Hamish Hawk announces new EP featuring covers of The Pet Shop Boys, Madonna, Sheryl Crow, The Eurythmics and Angel Olsen

Hamish Hawk | Photo Credit: Simpson Studios

Selected support for Hamish Hawk and "A Firmer Hand":

“Jarvis Cocker-esque Scot shows why he’s at the edge of the big time.” – The Guardian

“A Firmer Hand is such a thrilling listen because it eschews the platitudes of empowerment for something far more gritty, tough, self-critical – yet also unafraid to dish it out…. Harder, more brutal, more honest, the third Hamish Hawk record grasps the nettle.” - The Quietus

“A Firmer Hand is a perfectly integrated pop record — erudite, carnal, alert to the world’s absurdity and its own.” - The Times (4/5)

‘A Firmer Hand’ is utterly steeped in an authenticity and forwardness of the most soul-baring variety. Seamlessly woven through each and every track is a sense of heartfelt honesty… Hawk daringly takes a searchlight to the complexities of the relationships with the men in his life (friends, lovers, families, colleagues) and by extension to the complexities within himself. The results are dazzling.” - The Skinny ( 5/5)

'Evocative lyrics and erotic power games... The Scottish singer-songwriter’s latest showcases his talent for stories of passion.' - Financial Times (4/5)

"Edinburgh indie hero... a major talent continues to flourish."  - Record Collector (4/5)

“The unsettling yet triumphant sound of a band taking risks, their intriguing couplets and unnerving chords echo in the consciousness long after the music ends.” - NARC (4.5/5)

“Emboldened by the reception to his involved storytelling, Hawk steps up again. It’s time for the concept album, or at least a collection that is thematically linked around male relationships – family, friendship, sexual, practical.” - The Scotsman (4/5)

Edinburgh's inimitable Hamish Hawk returns today with news of a covers EP coming in the Autumn, with the ever-playful ‘Covers II’ set for a September 5th release via So Recordings.

Following hot on the heels of last year's critically-acclaimed ‘A Firmer Hand’, a breakthrough record for Hamish that saw significant press accolades, strong radio support and one that landed his first Scottish album chart no.1, he also shares the first single from the EP, a suitably immaculate cover of one of Madonna's earliest singles, ‘Burning Up’.

Listen to ‘Burning Up’ here

Hamish had the following to say about his cover of ‘Burning Up’:

"I had the idea to cover Madge a few albums back and I suppose I've been looking for my moment. "Burning Up" seemed to slot perfectly into place after "A Firmer Hand". For me, it always had to be her self-titled record - there's rare magic in that drum machine. "Burning Up" gave me so much to play with too; it's stylish, lusty, with a hint of darkness. We've gone and indified proceedings - hope she'd approve!

"Burning Up" has been a favourite within the band for a while now, and Madonna has given us our fair share of inspiration, so it's only right to make inroads towards repaying the debt. It's certainly wonkier than the original, but that sounds about right to me. I went for it with a hot and heavy vocal. I think Madge has me beat there, maybe."

Hamish and his band have put out a covers EP before, one that included versions of songs by Leonard Cohen, The Smiths and more, and it was a process they enjoyed enough to want to do again in the future. This time round Hamish and the band have lovingly rendered songs they admire from the likes of The Pet Shop Boys (whose Neil Tennant is an admirer of Hamish's songwriting in return), Angel Olsen, The Eurythmics and even Sheryl Crow.

He had the following to say about its creation:

"We knew pretty soon after recording our first EP of covers that it wouldn't be long before we got the itch to do it all over again. Tackling covers flexes an entirely different of muscles, and it's good to get a bit of exercise now and then. We had a whole host to choose from, and we settled on the ones we felt we could bring something to; an interesting moment, or an unexpected little something that pushes the song in a promising direction. I think we've managed?

Catch Hamish live on the following dates:

14th June | Bergenfest, Bergen, Norway
21st June | Solas Festival, Pershire, UK
27th June | Glasgow Summer Sessions, Glasgow, UK (w/ Simple Minds)
6th July | St. Nicholas Park, Warwick, UK (w/ Elbow)
26th July | Deer Shed Festival, North Yorkshire, UK
27th July | Latitude Festival, Suffolk, UK
8th August | Fringe By The Sea Festival, North Berwick, UK
6th September | Misty Fields Festival, Netherlands

Hamish Hawk
Covers II
Out September 5th
via So Recordings

1. Burning Up
2. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
3. If It Makes You Happy
4. So Hard
5. Shut Up Kiss Me