Broughton-based Whisky Kiss are an untraditional Scottish band riding the wave of international interest in folk-tunes cut with DJ culture.
Over the last few years they've been steadily building a reputation at events like Edinburgh's Hogmanay, T in the Park, and tours of the Middle East. Now they're set to wow America next month with three appearances in the Big Apple: Dressed to Kilt, Whisky Live, and the Tartan Day Parade down New York's equivalent of Leith Walk – 5th Avenue.
Bass player and local resident Iain MacPhail describes how the group involves a live DJ mixing in hits such as 'Billie Jean, Atomic, the Ojays, Madonna and sexySOUNDS' whilst the rest of the band 'throw in live whistles, pipes, fiddles and block rocking beats'. That may suggest to purists a musical concrete mixer, but the result is, a reliable source informs us, 'loud, fun, and infectiously danceable'.
And if all that isn't enough to make New Yorkers jump out of their socks, Whisky Kiss will also appear at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan wearing jackets designed by Broughton Street band-sponsor Joey D.
McPhail describes himself as 'a massive Spurtle fan'. We greatly appreciate such enthusiasm, whilst also appreciating that he has a massive CD to promote: Twisted Tartan, due out in April. For a sneak preview visit 'McTomic'.
For more on the band, visit: www.whiskykiss.com. For info and tickets to an Edinburgh gig on 8 March visit: Bongo Club.