An Ocean Full of Islands

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We didn’t really have a proper chance to tour with the last album when it was fresh because it came out in May 2020,” Gus explains. “You want to get out there when the album comes out, get people when they’re really excited about it.”

Yeah, but after that,” says Robert, “we went around the Western Isles. We did a couple of pub gigs in Lewis, Harris, Mull and built it up from there. But we had a wee head start in terms of platforms.”That audience, Robert confirms, is multi-generational and includes everything from 16-year-olds to 85-year-olds. The third album, however, is already causing a buzz among fans both old and new, aided by BBC Radio 2 who included the single ‘Written in the Scars’ on its playlist. The four lads (Robert, Gus, Ross Wilson and Alasdair Turner) met in Glasgow where they were all living, working and studying at the time. Their roots, however, are spread far and wide. In fact, Robert is talking to me from his home in Fort William while Gus is zooming in from Glasgow. Ross (keyboard) originates from Mull, and Alasdair (electric guitar and bagpipes) was born in Easter Ross in the Highlands.

Tide Lines (two words) is a Scottish four-piece folk/pop band, not to be confused with Tidelines (one word), the annual Book Festival held in North Ayrshire. That was a real boost for us moving forward but it came at a strange time… because it was during Covid and we couldn’t take full advantage of its success in terms of turning that into something tangible.”

A collection of pop songs that are catchy… built around the idea that people can relate to them straight away, sing along with them and would be good live. It’s at times reflective, at times uplifting, but it’s pretty upbeat throughout. That’s always been the aim of it.” There’s less Gaelic and pipes but it’s still very much the heart of what we do. But certainly, in a live set, the bagpipes have his huge effect. In Scotland it goes down well, but when we go down to England it goes down an absolute storm!” Tide Lines today release their eagerly anticipated new album ‘An Ocean Full of Islands’ featuring the Radio 2 playlisted single ‘Written In The Scars’, plus ‘These Days’ and ‘Rivers in the Light’. Next week they embark on a tour of the UK and Ireland, which includes a long sold-out show at Edinburgh’s 2800-capacity Usher Hall, as well as their biggest London gig to date at the Electric Ballroom. Also confirmed as headliners at The Gathering Festival, Tide Lines recently announced their biggest ever headline show, a 6,000-capacity big top festival-style show at Glasgow’s Queen’s Park.

For those that haven’t heard your music, can you tell us about each band member and how would you describe your sound? I’m excited to see how it goes. It will be nice to get out there and drop the new songs. It’s the first chance we’ve had with the band more established to give people more material and see how excited they are about it.” I’m absolutely fascinated by drums,” he says, unashamedly. “I don’t really do golfing or cycling… or archery. To be honest, I just play drums.” Having narrowly missed theTop 10with their previous record‘Eye of the Storm’and established a dedicated following in the live arena,Tide Linesnow look to step up another level with a collection of songs that are infused with rousing hooks, spine-tingling emotions and widespread, expansive ambition. It achieves all of that without losing sight of their roots, with the album recorded in their studio and rehearsal space in a former Baptist church on theIsle of Mull. The band’s keyboardistRoss Wilsonled the record’s production process. Having narrowly missed the Top 10 with their previous record ‘Eye of the Storm’ and established a dedicated following in the live arena, Tide Lines now look to step up another level with a collection of songs that are infused with rousing hooks, spine-tingling emotions and widespread, expansive ambition. It achieves all of that without losing sight of their roots, with the album recorded in their studio and rehearsal space in a former Baptist church on the Isle of Mull. The band’s keyboardist Ross Wilson led the record’s production process.You are set to release your new album An Ocean Full of Islandson February 24th 2023, how long have you been working on the release and how have you chosen which songs will feature on it?

It’s good,” he says, referring to their live gigs. “We bridge that gap. It’s always a lively crowd. We definitely have a young following but it’s not like we’ve left behind the older generation, they can be part of it as well. It feels like a pretty inclusive experience when you see our audience, which is nice. I don’t think you’d find anyone that would feel out of place.”In March 2023, the band released their third studio album An Ocean Full of Islands and announced a tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland. [5] Members [ edit ] The album was put together on the Isle of Mull,” Robert tells me. “As a title, it encapsulates where we were physically but also, if you listen to the lyrics, it summarises it in quite a lot of different ways in terms of what an ocean full of islands could be.” What are some of your stand-out highlights from performing this year, which has seen you be part of the National Lottery’s Revive Live Tour and your sold-out Town Hall Tour of Scotland? In the meantime, while Robert is listening to Bruce Springsteen up in Fort William, Gus will no doubt be playing his drums in Glasgow.