Emerging Scottish indie-roots artist Hector Shaw has announced his debut single Gravity will be released on Friday, 19 February. It can be pre-saved here.

Facebook @HecShawMusic / Twitter @hectorshaw_ / Instagram @hectorshaw_

Brought up in a family of acclaimed musicians, it was no surprise when Hector began etching out his first unique song ideas during school downtime. Hector is now just 20 years old.

Hector has grown up surrounded by the musical creativity of his parents: musician, composer and producer Donald Shaw (Celtic Connections/Capercaillie) and revered songstress Karen Matheson (Capercaillie), whose collective passion for song has inspired Hector to forge his own artistic path.

With Hector’s music already drawing favourable comparisons to the likes of Jeff Buckley and John Martyn, Gravity announces the arrival of an exciting young artist with captivating, warm vocals and intricate guitar work that features a rich palette of chordal colours.

Hector Shaw’s vocals and guitar are accompanied on Gravity by Sorren Maclean on guitar, Hannah Fisher on backing vocals and Andrew Samson aka DUNT on drums.

Hector said: “Gravity is a song that’s really close to my heart and explores the desperation of witnessing someone you care about suffering. The track talks of the confusion and longing you feel when you see that person distance themselves from the world.

“Musically, I’m continually inspired by John Martyn and Joni Mitchell, particularly their percussive hybrid of folk and jazz guitar playing. I wanted to recreate that timbre in a song of my own.

“This has been my first proper recording experience and I’m grateful to have had the chance to collobrate with the musicians involved and for their support. I’ll always look back on the experience of recording my first single with real fondness and now feel so excited to share it with others.”

Originally from Glasgow and now studying English Literature at the University of Edinburgh, Hector quickly became part of the city’s normally burgeoning live music scene, selling out his first headline show with a full band at Sneaky Pete's in January 2020.

He has performed with Scottish touring project Hit The Road, including a headline slot at Websters Theatre as part of the tour, and at a number of much-loved Glasgow venues such as The Hug and Pint as part of Celtic Connections, Stereo and Broadcast. He has also performed at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.

The debut single was produced by Sorren Maclean and recorded and engineered by Gordon Maclean at An Tobar in Tobermory on Mull in September 2020.

Hector plans to drop a string of singles in 2021, followed by his debut EP in the early summer.

Gravity will be available to download and stream on Friday, 19 February. It can be pre-saved here.

Facebook @HecShawMusic / Twitter @hectorshaw_ / Instagram @hectorshaw_