A Chat with Braw (16.04.21)
Looking at life as a person in their early-twenties, Braw release their debut album A Few Miles More. Using a unique folk-rock style, the Scottish duo bring together the heaviness of alternative rock with the airiness of folk. We speak with Iain Mundy about the album, musical inspiration, future plans and favourite food.
OSR: What drew you to music?
Mundy: So we’ve both been involved in different sorts of music from a young age. We both grew up playing in local brass bands, which eventually led me to study trumpet at the RNCM in Manchester. When at university in St Andrews, Andrew got involved with loads of choirs and even starred in a few musicals while up there. I’ve always enjoyed composing and songwriting from a young age, and as we’ve always gotten on so well as brothers we thought we’d have a go at making music together around the end of 2019; hence Braw was born!
OSR: What can you tell us about the debut album A Few Miles More?
Mundy: So it’s basically our first collection of songs that we’ve recorded together. We didn’t go out to make any specific type of sound or concept album, it basically just evolved naturally. As brothers who sing in harmony, we look up to The Proclaimers and love singing in harmony and the album definitely ended up in a folky-pop genre with a Scottish fiddle featuring on a few songs. A Few Miles More ended up telling stories of our life up until now – people we’ve lost and what we hope to achieve along the way. The lovely album artwork by Orla Stevens also depicts Andrew’s journeys to perform with me in Glasgow when he was still living in Pittenweem in the East Neuk of Fife.
OSR: Did you face any challenges when writing and recording the album?
Mundy: Obviously with lockdown recording the album ended up being pretty tricky! We had a fair chunk of the songs recorded before the restrictions came into place, but had to work around them when we could to get into the studio and do as much as possible when the rules were eased. The one positive of lockdown is it gave us plenty of time to write the songs and me plenty of time to arrange them. We ended up with a string quartet playing five of the tracks, which was mega fun to write and record!
OSR: What do you hope people take from A Few Miles More?
Mundy: Happy feelings would be nice! Although the album can be poignant in places, the overall mood and feel of the album is very uplifting, so we certainly hope it can put a smile on the face of everyone who listens to it.
OSR: If you could change anything about A Few Miles More, what would it be?
Mundy: Tricky question! In all honesty, we’re really happy with it as our first album, considering it’s all DIY from writing, recording, releasing and promoting. There’s always tiny wee bits that you think you could have sung or mixed a wee bit differently, but we spent a lot of time mixing and mastering with Eddie MacArthur at Stealth in Glasgow who did a great job with the production.
OSR: If you could spend the day with any living musician who would it be?
Mundy: I reckon we’d both go with Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro. We’re massive fans of Biffy and he’s an incredible songwriter. It would be great to pick his brains and I bet he’d be a lot of fun on a night out too!
OSR: What inspires you to make music?
Mundy: Honestly, I’m not really sure! It’s just something we both love doing. There’s no better feeling when putting so much time into writing, arranging and recording a song when you hear the finished product. Even more so if you have a few people singing along! If we can make music together full-time one day we’d be delighted.
OSR: What is your favourite type of food?
Mundy: Indian food for me! Something hot and spicy with loads of coriander always floats my boat…or sushi! Andrew loves a curry too while having a big soft spot for anything with halloumi or paneer in it (or a good cheese board).
OSR: How would you describe your music?
Mundy: I’d say we fit in somewhere between the pop and folk genre, but have loads of influences! The main feature of our music is singing in harmony, but instead of sounding like The Proclaimers, I’d say we’re more similar to other Scottish bands such as Tide Lines and Skerryvore.
OSR: Do you have future plans?
Mundy: Playing live as soon as we can! We’ll definitely be doing a full band album launch gig in the Southside of Glasgow when restrictions allow, so keep your eyes on our social media for news on that. We’ve missed playing live loads over the last year, so will definitely be out in force once we’re allowed. We’ve also got a new single coming out in the next few months in relation to a certain competition this summer, so exciting times ahead.
Thanks to Iain Mundy for speaking with us. For more from Braw check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
