Scott Morgan (loscil) – A Year in Music – 2025
by Killian Laher

You’ve had a good year with the release of Lake Fire. Are you happy with how it’s been received?

Honestly, it took me a while to feel comfortable with this release.  The process of making it was kind of jumbled and convoluted, and the outcome was not something I recognised at first, created in a kind of fury.  But after sitting with it and performing it live over the course of the last 6 months or so, I feel like I now understand it more.  In a way, getting feedback from audiences, friends, and reviewers really helped me understand what I had made, and I really appreciate that.

What albums have you enjoyed most this year?

As always, the music of those closest to me is what tends to resonate the most.  Touring with Patricia Wolf, I have a deeper appreciation for her work and really enjoyed both her 2024 album The Secret Lives Of Birds and this year’s soundtrack she created for Edward Pack Davee called Hrafnamynd.

My pal Lawrence English has had a great year with the release of White Out and Even The Horizon Knows Its Bounds, both of which I’ve listened to quite a bit.  I had the pleasure to guest on Any Cartright’s (aka Seabuckthorn) album A Path Within A Path for laaps, which is a beautiful record.  Lots of great music this year.

What’s the most promising new act you’ve heard this year?

I’m not exactly someone with my finger on the pulse of the music machine, but I really enjoyed this album by Leslie García on Umor Rex called Animistic Resonance.  Completely new artist to me, but really nice textures.

Any gig highlights?

In terms of local shows I saw, I really enjoyed Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe and Claire Rousay.  In terms of shows I played, I had a fantastic European tour in September.  Great shows all around, but playing Iceland for the first time on a bill with Seefeel was extra special.

Can you recommend an album that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves?

Well, I believe it gets recognition, but listening to this beautiful new release, Lucy´s Dream by Deaf Centre and learning that this was built out of recovered material from their seminal Pale Ravine album sessions points me back to how great an album that is.  Erik and Otto are a couple of the sweetest and most talented folks.  Highly deserving of praise.

What inspires you these days?

I’m all over the map, to be honest.  I’m entering into one of my favourite parts of the creative cycle, which is searching for new ideas, sparks, nuggets, etc.  It’s a time of great potential when you’re not yet bound to anything and the possibilities are wide open.  I’m looking forward to seeing what rises to the top and brings the most creative inspiration.

Anything interesting in the works for next year?

I’ve just released a new photo zine/ep called Ash on Bandcamp.  Beyond that, lots of irons in the fire, but nothing solidified for 2026.