Aidan Moffat
Encyclopedia
Aidan John Moffat is a Scottish
vocalist and musician
, best known for his work with Malcolm Middleton
in Arab Strap
.
, Scotland
. The first album he bought was Elvis Sings For Kids by Elvis Presley
. Whilst at Falkirk High School
, he listened to such bands as Pixies, Dinosaur Jr. and Slint
His first ever gig was at age 16, and was David Byrne
at the Glasgow Barrowlands in 1989. In 1990, at age 17, he was expelled from school, with no Higher Qualifications
. He then worked for four years at an independent record shop called Sleeves Records, resigning one morning in 1996, due to having a hangover and wanting to go home.
began making music under the name "Arab Strap", and sent in demo cassettes to record companies. Only one, Chemikal Underground
, replied, and they were soon signed to them.
song, "R U Still in 2 It", from Mogwai Young Team
, which was recorded in the same studio (MCM Studios
in Hamilton
) around the same time as Arab Strap were recording The Week Never Starts Round Here
, in 1997. Moffat also contributes vocals to the Mogwai song "Now You're Taken
", from 4 Satin
. Mogwai have a song dedicated to him on their second album, Come on Die Young
, entitled "Waltz for Aidan".
from Mogwai
(a good friend of Moffat's), and Colin "Sheepy" McPherson released an eponymously titled EP under the name "The Sick Anchors"
, at the Glasgow ABC
in Scotland
, where they debuted the songs "Big Blonde", "The Last Kiss", "Ballad of the Unsent Letter", "Living With You Now", and "Atheist's Lament". Their first album, titled How to Get to Heaven From Scotland was released on 3rd of March, 2009.
In 2009 Moffat wrote an advice column for the online magazine The Quietus
.
, Glasgow
. Moffat is known for his distinctive facial hair, which he has commented on, saying
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
vocalist and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, best known for his work with Malcolm Middleton
Malcolm Middleton
Malcolm Bruce Middleton is a Scottish musician best known for his work with Aidan Moffat in post-folk indie band Arab Strap as well as his solo career writing and producing...
in Arab Strap
Arab Strap (band)
Arab Strap were an indie rock band from Scotland that consisted of core members Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton. The band were signed to independent record label Chemikal Underground, and split in 2006...
.
Early life
Moffat was born and raised in FalkirkFalkirk
Falkirk is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies in the Forth Valley, almost midway between the two most populous cities of Scotland; north-west of Edinburgh and north-east of Glasgow....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The first album he bought was Elvis Sings For Kids by Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. Whilst at Falkirk High School
Falkirk
Falkirk is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies in the Forth Valley, almost midway between the two most populous cities of Scotland; north-west of Edinburgh and north-east of Glasgow....
, he listened to such bands as Pixies, Dinosaur Jr. and Slint
Slint
Slint was an American rock band consisting of Brian McMahan , David Pajo , Britt Walford , Todd Brashear and Ethan Buckler...
His first ever gig was at age 16, and was David Byrne
David Byrne (musician)
David Byrne is a musician and artist, best known as a founding member and principal songwriter of the American new wave band Talking Heads, which was active between 1975 and 1991. Since then, Byrne has released his own solo recordings and worked with various media including film, photography,...
at the Glasgow Barrowlands in 1989. In 1990, at age 17, he was expelled from school, with no Higher Qualifications
Higher (Scottish)
In Scotland the Higher is one of the national school-leaving certificate exams and university entrance qualifications of the Scottish Qualifications Certificate offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. It superseded the old Higher Grade on the Scottish Certificate of Education...
. He then worked for four years at an independent record shop called Sleeves Records, resigning one morning in 1996, due to having a hangover and wanting to go home.
Arab Strap
In 1995, Moffat and Malcolm MiddletonMalcolm Middleton
Malcolm Bruce Middleton is a Scottish musician best known for his work with Aidan Moffat in post-folk indie band Arab Strap as well as his solo career writing and producing...
began making music under the name "Arab Strap", and sent in demo cassettes to record companies. Only one, Chemikal Underground
Chemikal Underground
Chemikal Underground is an independent record label set up in 1994 by Glasgow, Scotland rock band The Delgados. It was set up to release their first single, "Monica Webster" / "Brand New Car" and went on to break many new Scottish bands in the nineties....
, replied, and they were soon signed to them.
L. Pierre
In 2002, after apparently being challenged by Malcolm Middleton to release a solo album, Moffat released a solo album entitled Hypnogogia under the name "Lucky Pierre". In 2005, after changing the name to "L. Pierre", Moffat released an album called Touchpool. His latest solo album was released in 2007, and is entitled Dip.Albums
- Hypnogogia Melodic 9 September 2002
- Touchpool Melodic 4 February 2005
- Dip Melodic 12 February 2007
Pre-Arab Strap
From 1991 to 1996, Moffat recorded with a band called The Angry Buddhists, which consisted of Aidan Moffat, Gavin Moffat, Stuart The Postman, "Cheg" Taylor and The Stobe. They recorded "over 40 songs on dictaphones and 4-tracks", but never played live. Aidan was also the drummer in Bay, a band who released two albums - Happy Being Different (1994) and Alison Rae (1995).Mogwai
Moffat provided guest vocals on the MogwaiMogwai
The word mogwai is the transliteration of the Cantonese word 魔怪 meaning "monster", "evil spirit", "devil" or "demon".-Mogwai/Mogui in Chinese culture:...
song, "R U Still in 2 It", from Mogwai Young Team
Mogwai Young Team
Mogwai Young Team is the debut studio album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai.-Overview:Mogwai Young Team was recorded in Summer 1997 at MCM Studios in Hamilton, Scotland, and was produced by Paul Savage and Andy Miller...
, which was recorded in the same studio (MCM Studios
Chemikal Underground
Chemikal Underground is an independent record label set up in 1994 by Glasgow, Scotland rock band The Delgados. It was set up to release their first single, "Monica Webster" / "Brand New Car" and went on to break many new Scottish bands in the nineties....
in Hamilton
Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
Hamilton is a town in South Lanarkshire, in the west-central Lowlands of Scotland. It serves as the main administrative centre of the South Lanarkshire council area. It is the fifth-biggest town in Scotland after Paisley, East Kilbride, Livingston and Cumbernauld...
) around the same time as Arab Strap were recording The Week Never Starts Round Here
The Week Never Starts Round Here
The Week Never Starts Round Here is the debut studio album by Arab Strap, released on November 25, 1996, on Chemikal Underground. During a 2009 interview, Malcolm Middleton stated that The Week Never Starts Round Here is his favourite Arab Strap release: "it’s completely undiluted and free from any...
, in 1997. Moffat also contributes vocals to the Mogwai song "Now You're Taken
Now You're Taken
"Now You're Taken" is a song by Scottish post-rock group Mogwai, which originally appeared on the 4 Satin EP in 1997, then later on the compilation album EP+6 in 2000.-Overview:...
", from 4 Satin
4 Satin
4 Satin is an EP by Scottish post-rock group Mogwai, released in 1997 in the UK and the US through Chemikal Underground and Jetset respectively.-Overview:4 Satin is Mogwai's debut EP...
. Mogwai have a song dedicated to him on their second album, Come on Die Young
Come On Die Young
Come On Die Young , is the second full-length studio album by the Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, released on 29 March 1999 by Chemikal Underground.-Overview:...
, entitled "Waltz for Aidan".
The Sick Anchors
In 2002, Moffat, Stuart BraithwaiteStuart Braithwaite
Stuart Leslie Braithwaite is a Scottish guitarist, bassist, drummer, singer and songwriter. He is best known as the guitarist of post rock band Mogwai, with whom he has recorded seven studio albums.-Early life :...
from Mogwai
Mogwai
The word mogwai is the transliteration of the Cantonese word 魔怪 meaning "monster", "evil spirit", "devil" or "demon".-Mogwai/Mogui in Chinese culture:...
(a good friend of Moffat's), and Colin "Sheepy" McPherson released an eponymously titled EP under the name "The Sick Anchors"
Aidan John Moffat
Moffat uses his full name for his 2007 poetry album, I Can Hear Your Heart.Aidan Moffat & the Best-Ofs
Aidan Moffat & the Best-Ofs are a four piece band fronted by Moffat. They played their first gig supporting American band SlintSlint
Slint was an American rock band consisting of Brian McMahan , David Pajo , Britt Walford , Todd Brashear and Ethan Buckler...
, at the Glasgow ABC
ABC Glasgow
The O2 ABC is a nightclub and music venue on Sauchiehall Street, in the centre of Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. The building was constructed in 1875 but was largely rebuilt in the 1920s. It had been put to a number of uses before being converted for its current purpose between 2002 and 2005. In...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, where they debuted the songs "Big Blonde", "The Last Kiss", "Ballad of the Unsent Letter", "Living With You Now", and "Atheist's Lament". Their first album, titled How to Get to Heaven From Scotland was released on 3rd of March, 2009.
In 2009 Moffat wrote an advice column for the online magazine The Quietus
The Quietus
The Quietus is a British online rock music and pop culture magazine, focusing on arts news, reviews, and features. The site is an editorially independent publication led by John Doran and a group of freelance journalists and critics, some of whom have worked for other media outlets...
.
Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat
In 2011 Moffat released Everything's Getting Older along with former Arab Strap collaborator, Bill Wells.Personal life
Moffat currently lives in a flat in HyndlandHyndland
Hyndland is a residential area in the West End of the city of Glasgow, Scotland.Bordering the Broomhill, Maryhill, Dowanhill, Kelvinside and Partickhill areas, it is a middle-class area populated mainly by professionals and young bourgeois bohemians including a number of noted authors, poets,...
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. Moffat is known for his distinctive facial hair, which he has commented on, saying