Musician Fiona Soe Paing is captivating audiences with the mesmerising audio-visual show of her album Sand, Silt, Flint.
Inspired by the landscape and folklore of Northeast Scotland, the show takes a twist on tradition in its contemporary re-imaginings of traditional ballads. Melding live vocals, electronica textures, sounds of the natural world and archive recordings with traditional Scottish instrumentation, Sand, Silt, Flint is a spellbinding performance combining Fiona’s music and voice with evocative films from artist Isla Goldie. Re-workings of traditional songs and original compositions are crafted into delicate sound worlds that resonate with ancient storytelling, enveloping listeners in a haunting re-telling of ancient tales for new times.
Sparked by discovering she’s related to the renowned ballad singer John Strachan, Fiona returned to her roots to create the album Sand, Silt, Flint.
Each track is linked to a specific location and its story, from the bleak expanses of The Lecht in the Cairngorms to the dramatic Banffshire coast.
Woven into the music are contributions from some of the area’s premier instrumentalists: fiddle player Paul Anderson, cellist Alice Allen, clarinettist Joanna Nicholson, clarsach player Irene Watt, guitarist Thee Manual Labour and drummer David McKay. Initially released as a digital-only album in November 2022, Sand, Silt, Flint has received widespread critical acclaim, including Four Stars reviews in THE GUARDIAN and SONGLINES MAGAZINE, and a recommendation from Iggy Pop on BBC6 Music.
‘Well, wow, that’s advanced, and beautiful! “(IGGY POP, BBC 6 MUSIC)
“…delivers that rarest of treats – a sublimely powerful and lingering experience… * * * ” (SONGLINES)
Sand, Silt, Flint is now releasedas a physical CD, alongside a Scottish tour throughout 2025. The album is also presented via geo-located sound-walks in the Echoes mobile app, allowing listeners to experience the music in the environments that inspired it. The Scottish tour is a unique opportunity to experience the captivating fusion of tradition and innovation brought to life by Fiona and the team.
Stream on Spotify HERE
EXPERIENCE one of the Sound Walks in the Echoes App HERE
WATCH the 30 sec. promo video HERE
WATCH the 20 sec promo clip HERE