Based on the Isle of Skye, the Peatbog Faeries are one of Scotland’s best known names in contemporary folk music. In 2012 they were a nominee for Best Live Act at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, having already twice won Live Act of the Year at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards, and they’ve taken their own individual brand of Scottish tunes to audiences around the world, from European Festivals, to Asia, Africa, America, Canada and Australia.

Innes Hutton is one the Peatbog Faeries’ founding members and plays bass and percussion with the band. InSuffolk’s Steve Hawthorne caught up with Innes ahead of the Peatbog’s visit to Bury St Edmunds:

Steve Hawthorne: I saw the name The Peatbog Faeries before I’d heard any of your music but immediately thought ‘I want to hear them.’  So where did that distinct and memorable name come from?

Innes Hutton:It was an old woman in the village of Laxay, on Lewis. She gave us the name in Gaelic for helping with her peats.

SH: You got tagged originally with the label ‘Acid Croft’ because of the electronic elements in your sound. How comfortable were you with that and was it a help or a burden?

IH: I think that was a monicker for the Shoogles at one time. People have always had difficulty “bracketing” our music and we’re happy with that.

SH:Your second album, Faerie Stories, was the first album to bring you some attention but there was a real problem getting it released.  Why was that?

IH: We signed with a company in New York who went bust as we were about to release! Doh!

SH: Now I love the pipes, I even started to learn to play some years back but they are a Marmite (either love them or hate them) instrument.  Have you ever had a real negative reaction when they strike up?

IH: No !

SH: And how does your sound go down amongst ex-pats in North America and Australia?

IH:These two countries have fantastic festivals with very cosmopolitan crowds but its great to meet people from Home whilst abroad.

SH:The introduction of the brass instruments seemed to introduce a jazz element to your sound.  Was that intentional or something which happened organically?

IH: We have never considered the brass lines as jazz really.  Jazz is another beast entirely. We were looking for added texture and dynamic from  them and hopefully we achieved that.

SH: Having seen you live a couple of times I’m amazed it took until 2012 for you to be nominated for the BBC Folk Awards Best Live Act.  Has that got something to do with the innate conservatism of folk or have the right people just not been at your gigs ?

IH: It was nice to be involved in the awards but you can’t take it too seriously.

SH: You are known not to sort out the set list until shortly before you go on stage.  Is this still the case and who gets the final say?  And does this mean that if we send drinks to the dressing room we can ask for requests ? (What are you drinking / Folk Police please.)

IH: Hmm yes that is most often the case. Peter does. Yes it does – G&T ,thanks

SH: Despite seeming to be more relevant than ever I wonder if folk music isn’t at another crossroads when bands like Mumford & Sons and Laura Marling now reject the label with vigor.  Is this something folk music has brought upon itself by its focus on ‘the tradition’ and if so is it something which you feel has affected yourselves?

IH: Are the Beatles Folk music? Some would say yes

SH: Your date at the Apex comes between dates at the Sidmouth and Cropredy Festivals.  Is there a big difference in the approach between the two types of gig and which Scottish festival would you recommend to a Sassenach with a love of pipes and fiddles?

IH: No there’s no difference between the two gigs we will give or all for both of them. I would recommend Heb Celt, Belladrum and the Shetland Folk Fest. Oh and Celtic Connections

SH: You were commissioned to write an original piece for the Scottish Ballet.  That must have been a different experience- is it something you’d like to repeat and is there any burning, unfufilled ambition you’d be willing to tell us about?

IH: That was great fun and we learnt a lot from it. We came away with a huge respect for the dancers and what they put into a performance. We would love to do more of that or even a film score.

SH: Thanks for your time, we appreciate it but I have to ask what has become the traditional InSuffolk closing question: if you had to make the choice would you rather lose your talent or your teeth?

IH: I would have to believe in talent in the first place so I’ll be keeping my teeth.

SH: Tapadh leat, Innes.  Enjoy The Apex, it’s a great venue.

The Peatbog Faeries are at the Apex on August 7th. All details at www.theapex.co.uk