Live music concert in the Howgate and Callander Square this month by newly established band “ARRIA”.
ARRIA takes inspiration from local surroundings in the launch of their first album which aims to promote independent and eco-friendly businesses, encourage people to shop local, and also fundraise for positive mental health.
Arria will be showcasing brand new songs penned and sung by the band’s female front woman who will be dressed in the beautiful apparel from Uzma’s Beauty – in the Howgate Center.
The event is a Fundraiser for Quiet Waters – a charity that offers that counselling for donations for those in need of bereavment support and talking therapy. The charity also trains volunteers in counselling
Arria is currently a duo who play a unique blend of Soul, Scottish, Folk, Americana, a dash of the Country element and a striking use of electronica and synthesiser, giving the band a modern edge.
Recent gigs included the walled garden at Dollar Park, a fundraiser for Cyrenians, and the band have organised alternating Sunday performances at the Camelon Bowling Club.
Among the set-list, will be original songs, some referring to local shops, services and landmarks in Falkirk and the wider Central Belt – shops that are mentioned include “Wild At Heart” – a beautiful vintage boutique and personal favourite of Arria as well as “Moment In Frame” who sell their stunning photography of the Scottish landscape and among many other things – beautiful hand -crafted mermaids which will be on sale next to the stage area.
The band plan to share a song written for/about Midland Bluebird buses run by McGills. Other songs make mention of “The Lonely Broomstick”, The newly refurbished Rosebank Distillery which served as a symbol of recovery and renovation during the lockdown years.
The band will be wearing clothing from Uzma’s Beauty/Saj Boutique (Unit 22, Howgate) which is right next to where they are playing.
To tantalise and captivate the shoppers on Saturday – Arria will do a debute performance of “Siren Of Iris: Fire In The Forrest.” The song tells of a reformed siren, now sea guardian named ARRIA who is commanded by the Goddess Iris (Goddess of the Rainbow) to use her voice to soothe lost and weary souls on earth and to bring to peoples’ awareness the need to protect the planet – both water and land.
Arria’s upcoming album contains songs produced by and featuring guest vocals from Adam Holmes – a leading musician in the Scottish Acoustic/Singer-songwriter scene at present.
The official album launch will be at the Burgh Halls in Linlithgow on the 14th of October (see Arria.co.uk for updates and info)
The band have an ongoing plan to promote businesses and provide mixed-genre jingles that can be purchased at affordable pricing and played in local places without the hassle of licensing costs, with the added bonus of reaching the imagination and hearts of locals and tourists alike.
Future events in local spaces are not just limited to gigs – Arria are planning a range of family-friendly events such as storytelling with a theatrical aspect (think pillows, herbal tea and colour-changing lights) as well as music therapy sessions and vocal, guitar and other instrumental tuition.
In the naming of the band ARRIA – the band pay homage to sculptures of Andy Scott who created the Kelpies and the statue of Arria the mermaid in Cumbernauld.
However, the band name refers to the Arria Major of Ancient Rome who died a noble death by taking the dagger intended for her rebel husband and killing herself without visible pain. Front-woman of ARRIA descibes this character “a total radge, but in a really good kind of way. “She’s a constant anomaly. She doesn’t give up, she goes the extra mile, beyond man or woman and shocks everyone in an act of sacrificial love.”
The duo admit that although this batch of songs is committed to Falkirk, the greater inspiration for the music is the water – the rivers, oceans and myths of kelpies, selkies and mermaids. Cumbernauld literally translates as “The coming together of rivers” and was crucial in the bands formation – one band member being from Falkirk and another from the ‘Nauld.
ARRIA’s front woman has a voice fit to be called “The Angel Of The Nauld” – but being from Falkirk – a more fitting name might be “The Angel of the Faw.”
ARRIA aim to work and collaborate with artists, organisations and community, reclaiming public spaces for art, music, peaceful activism and sharing information about mental health services and local opportunities.
ARRIA plan to expand their project to Cumbernauld and other Scottish towns, with lots of songs, jingles, community projects and concerts. Generally just bringing the magic of music delivered by musicians with vision for a better future. “We’ve been inspired by developments in Falkirk over the last decade or so – and we want to do out bit to add something to the town and wider Scotland. It is a beautiful country, so we are happy to boast of it and deliver some beautiful songs to local people.”
Upcoming October performances:
(More tbc – announcements on Arria Music Facebook page.)
October 7 12-3pm – Howgate (near Allotment cafe)
October 14 – The Burgh Halls 7pm
October 20 – The Jazz Bar, Edinburgh
October 28th – Callender Square.
Links:
www.arria.co.uk
www.facebook.com/arriamusic
www.tiktok.com/arriamusic
Enquiries: enquiries@arria.co.uk
