before their departure, with thanks to the National Trust for Scotland.
The Lovers of St Kilda is available from Friday 15 August on all usual platforms.
This release continues to build momentum for Wave Of The Flood, whose poetic songwriting is earning acclaim across the contemporary folk scene, receiving growing media coverage as her intense release campaign continues.
Special thanks to Creative Scotland for funding this project.
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Creative Scotland:
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports culture and creativity across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery, Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot