Drawing on the folklore, landscape, language and rich balladry tradition of Aberdeenshire, each song on “Sand, Silt, Flint” is based on a North East Scottish location and its accompanying story, forming a ballad map of the area.   From the bleak expanses of The Lecht in the Cairngorms to the dramatic Banffshire coast, the songs combine Fiona’s original electronica arrangements and mesmerising vocals with re-imaginings of traditional ballads, archive material, field recordings and traditional instrumentation.

A haunting and contemplative soundtrack that resonates with folklore and history, listeners are enveloped in an immersive and unsettling re-telling of ancient tales for new times.  Using the Doric dialect unique to the area, the music is rooted in place, but otherworldly in spirit, infusing new life into age-old traditions and forging a re-enchanting connection between past and present.

Fiona’s electronic productions, with 5 new arrangements of traditional ballads from the Child, Greig-Duncan and Carpenter collections, and 5 original compositions, are augmented by contributions from some of the area’s premier instrumentalists:   fiddle player Paul Anderson, cellist Alice Allen, clarinettist Joanna Nicholson, clarsach player Irene Watt,  sound artist Thee Manual Labour and drummer David McKay. 

In addition to the usual album formats, the album is also presented via geo-located sound-walks in the “Echoes” mobile app; using smart-phones and headphones, the audio is triggered by GPS, enabling audiences to experience the music in the environments which provided its inspiration. 

“Sand, Silt, Flint” will be available for touring late 2024/25.  The performance is an audio-visual show combining Fiona’s music and live vocals with films by Isla Goldie and Clea Wallis.