pumajaw rework old french pagan song for christmas

New double A-side single out in December

Perthshire-based duo Pumajaw (aka Pinkie Maclure and John Wills) release a new double A-side single from their critically acclaimed second album, Curiosity Box, on December 8th through Fire Records. On one side you have album track ‘Spangler’, “a dreamy, organ-driven, psychedelic pop fantasy about love and friendships that pass in the night”, while on the other you have an exclusive Christmassy reworking of ‘The Holly King’, an old French pagan song that appeared on their previous album, Becoming Pumajaw. In the song, the Holly King battles with the Oak King as a representation of the changing of the seasons, which Pinkie and John spruce up accordingly with sleigh bells and owl hoots. In total contrast, ‘Spangler’ was inspired by one of those accidentally poetic spam emails, in this case headed ‘Hallowed Morning Spangler!’. 

A real-life couple, Pinkie and John have been working together since 1994 when John, formerly of Beggars Banquet artists Loop, produced her debut solo album, Favourite, and the follow-up From Memorial Crossing. Cat’s Cradle, their first co-credited album released in 2005, set them on the ‘folkedelia’ path they continue to furrow following their move back to Pinkie’s native Scotland and a brief dalliance with the famous Fence Collective.

Pinkie’s rich, octave-leaping voice sounds even better in the flesh – often transforming seductively entrancing album tracks into wild fiery beasts of intense passion – so perhaps you’d like to go to one of their upcoming shows. The first one’s next Friday. Catch them here:

28.11.08 Brixton Windmill, London
04.11.08 Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
16.01.09 Celtic Connections @ Classic Grand, Glasgow
28.03.09 Blend Festival, Stirling

Alan Pedder

 

Pumajaw live at The Tunnels, Aberdeen, in 2007

Tagged pinkie maclure, pumajaw