At the Wrong Gig

Every so often, a radio station will produce a playlist of the best songs for driving. The likes of Bruce Springsteen or The Eagles usually figure as top drive-time tunes, but this debut album from Eriska is a perfect alternative soundtrack for heading down the highway on the rain-drenched motorways of the UK. At the Wrong Gig sounds unmistakably Scottish and is ideal for keeping you moving – and keeping your spirits up when you're not.

Eriska are a six-piece folk-rock band based in Glasgow that includes musicians from New England and Argentina as well as from Scotland. Scott Figgins' highland bagpipes, whistles and bellow-blown pipes are at the fore, as is Aileen Sweeney's accordion and Madeleine Stewart's fiddle, all giving Eriska's sound a traditional Scottish backbone. But what makes At the Wrong Gig really rock is Gavin Paterson's spot-on drumming and Dario Palazzo's guitars, while Julián Pombo's bass adds a jazz flavour to the whole affair, particularly on tracks like ‘Discharged’. ‘Two More Weeks’ features a guitar solo that channels the spirit of Carlos Santana, while ‘Sparrow’ is a rare moment of relaxation. At the Wrong Gig is a high octane and highly enjoyable debut album.