Declan mclennan
lead vocals | rythm Guitar
As Declan McLennan grows as a singer-songwriter, he comes to appreciate the rich connection between literature and music. His father, both avid reader and eccentric architect, recommended classics like “Wind, Sand, and Stars” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and “Watership Down” by Richard Adams to Declan at an early age. Reading books under the lush canopy (and beautiful ecosystems) of the Pacific Northwest has developed the adventurous and provocative imagery of Declan’s lyrics. Story-telling is at the forefront of Thistle’s music, allowing listeners to be enveloped with relatable themes of family, loss, and childlike wonder. Songwriting for him is a constant process of introspection and relaying understandings of the past memories to the present. While Declan is constantly inspired by his brother and talented bandmates, his own prowess on guitar and ear for song composition and arrangement has developed over years as a solo performing musician and more recently in Thistle.
AIDAN MCLENNAN
LEAD & RYTHM GUITAR | VOCALS
One of Aidan McLennan’s many great strengths as a musician is his ability to “find the part”. Through a constant iterative and playful process, he writes melodies, instrumental sections, and harmonies across an impressive range of instruments. Originally studying classical piano, he has now branched out to playing over 10 instruments, including guitar, bass, drums, mandolin, and more. Today, post classical training, Aidan is primarily self-taught and takes influence from musical legends James Taylor, Franz Liszt, and John Mayer, but also, from local mentors such as Brickyard Studio’s, Johnny Bregar and his father Jason McLennan. While Aidan has performed with many stylistically diverse groups like Reuben Shephard band, and Zuva & Izzy, his songwriting with his brother Declan under Thistle are where his talents truly shine.