Arab Strap

In 1995, Moffat and multi-instrumentalist Malcolm Middleton began making music under the name Arab Strap. They sent in demo cassettes to record a number of record companies; Chemikal Underground were the only to reply, and they were soon signed to them. They released six albums together, beginning with 1995's The Week Never Starts Round Here, before announcing their break up in 2006.

Moffat and Middleton briefly reunited in November 2011 for a gig as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of Glasgow venue Nice N Sleazy. They reunited again in 2016, for three shows at London's Electric Brixton, Manchester's O2 Ritz and Glasgow's Barrowlands Ballroom. A second Glasgow show was added after the first one sold out in under half an hour, along with a warm-up show in Newcastle. On 24 November 2020 the band announced they had reunited to record a new album, As Days Get Dark. The album was released on 5 March 2021 and was followed by extensive touring in the UK, Europe and Australia.^[5]

Outside Arab Strap

From 1991 to 1996, Moffat recorded with a band called The Angry Buddhists, which consisted of himself, Gavin Moffat, Stuart the Postman, "Cheg" Taylor and The Stobe. They recorded "over 40 songs on dictaphones and 4-tracks", but never played live. Moffat was also the drummer in Bay, a band who released two albums: Happy Being Different (1994) and Alison Rae (1995).^[6]

Aidan Moffat & the Best-Ofs are a four-piece band fronted by Moffat. They played their first gig supporting American band Slint at the Glasgow ABC in Scotland, where they debuted the songs "Big Blonde", "The Last Kiss", "Ballad of the Unsent Letter", "Living With You Now" and "Atheist's Lament". Their first album, titled How to Get to Heaven From Scotland, was released on 3 March 2009.

Writing

Moffat used his own name for his 2007 poetry album, I Can Hear Your Heart. In 2009 He wrote an advice column for the online magazine The Quietus,^[12] returning for a one-off Valentine's special to promote his first record as Nyx Nótt. He has also irregularly contributed reviews and commentary to the site, including reflections on a Girls Aloud concert and his thoughts on Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Where You're Meant To Be

In 2016 Moffat appeared in the documentary Where You're Meant to Be, in which he toured Scotland performing his reinterpretations of traditional Scottish folk songs. The film, directed by Paul Fegan, also features the traditional singer Sheila Stewart who is critical of the project, viewing it as disrespecting the tradition. She ultimately performs alongside Moffat during a show at the Glasgow Barrowlands.^[13]