Biog:
Trapped Mice were formed in Edinburgh in early 2010. Tender and abrasive in equal measure, they craft literate songs about love and death in the shadow of fallen empires. The lyrics are the centre-point, not an afterthought, whether whispered over a crooning violin or screamed from beneath an avalanche of drums and white noise.
November 2012 saw the release of their debut full-length courtesy of Glasgow-based Armellodie Records. ‘Winter Sun’ was described variously as “rambunctious, literate, imaginative and heartfelt”, “wonderfully beautiful and touchingly melancholic” and “a compelling collection of intelligent and fragile pieces of perceptive song-writing”. The band are currently working on the follow-up, scheduled for release in Autumn 2014.
Critical Praise:
“Glasgow’s Armellodie label have released some fine bands over the last while, including the Scottish Enlightenment, Chris Devotion and the Expectations and Le Reno Amps. But I think this is their finest release so far… on the evidence of this whole album, the band more than hold their own against the likes of Meursault, Withered Hand and the Savings & Loan, to pick three very fine bands from the contemporary Edinburgh scene.” (9/10) – God is in the TV
“Edinburgh’s dynamic indie-folk scene, already boasting Eagleowl, Withered Hand and Meursault, has just got even stronger.” – Alan Morrison, The Herald
“The Edinburgh five piece Trapped Mice have been around for a while now, but this debut album, Winter Sun, is as wonderfully beautiful and touchingly melancholic as you would hope an album with that title would be. And like the best albums, even before it’s over, you just know that this is an album you’re going to want to play again and again. It’s one of the strongest albums I’ve heard this year – so make sure you hear it, too.” – 17 Seconds
“The new album by Edinburgh quintet Trapped Mice is absolutely rocking my world today.” – Pete Paphides
“Lucie Miller’s howling violin blends perfectly with the imperfect – yet utterly perfect vocals – of Ian Tilling that make him sound like a Scottish Will Sheff. Hermit Point is a near-waltz that ought to be soundtracking a John Hillcoat film, and again it’s the deployment of the violin that lifts it to the next level. Violins are nothing new for Edinburgh bands, of course, but on Winter Sun, the instrument conveys an emotional depth on a consistent basis that few bands have managed to reach.” (Album of the Week) – The Tidal Wave of Indifference
“It’s an evocative introduction, demonstrating that even without Ian Tilling’s studiedly poetic lyrics, Trapped Mice spin stories with skill. For the remainder of the band’s full length debut, Tilling’s passionate vocals are an upfront focal point, and his words prove extremely effective” – The Skinny
“Some beautiful soundscapes and textures…very musical all the way along, and it only takes a shake of an angry guitar or a little more growl to the vocal before it just swoops right up a gear and pulls you somewhere else… It’s an album that has an edge as well, and that lack of polish to the sound is totally to the music’s advantage because it really does capture the thrill of the way they make music together” – BBC Radio Scotland (The Tom Morton Show)
“rambunctious, literate, imaginative and heartfelt songs…the spine tingling; ‘Hermit Point’, a song about the man who refused to sell his Northern Scottish home to Donald Trump to make way for his coastal development, imagining him growing old and wondering what may have been. It’s a staggering and beautiful track, with strings like an oil-slick and evidence of just what Trapped Mice are capable of and for me, along with effortless and perfectly formed ‘Night of Broken Glass’ hints at a future that must can only bring success. A fine, fine debut.” (7/10) – Americana UK
“‘Winter Sun’ is a compelling collection of intelligent and fragile pieces of perceptive song-writing which demand your attention throughout the full course of the album. The set closes with the touching, delicate sign-off of ‘Demons’ – with tender, emotive vocals over a simple acoustic backing which leave you feeling anxious and yet with a hope that if people can express such empathy though such poignant words and music then maybe we can be optimistic about the future.” – Vanguard Online
“The debut album from the Edinburgh quintet shares a fair amount musically with the likes of Glasgow contemporaries Admiral Fallow, both in terms of the sounds produced and, vaguely, style. On Winter Sun, however, Trapped Mice, manage to plumb greater emotional depths as well as harnessing vocal abilities akin to those of both Nick Cave and Miles Hunt (circa ‘Welcome To The Cheap Seats’)…there is an underlying dry wit through a great many of what essentially amount to observances of (and musings on) slices of life.” – Muso’s Guide
“Scotland churns out top-quality indie-folksters at such a rate that sometimes it’s difficult to keep up. Trapped Mice come from the scene already fully-fledged: this debut album is knowing, witty, and indomitable; boasting spirited numbers such as “Cancel Shift” and “Night of Broken Glass” alongside the fragile poetry of “Dance While Winter Cries”. There’s a hint of Jeff Mangum in “Hermit Point”, a modern fairy-tale told by guitar, violin and drum; while “Quiet Place” goes from touching to tragic to wistfully funereal across its seven minutes. A mournfully witty gem of a record.” – InForty
“This is not a throwaway album, it is not pop fizz that evaporates all too quickly, it is what we would call a proper record, carefully crafted to be more rewarding with every listen. It is thoughtful, it is lyrical, heartfelt, sometimes sly and occasionally fragile. It is though, always intelligent.” – Mad Mackerel
“Typically, I don’t go straight out for the classic alternative sound, even with all it’s current production value and what not. But, that being said, I’ve really fallen for this jam from Trapped Mice, a band hailing from the other part of Scotland, Edinburgh. I’m obsessed with the way band incorporates lush instrumentation, wrapped around some incredible lyrics. You’ll also find a raw passion that introduces itself near the end via the vocal performance. It’s the perfect first single from their upcoming record, Winter Sun, which is now on my watch-list. If you like organically-grown rock n’ roll, then this hit’s for you.” – Austin Town Hall
“(a) blend of old school tunes with a touch of 21st Century tomfoolery. The Edinburgh quintet has found a way to be tough and fragile simultaneously.” – Here Comes the Flood
“Winter Sun is the debut album from Edinburgh five piece alternative folk band Trapped Mice. There are some good songs here and stirring instrumentation, all with a melancholy feel, yet with occasional touches of humour that lighten things nicely or add a caustic edge. Organ, accordion and violins mix with acoustic guitars and a strong lead vocal to give a well-crafted feel to much of the music.” – Glasswerk
