Biography
In 2008 Ali Downer launched the Glasgow folk-rock collective Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers, which has since expanded into a lively six-piece unit. The lineup features Downer handling vocals, guitar and piano alongside Nick Dudman on drums, Fraser McKirdy on bass, Jordan Croan on guitar, Sam Evans on saxophone and Phil Caldwell on trumpet, each member joining gradually and committing to the project. The band grew from Downer’s earlier solo alias Woodenbox, separate from his disbanded indie outfit the Cigarettes, once he recruited the remaining musicians to complete the Fistful of Fivers.
Elements of spaghetti Western sound and rasping trumpets animate the stomping energy that defines this fresh, inventive brand of folk. Ennio Morricone touches sit comfortably beside classic folk forms and three-part harmonies, with Downer’s engagingly accented vocals guiding the sweeping tunes. These singular folk approaches won over the Scottish circuit through a series of charged live shows that quickly cultivated a devoted audience.
The group joined the Scottish college-run imprint Electric Honey in 2009—an outlet that had earlier propelled the careers of Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol and Belle & Sebastian—for the release of its debut album Home and the Wild Hunt in 2010. Rooted in folk traditions, the songs adopt a narrative shape while blending blues, Americana and country textures to produce the record’s driving, compelling atmosphere. The lead single “Draw a Line” attracted widespread attention from BBC 6 Music presenter Marc Riley, with further broadcasts on BBC Radio 1, Radio 2 and other U.K. stations. An extensive U.K. tour and multiple festival slots followed, culminating in an invitation to perform at the Texas music showcase SXSW in 2011.
Elements of spaghetti Western sound and rasping trumpets animate the stomping energy that defines this fresh, inventive brand of folk. Ennio Morricone touches sit comfortably beside classic folk forms and three-part harmonies, with Downer’s engagingly accented vocals guiding the sweeping tunes. These singular folk approaches won over the Scottish circuit through a series of charged live shows that quickly cultivated a devoted audience.
The group joined the Scottish college-run imprint Electric Honey in 2009—an outlet that had earlier propelled the careers of Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol and Belle & Sebastian—for the release of its debut album Home and the Wild Hunt in 2010. Rooted in folk traditions, the songs adopt a narrative shape while blending blues, Americana and country textures to produce the record’s driving, compelling atmosphere. The lead single “Draw a Line” attracted widespread attention from BBC 6 Music presenter Marc Riley, with further broadcasts on BBC Radio 1, Radio 2 and other U.K. stations. An extensive U.K. tour and multiple festival slots followed, culminating in an invitation to perform at the Texas music showcase SXSW in 2011.
Albums
