The Maple Trail

..Aidan Roberts makes records in his living room in the Blue Mountains.Recognized as co-songwriter and lead guitarist of the psychedelic guitar pop quintet Belles Will Ring, he has been busy making solo records for a few years now under this moniker, utilizing whatever guitars, percussion instruments, pianos and radio transmitters he can get his hands on to create his melodic and driving folk soundscapes.Signing to Broken Stone Records in 2007, The Maple Trail delivered the 7-track New York EP (BSR 004), spawning an indie radio hit in the title track and providing the impetus to complete the first full-length album Dirty Echo Spark (BSR 005). That was a particularly productive winter for Aidan. Having just finished mixing Dirty Echo Spark, he immediately began work on its sister album, Radio Twilight Lost, considered to be the “dark side” of its longer and more elaborate counterpart, which was released in a limited hand-made run available at shows only and by mail order through the BSR website.Dirty Echo Spark went on to receive much critical praise and radio play, particularly from its lead single 'New York' and the lilting 'Crackdown'. Listeners and critics alike favoured its dense harmonies, multi-layered D-I-Y instrumentation and echoey, haunted folk melodies. For touring, Aidan assembled a multitude of talented musical friends to bring the songs of DES and RTL to life, featuring Daniel Holdsworth (drums, guitars, vocals), Pip Smith (percussion, saxophone, vocals), Doug Wright (keys, trumpets, percussion, vocals), Ben Pattinson (accordian, piano), and BSR’s own Des Miller (bass guitar, vocals).For much of 2009 Aidan has been busy with composing theatre scores (Tattoo, Griffin Theatre Co, Hamlet, Harlos Productions), producing work for fellow songwriters, playing in Holly Throsby’s band, playing and lending production duties for Caitlin Park, and mounting a performance of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells, with long-time collaborator Daniel Holdsworth (The Maple Trail, The Saturns, Dan Leonard).2010 will see the welcome return of the full Maple Trail band to the stage, and will see the release of a re-mastered, partially re-recorded and expanded vinyl release of Radio Twilight Lost, and a new full-length album later in the year.For up to date information about The Maple Trail, click hereOr you can buy The Maple Trail records here: Broken Stone Records>