Have Fun at Dinner

[Mix/MP3/Download] Alternative GenreMix # 1 - Slowcore

2011-05-24T17:48:00.019+01:00

[It can be disheartening being a music geek in this day and age. With the constant streams of blogs and 'Best New Music' everyone thinks they are an expert, yet music is becoming increasingly disposable to these types. What is hot now, what is cool to like, not really giving an afterthought to anything that predates their beloved internet. Tastes used to be moulded by something other than the internet, and I see the irony of a music blogger stating this. I take pride in the fact that I am sad enough to get so involved with wee obscure genres to help me figure out what has created the current landscape for alternative music, and put my curious mind at rest. Genre is largely redundant these days, but looking back and seeing how influential some obscure genres have become is pretty interesting. Well at least to this music geek. So I'll show you how certain genres have affected my listening tastes in certain ways. There will be shiny mixes to give you a rest bite from putting up with my shite chat.]

Twitter can be a pain in the arse sometimes. Constant self-indulgent patter, the niggling fact in the back of your mind that Justin 'Nae Pubes' Bieber is more popular that you ever will be, everybody trying to out-funny everybody else. Sometimes though, it can give you a bit of inspiration to start writing your tumbleweed-ridden blog again.
This inspiration came from a Twittersation (groan) between Bart from Eagleowl and ardent music fan Tom Youll.

As much as this made me chuckle, it also made me have a wee think. How many people know or actually care what slowcore is?

Slowcore's roots come for the late 80's when bands such a Slint, Galaxie 500 and American Music Club were creating down-tempo songs which didn't really sit comfortably beside anything else happening at that time. Then came, in the early 90's, Low's idea to play very quietly and slowly to a crowds full of hardcore or grunge fans. Essentially, slowcore could be seen as a reaction to the grunge scene of that time, with the exception of Come who kind of bridge the gap between the two genres. It wasn't really a scene in itself though, as each slowcore band was spread miles apart across America. The American press found slowcore far too boring at the time, as shown by Red House Painter's/Sun Kil Moon's Mark Kozelek;

"[We were] completely praised and hailed by the British press," Red House Painters/Sun Kil Moon songwriter Mark Kozelek told me, in a 1998 interview, "having people say things like 'Down Colorful Hill is the best album since Astral Weeks'... but the American press just said 'it's too slow', 'bring a pillow', 'go to the show if you need some sleep.'"

It's influence is still felt today with Low, Cat Power and Mark Kozelek becoming extremely successful in their own right. Slowcore has went on to influence numerous bands such as Arab Strap (who met and bonded over their love for Slint and Smog). 'New Birds' has a particular slowcore vibe about it.

Slowcore is constantly called boring, yet it is a sound that went against the grain at the time and due to the lengthiness of the songs they received little or no radio play. If that isn't a punk ideology, I'm not sure what is.

Tracklisting and Blurb;

The New Year - End's Not Near

Not strictly a slowcore song in the purest sense, but it was my gateway into the genre. I bought The New Year's The End's Not Near album back in 2004 when I was 15 on a whim and fell in love with it. I then discovered The New Year used to be Bedhead, one of the pioneers of a genre called slowcore. Check out their song The Rest of the Day, it's slowcore to the, ahem, core.

Eagleowl - Blanket

A band who I know are heavily influenced by pre-Great Destroyer Low and who are, essentially, slowcore. Blanket shows how quiet and simple touches to a song can really make beautiful results.

Red House Painters - Mistress

Mark Kozelek, along with Bill Callahan, is the elder statesman of slowcore. Even his newer, more country orientated songs have slowcore elements.

Low - Words

The band that essentially started it all. Hushed vocals, sparse-yet-intense drumming, post rock influences; the quintessential slowcore band.

Codeine - D

Codeine show a slightly heavier side to the genre, harking back to Slint. Frigid Stars is an absolute must have. If you haven't already, seek it out.

Debutant - Yeah! Currahee!

I've added Scottish solo act and Meursault guitarist Philip Quirie to the mix due to his love for bands such as Red House Painters. It definitely come across in his music as, like it or not, he is SLOWCORE-ish. I mean listen to the slow approach merging into post-rock influences. Nice.

Smog - Four Hearts In A Can

Smog show here how country music and slowcore can be almost synonymous.

Cat Power - Rockets

Yes. Cat Power started off as largely a slowcore act. Her 1996 album Myra Lee demonstrates this and is a far cry away from her recent sound. She is also Bill Callahan's ex, so go figure.

Bluetile Lounge - Ambered

This little known Aussie band released an absolute essential for all slowcore purists in their 1995 album Lowercase. This 12-minute long track's ending is worth the wait. If you haven't realised by now, you have to really be patient when it comes to slowcore music.

Further listening; Stina Nordenstam, Ida, Movietone, For The Carnation

Further reading; Drowned in Sound's amazing 'Introduction to Slowcore' . One of my favourite ever articles by them.

Next week's GenreMix; Paisley Underground

The Savings and Loan - Today I Need Light

2010-12-07T12:04:00.003Z

I don't really listen to many bloggers when it comes to what to listen to, but I have a few exceptions. Matthew from Song, By Toad is usually someone who I find my tastes align with on most things (but not all things), so it was strange that despite him raving about The Savings and Loan for nearly two years my first introduction to them was only a few months ago at their house gig. It was certainly a case of preconceived notions being blown out the water as the Edinburgh/Glasgow duo are nothing like I anticipated. Whilst I was gripping myself for some dirty fuzzy rock (which was really based on nothing more than Matthew's token taste) I was greeted with some of the most delicate and beautifully constructed songs I've heard in a long time. This, thankfully, transfers amazingly well on their debut album 'Today I Need Light'.

There is an amazing symbiosis between the duo as it seems that multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bush creates these wonderfully patient soundscapes as a back-drop for lead singer Martin Donnelly's world-weary and imaginative lyrics. From the very start 'Today I Need Light' seems to mix despair with beauty and 'Swallows' announces this emphatically; "time will pass/time will leave you all alone/with only swallows passing by" . This is the one of the benefits you get from having a seasoned poet (Donnelly) teaming up with a seasoned musician (ex-De Rosa and professional sound engineer), another is that the record just oozes with effortless class. A tortured darkness spines all the way through each song but there is never a case of malaise from listening. Songs such as 'Catholic Boys in the Rain' and 'Pale Water' definitely show the bands Cohen-esque tendencies, combining both folk with a sense of dreamy apprehension. The highlight of the entire album is closer 'A Pleasing Companion'. It really sums up the whole album so well; a classy, dark and beautiful lullaby. That is basically what these songs are, adult versions of lullabies, in the sense that they lull you into a sense of comfort while actually having rather dark subject matter that I'm sure everyone can relate to. "I hope you find me a pleasing companion/and someone to waste an hour with in a bar".

'Today I Need Light' is nothing like I anticipated, but the reality trumps my expectations as it is nothing short of wonderful.

The Savings and Loan - Swallows by Song, by Toad

The Savings and Loan - Pale Water by Song, by Toad

'Today I Need Light' is out not via Song, Toad Records.

[MP3] Johnny Reb - Emile (Part One)

2010-11-21T16:18:00.005Z

In the past couple of years the exposure for so-called 'guitar bands' seems to have dramatically lessened. Now it seems many people are starting to claim that there is going to be a resurgence of this sound next year. While I do know or care much about that, I do know that Glasgow's Johnny Reb are a rock band with both the tunes and the talent to make a bit more noise in Scotland's predominantly folk laden landscape.

'Emile (Part One)' is one of a number of songs the band recorded with Boz Boorer (of Morrissey fame) in Portugal. It is based on events concerning the boxer Emile Griffith who murdered his opponent in the ring in 1962 after he was allegedly called 'faggot'. Musically, it is a frantic affair with thunderous drums and a singalong chorus. In a genre that can often feel homogenised, Johnny Reb have made my ears prick up and take notice for bringing a bit of imagination and life to the fold. Their debut E.P should be with us Spring 2011.

Johnny Reb - Emile (Part One)

Hooded Fang - Hooded Fang

2010-11-15T12:55:00.010Z

I have been listening to a lot of pop-leaning-indie at the moment. I suppose I am kind of the whole 'hipper than thou' rhetoric adopted by a whole load of blogs just now and it is refreshing just to put on a nice pop record. You might recall I did a wee interview with Hooded Fang and they were saying the album was coming along nicely. That is has as the album has turned out to be a wonderful collection of perfect pop songs. The singer's voice reminds me of a happier Stephen Merritt which I feel really pulls me to the songs. It swerves away from being too twee that the songs become sickly and there is always substance and meat to each song. There is also a really nice feeling about the album as a whole as the ebb and flow of the songs seems to bode really well in juxtaposition to the cold Scottish weather outside my window.

It's always nice when you have been waiting for an album from a band since their debut E.P and it really delivers. A perfect remedy for all those bands with a colour followed by an animal for their name adhering to some flash in the pan genre.

Hooded Fang - Laughing

Hooded Fang - Promise Land

Buy Hooded Fang via Bandcamp.

The Scottish Enlightenment - St. Thomas

2010-11-14T14:06:00.008Z

I'm sure most you are the same as me in that you see complete strangers often enough that you end up feeling like you know them. My favourite couple are an elderly husband and wife who regularly get on my bus. The man is always impeccably turned out, often sporting a suit and a tie and the woman is equally well-dressed. I first started to notice something strange about the couple when the man was constantly getting flustered and confused about where he was and who he was. The woman would calm him down in a loving and patient manner, often holding him and speaking to him until the fear he was feeling subsided. It's been pretty obvious since that the man suffers from fairly advanced Alzheimer's. Now, to my point. I know a hundred reasons why I should or could adore this couple so much; the devoted love the woman has for her husband or the hope that one day someone would care about me enough to stick by me through something as terrible as Alzheimer's. However, none of these reasons seem adequate or fully sum up why I like them so much as there is just an endearing quality I can't seem to put my finger on. Maybe it is all the reasons combined, maybe it is not. I just can't say. This leads me to The Scottish Enlightenment's 'St. Thomas', an album which has the exact same effect on me as that elderly couple.

I could put my adoration of this album down to numerous things. It could be due to the faultless musicianship, the world-weary and existential lyrics, the variation and slow build of their wonderfully and carefully crafted songs or due to the immaculate production. However, just like how I can't explain the why I admire that elderly couple, none of these reasons seems to fit or fully justify why I love this album so much. There is something homely about 'St. Thomas', while simultaneously crushingly sad. Songs meander and then build to create lush soundscapes that really catch you surprise as they often masquerade as unassuming. Unassuming they are not as they seep into your consciousness and really grab hold of your attention. They have built upon their two strong EPs from this year ('Pascal' and 'Little Sleep') and they have created an album that flows almost seamlessly from start to finish. The dip in pace near the end of the album doesn't really affect the quality of the album all too much as I particularly enjoy 'The Soft Place' which makes up for my less favoured 'My Bible Is'.

In 'St. Thomas' The Scottish Enlightenment have created the one of the best albums to come out of Scotland this year. However, I am at a loss to why I find it so great or why I am so awestruck that I can't really write a proper review. To be honest I am perfectly okay with that.

The Scottish Enlightenment - Earth Angel (With Sticks In Crypt)

The Scottish Enlightenment - Taxidermy of Love

St. Thomas is out tomorrow via Armellodie Records.

Yusuf Azak - Turn On The Long Wire

2010-11-10T15:12:00.004Z

As a general rule I hate using cliches like 'he has a real Marmite sound'. However, Yusuf Azak has a real Marmite sound. His rasping voice and perplexing guitar plucking is certainly an acquired taste, lucky it is a sound I more than take to and have been looking forward to his debut LP for quite some time. I actually halfheartedly tried to get Yusuf to release this album on my non-existent record label a while back, I am glad he decided not to as I reckon I would have royally fucked it up. Instead, he is releasing with the finest purveyor of good underground Scottish music, Song, By Toad Records. I think he made the right choice. Sniff, sniff.

From the opener 'Your Story' it is evident that Azak is hardly reinventing his sound from his first two eps. However, there is a real growth as there seems to be a new spritely exuberance and warmth about the song. What I always like about Azak's songs is that his lyrics are often semi-audiable due to his almost lisping accent, but when you listen closely his turn of phrase is as good as anyone else in Scotland at the moment. 'Time to Kill' ushers in an almost pre-war string sound to the fold which is both enchanting and rather haunting. 'Rosalie' uses two components of Azak's sound to great effect as the lush backing vocals sound best next to the juxtaposition of the sharp twang of his Spanish guitar. Now, I kind of hate myself for saying this but probably the closest thing Scotland has to a chillwave anthem (UGH!) is 'The Key Underground'. It definitely has the backbone of a dance song placed on a folky backdrop and is certainly my favourite song on the album. It sits oddly well in the tracklisting considering the difference in it's sound compared to the rest of the album and I would have been a little disappointed if it didn't feature. Next on the album is a trio of extremely strong tunes, 'Thin Air' 'Stepping Stone' and lead single 'Eastern Sun'. All are, again, so distinctive to Azak and even if I wanted to make the common blogger comparisons to other artists I really can't. I have heard Nick Drake banded about a lot when people are trying to grasp Azak's sound but I don't think that is accurate as Azak, I feel, is not as restrained as Drake and is certainly more inventive with fewer instruments.

What Yusuf Azak has achieved with 'Turn On The Long Wire' is a solid and enchanting debut album. It is not a necessarily short album but it feels like a very short listen, which I suppose is a very good thing indeed. Time flies when you are having fun. Well I opened with a cliche, I may as well fucking close with one!

Yusuf Azak - The Key Underground

Yusuf Azak - Stepping Stone

[Interview] Randan Discotheque

2010-11-08T22:34:00.006Z

When I get sent music to review I seldom react with great enthusiasm. After a couple of hundred trendy bands with haircuts you get a wee bit jaded so it is always nice when you get something as refreshing as Randan Discotheque's new single 'Heather the Weather/Duke & His Orderly'. The folky opening of the ode to Heather Reid, weather forecaster for Reporting Scotland, instantly brought a wee smile to my face. However, on closer inspection the song had shades of sadness and melancholy which made it all the more enchanting. B-side sees frontman Craig Coultard weave a tale about the Spanish Civil War and Armenian cannibals. It is another refreshing song with catchy hooks and just enough sincerity to not seem overly gimmicky. The single ushers in the band's second release after last years superb 'Daily Record May 18th 1993'. With an album release penciled in for next year I felt I better have a wee word with Craig. After all, he has made me not dread reading my emails anymore!

Hi there, care to introduce yourself? Who make up Randan Discotheque?

Randan Discotheque are:

Myself, Craig Coulthard (Vocals, guitar, words)
Olly Ridgewell (bass, vocals, my brother in law)
Hugo Phillipe Laurent de Verteuil (guitar and keyboards)
and Owen Curtis Williams (drums, though the drums on the recordings are by our old comrade Doug Currier)

Based in and around Edinburgh College of Art - formed in 2005 as a solo act, this line up for the last 18 months or so.

Your second single 'Heather the Weather' is out on 7" and digitally on the 6th December. What made you write a song about the celebrated weather-woman? I always rated Gail McGrane...

'Heather the Weather' was written while I was feeling quite sorry for myself - a large group of my closest friends all left Edinburgh for London at the same time around 2005/2006, and I was struggling with the thought that maybe I had made a mistake staying in Edinburgh. I was watching Reporting Scotland, and the weather came on - I decided rather stubbornly that I was right to stay, and my friends were wrong to leave, and I started writing a song from the point of view of a regretful friend who missed home. Needless to say, they all still live in London. I feel that Heather represented a certain homeliness and familiarity, a humble attraction.
Gail is pretty sweet, but Heather had/has a certain gravitas, and a softness, a comforting look. I am glad I wrote the song when Heather was presenting - if I'd left it a couple of years it would have been about "Glamourous Gillian" Smart, and she's a little too saucy for the sentiments I wanted to express.

The b-side is inspired by Armenian cannibals and a Spanish Civil War siege. Do you find it easy to switch between light-hearted topics (weather women) and somber topic such as war?

I don't really think like that. All of these things are connected. I like to write songs that are not necessarily what they appear. To me, both Heather and The Duke & His Orderly have elements of humour and melancholy. I think music should be a reflection of the personalities who write/make it. Comedy and tragedy are pretty closely related. The other thing is that different songs aren't written at the same time, so it depends on how I'm feeling. I have always been a bit put off by music/art that suggests the same emotion time after time, song after song.

You definitely flirt with the folk genre regarding your sound. What kind of bands influence you?

When I began playing solo, I only played with an acoustic guitar, so there was an inevitable folk/country sound. Now we are a band the sound has expanded. As for influences, I always find that too big a question to answer with any logic. If you listen to our mixes on Mixcloud, that might give an idea of some of the things we like : http://www.mixcloud.com/randandiscotheque/

You hail from Fife, do you feel that Fife is often overlooked in terms of music in comparison to Glasgow and Edinburgh bands?

I'm the only member from Fife, and I haven't lived there for 10 years, though my parents still do. I think for the size of it, Fife has produced lots of great music, though I never really felt that the live scene was that healthy. The Skids for example - When I was at school there was The Beta Band, and The Skoubhie Dubh Orchestra - after that came Fence and everyone involved in that scene. I was at school with members of The Phantom Band, Django Django and Dogs Die in Hot Cars, so there's plenty of talent in Fife, I guess as is often the case, people need to leave to expand themselves a bit. I guess that's what makes Fence so special. There's no comparison with Glasgow and Edinburgh when it comes to venues and scale of musical community. However, like I say, I haven't lived and worked there for a while.

What does 2011 hold for Randan Discotheque?

2011 is the year when we will release our first album as a band - hopefully we will be able to play some festivals and raise our profile a bit. I feel that we are very strong as a band now and it would be nice to connect with more people. It's also the year in which we hope to receive our custom made suits and start a dance. There's so few new dances nowadays. Maybe a couple more vinyl releases and help some other people release their music.

Single launch is at Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh on the 4th December.

HF@D Presents...Hallowe'en Mix

2010-10-29T16:02:00.004+01:00

For a wee bit of a laugh I've put together a Hallowe'en Mix for your enjoyment. Roky Erickson's 'The Evil One' is one of my favourite albums ever and songs such as 'I Walked With a Zombie' show how far his mental deterioration had came that he actually believed the subject matter of the songs. It adds a whole different layer and sadness to them, which is maybe why I love them so much. As Hallowe'en is a fun (and completely daft) holiday I've had some fun with this playlist with The Munsters Theme kicking it all off! Enjoy, and have a great Hallowe'en.

Tracklising

[Intro] - 'The Munsters' Theme
I Walked With a Zombie - Roky Erickson & The Aliens
Weighty Ghost - Wintersleep
Monster Mash - Misfits
The Witch - The Sonics
Casper The Friendly Ghost - Daniel Johnston and Jad Fair
Night of the Vampire - Roky Erickson & The Aliens
Walking With a Ghost - Tegan and Sara
Death at the Chapel - The Horrors
Enter Sandman - Boy or Bison
All My Hate and My Hexes Are For You - Crocodiles

Download here

Favourite Son Presents...Oxjam

2010-10-29T13:47:00.004+01:00

I am not generally one to pimp gigs on this blog but when it is for the always important Oxjam events I make a wee bit of an exception. Oxjam is a month-long musical event aimed towards raising money for Oxfam. Bands chip in and give up their time so you can enjoy yourself and also feel good about yourself!

Fellow blogger Favourite Son is running an event in Glasgow tonight, so why not pop along to see his excellent line up for a good cause. Do it.

Y Niwl

2010-10-28T14:30:00.003+01:00

Surfing is something I do not particularly associate with Wales and it was not until recently I found out that there is a large surfing scene on their beaches. With this in mind, surely it was only a matter of time before a band playing catchy Welsh surf music emerged. Y Niwl are one such band who tip their hat to 50's instrumental surf acts such as Dick Dale, The Ventures and Link Wray. Taking an old formula and making it sound fresh is a difficult task, but Y Niwl more than pull it off.

Catchy guitar riffs featuring the token surf twang are guaranteed to make you smile, if not dance. Y Niwl dodge the bullet that often comes when revisiting a dated genre in that they don't sound conceited or purposefully hip. Every song sounds like it was fun to make, and is in turn a delight to listen to. Which is can only be a good thing, right?!

Y Niwl first captured my attention when I heard them on the excellent Clound Sounds podcast. I can often find the constant seriousness and trend-adherence of bloggers and music types a drag so it was delightful to hear something so amazingly fun. However, it seems that the fan base of Y Niwl has grown since a reportedly thunderous set at Swn Festival. With their playfully addictive 7" EP 'Adreryn Papur' released last year and a debut album set for next month, music has just got a lot more fun.

Saith by Y Niwl

Un by Y Niwl

The next Y Niwl gig I am aware of is the aforementioned Cloud Sounds' Christmas Bash at Fuel, Manchester on 10th December. I am very tempted to make the wee trip down. SURFS UP! (ugh)

Keeping It Peel Day

2010-10-25T13:35:00.004+01:00

Unfortunately I am too young to have experienced John Peel as fully as other bloggers, having only enjoyed the tail-end of his broadcasting career. However, his influence has reverberated to all corners of the alternative music world. We must ask ourselves if we would have as many podcasters, bloggers and hardworking DJs if it was not for him. His passion, hard-work and diverse musical taste epitomised everything that is right about music and about broadcasting. It is six years today since he died but certainly no one will be forgetting the big man anytime soon.

To show how important his later sessions were to me I have picked some ones I can remember being originally aired. I've chosen The Crimea as they were a band that I can particularly remember being tipped by John and a band I kind of fell in love with due to it. That kind of experience was so important to me when I was 15 and it is funny how I can still identify certain bands as 'Peel Bands'. I can't find their Peel Session anywhere so if someone has, email me. Oh, and a Wedding Present session thrown in. He would have wanted that I think.

Mull Historical Society - Mull Historical Society (Peel Session)

Bloc Party - So Here We Are (Peel Session)

The Crimea - Lottery Winners on Acid

Wedding Present - Flying Saucer (Peel Session)

Hung Over as the Queen in Maida Vale by Godspeed You! Black Emperor

How To Swim - Retina (or More Fun Than a Vat of Love)

2010-10-23T17:30:00.012+01:00

Glasgow's How to Swim are a band who have never shied away from the audacious. Their ambitious stream of orchestral rock is...well...batshit crazy. As soon as they sent over a track for my Glass of Scotch Compilation I knew 'Retina' would be anything but a boring affair. Said track happened to be opener 'Diego Whirlwind' which sets the album off on a dark and epic note. 'Inferiority' and lead single 'High School Apocalypse' have a happier tone to them (while having equally surreal/dark content matter) using strong guitar hooks to lull you into a false sense of the ordinary... and then comes the orchestra and they grab you by the scruff of the neck. 'Genesis P and Me' is a manic affair with a mish-mash of influences being fused into a wonderful, wonderful mess. This epitomizes what How to Swim do best, make crazy tunes that somehow you can relate to and enjoy. My favourite track on 'Retina' is 'From Here To Dundee Slash Eternity'. It is delicately constructed and patiently built up with lead singer Ink Wilson's voice so strong and earnest that it is hard not to sit up and think 'what the fuck, this is brilliant'. The female vocals of 'False' serve as a tranquil rest-bite and interval to the final half of the record which features the darkly humorous 'Ink Wilson's World of Fear' and the excellently croontastic closer 'It's Alright'.

How to Swim always aim high but with 'Retina' they have really caught their stride. Combing ambitious and patience while always conscience of how big they can go before the listener becomes exhausted. The quieter moments set upon a backdrop of stadium sized tunes really makes 'Retina'. A completely crazy listen but a genuinely worthwhile one.

Retina is available now from their bandcamp page. Crackin' artwork too.

[Vinyl Fetish] Dreamend - So I Ate Myself, Bite By Bite

2010-10-22T14:53:00.006+01:00

Sometimes I buy an album on vinyl and it is just so lovingly and wonderfully crafted that it makes me feel good about music and record companies for a while. Dreamend's 'So I Ate Myself, Bite By Bite' is one such album. They are the output of Ryan Graveface, owner/sole employee of Graveface Records. Every vinyl Graveface puts out is something worth owning. Dreamend's previous record 'The Long Forgotten Friend' was a two vinyl LP with a pop-up picture in the middle of the sleeve. Albums by The Appleseed Cast and Monster Movie put a lot of record labels to shame. 'So I Ate Myself, Bite By Bite' has a lovely picture disk with a phenakistoscope so you can see the pictures moving whilst the record is playing (see below).

Now that the vinyl geek in me has spoken, I shall let the music fan in me speak. This record is a complete surprise to me. My previous encounters with Dreamend have been ones filled with layered shoegaze music but this record features songs driven by soaring melodies and banjo laden hooks. Graveface may not be the most technically gifted singer but his songs are so wonderfully crafted and patient and his voice actually suits them perfectly. 'My Old Brittle Bones' on side two of the LP has a rapturous finish that never ceases to put a smile on my face. 'Magnesium Light' is banjo lead and psychedelic fusing together Sam Amidon and Mitchell Museum, if that doesn't sound completely absurd! 'Pieces' is a definite highlight and is perhaps the most straight forward pop song on the album. Graveface exposes his shoegaze roots with the ten minute closer 'An Admission' as it tops the album off in grand fashion with it ending in a wall of noise and fury.

I love everything about this album. The way it looks, the innovation, and most importantly the music. This is something I cherish to own, which is what music should be and is sometimes lost in this age of MP3s.....being the hypocrite that I am there are mp3s below but I urge you to have a look at the wonderful vinyl on sale at Graveface Records. It is well worth it.

Dreamend - My Old Brittle Bones

Dreamend - Magnesium Light

The Last Battle - Heart of the Land, Soul of the Sea

2010-10-22T14:17:00.005+01:00

There is always a real danger with folk-leaning bands that their albums fall flat on their face due to a lack of variation. I feared this about The Last Battle for a while as I wasn't sure where they would take their sound and if they could diversify it enough to make an album that would grab me from start to finish. Then they released their single 'Ruins' and my worries and fears were put to rest. The dirty guitar lead number is just one of many tracks on 'Heart of the Land, Soul of the Sea' that really makes the album a winner from start 'til finish. It is evident from the offset that we are in for something different than their demos when the crackling feedback and slow build up of opener 'Heart of the Land' whets my appetite for the rest of the album. The aforementioned 'Ruins' follows and the album is off to a rollicking start. Reverting back to a simple acoustic orientated formula we find 'Lifejackets', which is my favourite track on the album. Whenever I hear Scott Longmuir's vocals I always find them so sincere and honest and 'Lifejackets' extends this notion. In another change of pace there is the excellent spoken word piece 'Photographic Memory' which is equally sad as it is hopeful. Just when I felt this album hadn't kept me on my toes enough there is the Polka feel of 'Cutlass' which makes best use of the token male/female vocal harmonies. Old favourite 'Whisky!!' is as pleasing as ever. I was fairly sad to see 'Ward 119' not feature on the album but by the time 'Soul of the Sea' comes round you realise it would have seemed out of place on this almost perfect concept album.

From start to finish The Last Battle take you on a wee journey without pretense and have achieved making an 'album' in the best sense of the word. It all flows so nicely together without ever seeming tired or uninspired, constantly adapting sound and keeping you interested. They have successfully side-stepped the pitfalls of making folk-tinged music, and in doing so have created a captivating listen.

Shopping With...Neil Pennycook from Meursault

2010-10-21T13:33:00.029+01:00

[It often seems to me that music journalism and blogging can be all about 'the next big thing' and the newest and buzziest bands around. I feel this often breeds flash in the pan trends and bands, which means the concept of a good album or back catalogue is lost on a lot of people nowadays. It is important to talk about bands and albums we adore and cherish and to exemplify this I have devised Shopping With...]

If anyone asks me about the Scottish scene which bands I'd recommend there is immediately one band that comes to mind almost every time and that band is Meursault. Both their albums have been critically lauded. Debut Pissing on Bonfires/Kissing With Tongues was voted as the 16th greatest Scottish album of last decade and their second album All Creatures Will Make Merry, released this year, saw a rise in their popularity with them playing Glastonbury, T in the Park, Rockness and End of the Road in the summer. They effortlessly mash together different influences and genres to create something truly unique so, to me, there was no one more interesting to speak about important and diverse albums than their songwriter, Neil Pennycook.

Meursault - Crank Resolutions

Meursault - William Henry Miller Pt.1

Neil was adamant upon which local record shop I would take him shopping, The Hog's Head in Newington, Edinburgh. Filled to the brim with second hand CD's and DVD's, Neil comments that it is exactly what a good record store should be as there is always something new and different in from the last time he was in. His point is proven when the shopkeeper informs him he has Songs of Pain by Daniel Johnston in stock and will keep it back for him. Unfortunately this is not on the shopping list for today but Neil quickly picks his five albums and we head off to the pub to discuss them.

Dinosaur Jr - Where You Been

I first heard this record when I was about 17 or 18 and I originally hated it but I forced myself to like it because a bunch of bands that I really like, you know, like Nirvana, would all wear Dinosaur Jr t-shirts so I thought that there must be something in it for me and I persevered with it and it turns out they are like one of my favourite bands ever. This might be my favourite album ever, ever, ever. Definitely my favourite album artwork, it is just awesome, you just don't...I know I sound like an old man.. get album artwork like this any more. The first song I heard off this was 'Start Choppin'', infact, I think I bought it as a single before I bought the album. It has a song called 'Pumpkin Farm' as a b-side which is really good aswell. They are just one of these weird bands. They are a proper fucking hardcore band but with solos. I just love everything about this album. I love the fact that it is the original three-piece, I love the fact that in terms of their sound they have never really...they aren't what I'd would call a progressive band. J Mascis clearly has this thing that he does really well and he's just spent the last couple of decades absolutely perfecting it. It's probably not the favourite among Dinosaur Jr purists just because it doesn't have the original line-up, but I suppose I didn't know any of that when I was a kid any way. I think the weird thing was that I had already been listening to Sebadoh before I had been listening to Dinosaur Jr. and I didn't realise that Lou Barlow had anything to do with the band or that he was even in the band until a few years later when I started listening to old Sebadoh stuff and you hear all these songs blatantly about being really, really cross with J Mascis.

Dinosaur Jr. - Start Choppin'

The Magnetic Fields - Distortion

We were just talking just now about how the general consensus is that 69 Love Songs is Stephen Merritt's masterpiece and how many people think he is never going to better that, I think he has. Distortion and The Charm of The Highway Strip are better records than 69 Love Songs. Not by a lot, I still think 69 Love Songs is a great album, it's just that I think they are a little bit better. Again, the art work is fucking amazing. The artwork on all the records I've chosen is nice, just tasteful choices, I suppose..

Is that something you find important?

In artwork? Yeah. Hugely, in fact. To the point that if a band that I like or a band that I've been following releases an album and I feel the artwork doesn't particularly strike me I do find myself maybe not rushing out to get that record and it take me a little bit longer to want that album. I think it is a subconsious thing more than actually going "the artworks crap I'm not going to buy it."

Have you ever bought an album based purely on the artwork?

Em...Mogwai. The first Mogwai album. When that came out I didn't really know who Mogwai were and I bought Young Team just because of the artwork which I thought was incredible, really weird. I've not really got a design background so I can't talk about why I like it but I've always been a fan that if you can get a really simple image that just absolutely compels you to buy a record and this [points to Distortion] is a really good example.

Well that whole theme is carried on to the next album..

Yeah, which I don't know yet. That could be, like I was saying, because the artwork isn't as cool as this one.

It's not pink..

It's not pink, exactly! There is no other album in your collection that is going to look like that.

Back to the actual album itself, the music on it is just really, really great. It is essentially the idea that Stephen Merritt has really bad hyperacusis and wanted to make an album that would let other people experience music like he experienced music. Which I guess is a bit of a fool's errand as you are next going to really recreate that. How could you possible do that? But I think he actually gets pretty close and at the same time manages not to make it unlistenable. The last thing anyone who follows The Magnetic Fields would expect is for them to make a shoegaze album, which is kind of what this is. It's got that kind of blissed out feel and everything is just covered in layers and distortion. It reminds me more of stuff like My Bloody Valentine than it does other Magnetic Fields albums.

With The Magnetic Fields, you can draw parallels between them and Meursault in how they go from folk-based music to electronic-based music seemlessly. Do you think that's fair?

[sounding unsure] ..Okay. I think it's fair. They influenced me big time. Especially Charm of The Highway Strip was a really big influence, it was constantly getting played. Charm On The Highway Strip and On Avery Island, the first Neutral Milk Hotel album, that was what I was listening to on constant repetition over and over again. Just because everybody gets that thing when you hear a band that just doesn't sound like anything else and that was Magnetic Fields for me. You can draw parallels between other bands but...

Well I didn't mean you sounded like them...

Yeah, yeah. But the thing I liked about them is that they used folk instruments but didn't play folk music. That has been a thing with me as well. I like acoustic guitars and I like banjos and whatever but the music I am playing on them isn't necessarily what you would call folk music. Particularly because folk music has just been ruined now. It is not that it has been done to death and there is still some really good folk coming out. In an ideal world I'd be quite happy to call the music I make folk. The kind of music people call folk music these days is just fucking garbage. It is absolute garbage. I could name names....and I will..[tells me off-record two very big folk acts who he despises]. It is just this sort of commercialisation of folk music has happened before, it is not the first time that has happened with that genre. It is just annoying that it is happening again every twenty years. It is depressing, I'm like. "we have been through this before!" Hey-ho, whatever. Magnetic Fields' Distortion...not a folk album.

The Magnetic Fields - California Girls

Neil Young - Mirror Ball

This is by far of all the artists I picked the most commercial. Is that fair to say of Neil Young? He is one of these guys, isn't he? No matter how massively famous he gets you could never call him commercial, you know, like Tom Waits or Springsteen. They just are who they are. Mirror Ball...everyone fucking hates this album. Especially Neil Young fans...they just hate this album and I've never got why people don't like this album, it's amazing, everything about it. It's got tunes, the production is great, really nice and scrappy kind of like Ragged Glory...that sort of idea. I think the reason why there was such a backlash against it was because for this album his backing band, instead of Crazy Horse or The Stray Gators, he had Pearl Jam. Who, to be fair, at one point quite a good fucking band. I don't know what happened to Pearl Jam critically. They became really 'uncool' to like and I'm not sure why...

Maybe because they were tagged with the 'grunge' label which became quite uncool?

I suppose, but they were always more just rock rather than grunge. Then I can't really think of what a grunge band is...I can only think of Nirvana. You hear people saying Dinosaur Jr. is grunge and that Neil Young is the 'Godfather of Grunge' it is just fucking sweet guitar music, get over it! This album is incredible. It might not be my favourite Neil Young album but it has my favourite Neil Young song on it called 'I'm the Ocean'. He seems to write effortlessly these ten minute long sprawling narrative sorta songs. He has done it before in his career when he writes about getting older and settling down and having kids which you don't really connect with, but somehow on 'I'm the Ocean' I do totally get it. You don't necessarily have to take it as an age thing that he is talking about he is just feeling disconnected about these people around who he feels he should have a connection with. There is a line in the song, 'people my age they don't do the things I do', just the disassociation he has from his peers because of that. You should listen to that song. I'm not going to go into why that particular song means so much to me as that would be boring. I'd recommend this album as a whole to anyone...it's got everything there. The massive rocking song, he has the ones he does on organ like you see if when he does in things like Neil Young Unplugged. There is a reprise of I'm the Ocean at the end that just has the melody...Fallen Angel, that's the one, beautiful. It just sounds like he has had fun making it which is nice to hear someone of that age still enjoying making music. I can't remember the last time I listen to Bob Dylan and thought 'it sounds like he's having a hoot!' [laughs]

That Christmas song he wrote?

[raises his eyebrow and gives me a look...laughs]

Neil Young - I'm the Ocean

Fugazi - The Argument

Now I have got a funny feeling that after we speak about Fugazi's The Argument that if there are any Fugazi purists at the next Meursault show they are going to fucking bottle me. I don't really like Fugazi, I just really like this album. I'm a little turned off by Fugazi and Minor Threat because of the Straight Edge politics which I don't agree with and I find that if music is overly politicised and I don't agree with the message...it's the biggest turn off in the world for me. Anyway, that is that said and done..this album is fucking amazing. To be fair, it was the first thing I had heard by them. When I listened to it I just thought if a band can make an album this good then surely the rest of it is going to be great to dig out and discover. Unfortunately it just wasn't a rewarding experience for me. This album is just a masterpiece, though. I can't imagine a band making a better record and it was there last album. Artwork again is gorgeous. [pulls album out] It has a lovely pull out gate fold and beautiful photography and pictures...

Do you find that important when you are putting out an album, the finished article, packaging, the artwork?

Yeah it has to be sort of a finished piece. It has to be...

Worth buying?

It doesn't have to be worth buying it just has to be worth making. If I was going to not give a fucking about the album artwork then I would just give away CDR's from a plastic bag. I got lectured by one record shop over that bands don't seem to care enough about album artwork these days and I think that it is the total opposite. Bands realise the importance of it more now than ever. If you want people to buy the album and not download it then you have got to make damn sure that it's something that you want, it is not just the music on the record, if you have images that go along with the music...it is just that thought process...you might never have to explain why you have chosen those particular images to any one else. It just shines through. A random image on a record cover and you can just tell. I thought I could talk about this album until the cows came home but I can't, I mean the main talking point is why I don't like Fugazi. There is not much to say about it...lyrically the themes aren't too overbearing which would possibly make it unlistenable but with this one it is more personal. I don't know what Ian Mackaye was particularly on about when he recorded it but it seems to be more from the heart than the head. That sounds corny as fuck but it's true.

Fugazi - Full Disclosure

AC/DC - If You Want Blood

This is probably one of the bands that all the guys in Meursault and probably all my friends have in common. We all like-stroke-love AC/DC especially the Bon Scott stuff. I don't mind Back in Black, to be honest. I think after that everything kind of went down hill and their best stuff is definitely the Bon Scott stuff. If You Want Blood is my favourite recording by them, it's a live album but I don't care. I like live albums I think they get a lot of shit and obviously you do get a load of trash with stuff you feel like they have just thrown it in and it does happen. Albums like Live Seeds by Nick Cave are absolutely incredible. It's weird, you listen to AC/DC songs...have you ever heard What's Next To The Moon by Mark Kozelek?

Aye.

Well that made me reevaluate AC/DC and really go back and listen to it. Instead of listening back and being all nostalgic about it and thinking, "oh yeah, I used to listen to this as a kid" and dance around the room, it made me sort of listen to it...I was a bit more open-minded about it. Instead of listening to it as a kid and thinking, "hahaha, this song is about rape and my mum will hate me listening to this"..it sounds really childish, well, it is childish as I was a child but you listen to it now and, this is going to get me in trouble from a lot of mates, I almost think Bon Scott wrote about what it was like to be young and lustful and a bit of a misfit a lot better than a lot of people, including people like Springsteen. I think he nailed it as he kept the fun and sort of danger aspect of it and, I shouldn't go on about it as I fucking love Springsteen, but I think with him it was always dramatised. It was like 'Teenager; The Musical', whereas AC/DC was more warts and all.

Springsteen has aged better don't you think?

In that Springsteen didn't die?!! It is quite hard to age well as a corpse! [both laughing]

I mean post-Bon Scott and AC/DC as a whole. Do you even listen to the newer ones?

I mean Bon Scott was their lyricist and Angus Young's lyrics just aren't the same. I've just lost interest, I think. It is one of those things were it just doesn't capture my imagination any more. I think the albums that I did have as a kid were previous to Back in Black as well, and including, I don't think I realised as a kid that Back in Black wasn't Bon Scott but obviously now I do. I just think by the time I would have gotten round to listen to the rest I had reached a point in my life, late teens and early twenties, everything just became really earnest. Only the last four or five years I have sort of come around again. I find it really hard when music is overly earnest to engage with it. That might sound a bit weird coming from me giving that our last album, by all admission, was really quite earnest indeed.

Do you think you are going to make an album of 'I am young and want to have fun songs', then?

Maybe not 'I'm young and I want to have fun' but maybe 'I'm middle aged and I would like to have a bit of a better time'. I'm 29, man. I'm not that young. It's not that old, I know. Certainly when I look at what I am listening to since we made the last record...the stuff we've got here was maybe in the back of my mind. The stuff I am listening to now is sort of a regression into stuff that is a bit more....I don't know how to describe it...

Easier on yourself?

Yeah. Fuck yeah. Music should be enjoyable and it doesn't have to be this thing that you have to purge yourself every time you want to write a song or listen to a record. I think that is a big thing for me at the moment.

Can you see yourself stepping away from making your music so personal?

I think it will always be personal. It is just...life's a bit better now. I listen to the first record and I think there is a lot more range of emotion on that record.

You've said before you thought the first record was quite bitter...

It's weird how your opinions change, isn't it? That is totally the reverse for me now. The bitterness I had on the first record seemed to be towards certain things. The bitterness on the second record...I think I gave myself a bit of a hard time. I'm still glad I made the record though. You realise a lot of shit when you made a record like that.

Was it quite cathartic then?

That one was, aye. Unnecessarily so. Meursault have another tour and then after that there is going to be a break. After that we are going to have an album ready and for all intensive purposes it is going to be a new band, which is quite exciting for me. Same people and pretty much the same process to writing songs it is going to be a little bit different content wise. A different approach sonically and just...

Would you say it is going to be as different...to say...Nothing Broke compared to All Creature Will Make Merry?

Yeah absolutely. Maybe not in that direction though. I won't say any more as it is still early days.

So basically you want to be Bon Scott?

I just want to get on a stage with my top off! [we both laugh]

AC/DC - Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be

Meursault are playing The Caves, Edinburgh on the 25th (Monday) they are then extensively touring Britain and Europe. Go see them live, eh?

25 OCT 2010 - THE CAVES : EDINBURGH : UK
26 OCT 2010 - HEAD OF STEAM : NEWCASTLE : UK
27 OCT 2010 - THE HARLEY : SHEFFIELD : UK
28 OCT 2010 - ROYAL PARK CELLARS : LEEDS : UK
30 OCT 2010 - THE LUMINAIRE : LONDON : UK
31 OCT 2010 - THE PLAYHOUSE BAR [free entry] : NORWICH : UK
02 NOV 2010 - SAKI BAR : MANCHESTER : UK
03 NOV 2010 - STEREO : YORK : UK
04 NOV 2010 - DEXTER'S : DUNDEE : UK
05 NOV 2010 - BEACH BALLROOM : ABERDEEN : UK
06 NOV 2010 - STEREO : GLASGOW : UK

I Build Collapsible Mountains - A Month Of Lost Memories

2010-10-21T12:55:00.003+01:00

It is always interesting when a member of a band takes a step in a different direction, Luke Joyce former shoegazer guitarist in The Gothenburg Address has done just that. His frankly ridiculously named folk project I Build Collapsible Mountains is obviously the music he felt he should have been making and A Month Of Lost Memories is an ocean away from his former band's sound. A voice and acoustic guitar is more is, perhaps, a little more daring than hiding behind a wall of reverb as Joyce certainly bares his soul on this record. 'Rails' is fairly paint-by-numbers Americana but there is something intriguing about how earnest Joyce's voice seems whilst singing it. 'To The Dark' is a drum lead affair which tumbles along in a nice juxtaposition to 'Rails'. The rest of the album reverts back to the simply guitar/voice combo. 'Slowapproacher', 'Switches' and closer 'And The City Sleeps' are clearly extremely personal songs and this comes across in everything about them; the singing, the playing, the lyrics.

There may not be enough variation or digression in sound to hold the non-folk fans attention here, but if you do enjoy relaxing and simple folk then this is for you. You have to admire Joyce for clearly choosing to make a record he has wanted to. In doing so it never seems conceited or self-absorbed, yet feels extremely personal. I might not know what I Build Collapsible Mountains means but I certainly know what its purpose is.

Introducing - Aloha Tigers

2010-10-01T13:22:00.007+01:00

I first came across the Illnoise dream-pop duo Aloha Tigers whilst writing the The Line Of Best Fit 'Song of the Day' column. Every track I've been sent regarding the feature has been good, however I was completely blown away and pleasantly surprised when I first heard 'Oh, The Glory Of It All'. Thus began my excitement about this up and coming band. I've heard some new songs from their forthcoming album and this has only amplified my child-like and giddy excitement. I caught up with them to have a wee chat.

Who are Aloha Tigers? Care to introduce yourself?

Mike is the dreamy one. I'm the bald one who scowls a lot, although not usually intentionally.

How would you describe your sound?

Well, hopefully people find it catchy. We like big sounds, drony sounds, pretty sounds. Do you all have syzurp over there? It's like listening to top 40 radio after drinking a big cup of that.

One of you is song writer and one of you is producer. Do you feel this balances out the band quite nicely?

We wouldn't have it any other way. We get along really well and are both on the same page about what we want to accomplish, so we kind of lucked out in that department. It's a 100% equal collaboration and has thus far been a really positive and enjoyable experience. Maybe a bit more wrestling than I'd prefer, but it goes with the territory.

You hail from Bloomington, Illinois. Is there much of a scene there and how much does the area influence you?

Bloomington is like a great place to raise a family and a not so great place to start a band. Sometimes it feels like nothing is really going on here, but having said that, we've also met people from around here who are doing stuff that's as good as anything you can think of, so it's hard to say. It's like a town full of really creative shut-ins.

Which bands do you look up to?

Tears for Fears are a big influence. George Michaels is getting to be a big influence. Lots of the bands we grew up with, people who treated pop music as a totally legit, adult form of expression. As far as contemporary people that I'm actually influenced by, I really dig Luke Steele and his two bands, the Sleepy Jackson and Empire of the Sun. We're both all over the map with what we like. With Mike, one day he'll be on about Nilsson, the next we'll be listening to Gucci Mane, and then like the expanded works of Phil Spector. Although we do not condone his murderings.

Is everything you record home recorded? Do you find that more natural/easier?

It is. Home recording technology is amazing right now. You can work at your own leisure and slave over every detail. It's great.

You are currently recording your debut album. Can you give us any more information about its release?

It's being released as part of the Way Slow series on Lefse Records, which is also featuring people like Houses, Teen Daze, Ganglians, Banjo or Freakout, and a bunch of other exceptionally good bands, so that's really exciting for us. When you start out, you dream about putting out a record under any circumstances, so to have the opportunity to be doing something associated with a label like Lefse, where literally every band on the roster are incredibly talented and forward thinking and skull-crushingly cool is both an honor and kind of humbling. We aren't sure exactly when it's coming out yet, but my guess would be sometime in the first half of 2011.

Where do you hope 'Aloha Tigers' to be this time next year?

Hopefully by that time we'll be out playing shows and working on another record. It would be incredibly cool if we could make it over there at some point. An equally plausible scenario is that we will be riding the rails and eating shoe leather like hobos, given the direction the U.S. is going in. And honestly, either would be acceptable. We'd make fine drifters.

Aloha Tigers- Cruisin' (Rick and Alex's Theme) by alohatigers

The Scottish Enlightenment - Little Sleep EP

2010-09-28T14:10:00.005+01:00

I have somewhat of a strange love affair with The Scottish Enlightenment. When they released their debut single 'Eyes' back in 2007, I was an impressionable young 18 year old. 'Eyes' grabbed me so much that I wanted to delve deeper into the treasure chest that is the Scottish music scene. Lo and behold, three years on, I have fully embraced Scottish music and this is partly due to that one The Scottish Enlightenment song. After 'Eyes' things kind of went a bit quiet for the band, but last year they released song free tasters and my appetite was whetted once again. Then came along 'Pascal EP' which has been one of my favourite releases of the year so far. So how does 'Little Sleep' weigh up?

It is an EP you have to devote time to, that's for sure. The title track will grow on you in time as the unusually catchy chorus sinks into your consciousness while the thundering guitars have a certain dark warmth about them, which kind of lulls you into a sense of wanting more. 'Get My Limousine' is a patient affair, tumbling along slowly, with their token self-deprecating and insecure lyrics about the pitfalls of busting your gut in a criminally underrated indie band. The real turning point is 'Drip Feed'. It reminds me of when I first heard the Fugazi song 'I'm So Tired', due to it being so far from their token sound, yet it could never be by any other band. Built on a catchy piano hook and with superbly intriguing and haunting lyrics it is certainly the stand out track on 'Little Sleep'. 'When You Hate Me' returns back to the less immediate feel of 'Get My Limousine', while closer 'Saint Germain is Thick Tonight' is a fairly upbeat number for the band.

Upon receiving this album I thought it was going to be cast-offs from 'St. Thomas' - their upcoming album - but how wrong I was. 'Little Sleep' stands on its own as a great EP with some of the bands strongest tracks yet in 'Drip Feed' and 'Get My Limousine'. Show this record patience and you are bound to be rewarded.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://thescottishenlightenment.bandcamp.com/track/get-my-limousine"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Get My Limousine by The Scottish Enlightenment&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

<a href="http://thescottishenlightenment.bandcamp.com/track/drip-feed">Drip Feed by The Scottish Enlightenment</a>

'Little Sleep' is out now via the brilliant Armellodie Records. Please support the artist.

[MP3] Crocodiles - Mirrors

2010-09-22T19:53:00.006+01:00

I have listened to almost nothing else since purchasing Californian duo Crocodiles' sophomore effort 'Sleep Forever' last week. The album takes a quieter, more restrained step back from their debut 'Summer of Hate' and it is all the better for it. With multiple Mercury Prize winning producer James Ford behind the desk they effortlessly change the gears between noise-rock, shoegaze and even a fairly upbeat organ and drum machine lead closer, 'All My Hate and My Hexes Are For You'. However, it is the opener 'Mirrors' that really steals the show here. Get this album now!

Mirrors by Crocodiles

Crocodiles play Captain's Rest in Glasgow on the 2nd October.

'Sleep Forever' is out now via Fat Possum

Introducing - Iglue

2010-09-22T17:01:00.004+01:00

My first introduction to Iglue - real name Niaal Manson - was during my visit to Inverness for GoNorth. I remember fellow blogger Peenko remarking that he sounded like a mix between Bright Eyes and Bombay Bicycle Club and at the time I thought that description was as accurate as you could get. The 21 year-old's new batch of songs are a far cry from that initial reaction. Sparse and timid melodies replace the pop sensibilities of his older songs and youthful optimism is now traded for jaded cynicism. 'The Modern Youth' is a perfect example of this as Manson strives for answers via a sullen existential lament. Environment plays a massive hand in the foundations of his songs as he grew up on the small, ocean locked Island of Lewis. 'Afloat', 'Men Are Made At Sea' and 'Jump Into The Sea' evidently have a recurring theme, using the sea as a vehicle for many a metaphor. The lack of optimism can, at times, grate on you and a wee glimmer of hope would be nice but I suppose this is the whole charm of these songs. It also illustrates the bleakness of island life extremely accurately (as I found out during a stint in Shetland).

Iglue is far from a finished product but these songs definitely show promise. Some variation in sound would certainly give the songs more longevity while bringing back the initial sound which caught my attention. However, what young Manson has achieved is show his diversity and maturity which makes him one to watch.

If you want to find out more there is a lovely wee interview with Niaal at the aforementioned Peenko Blog.

The Modern Youth by iglue

Afloat by iglue

Myspace / Soundcloud

Introducing - The Son(s)

2010-07-14T13:00:00.005+01:00

I don't really write as much here as I would like. Partly laziness, partly drunkeness, partly summerness, partly writing for other places. Anyway, I've been sitting on a band I really think are head and shoulders above the rest in terms of Scottish folk-tinged laments for a long while and it would be a waste if I didn't write anything about them.

The Son(s) are an Aberdeen based trio (although it is said that members are dotted all over the place). Their music is as haunting and elusive as their identity. Knowing very little about them other than they are fronted by a lovely chap called Karl. They don't gig, they don't have a Myspace, and stream their entire catalog via Bandcamp or Soundcloud. It doesn't matter as they have created a collection of songs which are so beautiful and timid that they beg to be listened to.

Their songs feature lush instrumentation is fused together with vocal harmonies reminiscent of the very best Americana chamber music. If you didn't know otherwise you would think that The Son(s) are an experienced American band releasing their fifth or sixth album. They seem that accomplished. 'You Belong To No One' gives folky troubadours such as Justin Vernon a close run for their money, while lead single 'Radar' takes a poppier direction while still featuring the bands token harmonies and ebbing and flowing between tranquil guitar picking and electric guitar showmanship, a mixture of the restrained and the confident. 'Dogs, Boys and Men' is a more urgent affair, producing a rock track of the highest songwriting, production and execution.

Whoever The Son(s) are is not important. What is important is that you listen to them. Now.

You Belong To No One (Master) by The Son(s)

Meursault - Crank Resolutions (Live at Glastonbury)

2010-06-27T22:08:00.009+01:00

I have two reasons for posting this video. One being that it is fucking brilliant and the other being that I feel it is the perfect response to the editorial piece written by Radar. The article asks whether or not the friendly and close knit nature of the Scottish music scene does more harm than good. I feel Meursault are a band who prove to be the antithesis of said article. Hard work by themselves and their record label lead to them gaining a small yet loyal fan base in Edinburgh. The momentum from this combined with more hard work and support from local press, bloggers and podcasters lead to them gaining recognition in the rest of Scotland, then Britain, Europe and now the world. They prove that the close knit community in Scotland can, infact, take a band further than if a dog eat dog type attitude or overly critical attitude was adopted. The community surrounding the band was even the focus point in an extremely favourable review from Pitchfork. Yes, we need to be honest with each other, but the amount of work some people put in and the support bands get from such a vast number of outlets in Scotland is something I feel should be praised not criticised.

The intro at the start is new to me, but sounds absolutely amazing. Enjoy.

Interview - Ditto Music

2010-06-24T16:42:00.007+01:00

Getting your music out there seems, at times, to be pretty daunting and tricky. There are so many avenues you can go down and sadly new bands are often let down by poor distribution. I met Lee Parsons from successful online distributor Ditto Music at GoNorth and his passion for helping new bands struck me as something extremely refreshing for someone so rooted in the business side of the music industry.

Hi Lee. Can you explain what it is Ditto Music does exactly?

Primarily Ditto Music is a digital music distributor, specializing in unsigned artists but we see ourselves more as a record label.

My brother and I originally started Ditto Music because we wanted to release music. Setting up a record label took us several months. Then, we could not get any distribution contracts because we did not have enough content. To sell music online or in a shop you need barcodes, ISRC codes, catalogue numbers etc, and it was all really hard to get our heads around.

By the time we had the distribution and label structure in place, we thought we may as well release music for our friends.

We started using tools like pre-release, SMS bundling and being really chart savvy, and eventually we released Koopa, who were the first ever unsigned artists to break the top 40 singles chart.

As EMI, Warner Brothers and all of the major labels started to crumble we found that more artists were coming to release music with us, these included Prince, Suzi Quattro, Finch, Lil Wayne. They paid a small fee, kept all of their rights and profits and we helped them with promotion where we could.

We can set up a record label for you. We then distribute you to hundreds of great stores like Spotify, iTunes and Amazon and you keep all of your rights. With our partners we then help you collect PRS, get sync and publishing deals and promote your music to the music industry. We offer unique services whereby you get in the charts across the world, go on pre-release, sell via SMS, launch and iPhone app and many more. There are companies like Tunecore and Reverbnaton who just throw your music on to the stores. We develop a relationship with you and act as your record label, helping you promote your music online.

You were on the Born To Be Wide Sync Panel at GoNorth, how do unsigned bands go about getting their music synced?

Well we can help you firstly. We work alongside Sentric Music which is totally free and non-exclusive for artists. Once you sign up you get info on sync opportunities as they come in, we have had artists in Lexus adverts, The Hills and shows like ‘Paris Hilton’s Best Friend’. You get daily sync opportunities sent straight to your Ditto account.

There are loads of things you can do grass roots though.

Firstly, contact independent movie makers near you. There are so many now, especially around universities. Don’t worry too much about getting a massive fee at this stage. There have been some great examples of film makers and composers meeting at university and as the film maker becomes successful it has a knock on effect for the musician.

Get yourself to as many networking events as possible and start building up relationships with people. Go North had an amazing stable of talent that crossed the whole realm of music and film. Join AIM ( www.musicindie.com ). Once you join AIM you get access and cheap passes to all of the networking events around the UK. And if you get in touch with the UKTI you may even get funded to travel to these abroad. Networking is always key.

I felt you had a lot to say to the representative from Microsoft (syncing music for Xbox games). Is it true that games often don't pay bands for syncage?

Yeah, I don’t think I made many friends on that panel but I didn’t want to hear them talk about how they sync signed artists, I wanted to know how they were helping unsigned artists gain promotion in music.

He wasn’t going to give out any numbers but they clearly aren’t paying artists much. The games industry is a billion dollar industry that is making more revenue than the music industry at the moment.

They seem to think that the promotion alone should be enough dividends for the artist. That kind of devalues music though in the same way that music piracy teaches you that your best hope for producing music is that someone will purchase it for free and then come to a show.

And my other point to them was why do the games industry not pay music royalties for each game sold?

Every time you download music you pay PRS, every time a radio station or TV channel plays music you get paid a PRS rate. Even Youtube has to pay PRS. So if you distribute a piece of music to a computer game you should pay some kind of royalty rate to the artist, even if it’s a few pence.

How big is the divide between the sync industry and the music industry and what can be done to solve this?

There is always going to be more content that sync opportunities so I am sympathetic to the sync agents.

There is a massive division between the games and music industries. I went to the GDC in San Fran Cisco a couple of years ago which is the largest worldwide conference for games developers. I was the only person from the music industry at the conference. There does not seem to be enough being done to build links between the two industries. I asked the developers where they get music from and they would generally ask friends at work or use sound library music. There is no excuse in this day and age to use sound library music, not when there is so many talented artists out there creating music that is going unheard. Seriously, Sound library music? It’s a joke!

On another panel you participated in there was mention of the benefits of PRS. Explain to anyone who might not know what PRS is and how it can benefit them?

The PRS is the Performing Rights Agency. Each venue has to pay a PRS license to play music. That revenue then goes to the PRS agency.

The PRS then dish out the revenue accordingly to the artists who play in the venues, gain radio airplay and so on.

If you don’t claim for the gigs you play then it will get paid out to the major label artists. So make sure every gig you play you claim! Once you sign up with Ditto we help you with this free of charge through our partners at Sentric Music.

PRS is also covered in things like radio airplay, TV, even online streaming. You can claim back for 6 months so do it. Now!

I met so many bands at Go North who weren’t claiming their PRS. As an example, the band who won the competition to play with Bon Jovi will receive around £20,000. So do it now. Even if it is an open mic night you could be entitled to some serious pocket money

With the sheer amount of music on the internet how can a small band 'stand out from the pack'?

It sounds obvious but the first thing is to be brilliant. If every artist listened to the same amount of demos that we do here I think they would realize the severity of the competition out there. You are pitching yourselves against hundreds of thousands of artists.

Be up on the latest social trends. At the first panel I mentioned a few sites to check out

www.splitgigs.com is a great site where you can exchange gigs all over the world

www.mflow.com is a new site we distribute you to and can be a fantastic networking tool.

www.mog.com Start music blogging and then you can pitch your own music to other bloggers.

How does a band go about getting distributed by Ditto Music?

Ditto Music is the simplest way to handle digital distribution.

Our platform allows you upload music and artwork online and receive free barcodes, ISRC codes as you sign up. You can specify your release date, set up a label and you have access to 24 hour sales analytics. You can choose to become chart eligible, make an iPhone app, sell on pre order, SMS, we have it all covered. And we have skilled people in the office every day to take your phone calls.

Just go to www.dittomusic.com and sign up for a free account. From there you can access the forums, receive news on sync opportunities and of course start uploading content to great sites like Spotify, iTunes , Amazon and more.

//

[COMPETITION]

Lee and Ditto Music have kindly given me 10 iTunes release vouchers to give away to Have Fun At Dinner readers. So if you are in a band or make music email me at igg.greenhill@gmail.com with a link to some of your music and I will pick my favourites.Each voucher entitles an artist to a free release on iTunes (up to 3 tracks) with £0 signup, £0 subscription to Ditto Music and 100% royalties. No bad, eh?

Closing date 8th July

GoNorth; Thursday and Friday

2010-06-17T20:58:00.015+01:00

[EDITOR'S NOTE; It has been brought to my attention that there has been a video of a mangina circulating on the interwebnet. It is in Have Fun At Dinner and affiliates interest to deny all allegations regarding this matter. However, in case you are wondering, ladies, I use the wee trimmer bit on the Panasonic ES8101 to keep 'down there' tamed. Available at Argos and all good stockists.]

The second day of GoNorth all kicked off at The Ramada for seminars. The first of the day was the 'Do It Yourself' panel organised by Born to Be Wide. Olaf Furniss conducted the panel, even adopting Jeremy Kyle tactics and coming into the audience to hear questions. On the panel was the legendary musician/journalist/TV panelist John Robb, Meursault front man Neil Pennycook, Little Kicks singer Steven Milne, The Debuts singer Michael Lambert and soul singer Carrie Mac. The panel debated the ins and outs of managing a band by yourself. The major benefit was seen to be control and monetary. If you do everything yourself you are bound to make more money in the short-run. The biggest pitfall identified by the panel was dealing with dodgy promoters, however they also stressed that there are an equal amount of good promoters out there. As an impartial party, I took quite a lot from this panel as it gave me an insight to how much work being in a small, self-managed band is. At the end of the day a band is only to get what they put in. It is also essential for small bands to exhaust all possible resources before looking for third party management. If you have someone who can do artwork, use that resource. If you have someone who can book the gigs, use that resource. If you have someone who can do PR, use that resource. Overall, this panel would have been extremely fruitful for up and coming bands looking to make it on their own. A change of pace from the bloated, self-interested panels of the GoNorth Fringe.

After sitting in on what appeared to be a strange orgy on Second Life which I assume was supposed to be some kind of online conference? Whatever it was it was a total panel-libido killer. In stepped BBC Radio 1/Scotland DJ Vic Galloway to tell us to come next door for the Scottish Arts Council run SxSW Panel. So Peenko and I did. The panelists included two reps from the Scottish Arts Council, Vic, Adam (who basically pimps bands to college radio in America) and Jamie (We Were Promised Jetpacks co-manager). Going to SxSW is a massive dream of mine and this panel deterred me slightly. The sizable costs of going over which were quoted were daunting and the Arts Council reps seemed to veer off subject a lot of the time. This was sorted by Vic who always put the focus back on the interests of the audience. Admittedly, I did raise a rather redundant question (in terms of SxSW) as I mentioned the closure of WOXY, the American independent radio station and website. I was met with a very frank 'WOXY will be back'. In the ensuing hours I would learn that a company has stepped in and it is looking as though WOXY will be up and running sooner than expected. I don't know if that is a scoop or not. Fuck it. WOXY is coming back, so I don't care if it is.

The next seminar was a rather star-studded affair as Born to Be Wide had organised a panel consisting of; Keith Harris (Stevie Wonder's manager), Rab Andrew (Primal Scream, Texas) Dougie Souness (Wet Wet Wet), Phil Ellis (Baby Boom Records) and Grant Dickson (The View, Broken Records.) The managers shared stories and dispensed advice on how to manage bands effectively. One of the highlights of the seminar was Rab Andrew telling the story of how he had to bail Mani from Primal Scream out of jail so he could play a festival. Yet he identified that he found this to be fun. He appreciated that you don't get into management to have an easy ride and that he lived for the 'fuck ups' as they were fun. What a top bloke. An interesting point made by the panel is that they do not sign contracts with their acts. This seemed absolutely mental to me, yet it appeared to be the done thing as it shows a give/take relationship based on trust.

Against my appeals, Peenko dragged me to the 'Flash Forward' seminar. He should have listened to me as it was essentially music industry people rooted in an old-school mindset trying to grasp the various new avenues the industry is going down. The main part that got my goat was their view on Spotify, feeling that it should pay artists more, which I think is just wrong. Spotify is a promotional tool. Yet this seemed to be lost on these dinosaurs, so Peenko and I left early to go see the Bronto Skylift album launch.

In typical Detour fashion a group of us were lead to a small clearing in the middle of an island. After a quick introduction Bronto were away. Anger, passion and humour combine into one with these boys culminating in lead singer Niall (who would later threaten to 'push me in the fucking face', but never mind) attacking his guitar with whatever he could find. Mostly branches. My appetite was whetted and this would not be the last time I'd watch them at GoNorth.

Next up were my favourite band of GoNorth, The Seventeenth Century. Having seen them a few times before I knew what to expect but I was no less blown away. Combining euphoria derived from Beirut songs and a sophistication beyond their years, the Glasgow 5-piece delivered. Big time. New single 'Roses in the Park' was a highlight, as the band would find out later from my drunken rambles devoid of all superlatives.

As Peenko was my designated 'daddy' for the week he recommended Fiona Soe Pang. A great curve ball as she combined ambient trip-hop with stunning visuals. I remarked that she sounded a bit like Lamb and she agreed she was a big fan. Lloyd didn't know who they were, even though they were around during his era...

We stayed for the most hyped act of the week, Rachel Sermanni;

I caught up with the very lovely Rachel after her set at both GoNorth and Rockness to have a chat.

Rachel, you are just back from playing GoNorth and Rockness. How did they go?

GoNorth was lovely. I shook the hand of Stevie Wonder's manager! Playing solo is something I enjoy a lot as I have to attempt to create an atmosphere of the songs on my own and it disciplines you a bit, I think, to do things on your own sometimes. It teaches you not to become reliant on others. However, having the band at Rockness was so wonderful. The girls played grrrreat! I have two fiddlers, Laura Wilkie and Siobhan Anderson and a pianist, Jennifer Austin. They're magnificent musicians and great friends. We had a full tent as it was raining, (thankyou bad weather). With them there's a great power in the songs.

Is it daunting for a young (Rachel is eighteen) solo artist to play in front of a festival crowd?

It wasn't too daunting. More exciting. We got a bit scared when we did our soundcheck as Danananakaroyd were playing just outside on the main stage and we couldn't hear them. They're great...by what we heard. But we were quite determined to have fun. I danced about on stage and everything. We just let loose and gave all we could give whether we could hear ourselves or not :) It was probably a little daunting as my old school friends were in the front row...and they'd only really seen me singing little cheesy numbers in the school hall...I was keen to let them hear what I've been skipping uni for and working proudly on for the past months!

You worked with Ben from Mumford and Sons, how did that come about?
I met Ben at the Loopallu Festival when they played. We went and had a magical jam with them on a beach at 3am and after that he asked if I'd like to come record down in London. BIGGEST ADVENTURE! I learnt so much. And he showed me that not all my songs have to be sweet and quiet...i could potentially make louder sounds. Since then, I have.

In one song you sing about the childlike notion of being a pirate and in another you sing about how and where your soul meets your body. How do you bridge the gap between quirky and existential?!
I don't think I'm aware of the bridges between topics in my songs...all that I write about is very important to me. I love to explore strange things. And the pirate archetype is intriguing. I suppose that quite nicely links to the idea of the soul. Apparently, every person holds, within them, different archetypes. We all have inside us the 'princess awaiting a rescue' or the 'prince in search of the pathetic damsel'...and then there are the sort of parts of us that make us want to be the goodies...but the one that usually intrigues me the most is the darker sides...baddies and pirates. One of my most recent songs is so dark i have managed to complete lose myself on what it's about..and just get scared.

You have quite a bit of hype surrounding you, is it hard to ignore it or do you embrace it?
I really don't think there's that much hype. Is there? Ha!

What is in store in 2010 for Rachel Sermanni?!
2010 sees us doing lots of Scottish festivals: Insider, Wickerman, Belladrum and Loopallu..and I'm going on a solo adventure down to Wales for the Greenman! And lots more gigs too. I'm hoping to have some recordings to sell by the end of the year too. And the rest is a misty unknown even for me. Which is terribly exciting!

//

After Rachel's lullabyesqe set, I was off, again, to catch the magnificent Woodenbox With A Fistful of Fivers. I caught a few of their songs, including my favourite 'Draw a Line' and then I sprinted to see the best band in Scotland; Meursault.

Tonight it was just two of them and the crowd was anything but kind. Pennycook had to endure a drunken local whaling all through 'Weather' (one of their stand-outs from sophomore effort 'All Creatures Will Make Merry') and even with his foghorn voice he couldn't drown the guy out. I suppose this exposed some of the downsides to events such as GoNorth as the venue was not ideal yet the sound equipment was top of the range. It seemed as if investment could have been spread about better to ensure optimum enjoyment for all those involved (bands and crowd).

Thursday night was a bit of a write-off. Copious amounts of alcohol were consumed and I offended pretty much everyone. Two things I learnt were 1) to not tell A&R people that no one likes them and 2) that Vic Galloway is an absolute champion who just lives for Scottish music. Really inspiring bloke.

Due to my massive hangover I only made one worthwhile panel, Born To Be Wide's Sync Panel. I'm not going to say too much about it as I have interview Lee Parsons from Ditto Music who was on one of the panels and he will explain sync and distribution better than I am able to (it is pretty complicated.)

In the afternoon Lloyd and I did the Toadcast with Matthew from Song, by Toad. We come across as very useless, maybe because I am useless and Lloyd was hungover.

I managed to catch the excellent Randolph's Leap in the evening. Combining humour and twee-folk via a stack of Ivor Cutler records, they brought a massive smile to my face. As did Bronto Skylift who I caught after. 'A band is only as good as its drummer', if this was the case then Bronto Skylift would be the best band in the world. Pounding away at the drums while Niall screams down the mic while playing angular hooks on his guitar. Great live band.

So that wraps up GoNorth for one year. Worth while, yet ultimately very, very messy.

Photos by Derick MacKinnon and Dom Holt of New Found Sound.

[MP3] Bottle of Evil - Conversation

2010-06-14T16:09:00.007+01:00

Bottle of Evil is a collaboration between Derek Bates (Evil Hand, Genaro) and Steven McGilvary (Bottle of Steven). Hailing from Lanarkshire the duo make shoegaze of the dream-pop variety. With delicate melodies often erupting into noise-fueled crescendos they are the perfect antithesis my folk-based bletherings. A pleasant surprise from the initial fear of another Biffy sound-a-like or Screamo band which I garnered from their name.

Their debut album is out now via iTunes and eMusic with a physical release due in 'a couple of weeks'.

Bottle of Evil - Conversation

GoNorth Fringe

2010-06-10T10:56:00.002+01:00

From about 1.30 onward yesterday I was listening to panels to do with the music industry. The panels including DJ Vic Galloway, Chris and Phil from Baby Boom Records, and a few guys from Universal.

The panel on management in the industry was industry mainly due to the fact that we had Vic Galloway slating major labels and giving good advice to the young bands in the audience while sat next to representitives from the very people he was slating! His passion definitley shone through as he seemed determined to help up and coming bands. The other panel members seemed to amount to nothing more than one upsmanship. Name dropping, tales of John Mayer tours and how many records they sold. 'You make the artist think they have power to keep them happy' retorted Christian, manager of Faroe Island singer-songwriter Teitur. He spoke about artists like they were pawns which got my back up a wee bit. Baby Boom seemed to want to genuinely help bands, talking about the long and arduous process of grooming bands to be ready for the public.

A main point stressed was the fact that all bands should sign up to PRS to receive funds for live performances. The recent young support band to Bon Jovi made £20,000 alone from one gig due to PRS. So it is worth signing up, then.

I got dead drunk and ended up playing pool with all these industry types, beating Baby Boom due to default. Then I mangina'd Peenko and Alan from Rokbun. The less said about that the better, but they are also covering GoNorth so check them out.

My pick of the young bands playing yesterday was Iglue who sounded like a cross between Bright Eyes and Bombay Bicycle Club.

If you are in Inverness or are in a young band get your arse to GoNorth today. Panels from Born To Be Wide on self-management and on various other seminars.

Lets hope tonight is not as messy as yesterday. Seemingly Bronto Skylift are launching their album on a tiny wee island!

Have Fun At Dinner is GoingNorth

2010-06-08T21:02:00.008+01:00

For the remainder of the week I will be covering the day-to-day going ons of GoNorth in Inverness.

For those of you unfamiliar with the event it basically curtails Inverness becoming a Mecca for people involved actively in the Scottish media industry. Digital, print, television, film, yet I am interested mostly in the largest part of the convention. The music.

Starting off with the GoNorth Fringe in The Ironworks on Wednesday, there will be seminars and panels on how to succeed in almost every single avenue of the music industry. The prolific Born To Be Wide" team will be conducting panels focusing on issues such as music management and how to self-manage your band and/or music. There are also daily showcases with equal amounts of up and coming and established bands partaking. Find the list here.

You can sign up to attend seminars and showcases at www.gonorth.biz under the delegates section.

Full listing of Born To Be Wide seminars;

Great Songs for a Worthy Cause.

2010-06-06T22:52:00.004+01:00

Euan who writes The Steinberg Principle and who is also lead singer of The Kays Lavelle has been arranging a great wee project in aide of Depression Alliance UK. Basically he is getting artists to cover songs by Elliot Smith, Sparklehorse and Vic Chesnutt. All of whom committed suicide. Suicide is 50% higher in Scotland than in the rest of the U.K. I have had first hand experience of this terrible experience both professionally and personally. So it really is worth your time and money. Not only for the cause but because the songs are brilliant.

Contributing artists include There Will Be Fireworks, Rob St John, Burnt Island, Small Town Boredom, Sleepingdog and Keiran Naughton

Get the songs here

Massive props to Euan for putting together such a wonderful project.

Jack James - Quarter-Life Crisis

2010-06-06T17:25:00.003+01:00

You have probably noticed I am an absolute sucker for folk tinged music, but only if it is done properly. I was delighted when I gave this a listen. Previously unaware of James, I was taken by the maturity and majesty of his songs. His emotive voice, building instrumentation and observational lyrics merge together perfectly to produce something simple, yet effective. He reminds me of the sadder moments of Woodenbox with A Fistful of Fivers. It is also free, but I feel Jack James deserves a wee bit more than that for this little beauty of a mini album. Download it here

Jack James -Gathering Dust

[POEM OF THE WEEK] Meursault - A Fair Exchange

2010-05-17T13:17:00.008+01:00

I've not done a 'Poem of the Week' in a while. This is not strictly a poem either, but fuck it. 'A Fair Exchange' completely encapsulates how I am feeling just now after the loss of a loved one.

Neil Pennycook demonstrated on 'Pissing On Bonfires/Kissing With Tongues' that he is one of Scotland's finest lyricists and Meursault's upcoming release 'All Creatures Will Make Merry' reinforces this fact. Forget the whole production debate surrounding the album as no one can argue with how brilliant the songwriting is.

Neil described the orgin of the song to The Skinny;

I wrote the lyrics for this song when I was about 18, maybe younger, and I still feel it's one of the strongest things I've written. It comes from a story I once read about a monk who lived in a beautiful temple. He lived there alone and loved it dearly. Over time the temple began to age and became structurally unsound. The monk realized that he would rather live with the temple as a memory than watch it rot and decay, so he burned it to the ground.

The fact he wrote the song when he was 18 will always baffle and astound me.

A Fair Exchange

I will tear you down
and that way I'll stay new
A memory is better than a ruin
Somethings take time
Somethings time will take

Oh, I will choose
my best times and burn them down
It's better off in thin air than on thin ground
Somethings take time
Somethings time will take

A Fair Exchange

Meursault are playing Mono in Glasgow on the 19th and Sneaky Pete's on the 21st.

[VIDEO] There Will Be Fireworks - 'Ash Wednesday' + 'This Feels Like..'

2010-05-16T21:54:00.008+01:00
Sorry I've not posted for a wee while. To kick start me off again is the newest installment of the brilliant They Shoot Music Don't They Scottish Special. Previous sessions featured Meursault, Withered Hand, Ballboy and Beerjacket. Now it is There Will Be Fireworks' turn.

Filmed on top of a Glaswegian rooftop, both songs feature a new sound for the band. A folk tinged, restrained approach had now been adopted in favour of their token post-rock quiet/loud sound. They mentioned previously that they were working on their follow-up and it was going in two directions and therefore producing two albums. I've been told that this is no longer the case. Perhaps this is the sound they have settled for?

Ash Wednesday

This Feels Like..

[Gig][MP3] Jonquil - Pillow Quest

2010-04-27T12:40:00.005+01:00

Most of the gig guides for this week have omitted the Jonquil gig at The Roxy Room in Edinburgh on the 1st. They are also supporting fellow Oxford band Foals on Sunday 2nd at ABC in Glasgow. I really like them. So aye, get on it. Here's a track.

Jonquil - Pillow Quest [MP3]

[GIG] Peenko vs. Ayetunes at Captain's Rest

2010-04-26T12:32:00.007+01:00

If you are not doing much this Friday you should pop down to Captain's Rest for Peenko vs. Ayetunes. The gig will feature the synthy madness of Mitchell Museum, the poppy greatness of Kid Canaveral and the rocky sonicness of Campfires in Winters. The latter promise to do some covers of one band with a type of scared animal in their name, and one band named after a hotel for dairy products.

Tickets are £4 in advance and £5 on the door. So it is well worth it. Peenko, Jim and I may even give you a three-way hug if you are unlucky. Starts at 8pm.

Afterwards you can go and watch Lloyd from Peenko DJ at The Flying Duck for 'Pinup Nights'. He will probably just play N-Dubz over and over again so if you want to listen to some decent DJs then don't fret because Nick from Radar, Ed from 17 Seconds, Glasgow Podcart folk and The Pop Cop will be also spinning some tunes for your enjoyment.

SO GOOD!

[Scandinavian Sundays] Band to Watch - Idiot Kid

2010-04-25T23:03:00.005+01:00

For my Scandinavian Sunday post today I've decided to urge everyone to listen to the Swedish band Idiot Kid. I was introduced to them a couple of weeks ago by Swedish music connoisseur Rich Thane (who kindly points me to so much great stuff). He described them as 'the more melancolic side of Loney Dear'. I can't really put it any better than that myself. Their album 'Darkness in Our House' is full of gorgeously timid lullaby-esque songs, check it out.

[MP3] Idiot Kid - Wide Awake

[MP3] Frightened Rabbit - Living In Colour (Andreas Lust Remix)

2010-04-19T20:12:00.004+01:00

Frightened Rabbit - Living in Colour (Andres Lust Remix) [MP3]

[Review] eagleowl - Into the Fold EP

2010-04-19T12:43:00.005+01:00

When a band describes themselves as anti-noise or anti-drum many it is assume the music to follow would be delicate and, naturally, quiet. Edinburgh based eagleowl have been honing this craft for a good while now and are set to release their third EP, 'Into the Fold', on April 30th.

The title track is a 6 minute lo-fi lament. Bart Owl's quiet and timid vocals are reminiscent to those on the bands most famous song 'Blanket', in that they add a layer of intrigue and heartbreak to the song. Slowly strummed guitar accompanied by strings add to the odd euphoria of this slow-paced folk, letting it creep into your brain and stay there. Contrast this with 'Morpheus' and you get a stark juxtaposition of moods. 'Morpheus' is relatively upbeat for the band, featuring looping ukelele and far more urgent vocals, while still retaining a haunting quality. A lo-fi folk lullaby if you will. The beautiful instrumental 'Ear Hats' makes the perfect transition between 'Morpheus' and the slower paced 10 minute long 'No Conjunction', which is far similar to the title track. This wraps the EP up with a nice sense of coherence, giving it listenability and attainability.

Eagleowl may, for some, be a difficult band to get into. 'Into the Fold' is undeniably beautiful, delicate and yet it packs a punch (albeit a slow one, a John Woo punch) straight to the heart and ears of any listener. Their best yet. As the climatic vocals in 'No Conjunction' say 'when you get there don't look back'.

Stream the whole of 'Into the Fold' here

[Scandinavian Sundays] - Museum of Bella Artes remix Liquid Vega

2010-04-18T21:43:00.004+01:00

English electro-pop outfit Liquid Vega will release their new single, "Dead Sun", tomorrow via the Swedish label Force Majeure. I'm not a massive fan of Liquid Vega but this epic space-disco remix by Swedes Museum of Belles Artes makes me want to take a whole load of drugs and then vomit on myself while telling everyone I love them.

Liquid Vega - 'Dead Sun' (Museum of Belles Artes remix) [MP3]

[Scandinavian Sundays] Scandinavian Covers

2010-04-18T20:34:00.011+01:00
Here are some brilliant covers by some Scandinavian bands, you have probably stumbled across a few;

Oh No Ono & When Saints Go Machine - 'My Girls' (Animal Collective cover, will probably take you to another page, but it is worth it!)

Taken By Trees - 'My Boys'(Animal Collective & Wolf Parade cover) [MP3]

Sondre Lerche - 'Let My Love Open The Door' (Pete Townsend cover)

Jens Lekman & Tracey Thorn - Yeah! Oh Yeah! (The Magnetic Fields cover)[MP3]

Lykke Li - Knocked Up (Kings of Leon cover)[MP3]

[CHECKING IN] Going to make more time for something I love.

2010-04-18T18:15:00.008+01:00

I don't understand how some Scottish music folk find the time to write, organise and promote all the wonderful things they do. Now, I'm not going to indulge myself in a self-indulgent moan, as this is more of an apology. I feel I have neglected this wee bloggy and it is looking back at me all sad and withered. I'm still averaging 2 or 3 gigs a week, which I feel is essential as there is nothing more hypocritical than folk trying to help bands and a music scene and then never go to shows. Yet, I know I've not been writing/helping out bands as much as I would like to as I'm just knackered all the time. Working 28-plus hours on top of 20-plus university hours is pretty fucking exhausting. I also now understand why most bloggers and the likes are in their 30's, as the constant pressure of pleasing your copious groups of needy friends is also hard; 'aw, Ian, but there is like this pure banging tidy bird going tonight, I need you to wingman the shit out of me and talk about Balzac or something to impress her. Essentially, you are the teasing horse and I am the breeding stallion ready to swoop in after you have riled her up'. Great! Then there is the personal stuff. After going through a shit time you don't really feel much like writing about some 7" that you think is 'just alright'. But I shouldn't bother at all if I'm only going to half-ass it. So things need to change.

I have to say I really admire and take my fucking hat off to folk like Lloyd from Peenko, Matthew from Song, By Toad, Will from Define Pop (goes to more shows than anyone I've ever met), Jim from Ayetunes (although, he has plenty of fucking time on his hands), Portis Wasp, Elba Sessions team, the Detour Scotland folk, all of whom put a whole load into promoting Scottish music. I really do salute them loads as they will no doubt sacrifice a lot of things to be as good as they are. There is some blogger hubris going on with some folk, which is tedious, but in general Scottish music and correlating media-outlets are in a really healthy way. Which is great.

Now, here is the plan. I've got some stuff in the pipe-line which is dead exciting, but I'll hold off on announcing it just now. I'm going to try to post once or twice a day, and I promise not to neglect my little blog any longer. I still write for the The Line of Best Fit and focus mostly on Scottish music, which hopefully will give some bands a bit more exposure as the site probably gets more hits than all Scottish blogs put together, or something like that. The internet confuses me. Nodes and porn. Nodes and porn. Also, a new A Glass Of Scotch Compilation is coming very soon.

Aye, so basically, sorry for being shit lately. I'm going to rectify this. Pound it, peace, have fun at dinner.

Billy Bragg - To Have And To Have Not

[Scandinavian Sundays] The Radio Dept. - Clinging To A Scheme

2010-04-11T22:15:00.008+01:00

The Radio Dept. are one of the main reasons I fell completely in love with music from Sweden (and Scandinavia). I pounced on their new album 'Clinging To a Scheme' when iTunes incorrectly posted it for sale and release, it was originally due out on the 19th of April. An error I won't be complaining about, because 'Clinging To a Scheme' is their best album to date.

Stepping away from their token atmospheric and visceral sound, The Radio Dept. opt instead for a far more ambient and restrained approach. Swapping their layered guitars for layered synths and meaty-to-sparse drum hooks, 'Clinging To a Scheme' is definitely an album which could shift interest in the band from long time fanatics (such as myself) to a wider audience as songs such as 'David' (previously released on last years EP of the same name), 'Heaven's On Fire', 'Never Follow Suit' and 'Memory Loss' could (and should) appeal to a larger audience with their laid back and lush grooves. I'm just glad The Radio Dept. have made an album they have been building up to since 1995. The end result certainly justifies the wait.

Album out, properly, on 21th via Labrador

The Radio Dept - Heaven's On Fire[MP3]

The Radio Dept - Never Follow Suit

The Radio Dept - David

[Scandinavian Sundays] New Mary Onettes-The Night Before The Funeral

2010-04-11T21:58:00.003+01:00

The excellent Swedish music site Tram 7 have posted a free mp3 of a new Mary Onettes song 'The Night Before The Funeral'. It's what we've come to expect from the Swedish quartet, dream-pop at it's very best. Get it here.

[Scandinavian Sundays] The Forest & The Trees

2010-04-11T21:26:00.008+01:00
The Forest & The Trees

Stockholm based song-smith Joel Edin has a history of pairing up with women close to him. His previous project, The Tupelo Honeys, was just him and his sister Linn. Now he has teamed up with his wife Linnea in the form of The Forest & The Trees. Lush harmonies, thunderous drums, yet enough sincerity and subtlety to make them endearing, has got me hooked on their debut single 'To The Forest! (I Need Some Peace)'. Look out for it's release via ILL FIT, who have also signed one of my favourite Scottish acts, There Will Be Fireworks. Keep and eye out for the release of their self-titled debut, you won't want to miss it, trust me.

The Forest & The Trees - To The Forest! (I Need Some Peace) by ILL FIT

The Forest & The Trees - Escape by ILL FIT

Stream the album in full here

(thanks to @richthane)

[NEW] Yusuf Azak - 'Eastern Sun' and 'Time to Kill'

2010-03-30T19:29:00.006+01:00

I've been a big fan of Yusuf Azak's two releases, 'Light Procession' and 'Gazelle' (both available for free download). Here are two previews of his new tracks 'Eastern Sun' and 'Time to Kill'. The latter features lush string arrangements with Azak's token rasping voice only just peeking through the wall of sound which erupts in euphoric waves of sound. 'Eastern Sun' features skillful guitar plucking, which is more in key with his previous releases but also demonstrates the originality and progress this young songwriter has made in such a short space of time.

The tracks will be featured on the Aberdonian-by-way-of-Glasgow's debut album, due for release this year. These tracks further excitement for it.

He is supporting Meursault at their Glasgow album launch on the 10th at Captain's Rest.

Yusuf Azak - Eastern Sun

Yusuf Azak - Time to Kill

[RANTS] My brother is not a fan of Lady Gaga.

2010-03-25T21:23:00.007Z
One of the main reasons I love music as much I do is because I used to steal my older brother Stuart's CDs and Mini-discs (remember them?) and listen to them on his amazing sound system when I was 11. He likes Grandaddy, Eels, R.E.M and is the sole reason I love The Band as much as I do. He sent me this electronic letter (or 'e-mail' in technical terms) about ten minutes ago, it made me laugh so much. The gospel according to Dr Stu;

All human endeavour is pointless..

I mean really.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2010/mar/25/lady-gaga-video

What the fuck? 1 billion views. This is the pinnacle of popular culture, apparently. All those billions of years of coincidences and explosions, atoms splitting and re-combining, galaxies forming and dying and spinning endlessly across the unknowable void, all the DNA mutations and binary fission, the first life forming and evolving and crawling from the primordial void. The Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Aztec and Olmec and the ancient Chinese. The Dark Ages, the Renaissance, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Strauss. Penicillin, television, nuclear fission, moon mission.

All so the kids can get down and enjoy Lady fucking GaGa. A being so devoid of talent and charisma and even well-groomed eyebrows that she makes Jordan look like a valued member of society. A "performer" who has been quoted as saying she writes songs with a view to what crrrraaaazy outfit she'll wear whilst singing it. This is apparently the new Thriller. I have to say I was more sexually aroused by Zombie Jacko than I was by this harridan and her "masterpiece". Is the bar so low? What have we done? I'm beginning to think David Icke has a point, only a race of all-powerful sentient lizards could come up with this shit and get away with it. Who is inspired by this dross? Are we to have a whole generation of girls who fondly remember this shit? Global warming can't come soon enough.

At the other end of the scale, I was pottering about on That Internet when I heard this:

http://www.box.net/shared/6u5qhdyr48

Listen to the last minute or so, that Clint Mansell (he of the Moon and Requiem for a Dream soundtracks that basically form the musical bed of every trailer and programme on Sky at the mo) is a good lad. He's made in one minute what U2 have been trying to do for 30 years, then he fades it out just when it's getting climactic. Me likey.

I shouldn't read the Guardian. It riles me up so.

[NEW][MP3] Teenage Fanclub - Baby Lee

2010-03-23T15:06:00.004Z

The death of Alex Chilton rekindled my love for a band he inspired greatly, Teenage Fanclub. Coincidently they have just announced the tracklisting of their new album 'Shadows' released May 31st.

1.Sometimes I Don’t Need To Believe In Anything

2.Baby Lee

3.The Fall

4.Into The City

5.Dark Clouds

6.The Past

7.Shock And Awe

8.When I Still Have Thee

9.Live With The Seasons

10.Sweet Days Waiting

11.The Back Of My Mind

12.Today Never Ends

[MP3] Teenage Fanclub - Baby Lee

It's just lovely. Welcome back boys.

[VIDEO] Frightened Rabbit - Swim Until You Can't See Land (Save WOXY!)

2010-03-23T14:42:00.005Z

I'm posting this video for two reasons. Firstly, I think it is the tightest the band have sounded live. Secondly, I think this is to do with the brilliant sound supplied by WOXY, who today announced that they have been forced to suspend their live broadcasts due to lack of financial support. I suspect American bloggers and music lovers will try and help WOXY in the same way British independent music fans have for the BBC 6 Music cause. Let's not lose one of the best resources on the web. UNITE!!

[FREE STUFF] Vacuum Spasm Babies

2010-03-23T11:45:00.004Z

Vacuum Spasm Babies are the brainchild of Malcolm Spasm and Charles S. Bravo (hopefully their real names). They are releasing their 'Science EP' on the 5th April for free via Shark Batter. They sound like The Beta Band, if The Beta Band had a nervous breakdown. It won't be for everyone, but for me it lands on the right side of avante garde for it to be enjoyable.

Vacuum Spasm Babies - Science Division

[REVIEW] North Atlantic Oscillation - Grappling Hooks

2010-03-23T11:17:00.003Z

When a band is named after a phenomenon in weather patterns you would assume their music would be a lacklustre affair. A name coinciding with a subject people turn to when they have ran out of rubbish small talk. North Atlantic Oscillation are not a boring band, and debut effort Grappling Hooks equates to something extremely far away from boring small talk.

The Edinburgh band’s debut combines Squarepusher inspired electronic soundscapes with other influences weaved throughout. NAO are a band that keeps their influences on their sleeve but shake them off which each new song, with every track featuring a familiar sound, yet also sounding distinctly unique. Opener ‘Marrow’ mashes together an array of synth sweeps with hammering drums and euphoric modulated vocals, colliding to form waves of hypnotising sound. Second track ‘Hollywood Has Ended’ masquerades as an acoustic lament and a stark contrast to the opener, then transforms into a full-blown rock track, with pounding guitars and a Theremin taking the song to space-like levels.

It is fair to say that Grappling Hooks is an extremely ambitious record. Each track is choc full of instruments scrambling and competing to make the biggest impression. With most bands this would end up in a noise filled mess, but North Atlantic Oscillation ultimately end up on the right side of indulgent. Lead single ‘Cell Count’ demonstrates this exceptionally, with hooks found in abundance in the form of pulsating bass lines, tight drums and a repetitive but catchy chorus (‘It’s amazing what you can do’). ‘Cell Count’ is a powerhouse of a song, and vindicates the bands towering ambition. ’77 Hours’ is a throw back to several 80’s theme tunes, with an indie backdrop. It is again brimming with hooks and intent, yet is perhaps one of the album’s more subtle moments.

My one complaint about Grappling Hooks is that it would perhaps benefit from some quieter moments. Some calm in between the storm of sound that we know we should take cover from, yet we are so intrigued by that we bear it’s brunt.

Grappling Hooks is an album that reaches for the sky, and is all the more better for it. Fearless ambition need not always mean failure, and North Atlantic Oscillation demonstrate this emphatically. Far better than talking about the weather.

[via TLOBF]

[REVIEW] Over the Wall - Settle Down

2010-03-22T23:53:00.006Z

I cannot write this review of Over the Wall's new single 'Settle Down' with an unbiased opinion. They are one of my favourite bands and I used their song 'Thurso' for my own cathartic gain when I was having issues communicating thanks and admiration to my dad (which I have still never fully expressed), so I have nothing but blind love and admiration for them. However, 'Settle Down' has a totally different feel to it than 'Thurso'.

I'm not sure whether it is the break-neck electronic beats or the yelping vocals (think Scottish Spencer Krug) which draws me deeper into this song, but it exudes a hypnotic quality which is deliciously moreish and undeniably danceable. The chemistry between Gav Prentice and Bill Hillman is more evident than ever (as anyone who has seen the band live will testify), demonstrated by their token harmonies and head spinning hooks (pick between trumpet, guitar, synth or that catchy chorus) pulsating throughout the song. 'Settle Down' truly cements Over the Wall as one of Scotland's most promising and talented bands, it doesn't take a bias opinion to see that.

Over the Wall - Settle Down

'Settle Down' is released on 7 inch vinyl and digital download on Monday 5th April on Motive Sounds Recordings. It is the first release following their debut EP ‘The Rise and Fall of Over the Wall’ (available in places which sell music, that song 'Thruso' is on it) and is taken from their forthcoming album ‘Treacherous’ due in the summer, so look out for that. They are also playing a gig for Ten Tracks at Verden Studios in Edinburgh on the 27th. Their album launch is at Captain's Rest on the 5th of April.

[INTERVIEW] Fang Island

2010-03-16T13:32:00.007Z

Brooklyn 5-piece Fang Island released their debut last month, it hasn't been off my rotation since with it's feel good sound, soaring guitar riffs and harmonies. I sat down with them to talk about their influences, fictional scenes, dancing hipsters and Point Break.

HF@D; You've just released your self titled debut, it sounds to me a bit like Animal Collective raping Rainbow/Journey/Van Halen with some Thrash beatdowns thrown in. How would you describe your sound and which bands have influenced you?

FI; We are mainly influenced by friendships, summer, beach parties, fireworks, bop-it, rochester garbage plates, CRT's (culturally relevant textiles), and Michelle Tanner from Full House.

HF@D; You're a Brooklyn band, is there a scene for bands like you there?

FI; Yes, check out Bare Naked Gentleman, Iamtheshaman, Bloody Blunts, High School Hugs, and Satan's Freak.

HF@D; What is the secret to getting hipsters to dance?

F.I; Sorry, that is a secret recipe.

HF@D; Andrew W.K hosted your album launch night. How did that come about? Has he given you an inspirational talk yet?

F.I; He has been a hero to us for a long time, and ended up singing on our record. Listening to The Wolf is an inspirational talk to us all!

HF@D; You're playing SXSW then going on a pretty extensive tour. Is this your first time at the festival?

F.I; Yes. It is!

HF@D; The video for Daisy features former presidents, a lucha libre with a flag, some campy dancers and two weird looking creatures. Do they represent anything?

F.I; Everything in the video was a reference to Point Break. Everyone huddled around the piano at the end is a perfect representation of our band.

HF@D; Any plans to come to Britain?

F.I; If you book it, they will come.

HF@D; High five?

F.I; Two handed high five!!!!

Fang Island - Daisy

Fang Island - Life Coach

Fang Island is out now via Sargent House

[REVIEW] We Were Promised Jetpacks - The Last Place You'll Look E.P

2010-03-11T22:12:00.004Z

We Were Promised Jetpacks' debut 'These Four Walls' was released last year, and several lazy journalists compared them to Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad, because all three are Scottish and on FatCat Records. However, 'These Four Walls' was a Gang of Four-esque urgent affair, with bass and guitar hooks galore, making every song climax into a wall of noise and ferocity. Is 'The Last Place You'll Look' a simple imitation of 'These Four Walls'? The answer is a resounding 'no'.

Opener 'A Far Cry' is desperately bleak yet equally optimistic, as it indicates WWPJ are a band who have grown in a very short space of time. They are still doing everything they did on their debut but they are doing it more subtly and clinically. The song doesn't use quiet-loud dynamics for no reason, the bleak lament draws you in, then the thundering drums are introduced and truly take the song to a new level. The reworkings of 'Short Bursts' and 'This Is My House, This Is My Home' are an improvement from their previous incarnations. 'Short Bursts' introduces cello, trumpet and epic marching drums, making We Were Promised Jetpacks' sound far more restrained, mature and assured than ever before. 'This Is My House, This Is My Home' has been transformed into a piano led lament featuring Adam Thompson's token heartfelt vocals complimented by a slow build up of strings. 'The Walls Are Wearing Thin' is the song most in keeping with the bands previous sound, yet the build up is again shown to be patient, subtle and a lot more effective than most songs on their full-length with brass again contributing immensely to the crescendo of the song.

We Were Promised Jetpacks really demonstrate how talented and versatile a band they are. 'The Last Place You'll Look' is definitely the best work the band have done, showing restraint and depth like never before. The new sound is a direction I hope they continue to flirt with, if not completely convert to.

We Were Promised Jetpacks - This Is My House, This Is My Home (New Version)

We Were Promised Jetpacks - The Walls Are Wearing Thin

The Last Place You'll Look is released on April 12th via FatCat Records

[INTERVIEW] Hooded Fang

2010-03-11T21:36:00.006Z

Toronto's Hooded Fang released their excellent self titled E.P in 2007 and we haven't heard much from them (in terms of new releases) since. I caught up with them to see how their debut album was getting on, what their influences are, and discuss the Canadian music scene.

You guys haven't released much of anything since your E.P in 2008, what's been happening?
Intrigue, 30 rock, hibernation. New Tracey Morgan inspired full-length coming out SOON!!

How is the debut getting on?
Pretty good. Our roommates are sick of it. All them mixin' sessions.

How did you all of you meet?
Space camp. ZOOMBA!

Who influences you guys?
POW! WAP! BAM! Disco D, Doo Wop, old school Hip-Hop beats, Buddy Holly.

What were some of your favourite releases of 2009?
Timber Timbre, Smith Westerns, Weather Station, Nobunny, Pangea (LA), Young Governor, Crystal Stilts, Major Lazer, Times Neue Roman, The Magic.

Canada seems to have such a healthy music scene in terms of open mindedness and quality. Why do you think this is?
Poutine, good peeps, maple syrup, Winter and Good Music Series': Wavelength, No Shame, Elvis Mondays, Over the Top Fest.

Can you recommend any good Canadian bands?
See above, and also add tonkapuma, Hut, Spiral Beach, The Miles, Weather Weather, Sean Nicholas Savage, The Bicycles, Slim Twig, Calm Down Its Monday, Lightmares.

I really like the artwork on your e.p. Who did it?
It was mail order! Supervised by Vanessa from Montreal and Dan in the band.

If music is not your full time job, what do you guys do to make ends meet?
Smart secret things, write musicals, act in plays, teach little kids, organize concerts and become Masters of the Universe.

Hooded Fang - Highway Steam

Hooded Fang - Fall Leaves

[MP3] The ABC Club - 'Get Set Go'

2010-03-11T20:51:00.010Z

If urgent indie pop in the same vein as Sky Larkin is your kind of thing, then look no further than the Halifax 5-piece The ABC Club. With racing guitars, driving drums and punchy basslines, The ABC Club are a perfect remedy for most of the miserable stuff I usually post on here. Zandra Klievens' patient, sometimes warbling vocals make them come across as part female Morrisey and part 4AD bands of the early nineties.

New 7" single 'Thieving Magpie' is out via Rough Trade, iTunes and that place with all those adverts, Spotify, now.

The ABC Club - Get Set Go [MP3]

[VIDEO][MP3] The National - 'Terrible Love' (Live on Fallon)

2010-03-11T20:48:00.005Z
Brooklyn band The National return with a song somewhat reminiscent of their sound on Alligator. Fallon seems pretty happy to have them on. I know the guy gets a lot of stick, but he seems to genuinely care about the bands he features on his show, which can only be a good thing.

The National - Terrible Love (live on Fallon) [MP3]

New album 'High Violet' released on May 11th.

[via TLOBF]

This Is The Best Thing I've Seen In Ages

2010-03-03T17:10:00.002Z

Yikes. Four months in the making, way to stick it to EMI, Ok Go.

The Unwinding Hours - The Unwinding Hours.

2010-02-24T15:52:00.003Z

Aereogramme have an extremely loyal cult following in Scotland. It’s hard to go to an indie rock gig in Edinburgh or Glasgow and not bump into someone wearing a ten year old Aereogramme t-shirt. Their fans stayed loyal as their sound softened, and then they suddenly disbanded in 2007. Those loyal fans can breathe a sign of relief – or yelp of excitement – as vocalist Craig B and multi-instrumentalist Iain Cook have paired up as The Unwinding Hours.

Opening track ‘Knut’ is an epic, yet slow burning post-rock classic. Building up from timid vocals, slow drums, swirling guitar and piano to a full-blown crescendo of noise and earnest vocals. With quiet to loud dynamics being Aereogramme’s forte, The Unwinding Hours are perhaps a more restrained version of that. ‘There Are Worse Things Than Being Alone’ demonstrates the maturity adopted by the band, starting of as a heartfelt lament with lush strings which are replaced later in the song with spectral guitars and heavy distortion. ‘Solstice’ witnesses Craig B’s lyrical ability at it’s very best, it is also shows how The Unwinding Hours are a completely new band, rather than Aereogramme Mk II. The simple guitar/piano/vocal combination again demonstrates the maturity behind this album, when before the pair may have tried to over-complicated songs.

The Unwinding Hours also has its pop moments, with ‘Peaceful Liquid Cell’ veering into that territory, with its repetitive hooks complimented by dark synth effects.

Closing track ‘The Final Hour’ was written on Aereogramme’s final US tour and definitely indicates that The Unwinding Hours is a new chapter, rather than a continuation. Although the new incarnation is not a million miles away from its predecessor, it is definitely uniquely its own, often eclipsing its previous chapter. Aereogramme is dead. Long live The Unwinding Hours.

Originally written for The Line Of Best Fit

Panda Su/Julia and The Doogans/Sophie's Pigeons at Brel

2010-02-24T14:25:00.006Z

Walking into Ashton Lane you would think you would be forgiven for thinking you were in continental Europe. Cobbled roads, fairy lights hangings across the top of the lane, wonderfully quaint buildings. The location of the gig compliments the bands playing to varying degrees.

Shuffling in late, my friend and I feel it polite to stand at the back, we are promptly told to sit at the front by Sophie's Pigeons front-woman, Sophie Nelson, who throughout the gig would laugh during songs, sing Sharika and generally have a good time. It rubbed off on me, as I was the only person in the crowd joining in a falsetto sing-a-long. The three piece from Manchester thundered through their set with their feel good bastardisation of Regina Spektor crossed with some disco biscuits. Their cover of 'She Wolf' by Sharika was a personal highlight, with Nelson's vocals yelping, while she demonstrated some top notch piano tinkering. They finished up with 'Boring Fucking Cunts' which I can only assume was aimed at the lackluster crowd, who were very reluctant to join in with anything that the band requested them to (apart from me, of course, always one to make a 'Stupid Fucking Cunt' out of myself).

Next up were Julia and The Doogans, a Glasgow five-piece whose foot is very much in the folk camp. Julia's vocals are reminiscent of Amy Millan (Stars, Broken Social Scene) and tonight she demonstrates her ability to transfer her songs into a live setting. Songs such as 'New York City' and 'Borderline' are almost lullaby-like, accenting the sleepy venue and crowd perfectly. Flanked by a cello and flute, The Doogans add depth and extra warmth to Julia's already soothing vocals. Many people in the crowd had their heads in their hands when Julia started her rendition of 'The Scientist' by Coldplay. This snobbery came back to bite them, as Julia nailed it, making it sound like just another Julia and The Doogans song. Lovely stuff.

Panda Su took to the stage next, I was excited to see her live as it was, shockingly, my first time. I was disappointed that she wasn't donning her panda face paint tonight, as I love a good bit of gimmickry. Su was backed by her usual accomplices Red and drummer Chris. Her blend of folk-pop had highlights such as the superb 'Eric is Dead' and a new working of 'Moviegoer'. I couldn't help feeling that through her set Panda Su were playing with a certain amount of restraint. As soon as a song seemed like it was about to climax, it didn't, and I was left waiting for the killer punch. This could have been due to the subdued crowd, with the sitting arrangement giving the venue a definite jazz bar feel. However, Panda Su are going to be massive, I have no doubt about that. With one of their songs about to be featured on 'a lesbian sex scene' (I presume they meant Skins), and an excellent e.p to boot, Panda Su have all the makings of a band who could actually transfer success into the charts. I just hope the next time I see them, the rest of the set grabs me like 'Eric is Dead' does.

Band to Watch - Shooting Stansfield

2010-02-16T18:29:00.005Z

Taking their name from Gary Oldman's character in Léon, Edinbugh band Shooting Stansfield's emotive indie is much more of a reluctant hug rather than a murderous hitman. Forming in September of last year, the band has wasted no time in recording their debut EP, 'Human Static' at The Wee Red Bar with Alex Fenton.

The title track starts off as an indie folk lament, erupting into a plethora of catchy guitar hooks and sing a long choruses. It reminds me of fellow Scots There Will Be Fireworks, but less post-rock driven. Singer Stewart Douglas' distinctive vocals compliment the accompanying driving bass and drums and swirling guitars from Stephen Whipp, Craig Robertson and David Steel, perfectly. This is again demonstrated in the slow building song 'Pulse', which again takes influence from several bands in the Scottish scene (Frightened Rabbit, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Idlewild), combining heartfelt lyrics with soaring guitars.

One thing I can take from my introduction to Shooting Stansfield, is that they show how Scottish bands are now looking to home-based bands more than ever for inspiration, and the results are compelling to say the least. If the band can build upon their sound and become a serious live force, then I predict big things for these guys.

Shooting Stansfield - Human Static

Shooting Stansfield - Pulse

Forthcoming debut EP 'Human Static' is launched on 4th March at Sneaky Pete's, with support sets from Windlestray and Birdhead.

HF@D Presents... Scottish Compilation Volume 1

2010-02-15T13:01:00.006Z

Music in Scotland is extremely healthy at the moment, not enough people realise that. To demonstrate the caliber of up and coming bands in Scotland I've compiled a free and legal album to download. As well as home-based bands, it features Scottish bands based elsewhere (Spaghetti Anywhere, King Post Kitsch), established Scottish bands (Meursault, eagleowl, Copy Haho), some exclusives (The Last Battle, How To Swim, Kays Lavelle) and some bands I just think are great. Stick these 17 tracks in your ears, and remember, most of the bands have an album or an e.p available, so try and support the artists. A big thanks to all the bands for agreeing to be on it.

Download album here (zip. file via Mediafire)

Track Listing
Spaghetti Anywhere- Super Special
Meursault- The Furnace
The Last Battle- Oh Best Beloved.
Mitchell Museum - Tiger Heartbeat
How To Swim - Diego
The Kays Lavelle - The Hours
Copy Haho - Pulling Push Ups
Julia and The Doogans - New York City
The French Wives - Your Friends and Mine
Randolph's Leap - Cassie O'Tone
eagleowl - Laughter
Debutant - King Of Doublespeak
Ambulances - Cease To Exist (Steven Mason Remix)
King Post Kitsch - Fante's Last Stand
Incrediboy and The Forget Me Nots - Cinderella
Miniature Dinosaurs - (I Want To Watch) Top Gear
The French Quarter - Time To Leave

Music Lyric Interpertation #4- 'Put A Donk On It' - Blackout Crew

2010-02-07T16:29:00.004Z

Donk [doh-ink]
donk.ed, donk.ing, donk.less

1. A sub-genre of bouncy house, a genre of music which makes your ears infertile.
2. A bass sound used in songs exclusively listened to by people called Daz, or Baz, or Gaz, while they drive their Honda Civics or Vauxhall Novas around in a circle in a Tesco car-park. It is an example of onomatopoeia.

Hrtbrk Mix

2010-02-05T21:13:00.003Z
Firstly, there is this, so that I don't depress everyone;

IT'S A YOUNG TOPLESS CHRISTOPHER WALKEN! If that doesn't make you happy, then you are dead inside.

Here are some sad songs I've been listening to over the last few days. Listening to music is a cathartic experience for me when I'm down in the dumps, so I hope this helps someone else. That is some Dr. Phil shit right there.

The Hrtbrk Mix

Download the whole thing here [right click and 'save as' for the internet dummies]

1. Sunset Rubdown - A Day In The Graveyard II
2. Justin Vernon - Easy
3. Unwinding Hours - There Are Worse Things Than Being Alone
4. Thomas Western - Your Front Door
5. Frightened Rabbit - Good Arms vs Bad Arms
6. Meursault - A Small Stretch Of Land
7. Last Battle - Oh Best Beloved
8. Why? - Good Friday
9. Avett Brothers - November Blue
10. Perfume Genius - Look Out, Look Out
11. Mountain Goats - Love Love Love
12. Spiritualized - Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
13. Biffy Clyro - Drop It

Poem of the Week #3- 'Twat' by John Cooper Clarke

2010-02-05T14:48:00.006Z

John Cooper Clarke is one of the best British lyricists ever. His spoken word pieces have had a heavy influence on several bands, most noticeably The Arctic Monkeys. He has struggled with drug abuse all his life, but this makes his piece even more endearing. Not that I condone drug abuse, unless it is the drug of love. 'Twat' is a scathing attack on someone Cooper Clarke doesn't seem like very much. I would post one of his funnier, cheerier poems, but they just don't have the same killer punch as 'Twat'.

Like a Night Club in the morning, you’re the bitter end.
Like a recently disinfected shit-house, you’re clean round the bend.
You give me the horrors
too bad to be true
All of my tomorrow’s
are lousy coz of you.

You put the Shat in Shatter
Put the Pain in Spain
Your germs are splattered about
Your face is just a stain

You’re certainly no raver, commonly known as a drag.
Do us all a favour, here... wear this polythene bag.

You’re like a dose of scabies,
I’ve got you under my skin.
You make life a fairy tale... Grimm!

People mention murder, the moment you arrive.
I’d consider killing you if I thought you were alive.
You’ve got this slippery quality,
it makes me think of phlegm,
and a dual personality
I hate both of them.

Your bad breath, vamps disease, destruction, and decay.
Please, please, please, please, take yourself away.
Like a death a birthday party,
you ruin all the fun.
Like a sucked and spat our smartie,
you’re no use to anyone.
Like the shadow of the guillotine
on a dead consumptive’s face.
Speaking as an outsider,
what do you think of the human race

You went to a progressive psychiatrist.
He recommended suicide...
before scratching your bad name off his list,
and pointing the way outside.

You hear laughter breaking through, it makes you want to fart.
You’re heading for a breakdown,
better pull yourself apart.

Your dirty name gets passed about when something goes amiss.
Your attitudes are platitudes,
just make me wanna piss.

What kind of creature bore you
Was is some kind of bat
They can’t find a good word for you,
but I can...
TWAT.

Whatever, Trevor.

Interview - Copy Haho

2010-01-27T15:40:00.007Z

Stonehaven band Copy Haho have been making wonderfully catchy indie songs for a few years now. Three critically acclaimed releases later and they are about to embark on a European tour. I chatted with Joe and Richard from the band about influences, the Aberdeen music scene and Jager bombs.

You are touring Europe with Los Campensinos in March, is it your first time?

Joe; It is indeed our first time touring Europe! We're all very excited! I'm looking forward to speaking French, German, Dutch and Flemish very badly, through a microphone, on stage.

You have a fairly close working relationship with Los Campesinos!, how did that come about?

Richard; A band Joe and I were in ages ago exchanged a few messages with them on Myspace. This was years ago. Then a while later, I was talking - well, typing - to one of my Last.fm 'friends' who turned out to be Neil, from Los Campesinos!. We 'met' through a shared love of Silver Jews. Total fanboys. We played with LC! together in Edinburgh last year and kept in touch. They're just really awesome people, so it's a pleasure to hang out with them and play some more shows together. Total bros.

I hate to ask it, but Copy Haho? Where did that come from? Or is it a Biffy Clyro situation and you are going to answer something different every time?

Joe; Me and a friend from primary school used to mess around with Ouija boards on Gallows Hill in Stonehaven (and old execution ground in Dunnottar Woods). Anyway, prior to getting in way over our heads we asked the board to spell out the name of my friends dead rabbit. Instead of spelling Raisin (yes, a weird name for a rabbit), it spelt Copy Haho... which made absolutely no sense to either of us.

Your influences are hard to pin down, with your sound ranging from indie-pop to math-rock. Who influences you?

Joe; That's quite a compliment, as most people are usually pretty quick to draw comparisons (of varying accuracy). Like any band, what we're listening to can change pretty drastically over the course of a year or two... so it's hard to say what's influenced particular songs/releases. At the moment i'm listening to pretty much the whole of the Hockey Dad roster (The Bloggers, Defektors, B-Lines etc) Dead Ghosts, Pure Ecstasy, Atlas Sound, The Go-Betweens and Guided
By Voices. I think we're all pretty obsessed with The Go-Betweens at the moment.

What are your plans for 2010? Can we expect the debut?

Joe; We're in the process of writing some new songs, with a view to record them as soon as humanly possible, so hopefully we'll have a record out later in the year... I'm hoping we can try out some of the new songs in March, but we'll see how it goes...

You are from Stonehaven. It's fair to say bands from Aberdeen and the surrounding areas don't get enough attention from the media, so who do you recommend?

Richard; Kuda is a really great MC in Aberdeen. Carson Wells are also from Aberdeen, and are really promising - enjoyed the two shows that I've seen of theirs.

From your Twitter I've gathered you like a bit of Jagermeister. How do you make the perfect Jager-bomb?

Richard; There's only one way, right? Not too fussed about energy drink brands. Pouring a shot of Jager in a glass of Red Bull isn't a Jagerbomb. You've got to have the glass-in-a-glass thing going on.

//

Copy Haho - You Are My Coal Mine

Copy Haho - Pulling Push Ups

Copy Haho are supporting Errors on the 25th in Glasgow. They are playing Tunnels in Aberdeen on the 4th March, Sneaky Pete's in Edinburgh on the 5th, and The Captain's Rest in Glasgow on the 6th, then embarking on their European tour with Los Campesinos!

When Is This Vampire Thing Going To End?

2010-01-25T02:47:00.007Z

Can't sleep so I had my iPod on shuffle and weirdly three songs in a row were connected by the biggest craze at the moment; vampires. I tried to, but I can't escape them.

I don't like the T.V programmes/books/films, but I do like the music inspired by the pasty Transylvanian guys. So here are the three songs.

Say Hi wrote a whole album about them back in 2007, 'Impeccable Blahs', a great piece of home recorded indie-pop.

Say Hi - Sweet Sweet Heartkiller

I don't even know what a Vampire Attendant is. Is it that band who sound like Paul Simon?!

Virgin Of The Birds - Ilona, You Should Still Be My Vampire Attendant

I can't knock anything which brings about a song as great as this (from my indie crush) can I? You win this time, Twilight.

Lykke Li - Possibility

Music Lyrics Interpretation #3 - Ke$ha 'Tik Tok'

2010-01-24T22:13:00.009Z

I have met my new nemesis, and her name has currency in it;

Wake up in the morning feeling like P Diddy
Put my glasses on, I’m out the door - I’m gonna hit this city

It is pretty hard for me to hate a song within the first line. I mean, really? REALLY? She woke up in the morning feeling like P Diddy? So she feels like a rich black man named Sean? I presume she is using P Diddy as a synonym for 'cool', or as the kidz like to say 'hip'.

Before I leave, brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack
Cause when I leave for the night, I ain’t coming back

I can imagine the writers scrutinizing this line;

"Wait, what rhymes with back that she can brush he teeth with?"
"Hackysack!"
"Shut up, Luke. Obviously Jack, cause the kidz love to drink that."
"But isn't it physically impossible to brush your teeth with a large class bottle?"
"OH! And Hackysack was such a great idea?"
"But, I wrote I Kissed a Girl and Girlfriend."
"Your testicles are redundant."

I’m talking - pedicure on our toes, toes
Trying on all our clothes, clothes
Boys blowing up our phones, phones

Pedicure - check. Outfit - check. Random act of terrorism on our cellular telephone device- check.
Girls are always trying to blow up my phone, sometimes they even try to blow up my plane with their shoes! (boots with the fur are optional)

Drop-toping, playing our favorite C.Ds
Pulling up to the parties
Trying to get a little bit tipsy

I bet they don't get a little bit tipsy. You only get a little bit tipsy when you are 13 and you are drinking your Dad's secret vodka stash out of a Coke bottle. I am either sober or completely wrecked, 'a little tipsy' is hard to do. My life is a shallow mess. Touche, Ke$ha Descartes.

Don’t stop, make it pop
DJ, blow my speakers up
Tonight, I’mma fight
‘Til we see the sunlight
Tick tock, on the clock
But the party don’t stop no
Woah-oh oh oh
Woah-oh oh oh

I think Huey Lewis had it right.

Ain’t got a care in world, but got plenty of beer
Ain’t got no money in my pocket, but I’m already here
Now, the dudes are lining up cause they hear we got swagger
But we kick ‘em to the curb unless they look like Mick Jagger

Is Ke$ha aware that Mick Jagger looks like this?

Or do girls like this? Should the 'sucking air in to aide my exceedingly sweaty pits' be my new Running Man?!

I’m talking about - everybody getting crunk, crunk
Boys trying to touch my junk, junk
Gonna smack him if he getting too drunk, drunk
Now, now - we goin’ til they kick us out, out
Or the police shut us down, down
Police shut us down, down
Po-po shut us

Please, Po-po, shut them down. I imagine that party is a collision of chlamydia and sexism. Oh, but don't forget that Ke$ha is cool because she wears 'Garbage Chic' and has a dollar sign in her name. Jokes on you, Ke$ha, the Malaysian Ringgit has been lower than the American Dollar for three consecutive weeks. So there.

Poem of the week - "Death in Duke Street" by Edwin Morgan

2010-01-20T19:26:00.008Z

If you met me, you would probably never guess that I liked poetry, and I probably never would have if it wasn't for one poet, Edwin Morgan. Many Scottish people, and namely, supporters of the Scottish National Party (boo hiss) latch onto Robert Burns, yet, I'd take Morgan over Burns every day of the week. His poems vary from realism to surrealism, yet every one is distinctive and characteristically Edwin Morgan's own.

A huddle on the greasy street –
cars stop, nose past, withdraw –
dull glint on soles of tackety boots,
frayed rough blue trousers, nondescript coat
stretching back, head supported
in strangers’ arms, a crowd collecting –
‘whit’s wrang?’ ‘Can ye see’m?’
‘an auld fella, he’s had it.’
On one side, a young mother in a headscarf
is kneeling to comfort him, her three-year-old son
stands puzzled, touching her coat, her shopping bag
spills its packages that people look at
as they look at everything. On the other side
a youth, nervous, awkwardly now
at the centre of attention as he shifts his arm
on the old man’s shoulders, wondering
what to say to him, glancing up at the crowd.
These were next to him when he fell,
and must support him into death.
He seems not to be in pain,
he is speaking slowly and quietly
but he does not look at any of them,
his eyes are fixed on the sky,
already he is moving out
beyond everything belonging.
As if he still belonged
they hold him very tight.

Only the hungry ambulance
howls for him through the staring squares.

Morgan has also heavily influenced the Scottish music scene, this was shown by the 'Ballads of the Book' compilation which features Scottish bands using Morgan's words as lyrics.

The album was curated by Idlewild lead singer Roddy Woomble, Morgan features on one of Idlewild's most epic songs;

Idlewild feat. Edwin Morgan - In Remote Part/Scottish Fiction

It isn't in the mirror, it isn't on the page
It's a red hearted vibration
Pushing through the walls of dark imagination
Finding no equation
There's a red road rage,
But it's not road rage
It's asylum seekers engulfed by a grudge

Scottish friction, Scottish fiction

It isn't in the castle, it isn't in the mist
It's a calling of the waters as they break to show
The new black death with reactors aglow
Do you think your security can keep you in purity?
You will not shake us off
Above or below

Scottish friction, Scottish fiction

Frightened Rabbit Video Shoot

2010-01-18T23:43:00.006Z

Sorry for the lack of postage in the last week or so, I've not been feeling too great.

However, I was an extra in the new Frightened Rabbit video for 'Nothing Like You'.

There were balloons, tumour t-shirts, and weird dance moves galore. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to wear a grey t-shirt when everyone else wore a white one. So yes, I may look a bit like a spare prick in the video. I also have a giant boil on my face, and not the good kind of Boyle.

All this experience did was enhance my excitement for their forthcoming album due in March. Scott also kept tight lipped about Scottish dates this year, and there is no Barrowlands gig confirmed as of yet.

They did just announce a tour of Australia

Frightened Rabbit - Soon Go

Frightened Rabbit - Don't

New 'Magnetic Fields' Stream.

2010-01-12T19:44:00.005Z

The Magnetic Fields are one of the most elusive yet prolific indie bands of the last 20 years. They mark their third album in their 'no-synth trilogy' with 'Realism' on the 26th of Jan. Although it is in the same trilogy as 'Distortion' I feel the album has several moments that would not be out of place on their seminal '69 Love Songs'. 'You Must Be Out Of Your Mind' and 'I Don't Know What To Say' are two of these tracks, with exclusive streams available here.

I will let the tracks do the talking as Merritt and co. so often choose to do;

The Magnetic Fields - You Must Be Out Of Your Mind

The Magnetic Fields - I Don't Know What To Say

Pre-order the album via Nonesuch Records

Music Lyric Interpretation #2 - Beyonce 'If I Were A Boy'

2010-01-10T17:21:00.016Z

Oh so last night the post was regular existentialist blabber. I'm Albert MacCamus. As to not make my blog a place where happiness comes to die, I have decided to do this feature early, with Beyonce's 'If I Were A Boy'.

If I were a boy even just for a day
I'd roll out of bed in the morning
And throw on what I wanted
And go drink beer with the guys

So Beyonce wants to be a feminist icon. She is a regular Kathleen Hanna and she likes to listen to Riot Grrrl bands and she is into all that Third Wave stuff (she does none of these things). Oh wait, isn't she dating a guy who raps stuff like 'you know I thug 'em, fuck 'em, love 'em, leave 'em 'cause I don't fuckin' need 'em'. EMPOWERMENT! Also, if she really was a guy, she would know that we can not simply roll out of bed in the morning, we need to wait five minutes for our erections to subside. I never throw on what I want, because my mother/girlfriend/sister/nun friend/midwife friend dress me. Being a guy is tough, Beyonce.

And chase after girls
I'd kick it with who I wanted
And I'd never get confronted for it
'Cause they stick up for me

If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I'd be a better man

So, if Beyonce was a boy she would sleep around with lots of girls, because you know, all guys do that. All guys also like sports, and enjoy the music of Nickleback, and tea-bag their friend Cheech as he sleeps because he has had too much Jagermeister. Beyonce thinks all men are incapable of love. Has she never seen Sleepless in Seattle?! HE IS MOURNING HIS DEAD WIFE WHILE LOOKING AFTER HIS SON! Honestly Beyonce, don't let Seany boy and his Big Pimpin' lifestyle polute your views of men. Tom Hanks=men.

I'd listen to her
'Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
'Cause he's taking you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

Jeez, they are called Agony Aunts for a reason, not Agony Uncles. Perhaps he is taking you for granted because you should of put a ring on that. Oh uh oh.

If I were a boy
I would turn off my phone
Tell everyone it's broken
So they'd think that I was sleeping alone

I'd put myself first
And make the rules as I go
'Cause I know that she'd be faithful
Waiting for me to come home, to come home

Ok, if Beyonce was a boy, I reckon she would not be a superstar, and her name would be Robert. Robert Knowles. Little Bobby;

He would love the musical stylings of Abba and when people don't know something, he would be all like 'Bobby Know-les', then he would be the only one who laughs. He would work in Gap but buy jeans from the girls' section. Bugga boo.

It's a little too late for you to come back
Say it's just a mistake
Think I'd forgive you like that
If you thought I would wait for you
You thought wrong

OH SNAP. Wait, is she a boy or a girl here? Because it is cloudy, Beyonce. The narrative of your song makes me puzzled and I don't like that. Also, I find it a bit puzzling that throughout the song you always use the word 'boy'. Isn't a boy a child? Because you would be a young boy, and be simultaneously fucking all these women? That is some Macauly Culkin shit right there.

But you're just a boy
You don't understand
And you don't understand, oh
How it feels to love a girl
Someday you wish you were a better man

You don't listen to her
You don't care how it hurts
Until you lose the one you wanted
'Cause you're taking her for granted
And everything you had got destroyed
But you're just a boy

Oh wait, you have accepted you are a girl now. He is simply 'just' a boy. Next time I am awful a sex, I'm simply going to shrug and go 'I'm just a boy.' Jay-Z has 99 problems and his 'bitch' isn't one. Wow. I thought you feminists had taken back control of that word? Perhaps the Jiggaman (a rap superhero?) didn't get that memo. But it is fine Bobby, you just roll out of bed and put on that stained jump-suit you think is fine to wear. You're just a boy.

To make matters worse. The video looks like this. Intimacy, honesty, commitment, pokemon, pogs, yo-yos;

Holy Titus Androgynous, batman!

I prefer her sister. Covering Dirty Projectors does not make her legit though, she is still 2legit2quit, however.

Band to Watch - Ardentjohn

2010-01-09T23:05:00.007Z

The wind beats against my face with a relentless force. I'm exiting Stirling Rail Station with a bag consisting of Sensodyne toothpaste, non-biological washing powder, non-perfumed soap, anti-dandruff shampoo and sensitive antiperspirant. I am the epitome of tough. Hours earlier I had been enjoying a meal in my hometown of Edinburgh, at a little place called The Red Fort Indian Restaurant with seven of my closest friends, ten pints of Cobra later and I'm back in the cultural wasteland that is Stirling. Bookmakers, pound shops and fast food outlets imprison me as I walk along the main street, with my sensi-personal hygiene package in tow, I am grasped by a sense of annoyance at having to come back solely to work tomorrow. During the five minute walk to my flat I am asked for a cigarette by tracksuit clad locals on three separate occasions. 'Gonnae crash us a fag pal?' Sorry I don't smoke. 'Here, mate geez a fag eh?' Sorry I don't smoke. 'Fag ya cunt?' Sorry I don't smoke. With nothing to look forward to but an empty flat and a drunken phone calls at three o'clock in the morning, I drunkenly decide to write a post. But not before using my outdoor toilet. Sigh.

Self deprecating and self righteous laments aside, there is a sheer ironic element to this story, through all of it I am listening to Ardentjohn's debut single 'Home'.

The Edinburgh band's folk-indie is a stark reminder of my hometown, while simultaneously being a kick in the teeth. The sweet vocals of 'Home' and the lush layers of guitars, xylophones and drums are enough to make a homesick man write a fucking terribly whiny blog entry. The hopeful lyrics make me uncomfortable as I sit in the train seat, yet I can't help but listen and smile, as Ardentjohn are an extremely good band. With their debut being released on the 25th of this month, the six piece have quietly been plying their trade since 2007. Double-a side 'Where All Paths Lead' is another song about traveling to the place you belong, with a build up similar to contemporaries Broken Records and smooth reassuring lyrics and stinging me with sick irony, I sit and listen to the song, traveling to a place which I hate, because the song is so fucking good. 'I want you, I need you, can't you see?' is sung throughout 'Home', and I couldn't have put it better myself.

Ardentjohn - Home

Ardentjohn - Where All Paths Lead

'One the Wire' is released on the 25 of Jan.

Folkin' Hell #1 - The Boy Who Trapped The Sun

2010-01-07T19:29:00.008Z

Folk music has seen somewhat of a resurgence in the Scottish music scene of late, with successful bands (Frightened Rabbit, Meursault, Broken Records) integrating the genre into their music. This has paved the way for more traditional folk artists.

In this edition I am looking at the young folk artist Colin Macleod who performs under the moniker of The Boy Who Trapped The Sun.

Originating from the remote Isle Of Lewis, Macleod plays timid and touching folk songs, with his smooth and heartfelt vocals being his best asset. He released his 'Watermark E.P' last year and has another E.P, 'Home', scheduled for this year.

Currently supporting the likes of Lisa Mitchell and Joshua Radin, it is evident Macleod has already made his mark on the international mainstream folk scene. Not bad for a young lad from the Outer Hebrides.

The Boy Who Trapped The Sun - Fragile Eyes

Download the track for free by signing up to the Boy Who Trapped The Sun mailing list.

The Boy Who Trapped The Sun - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out

Download it here. (Right click and 'Save Link As' for you internet dummies)

Check out his headlining dates and dates supporting Joshua Radin and Lisa Mitchell here.

Introducing-Princeton

2010-01-07T15:57:00.003Z

The U.S seems to be full of preppy bands writing perfect pop songs (Beach House, Grizzly Bear, Real Estate, Vampire Weekend), yet one new band seems to be crafting tunes as good as anyone, and that band is California's Princeton.

The bands first single proper 'Calypso Gold' indicates a pop band not content with following the norm. Deep vocals break the recent trend of falsettos and the instrumentation is rich and swirling with violins uplifting the chorus to a fantastic crescendo of sickly pop. The bittersweet lyrics such as"she'll never see me again" take a backseat as the tight rhythm section are so good they distract you from anything else.

If Princeton can follow up this single with more of the same, they could really be a band to contend with.

'Calypso Gold' video (small intro before the actual song);

'Calypso Gold' is out on 7" on 18 Jan via Rough Trade

Check when they are touring, and a few other of their songs at their myspace.

Chat around the Dinner Table - There Will Be Fireworks

2010-01-06T16:18:00.000Z

There Will Be Fireworks' self titled debut was released last year to a sea of plaudits and accolades. With their visceral and anthemic songs, they make being a successful unsigned Scottish band look effortless.

I asked front man Nicky McManus a few questions about their follow-up, touring and his thoughts on 2009.

Your self released debut was extremely well received, did you expect this sort of reaction?

We've been really pleased with the reaction we've got - the blogosphere has been kind to us, for the most part. We thought the album was good when we finished it, so we hoped it would get a decent reaction, but weren't sure if many people would hear it given that we don't have a label or any press people behind us. So far it's done OK. It's been a word-of-mouth thing really, which we're quietly proud of. We've had to order a reprint on the physical copies so hopefully more people will listen to it and - ideally - enjoy it.

You recorded it at Old Mill Studio, will the follow up be recorded there and how is it getting on?

The follow-up(s) will definitely be recorded there. We've already started, tentatively. We feel like we're just getting used to the studio and really improving from a production point of view. I think that the experience of producing the last album and In Excelsis Deo ourselves (along with Marshall Craigmyle - Old Mill's resident guru) was a real learning curve for us. We know a few more tricks now so we're having fun with the production; trying a few different things out. The Mill is the perfect environment for experimenting and we absolutely love it there.

Recording is going well at the moment - we've done a fair bit but we're kind of being pulled in two directions at once so we're thinking of doing two separate albums. We're not quite sure how it's all going to pan out yet or how long it will take.

You draw comparisons to Explosions in the Sky and, perhaps lazily, Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit quite a bit. Which bands influence you?

Explosions in the Sky were a massive influence on us when we were writing the first album. You can probably hear that in the guitars. It's the whole being atmospheric whilst being melodic thing. And they're incredible live. We're all fans of The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit as well. I think the comparison there is mostly a Scottish thing.

As for influences, we all have quite varied tastes so I can't really speak for the other guys. From my point of view, I listen to a ridiculous amount of music so what influences me changes quite a lot. Recently, I've been listening to Sunset Rubdown, Broken Social Scene, The Low Anthem and The Wedding Present a lot. I got the new Wilco album and The Pains of Being Pure At Heart album over Christmas as well, so I'm going to listen to them a bit more.

There are, however, some artists I'm obsessive about and listen to constantly: Fionn Regan, The National, Neutral Milk Hotel, Bright Eyes, Iron & Wine and WHY? are some that I've been immersed in for the last few years.

You had Kevin McNeill, the author of the amazing 'The Stornoway Way', contribute to your debut with the song Colombian Fireworks. How did that come about and will he be featuring on the follow up?

Basically, I'd read his book and absolutely loved it. He came to one of our gigs and he seemed to like our music so I emailed him a few days later and asked if he fancied doing us a wee turn. Happily, he agreed and wrote the piece for the album, recording it on Shetland with his brother and sending the file to us.

We haven't spoken to Kevin in a bit - I think he's busy writing another novel. No idea if we'll ask him to contribute again, given that we're trying to do something a bit different from the last. If it feels right for the album, then we'll definitely ask and hopefully he'll agree!

Your touring routine seems to be some what sporadic and sparse. Is that fair to say? Is this due to work commitments and is it hard to fit everything in?

That is definitely fair to say. I wouldn't even say that we have a touring routine. It's more like massive periods of inactivity followed by a few sporadic gigs. It's partly to do with work and university commitments, yeah. We don't do the band as a full time thing, and probably never will, so our opportunities to travel are curtailed quite a bit. And since we can't really tour for any sustained period, we don't play all that often in Glasgow and Edinburgh in case people get bored of us. To be honest, it doesn't really bother us. We like going to play in different places - we've had good crowds when we've played in London and people always show up in Glasgow - but we're much happier in the practice room or the studio.

You once told me the last track on your album 'Joined Up Writing' was an idea borrowed from Neutral Milk Hotel, with the last song tying the whole album together. Does this mean the last album had a common theme throughout?

To an extent, yeah. It's more of a common thread, though, in that lyrics refer back to other lyrics and some songs are about the same things and stuff like that. Yeah, you probably could say that there's a common theme. I thought it was important that the album should feel like a whole, consistent work and not just a hodgepodge (is that a word?) collection of unrelated songs.

Favourite things about 2009, music, film, books, hair product?

Music

(in no particular order)

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (catchiest thing I've heard in 2009)
Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish I Were An Eagle (Eid Ma Clack Shaw is the funniest song I've ever heard - I'm note sure if it's supposed to be)
The Antlers - Hospice
Fuck Buttons - Tarot Sport
The Low Anthem - Oh My God, Charlie Darwin (technically released in 2008 but re-released in 2009 and everyone heard it in 2009)
That Grizzly Bear song (Two Weeks) that rips off the riff from Dr Dre's Still D.R.E.: amazing.
That Jay-Z song with Alicia Keys in it about New York: tune.

Films

I think the only movies I've seen that were released in 2009 were The Hangover and Le Donk and Scor-Zay-Zee. I liked them both. I got In The Loop on DVD but still haven't watched it. I bet it's good though. I mostly just watched The Sopranos and The Wire boxsets.

Books

The best books I read in 2009 (none of them were released in 2009) were The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen, Indignation by Philip Roth, I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe and a couple of books I read about the Spanish Civil War, the names of which I can't remember.

Hair Product

Asda's own brand hairspray (apparently it's better than all the other hairsprays).

What are There Will Be Fireworks' plans and aims for 2010?

Get the new album/albums/whatever recorded. Play some gigs. I think we're playing at the Haldern Pop Festival in Germany and The National are supposed to be playing, so that's cool. But mostly the recording.

//

There Will Be Fireworks - Says Aye (Odeo is taking a wee bit long today so please be patient, the files do stream)

There Will Be Fireworks - Joined Up Writing

There Will Be Fireworks - I Like The Lights

There Will Be Fireworks - Midfield Maestro

There Will Be Fireworks are playing a free gig at Oran Mor in Glasgow in conjunction with The Mill on the 28th.

Get their album at iTunes, Amazon, Emusic, Rhapsody and Lala.

New Frightened Rabbit - Nothing Like You

2010-01-06T14:01:00.001Z

It is safe to say that Frightened Rabbit have dominated my listening routine for the past two or so years. The band from Glasgow by way of Selkirk have their new single Nothing Like You streaming on their myspace page.

I was already excited for the release of their new album Winter of Mixed Drinks due in March, but the sheer quality and urgency this new single exudes furthers the notion that we are witnessing a band who are going to take over the world in 2010. With frantic guitar and Scott Hutchinson's token vocals Nothing Like You is a perfect way to build up a frenzied anticipation for their third studio release.

I will forever know this song as Steve, Frightened Rabbit die-hards will know what I mean by that!

Nothing Like You is released on Feb 22 and Winter of Mixed Drink is released March 1 (9 in U.S) on Fatcat Records.

New The Knife - Colouring of Pigeons

2010-01-06T13:13:00.000Z

The Knife have just released their newest offer fairly unexpectedly. Colouring of Pigeons is the first track to come from the Swedish bands Darwin inspired Opera Tomorrow, In a Year and if this track is anything to go by the musical is going to blow everyone away.

Never shy of experimentation, the 11 minute track builds up gradually, starting with tribal drums, then leading to bird-like vocals, then it leads to male vocals and then female operatic vocals. It is a pretty intense listen but you wouldn't expect anything less from the duo. Gone are the synth pans and hooks that they are well known for, with the track swirling and climaxing in a crescendo of violins.

If the track doesn't impress you enough, then here are some clips from their Darwin inspired electro-Opera, it is definitely very 'out there';

Tomorrow, In a Day is released digitally on Feb 2nd and in stores March 9. Finally an album for us evolutionists!

Tracklisting

CD 1
1.Intro
2.Epochs
3.Geology
4.Upheaved
5.Minerals
6.Ebb Tide Explorer
7.Variation of Birds
8.Letter to Henslow
9.Schoal Swarm Orchestra

CD 2
1.Annie’s Box
2.Tumult
3.Colouring of Pigeons
4.Seeds
5.Tomorrow in a Year
6.The Height of Summer

Bonus track
7.Annie’s Box (alt. vocal)

Download the track here.

Poem of the week #1

2010-01-05T20:11:00.000Z

One of the main aspects about music I love the most are lyrics, and thus comes my fascination with poetry. So excuse my self-indulgence each week as I post a poem which I love.

This week I have chosen Sylvia Plath's Ennui. Plath describes longing and frustration with life as well as any other poet and Ennui is a fine example of this.

Ennui
Tea leaves thwart those who court catastrophe,
designing futures where nothing will occur:
cross the gypsy’s palm and yawning she
will still predict no perils left to conquer.
Jeopardy is jejune now: naïve knight
finds ogres out-of-date and dragons unheard
of, while blasé princesses indict
tilts at terror as downright absurd.

The beast in Jamesian grove will never jump,
compelling hero’s dull career to crisis;
and when insouciant angels play God’s trump,
while bored arena crowds for once look eager,
hoping toward havoc, neither pleas nor prizes
shall coax from doom’s blank door lady or tiger.

Plath also influenced one of my favourite bands of last year, The Antlers. Here is a lovely song they wrote about her.

The Antlers-Sylvia (Live at the Orchard NYC)

Vampire Weekend-Contra

2010-01-05T12:59:00.000Z

It can be hard being a 'hype band'. The sheer amount of praise you receive before you have even released your debut will mount unwanted and perhaps unwarranted pressure on you. Then there is the follow up. If you look at Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, one of the original 'hype bands', the pitfalls of this label are obvious with their debut lauded in plaudits but their follow up disregarded by the media and fans alike. But what of one of the newer of these kind of bands, Vampire Weekend? The preppy Ivy League types from New York took the indie scene by storm in 2008 and crossed over to the mainstream with Graceland era Paul Simon sounding pop songs on their self titled debut and the inevitable backlash from the cool indie kids who had 'liked them before they were mainstream'. A fairly successful side project (Discovery) and a clever viral marketing scheme later, they are finally about to release their sophomore effort, Contra.

Opener 'Horchata' is typical Vampire Weekend with Ezra Koenig's sickly sweet vocals yelping over synth pans and marimbas. Contra is safe territory for Vampire Weekend with 'White Sky' being reminiscent of 'Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa' from their first album, yet the sound seems fuller and the vocals more assured, perhaps showing a young band who are growing in confidence and talent. However, 'California English' takes Contra down a more unconventional route with a much more electronic feel including a vocoder which can be attributed to keyboardist and producer Rostam Batmanglij's side project Discovery who experimented heavily with vocoders and electronica. 'Giving Up The Gun' also shows this influence while being a slice of delicious pop.

The singles from Contra are as strong as any previous singles from the band with 'Cousins' taking the yelping from 'A-punk' and pushing it to hectic proportions. Yet where 'Contra' really benefits is in it's quieter songs such as 'Taxi Cab' and 'Run'. These songs really help to stop the album from being an overblown rushed mess, they help to split up the punkier and more hectic moments and the pace of the album benefits greatly from this.

Contra shows the intent of a a hype band who have no intention of going away while reinforcing what has been done previously. With sold out gigs all across the world, Vampire Weekend are the Little Hype Band Who Could.

Vampire Weekend-White Sky

Vampire Weekend-Giving Up The Gun

The whole of contra is streaming here.

Music Lyric Interpretation #1-Black Eyed Peas 'I Gotta Feeling'

2010-01-04T17:02:00.000Z

So every now and then there comes along a song which just has laughable lyrics, so I intended to study these songs and find out the true and often deep meanings behind them . . .

I got a feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night
that tonight’s gonna be a good night
that tonight’s gonna be a good good night wooh hoo (x4)

Okay, so what we have here is Will.I.Am and co. feeling like they are going to have a really good time! To emphasise this they repeat this like 4 times, because repeating it once, twice, three times a lady would not adequately show how much of a hunch they have that tonight is going to be a 'good night'. Quality wordsmithery from the meth breaths!

"I know that we’ll have a ball
if we get down
and go out
and just lose it all"

Wow, I don't know about you guys, but lose what all?! What are you talking about Will.I.Am? I think the only thing you have lost is your mind. I like to think that they will lose perhaps a wallet, maybe a satchel, or meth. Whatever they want to lose, I think it will lead to a cavalcade of fun times.

"I feel stressed out
I wanna let it go
Lets go way out spaced out
and losing all control"

Sit down Bobby Dylan, the Black Eyed Peas are telling a story, much like your 'Hard Times Gonna Come'. That song was about the hardship yet to come, and 'I've Gotta Feeling' is about hard times past, because Will.I.Am is stressed out, probably because Fergie has pissed her self again, because she couldn't help 'losing all control' of her bladder disciplines. Maybe he is stressed out because he lost his wallet? (see previous verse)

"Fill up my cup
Mazeltov"

This is the part where Jewish people's foreskins start growing back.

"Look at her dancing
just take it off"

Don't glamourise a 'GET YOUR TITS OUT FOR THE LADS', Black Eyed Peas.

"Lets paint the town
We’ll shut it down
Let’s burn the roof
and then we’ll do it again"

Painting a town, then shutting down a whole town, then burning a towns roof? That sounds very expensive. And if you already burnt the roof down, how can you do it again? I also want to go to a town which has an entire roof. Rooftopia in Lithuania.

"Let's Do it and do it and do it 1
and do it and do it 2
and do it and do it and live it 3
up and do it, do it
4
do it, do it, and do it 5
and do it and do it and do it 6
and do it and do it and 7"

They really want to do it! This is like a childrens counting game if childrens counting games started off with taking some E with a side of cocaine.

"I gotta feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night
that tonight’s gonna be a good night
that tonight’s gonna be a good good night (x2)

Tonight’s the night
let’s live it up
I got my money
Lets spend it up

Go out and smash it (smash it)
Like Oh My God (like oh my god)
Jump off that sofa (cmon)
Lets kick it up"

After burning a whole town's roof they still feel like the night is going to be good. You are truly courageous B.E.P. They are going to spend their money up, even though they got told it was wiser to invest in variable stocks and bonds, after all, they are nearly all 40. Who am I to judge?! Jumping off a sofa is what a three year old would do, so perhaps we can assume this song is about never truly growing up. The Peter Pan of shit songs.

"count to 7 and start singing again"

Ok!

"Here we come
here we go
we gotta rock rock
rock rock rock

Easy come
easy go
now we on top
top top top top

Feel the shot
body rock
Rock it don’t stop stop
stop stop

Round and round
up and down
around the clock clock clock clock"

I think the repetition of the words is suppose to symbolise their excitement for life and clocks. Time keeping turns them on.

"Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Friday, Saturday, Saturday to Sunday"

What day is it today Will.i.am? Saturday. What day is it tomorrow Will.i.am? Saturday...wait.

"we keep keep keep keep going up
we know what we say say
party everyday
p-p-p-party everyday

got a feeling (ooooooo ooooooo)
that tonights gonna be a good night
that tonights gonna be a good night
that tonights gonna be a good good night
(oooooooooooo ooooooooooo)"

The night is over Black Eyed Peas, and everyone hates you because you ruined their town and got their sofas dirty. Cunts.

Band to Watch-The Last Battle

2010-01-02T20:42:00.000Z

Many bands are influenced by the city which they come from, but perhaps none more so than Edinburgh's The Last Battle. Emerging as a live unit in October, the band wasted no time in impressing anyone who would care to listen, already establishing themselves as one of Scotland's brightest prospects. It is impossible not to draw parallels between the band and their city, as their music is both understated yet ambitious, beautiful yet dark and each song has a comforting familiarity without ever feeling unoriginal. All attributes shared by Auld Reekie.

Consisting of eight members, the band is really brought together by Scott Longmuir's earnest vocals, singing with a sincerity that makes every lyric sound honest and experienced, and with the female backing vocals accompanying, they transform into something hauntingly beautiful. Songs such as 'Whisky!' highlight the bands love affair with their hometown, with subtle references to Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens and Leith; "Past the gardens and the castle, where the ships go to the ocean, where my soul lies on the sea bed". However, it is important to realise that although The Last Battle are influenced by Edinburgh, they are not defined by it. Far from it, as 'Ward 119' shows the darker side to the band and tells the story of a dysfunctional family's hospital trip with Longmuir singing hopeful lyrics 'hold on we'll be out of here by dawn' juxtaposing against painfully frank and sad ones 'what the hell's the matter, what you getting at, you cannae even say you fucking love me back'. The diversity of these two songs show The Last Battle to be no one trick pony and the instrumental 'Secret Arcade' only helps to further this notion.

As impressed as I am by them, I feel that they have only shown a glimpse of what they are truly capable of, propelling their debut as one of my most highly anticipated albums of 2010.

The Last Battle-Whisky!

The Last Battle-Ward 119

The Last Battle-Secret Arcade

The Last Battle are playing on the 6th at The Jazz Bar in Edinburgh and on the 7th at Captain's Rest in Glasgow.

Also, check out more of their songs at their myspace page.