The XCERTS, Cold Years and more for Straight Outta Mannofield charity album

The XCERTS, Cold Years and more are joining forces for a new charity album entitled Straight Outta Mannofield.

Twenty Scottish artists have put forward songs – some exclusive and unreleased – for the record, which is raising money for Aberdeen’s Mannofield Explorer Scouts, the city’s largest Scout unit of its kind.

Mannofield Explorer Scouts leader Eoin Smith explains of the fundraising endeavour: “Straight Outta Mannofield is a dream come true… quite literally! I woke up one morning with the idea and now, four months later, I can hardly believe that we’re about to share it with the world.

“The Explorers have been really excited about the development of the record, and it was important that they were involved at every step of the way – we even have a former Explorer appearing on the album in jazz outfit, Hamlet. The album’s title and artwork were created by the Explorers themselves and they’ve been excited to hear all the tracks.

“We have been absolutely blown away by the support of the local music scene when putting this album together. We cannot overstate how grateful we are to all the bands and musicians that have donated their songs to the project. It really does show the power of community, and what we can achieve when we work together.”

Detailing the importance of the Mannofield Explorer Scouts and how these young people are provided valuable opportunities in their overall development, Eoin continues, “Since the pandemic, opportunities like Scouts have become even more important for young people, allowing them a safe place to have fun and make life-long friendships, feel comfortable expressing themselves, and learn skills for life.

“However, recent years have also brought with them funding challenges. The annual subs we collect only go so far and we – like all Scout groups – rely heavily on fundraising, but traditionally-lucrative events like bag packs have become almost wiped out with the rise of self-service checkouts and a post-pandemic reluctance for other people handling shopping.

“While there is still a place for coffee mornings and quiz nights, it’s exciting to look for new opportunities for fundraising that will help us continue to deliver our programme. What makes this even better is that we’re able to also bring incredible musicians from Aberdeen and the surrounding area to a bigger audience, too.”

Straight Outta Mannofield is due out on June 30, and can be pre-ordered via Bandcamp for £10 (or a higher donation if you choose).

See the full Straight Outta Mannofield tracklist:

1. The XCERTS – Everything’s Too Loud, Turn It Up
2. Cold Years – Control
3. The Little Kicks – Ruminations
4. Lotus Crush – Blood in the Water
5. The Capollos – Midnight Revelation
6. Wendell Borton – Childhood
7. Connor Clark & The Matador Kings – Golden Soul
8. Vansleep – Well, You Disappoint Me Boy
9. Min Diesel – Phillip Loved Horses
10. Best Girl Athlete – Get Together
11. CS Buchan – Guilty
12. Craig John Davidson – Best You Ever Had
13. Colin Clyne – Dunnottar Skies
14. The Killing Tide – Howling Winds
15. The Sun Day – Enjoy the Day
16. Audiokicks – Hardest Game
17. Full Fat – Lipstick
18. Gerry Jablonski & The Electric Band – Breaking the Stones
19. Hamlet – Chubby’s Bounce
20. The Lorelei - Reach

Pictured above: The Mannofield Explorer Scouts

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