tour

SAND, SILT, FLINT

INSPIRED BY THE FOLKLORE, LANDSCAPE AND BALLADRY TRADITION OF NORTHEAST SCOTLAND, SAND, SILT, FLINT IS AN IMMERSIVE AND MESMERISING INTERWEAVING OF TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC, FILM AND LIVE VOCALS BY PRODUCER AND SONGWRITER FIONA SOE PAING

 

A sublimely powerful and lingering experience

Billy Rough, Songlines Magazine

ABOUT THE SHOW

Interweaving voice, experimental textures, and archive recordings with traditional Scottish instrumentation from some of the north-east’s premier instrumentalists, innovative musician and performer Fiona Soe Paing’s show “Sand, Silt, Flint” is a mesmerising audio-visual experience combining music, film and live performance.   Re-imaginings of traditional ballads and original compositions are crafted into an immersive, delicate, and contemplative soundtrack that resonates with ancient storytelling.

Inspired by the folklore, landscape and balladry tradition of north-east Scotland, the music is rooted in place, but otherworldly in spirit.   The show is a testament to the fearless future of folk music, infusing new life into age-old traditions and forging an enchanting connection between past and present.

Her album, “Sand, Silt, Flint,” developed with support from Creative Scotland, and Aberdeen Performing Arts, has gained widespread critical acclaim, earning Four Stars ratings in The Guardian and Songlines Magazine.

The unique fusion of genres has captivated a diverse range of tastemakers, from the experimental realms of Elizabeth Alker’s “Unclassified” on BBC Radio 3, to the award-winning podcast “Folk On Foot” which recently invited Fiona to record an episode from her native Aberdeenshire, walking, talking and singing in the landscapes that inspired the songs.  Fiona’s music has also been championed by the legendary rock icon Iggy Pop, who gave the album a personal recommendation on his on BBC 6 Music show.

Availibility

Touring Dates
1 May – 31 October 2024
Touring Locations
Scotland

East Central and Forth Valley
Highlands & Islands
North East & Tayside
Southern Scotland
West Central Scotland

 

reviews

startling scottish balladry with a global scope

Jude rogers, the guardian

Read full review

 

A sublimely powerful and lingering experience, her otherworldly vocals providing  a haunting and mesmerising homage to the northeast of Scotland

 

billy rough, songlines magaine

Read full review

 

dark, extraordinary versions of traditional songs – I am already a big fan

 

ELIZABETH ALKER, BBC RADIO 3, “UNCLASSIFIED” SHOW

 

 

well, wow, that’s advanced- and beautiful!

 

IGGY POP, BBC 6 MUSIC

 

 

a wonderful, stirring album

 

mat smith, electronic sound magazine

 

 

Credits

 Composition, vocals and production – Fiona Soe Paing

Films by Isla Goldie and Clea Wallis

Soundtrack musicians – 
Fiddle – Paul Anderson
Clarinet – Joanna Nicholson
Cello – Alice Allen
Guitar – Thee Manual Labour
Drums – David McKay
Clarsach – Irene Watt

Mixed and mastered by Musicrange

Cover artwork “Dark Rabbit” by Clea Wallis
The Ballad of John Hosie co-written with Thee Manual Labour.
Lyrics for Fisher’s Lullaby by Zetta Sinclair.
John Strachan samples from the Alan Lomax Collection at the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. Courtesy of the Association for Cultural Equity, with thanks. 

Developed with support from Creative Scotland, Aberdeen Performing Arts and Help Musicians UK 

Audiences

Show Timings

 60 mins • No Interval 

Audience Suitability

12+ • Pre/Post-Show Talk, Public Workshops

Marketing

Various Publicity Materials  eFlyers
 Flyers
 Hi-Res Images
 Media Release
 Poster
 Posters
 Programme/Brochure
 Social Media Support

TECH & RIDER

PEOPLE

Two people on tour – 1 performer and 1 stage manager 

 BACKSTAGE REQUIREMENTS

 Private Dressing Rooms
 Private Toilet
 Tea & Coffee Making Facilities

 

Playing Area

4m (w) x 3m (d) x 3m (h)

Stage Set-Up

 Fixed Stage/
 Flexible Stage
 Flexible Staging
 Floor Only

1 performer and 1 stage manager/technician 4m wide x 3m deep minimum
Partial blackout is necessary

We can travel with our own sound system, projector and screen. However, if this equipment is available in house, we may request use of it instead. We would like to utilise in-house lighting.
2x 13a sockets

Seating Configuration

 Bespoke
 Cabaret
 Fixed Rake
 Flexible Rake
 Rowed Seats on Floor

Lighting Spec

A full blackout capability, or as close as possible, is required.   Lighting let-up is minimal – a singe spot on vocalist.

Tech Support

Lighting assistance required, to set up single spot on performer.

No lighting changes required during performance.

Sound Spec

Company will travel with their own sound system, but will use venue sound system if available.    Minimum four channel mixing desk, PA system suitable for venue size, one vocal mic and stand for performer.

AV Spec

The show includes projected film – company will provide own projector.  A projection screen or plain white backdrop is required, as large as possible for venue size.

 

 

Get In/Get Out

Get in and get-out – 30 minutes each.

Set-up and soundcheck – two hours

Loading Access

One hatchback car.

 

Tour Policies     

 Public Liability Insurance
 Risk Assessment