Boulder Fields - With All The Other Ghosts
Edinburgh-based folk-rock troubadour Boulder Fields presents his debut album ‘With All The Other Ghosts’, released on June 14 via Scottish indie imprint Let There Be Numbers. Mainly played on acoustic instruments, these 11 thoughtful tracks feature beautiful, stripped-down arrangements. Enveloped with sonorous harmonies and delivered with fierce intensity, they nevertheless recall the artist's punk history.
Boulder Fields revolves around Scottish singer-songwriter Cam Fraser, formerly of Borrowed Books and 80s punk legends The Cateran, who came to reach a wider audience by touring with Nirvana on the 1989 UK tour that led to the American grunge legends' big break. Between his two bands, Cam Fraser has toured or performed with The Proclaimers, Tad and Grant Hart (Husker Du),
On this album, Cam (vocals, guitar) is joined by long-time collaborator Aly Barr (bass, vocals) and the talented Suzy Cargill (drums, vocals). Since Boulder Fields' debut performance at 2022's Belladrum Festival, they've played several very well-received shows around Edinburgh, some as a three-piece and some with the extended line-up.
This album also features Jamie Watson, a hugely respected figure in the Scottish music scene. Perhaps best known for producing Snow Patrol and The Vaselines. The former owner of Chamber Studio, Watson was also a member of influential Scottish bands The Monos, The Solos and The Persian Rugs. Jamie and Cam first worked together in the 1980s. Contributing impressive finger-style acoustic guitar on several tracks, he also helped create the final mix.
Boulder Fields has shared two singles from this album - the rockier uptempo lead track 'Measures' and 'Wipe Out The Stars', inspired by his love for and attachment to his hometown of Edinburgh. The lyrics say it all: “And we can’t escape now and so we remain. Forever enthralled by the mist and the rain. And we never noticed you tricking our hearts. Sweeping us up when we’d fallen apart.”
"I’ve lived in Edinburgh – more or less – since I came here as a student. I’ve tried to leave. Honestly, I have. But here I am. And here I stay. It can be a cold place. Not just the weather... Is there a better city to live in? Maybe. But not for me. My family and friends are here. My favourite café. My favourite pubs. My favourite people. I’ve long accepted that I’ll very likely die here. They can scatter my ashes in the park I run round and round and round as I try to fend off the dying bit for a good while longer. So it’s a love song. Living and dying in the city," says Cam Fraser.
"The album owes a lot to the very lovely guy who sat behind the mixing desk, Richie Werner at B&B Studios. As well as fretting about all the technical stuff and making sure he got the best possible sound out of all the instruments, Richie also fired up his studio’s old Hammond organ and played on a couple of songs."
On June 14, 'With All the Other Ghosts' album will be available from fine music outlets, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where it is already available for pre-order.