| Aidan Moffat | |
|---|---|
Aidan Moffat with Arab Strap at Liverpool Academy, May 19th, 2004 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Aidan John Moffat |
| Born | 10 April 1973 |
| Origin | Falkirk, Scotland |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1991 – present |
| Labels | Chemikal Underground |
| Associated acts | Arab Strap Malcolm Middleton |
| Website | http://www.aidanmoffat.co.uk |
Aidan John Moffat (born 10 April 1973 in Falkirk, Scotland) is a Scottish vocalist and musician, best known for his work with Malcolm Middleton in Arab Strap.
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Moffat was born and raised in Falkirk, Scotland. The first album he bought was Elvis Sings For Kids by Elvis Presley.[1] Whilst at Falkirk High School, he listened to such bands as Pixies, Dinosaur Jr. and Slint[2] His first ever gig was at age 16, and was David Byrne at the Glasgow Barrowlands in 1989.[1] In 1990, at age 17, he was expelled from school, with no Higher Qualifications.[1] He then worked for four years at an independent record shop called Sleeves Records,[3] resigning one morning in 1996, due to having a hangover and wanting to go home.[4]
In 1995, Moffat and Malcolm Middleton 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.
In 2002, after apparently being challenged by Malcolm Middleton to release a solo album,[5] 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.
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).
Moffat provided guest vocals on the Mogwai 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".
In 2002, Moffat, Stuart Braithwaite from Mogwai (a good friend of Moffat's), and Colin "Sheepy" McPherson released an eponymously titled EP under the name "The Sick Anchors"
Moffat uses his full name for his 2007 poetry album, I Can Hear Your Heart.
Aidan Moffat & the Best-Ofs are a four piece band fronted by Moffat. They played their first gig supporting American band Slint, 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.[6]
In 2011 Moffat released Everything's Getting Older along with former Arab Strap collaborator, Bill Wells.
Moffat currently lives in a flat in Hyndland, Glasgow.[7] Moffat is known for his distinctive facial hair, which he has commented on, saying
| “ | I decided as a young man I would never shave again, after a few accidents with a razor. Since then, I've always preferred a bit of hair. I don't know if I'd lose any power and I doubt that I'll ever find that out.[8] | ” |
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