Randolph's Leap is an eight piece indie-pop band from Glasgow, Scotland, and signed to Lost Map Records as of 2014. Founded by frontman Adam Ross in 2006, members include Ross (guitar/vocals), Adam Florence (drums), Vicki Cole (bass), Andrew MacLellan (guitar), Heather Thikey (violin), Pete MacDonald (keyboards), Ali Hendry (trumpet) and Fraser Gibson (trombone).
The band has released regular EPs, singles, and LPs since 2010, with their official debut album Clumsy Knot released in 2014. Susan Le May of The Quietus wrote that "the album moves from whimsical, earnest folk romanticism to introspection and Casio-frilled irony," and that it "marks the arrival proper of the next generation of witty Scottish indie pop." The band tours frequently in the UK, having performed at festivals such as Howlin' Fling, Belladrum, Mugstock and The Fringe.
History
2006–2011: Formation and early years Randolph's Leap were formed in 2006 when lead singer Adam Ross (originally from Nairn, Scotland) met Gareth Perrie (from Dunblane) at The University of the West of Scotland in Ayr. Around 2009 the band expanded to a six-piece with the addition of Vicki Cole on bass (from Aberdeen, Scotland), Heather Thickey on violin (also from Aberdeen), Iain Taylor on drums (from Dumfries) and Andrew MacLellan on guitar and cello (from Crieff).
The band released their first EP, titled Battleships and Kettle Chips, on 15 November 2010 on Olive Grove Records. On 16 May 2011, they released a two-track single on Olive Grove, titled "Counting Sheep/Deep Blue Sea." In 2011 the live band expanded from a 6-piece to an 8-piece with the additions of Ali Hendry (trumpet) and Fraser Gibson (trombone).
2012–2014: First albums
2012 saw the band greatly increase its output, and that year alone they released two full-length albums, three EPs, and the single "This Ain't It" via vinyl postcard. Their first LP came out on Peenko Records on 20 February 2012 and was titled The Curse of the Haunted Headphones. Peenko Records also released their EP As Fast As A Man that September, and in October 2012 the band released the EP Hermit on Fence Records. with the band placing 16th in the Hype Machine's UK Music Blog Zeitgeist which was announced on BBC 6Music. In 2013, Gareth Perrie left the band and was subsequently replaced by Pete MacDonald from the State Broadcasters. MacDonald had first-hand knowledge of the band as he had helped produce their upcoming album Clumsy Knot in 2013. While working on their new album, the band signed to Lost Map Records which was formed following the dissolution of the band's former label Fence Records in 2013.
Clumsy Knot
The band's "first official" LP, titled Clumsy Knot, was released on 7 April 2014 on Lost Map Records. Several of the thirteen tracks are re-workings of songs from on their previous lo-fi recordings, and while approximately half of the songs were home-recorded, Alfred Archer of FolkRadio.co.uk wrote that the album "as a whole sees a marked step up in production from their previous work." Archer further called the album "thoughtful, funny and uplifting," while David Pollock of The Scotsman gave similar praise, writing in a largely positive review that the album "is light of touch and cheerful of spirit." Susan Le May of The Quietus wrote that "the album moves from whimsical, earnest folk romanticism to introspection and Casio-frilled irony," and that it "marks the arrival proper of the next generation of witty Scottish indie pop." While promoting the new album the band performed at several Scottish festivals in 2014, including Howlin' Fling on Eigg, Belladrum, and The Fringe. They also toured with other bands on the Lost Map label, including Kid Canaveral. The band also released a video for the single, "Weatherman", featuring former BBC weatherman Michael Fish.
2014–present
The band have recorded two sessions for Marc Riley's BBC 6Music show, plus two for BBC Radio Scotland, one for the Vic Galloway show and one for Tom Morton. They have recorded numerous sessions for local radio including Moray Firth Radio in Inverness, plus the Daily Record newspaper. In June 2014, the band made a live TV appearance on the Riverside Show on STV Glasgow. They were interviewed by the BBC in 2014, also performing another live session. In June 2014, the band's single "I Can't Dance To This Music Anymore," first included on their old album The Curse of the Haunted Headphones, was released through Lost Map's postcard series of mail-order singles. Clash Music called the song a "joyous folk-pop romp" and "deeply Scottish in its ability to turn melancholy into joy." The band's second album, titled Cowardly Deeds, was released on 20 May 2016 on Olive Grove Records, followed by their third, titled Worryingly Okay, released on 25 May 2018 on Lost Map Records.
2018 saw the premiere of The Isle of Love, a play by Right Lines Productions, written by Euan Martin and Dave Smith, directed by Mark Saunders and based on songs by Adam Ross. The Isle of Love was billed by its writers as a "bittersweet tale of love, loss, recovery and discovery". The play explored the beauty and restorative qualities of island life and why people choose to visit, to stay, to leave and to return. The production toured all over Scotland in the spring of 2018 and starred John Kielty, Deborah Arnott, Ross Allan, Amy McGregor and Kevin Lennon. In conjunction with the Isle of Love theatre tour, the band released a compilation album of the same name, containing 21 songs from the band's back catalogue. The band's next studio album was Spirit Level in early 2021, released by Fika Recordings. The album was well received with The Scotsman giving it four stars and Is This Music saying that it is the best attempt yet at capturing the full band sound.
Style
According to FolkRadio.co.uk in 2014, "The band’s slightly ramshackle, whimsical, indie style, together with their Glasgow base, makes comparisons to Belle and Sebastian unavoidable, though, at times there are also hints of Camera Obscura, Polyphonic Spree and The Magnetic Fields. It is Ross’s lyrics, which manage to be both humorous and heartbreaking, that sets the band apart from these influences." About Ross's songwriting and vocals, The Quietus wrote that "The driving force and linchpin of the group, [Adam Ross] is a songwriter who is both honest and charming, combining the strut and humour of Neil Hannon, the sincerity, vulnerability and softness of Stuart Murdoch and the lyrical wit and musical playfulness of the DIY Daddy, King Creosote himself."
Members Current Adam Ross - guitar/vocals (2006–present) Adam Armour-Florence - drums (2016–present) Vicki Cole - bass (2009–present) Andrew MacLellan - guitar, cello (2009–present) Heather Thikey - violin (2009–present) Ali Hendry - trumpet (2011–present) Fraser Gibson - trombone (2011–present) Pete MacDonald - keyboards (2013–present) Past Gareth Perrie - keyboards (2006-2013) Iain Taylor - drums/guitar (2009-2016)
Discography Albums + Albums by Randolph's Leap Year Album title Release details2012 Released: 20 February 2012 Label: Peenko Records Format: Cassette, digital Released: 2 July 2012 Label: Self-released Format: CD, digital 2014 Released: 7 April 2014 Label: Lost Map Records Format: CD, LP, digital 2016Cowardly DeedsReleased: 20 May 2016 Label: Olive Grove Records Format: CD, LP, digital2018Worryingly OkayReleased: 25 May 2018 Label: Lost Map Records Format: CD, digitalThe Isle of LoveReleased: 15 June 2018 Label: Self-released Format: CD, digital2021Spirit LevelReleased: 26 Feb 2021 Label: Fika Recordings Format: CD, LP, digital
EPs + Extended plays and mini-albums by Randolph's Leap Year Album title Release details2010 Released: 15 November 2010 Label: Olive Grove Records Format: CD, digital2012 Released: 24 September 2012 Label: Peenko Records Format: Mini-album, digital Released: 26 October 2012 Label: Fence Records Format: Digital Released: 2012 Label: Self-released Format: Digital 2013 Released: 6 September 2013 Label: Olive Grove Records Format: Mini-album, CD, digital 2013 Released: 12 December 2013 Label: Self-released Format: Digital 2013 Released: 20 April 2013 Label: Peenko Records Format: Cassette (limited)
Singles + Incomplete list of songs by Randolph's Leap Year Title Album Label2011"Counting Sheep/Deep Blue Sea" Singleonly Olive Grove; 16 May 20112012"This Ain't It" Peenko (vinyl postcard)2013"News" Self-released; 9 February 20132014"Light of the Moon"Lost Map"I Can't Dance To This Music Anymore" Lost Map
See also :Category:Musical groups from Glasgow
References
External links
Official webpages Randolph's Leap on Facebook Randolph's Leap on Twitter Randolph's Leap on YouTube Randolph's Leap on SoundCloud Interviews
Discographies Randolph's Leap at AllMusic Randolph's Leap at Discogs