Hector Shaw - Gravity (2021) Hi-Res

Releasing a debut EP is always a daunting prospect and while 20-year-old newcomer Hector Shaw may have been steeped in fine music from birth thanks to his parents – musician, composer and producer Donald Shaw (Celtic Connections/Capercaillie) and revered songstress Karen Matheson (Capercaillie), this young man has no need to ride on anyone’s coattails. No pressure of course…

Aided by Sorren Maclean on guitar, Hannah Fisher on backing vocals and Andrew Samson aka DUNT on drums, Gravity is a convincingly strong debut. The backing is kept low-key and gentle, with the percussion is set back in the mix and the acoustics are upfront which makes for a great jazz-like sound. It also places the singer front and centre, a place where that emotional energy can really shine – which it does here. It comes as no surprise that John Martyn and Joni are influences:

“Gravity is a song that’s really close to my heart and explores the desperation of witnessing someone you care about suffering. The track talks of the confusion and longing you feel when you see that person distance themselves from the world.

“Musically, I’m continually inspired by John Martyn and Joni Mitchell, particularly their percussive hybrid of folk and jazz guitar playing. I wanted to recreate that timbre in a song of my own.

“This has been my first proper recording experience and I’m grateful to have had the chance to collobrate with the musicians involved and for their support. I’ll always look back on the experience of recording my first EP with real fondness and now feel so excited to share it with others.”