A nine piece chamber folk group out of Portland, Ore., Loch Lomond is a gifted ensemble that manages to sound intimate despite the band's sprawling size. Drawing their name from a lake in the Southern Highlands of Scotland, the group makes brilliantly crafted chamber folk that's lush and richly textured, but cozy.
Loch Lomond's third album, Paper The Walls, features the saw, whirly tubes and other instruments that are unconventional but effortlessly appropriate. "Field Report", the second track from Paper The Walls, is less experimental than the other songs, with warm harmonies, guitar, keys and a string section that create a full, soothing sound common with chamber folk.
The song begins with the delicate vocals of Loch Lomond frontman Ritchie Young. Young's quiet rhythmic guitar riff guides a rhythm section that parallels the simple melody as four part harmonies repeat "field report to you oh my god." The song gradually builds as strings and female vocals transform what would otherwise be a simple folk song.
Loch Lomond started with Ritchie Young's solo demos that soon fleshed out into fuller orchestrated records with the help of fellow Portland musicians Young met while performing. Formerly a member of a band called The Standard, Young decided to commit to his newer project, Loch Lomond. The band is steadily growing in a city that has many other chamber inspired groups such as The Decemberists.
The band continues to perform around Portland, and may acquire even more musicians. The group has also invited fans to create a music video for a track off of Paper The Walls.
Download this song in the Second Stage podcast.
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