ABOUT THIS ITEM

From the northern gales of the Highlands to the peaks of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, The Douglas Firs is the brainchild of Neil Insh, born and bred in Aberdeen before de-camping to Scotland’s capital. A gentleman on a journey of sonic discovery with steely determination and a resolute vision to produce Happy as a Windless Flag, a beatific triumph of a record, created not by technical skill, but from a synaesthetic love of pure sound.

Nurturing the record throughout its 7 year gestation the results follow themes of delusion, loss of senses, blindness, loss of youth, death and rebirth channelled through the lush and complex arrangements with fervid imagery of flags, moths and sleep. 'Happy as a Windless Flag' tackles the melee of giving in to growing old, articulately dissecting and mournfully celebrating the different ways of dealing with the maxim that life’s apropos is coming to terms with death, whilst making every effort to avoid cliche of expression.

Recorded in various churches, bedrooms, sheds and local halls over the last 7 years Insh humbly admits, “It only took so long to record the album because of bad luck with technology, in that I break most things I own.” Daring, lively and tender, anyone who has ever tried to dig their way through avant-garde, post-rock, experimental or improvised music will know that it can at times be a little dry – The Douglas Firs themselves claim they would be verging on prog-rock if they could play their instruments, and didn’t like Buddy Holly so much – this record is the perfect remedy for hard worked ears, showing us that whatever tickles your sonic palette, when executed with this much care, love and attention, music can be the most wonderfully inspiring art form.

1. I Will Kill Again
2. A Military Farewell
3. Sepulture
4. Future State
5. The Quickening
6. Nature And Nurture
7. The Shadow Line
8. Balance Of Halves
9. Grow Old And Go Home
10. Soporific