LORD OF THE ISLES

  • Labels Firecracker Recordings, ESP Institute, Permanent Vacation
  • Based Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Links Facebook SoundCloud Instagram Resident Advisor Discogs
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LORD OF THE ISLES is a genuine rarity: a DJ, producer and musician with an uncanny knack of painting pictures in sound.

“…it was the music that gave Primavera its character. In addition to the five performances below, sets by Aphex Twin, Solange, Sleaford Mods and Lord Of The Isles will stick long in the memory.” (Resident Advisor)

His music is vivid, effervescent and impressively visual, offering immersive soundscapes that transport listeners to imaginary worlds. In turn, these would-be electronic soundtracks are variously inspired by the sci-fi landscapes of Ralph McQuarrie he adored as a boy, and his deep-rooted love of the outdoors. In particular, the Highlands and islands of his native Scotland, where he remains a regular visitor, are a constant source of inspiration.

Musically, you can hear these inspirations in LORD OF THE ISLES’ music, which is never less than pleasingly tricky to pin down. His music sidesteps neat pigeonholing, variously touching on ambient, deep techno, analogue house, Italo, classic cinematic soundtracks and glistening Balearica. Each release – and there have been a few, for labels as diverse as Permanent Vacation, Mule Musiq, Ene, Phonica, Firecracker, Shevchenko and in November 2016 LOTI released his debut album, ‘In Waves’, via Lovefingers’ esteemed imprint ESP Institute to critical acclaim, receiving 9/10 and album of the month from Mixmag.

There are moments of surging intensity, becalmed soundscapes, pulsating club tracks and heady, otherworldly grooves across all of his output.

For all the variety, each release sounds distinctively like LORD OF THE ISLES, a product of his instinctive grasp of mood and melody and a unique production style honed through years spent in the studio.

Whichever way you look at it, the LORD OF THE ISLES story has just begun. Immerse yourself in his imaginary worlds, inspired by the unending beauty of his native Scotland; we promise you’ll be blissfully daydreaming and dancing with your eyes closed in no time at all.

2021
16 Oct Fabric, London
21 Aug World Headquarters, Newcastle

2020
25 Jan Panorama Bar, Berlin

2019
08 Nov ESP Institute Happening, Los Angeles
05 Oct Folklor, Lausanne
03 Aug Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
26 Jul Panorama Bar, Berlin
23 Feb Nitsa, Barcelona
26 Jan Sub Club, Glasgow