Presenting: Ayetunes vs Peenko 3

The wait is over, it's the third in the series of Ayetunes vs Peenko gigs and what a come back we have in store for you. On Friday the 5th of November, we will be joined by three of the most exciting up and coming artists in Scotland, The Seventeenth Century, Come On Gang! and I Build Collapsible Mountains. Being the hobo's that we are, we will be relocating to the Classic Grand for this one, it promises to be a corker of an evening, we'd be chuffed to bits if some of you could come down and spend Guy Fawkes Night with some real fireworks!



The Seventeenth Century - Roses In The Park


Come On Gang! - Fortune Favours The Brave


I Build Collapsible Mountains - Rails

Tickets for the gig are on sale now, you can buy them directly from us at Peenko Big Cartel, which has the added bonus of there being no booking fees and free postage. Alternatively, you can buy them at Ticketweb or you can buy them in person and online at Ticket Scotland.
We look forward to seeing some of you coming down and celebrating an evening of some of the finest music this country has to offer.

Scottish DIY Labels #9 - Instinctive Racoon Records

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Hello i'm Jamie Webster founding member of Instinctive Racoon i live in Partick. Instinctive Racoon consists of 3 main people- myself Creon Brock and Ben Soep, we all live in Partick.


What inspired you to start your own label?

I first saw Ross Clark perform at Oran Mor around 4 and 1/2 years ago and his powerful, confident and accomplished performance blew me away. After talking to him later to discover he was just turned 18, i was amazed. Ross and i kept in touch over the next few months and then we decided to start working together, the idea being i'd help him develop as a recording artist, touring artist and not just a mad Bankie (person from Clydebank) who was trying to take over Glasgow on his own! I guess the simple answer is Ross Clark inspired the label's inception.


Who do you have signed to your label?

We have released music for the following acts:- Ross Clark, Washington Irving, French Wives, Three Blind Wolves and Bear Bones. Being based in Scotland do you only sign Scottish artists? No, we have considered working with foreign acts, we aren't looking to pick up anymore just now though. Certainly in the future i think we might well work foreign acts, although we feel that it's very important for us to help and develop local talent first.

Three Blind Wolves - Emily Rose

Is this something you do as a hobby or can you make a living from it?

For now it's a hobby as we certainly aren't making any money, we feel it's more important to help the bands to survive, with touring, recording and rehearsal costs it is very hard, any money made goes straight back into the bands pot.


Do you have a certain type of sound that you look for in a band?

Not really, i guess there is a thin thread that perhaps ties our acts together but they are all different in their own ways, TBWs for instance are essentially a Country/ Blues Rock n Roll band. WI are more Indie/ Folk, FWs have a poppier edge Indie Pop i suppose, and Bear Bones are more rootsy folk pop. We help to promote other acts also who are not on our label but we book shows for them etc.. Acts such as Over The Wall and John Knox sex Club- and they have completely different sounds, but yet they work well on bills along with our acts.


How do you go about deciding which artists you want to work with? How do you go about approaching them?

We tend to book them in for gig's first get to know them a little and decide then if we/they could work together. Or essentially do they need our help, sometimes you might love a band but they don't need your help and that's fine, we never force ourselves onto acts. We only ever suggest perhaps we could be of service.

Washington Irving - Islands


What has been you personal highlight from running the label so far? What has been your biggest success?

Getting 3 bands on T in the Park bill this year was certainly the highlight, Muslim (Vic's producer) from BBC was really happy for us and explained that it's never happened before that 3 acts from 1 label have all got in. So to be making history at this early stage really feels like progress. Obviously we feel that all 3 acts Clearly merit their slot in their own right, but it was a very proud moment indeed.


If you could give one piece of advice to someone wanting to start up their own label, what would it be and why?

Go for what you believe in, push music that you really love and don't be afraid to ask people for advise, you'll find 3 types of people in this industry- helpful, folk that don't know what their doing, or people who will steal your ideas and try to jump ahead of you at every step. Best advise it could give is keep your cards close to your chest and do plenty of listening, i never trust a man who talks too much.

French Wives - Big Brave Boy

What can we expect to see and hear from the label in the future?

Can't expect me to give too much away after the last question, however both TBW and FW will be in the studio over the next few months recording, and Washington Irving are playing their first English shows very soon, so watch this space.

Myspace

Scots Way-Hay #35 - Zoobizaretta

Dananananaykroyd are the undisputed champions when it comes to the title of Scotland's most mispelt band name, until now that position remained realtively unchallenged. That was until Zoobizaretta came onto the scene.

'Zoobi' were always aband that I pretended to have heard anything by, I mainly foudn myself doing this when I was chatting Wull from Define Pop. The fact that he manages them should probably explain why I found myself nodding away in acknowledgement with what he was saying. While in fact I was completely clueless (what's new there then) about what he was talking about. He had been promising me a copy of their album for several months now, so when it finally arrived in my mailbox a few weeks back I really didn't have any expectations of what I was going to hear. To say that I was pleasantly surprised would be under selling it and then some. To me they sound like a Scottish Broken Social Scene, with an added touch of say Prefab Sprout or even a less morose My Latest Novel. It's a cracking wee record that completely caught me off guard, don't let the same happen to you.

Would you care to introduce yourself?

hello there. we are unpopular Glasgow-based pop combo Zoobizaretta.


How would you describe the music you make?

the sonic equivalent of making sweet love to someone who isn't there.


How did you come together as a band?

most of us met at uni, but we've been in flux since day one. people kind of come and go.


How did you start out making music?

i basically got fed up either not being in a band or being in a band with people i don't really like or being in a band playing music i don't really like, so basically called mates who could play a bit and went from there


What process goes into the way you write songs?

sexual frustration and the process of drinking alcohol.


Who are your big musical influences?

defiler. the orange organics. cain and the stubborn stains.


What kind of influence do you feel that where you come from has had on the music you create?

I'm from darkest Ayrshire. dunno, loneliness? definitely the alcohol bit. there's not much else to do.


What can people expect to see/hear from your live shows?

it's often a complete fucking shambles, but i think most people have a good time.


Has there been a particular gig that has stood out for you so far (good or bad)?

the gig when Marlous left the stage to source more booze halfway through a song and then missed her cue because she was at the bar will always hold a special place in my heart.


What are your plans for the rest of the year and beyond? Do you have any new releases planned for any time soon?

probably a single at the end of the year. possibly another album next year.

Zoobizaretta - You Say I Say

Being the up-to-date kind of guy that I am I can exclusively reveal that Zoobizaretta have no live dates coming up, or at least there aren't any on their Myspace. They did however, do two gigs in Glasgow and Edinburgh a couple of weeks back, I promise that I'll be more attentive in future! If you fancy getting your hands on a copy of their debut album, 'Foam & Leachate' then head on over to their Bandcamp page, it'll only set you back a fiver. Physical copies are available in physical copy from Love Music in Glasgow (formerly Avalanche).

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Sexual Objects - Vic Galloway Session (27/09/10)

Track Listing

1. Soon Soon Soon
2. Here Come The Rubber Cops
3. Merrie England

Download

Scottish DIY Labels #8 - Gerry Loves Records

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Hi. I'm Andy from Gerry Loves Records, based in Edinburgh.


What inspired you to start your own label?

We've wanted to do it for a long time, but only recently been able to, for various reasons. We want to promote some of the excellent bands that aren't getting the recognition they deserve. We're both vinyl and packaging lovers so we wanted to do something where we could geek out on that too.

Yahweh - Make Me Stop by gerrylovesrecords

Who do you have signed to your label?

No one really. We have put out singles by 4 bands: Conquering Animal Sound, Debutant, Trapped in Kansas and Yahweh. However, we don't have any formal deal with them as such. They are free to do things with other labels if they want. Conquering Animal, for example, have an album coming out on Gizeh/Mini50 later this year.


Being based in Scotland do you only sign Scottish artists?

So far, yes. Certainly at the moment, we can be much more effective in promoting bands who are playing in Scotland regularly, and who we have a personal relationship with. We don't really have the contacts yet to heavily promote bands fro further afield. We know the Scottish music community pretty well, and so we (hopefully) know the best way to promote bands within that. I could see us working with non-Scottish bands in the future, but not yet.

Trapped in Kansas - Towerblock by gerrylovesrecords


Is this something you do as a hobby or can you make a living from it?

Ha ha. Making a living from it is an amusing concept. We sell brittle plastic discs in hand-made packaging with recordings by smallish Scottish indie bands. I don't think that's something you CAN make money from, is it? We do it purely for the love of it, and to keep ourselves out of trouble.


Do you have a certain type of sound that you look for in a band?

Not really. We both have to love a band and believe in them for us to want to release their records, so naturally there are certain types of band that we gravitate towards. I really like hip hop but know very little about it, especially locally, so it's unlikely we'd take something like that on, although not impossible. We don't really get exposed to too much of it. We just like what we like, whatever that is. I think the stuff we have put out so far and the next release we're planning are all quite varied. I don't know, I'm pretty bad at articulating anything worthwhile about music.

Debutant - Thirst by gerrylovesrecords

How do you go about deciding which artists you want to work with? How do you go about approaching them?

So far, it's mostly from seeing bands live. We either see them live by chance, or hear some recordings by them and make a point of going to their shows. I suppose we just feel that there is something there worth helping. The two of us don't always agree on bands, so when we do, that's normally a sign. As for approaching bands, there is no better way to get them to hear you out than buying them booze. We are pretty bad for approaching bands while very drunk. I like to think bands find this endearing, but they almost certainly don't.


What has been you personal highlight from running the label so far? What has been your biggest success?

I've enjoyed lots of moments. Our first Edinburgh launch show was really good. We sold out the venue, which we weren't expecting, and it was the perfect antidote to a gig the night before in Aberdeen with a shocking soundman. Just getting the label started has probably been the biggest success so far. I'm also pleased that we're very close to starting to pay money out to the bands on the first release.

Conquering Animal Sound - Giant by gerrylovesrecords


If you could give one piece of advice to someone wanting to start up their own label, what would it be and why?

Don't pick bands that are cool that you think will sell records. Pick bands you genuinely love and believe in. That love is all that will keep you going when it's 3am and you're stuffing records into sleeves and trying to balance a spreadsheet and one of the bands has just done something really silly.


What can we expect to see and hear from the label in the future?

We've got one more release planned for 2010, which will be a bit bigger, in terms of the amount of tracks and artists. We're close to getting that finalised, but it won't be out till much later in the year. We're really excited about it, but can't say more till we have it all agreed with the artists. Then next year, who knows? More good music on thoughtfully produced vinyl. Maybe other formats too, but not CDs.




Gerry Loves Records
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Fresh Meat Monday - Skies Fell

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Hello, we are Skies fell. David, Ross, Ronnie and Craig.

How would you describe the music you make?

A little sad but hopeful, maybe. Progressive without being prog.

How did you start out making music?

We've known one another for a long time and have played music in various forms for years along with other friends. A few years ago we went through a phase of just emailing one another weird electronica that we were making, but we're enjoying being a band at the moment.

What process goes into the way you write songs?


Some of the stuff is written for piano and strings and then re-arranged for guitars. Starting on a different instrument from the one you're finally going to play on can help you have ideas you wouldn't have had otherwise. I think we work similarly to a lot of bands though. Someone will find something they like the sound of, playing around at home, bring that to the studio for everyone to hear and we'll start to expand on it. Recently we've been writing the music together then one of us goes away and writes lyrics on their own. We spend a long time adjusting songs until we feel they're right. I'm not sure any of the songs will ever really get finished. Unless we stop playing them.


What can people expect from your live shows?


We've not played live as a unit yet. We're actually pretty nervous about it. Hopefully that's going to translate into good energy on stage. I'm sure it will. It's what we've been building up to since we formed the band. Recording along the way but being great live is what we're aiming for. We'd like people to leave our shows talking about it. We have some big visual plans for the future but this first tour is going to be nice and lofi with regards to production. So, I guess people should expect to see a band budding.


What are you all listening to at the moment?

Collectively we've been listening to "Blue Sky Noise" by Circa Survive, Lissie's EP, As Tall as Lions, Minus the Bear, Holy Fuck, Bon Iver, Bat for Lashes, Phoenix, Burial, Refused, Jonny Greenwood's solo compositions and a bit of Philip Glass. So anything, as long as it's got a good tune and you can dance to it.


What can we expect to see/hear from you in 2010?

Well, we've got a new single coming out on the 9th of August and a Scottish tour in support of that. We're booking more shows right now. So, lots of shows, and a very special one towards the end of the year.


Skies Fell - Contest

Skies Fell play their debut Glasgow show at the Arches on 23rd October, with support from “Futuristic Retro Champions” and “Pareto.” Contact the band directly using this link, to request yourself a guest list place for the gig (NB - it's one place per person). The band also have two singles available for free download over at skiesfell.com

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Weekly Round Up (26/09/10)

Monday - the week got kicked off in style with some Fresh Meat action from So Many Animal Calls

Tuesday - Kid Canaveral were in session on Vic's show on Monday night, fecking class it was too. If you didn't catch it, check out their take on King Creosote's 'Missionary', quite possibly the best cover I have heard all year. Too Many Fireworks also told us a bit about their imminent relaunch as my 6th DIY label. As if that wasn't enough there was also a recording of Edwyn Collins 6Music session.
Wednesday - all the way from the Isle of Lewis, Iglue became the 34th member of the Scots Way-Hay club
Thursday - The fabulous Recovery Club did a wee session for the Vicmeister, I also had cracking wee label Chaffinch Records telling us a bit about themselves as my 7th DIY label.
Friday - Friday Freebies was full of loads of treats this week, including tracks from Frabbit, Stars and a free album from White Denim. There was also a session from Erland and the Carnival
Saturday - Teenage Fanclub took on Madonna in We've Got It Covered


News, gigs and any other gubbins......



Next Friday and Saturday (1st & 2nd), sees the launch of inaugural Glasgow music festival Eastern Promise. Held at Platform in Easterhouse, the festival aims to highlight the best and most interesting music from the UK and beyond. On the 1st of October they have German and American pianists Nils Frahm, Rachel Grimes, American singer, Josephine Foste with guitarist Victor Herrero and live band, and as if that wasn't enough Wounded Knee will kicking the evening off. The Saturday night is even more exciting, with King Creosote, Human Don't Be Angry (Malcolm Middleton), RM Hubbert and FOUND making up the bill. Tickets for each night at £10, or £15 for both nights, buses will also be running from outside Mono. Further details can be found here.

This coming Thursday at Stereo in Glasgow, 45 A-Side Records are hosting the Launch Night for The Glad Café Fundraiser Scottish compilation album. In case you didn't already know, The Glad Café is a new venture being set up in the Pollokshields area of Glasgow. It will host a 50 cover restaurant/café and a 200 capacity arts venue finally providing the south side arts community. The album, which is released on the 4th of October, is a 13-track compilation feaurting Barn Owl, Song Of Return, Olympic Swimmers, Conquering Animal Sound, Field Mouse, Dam Mantle, The Japanese War Effort, Fox Gut Daata, Yahweh, Debutant, Admiral Fallow, The Seventeenth Century and The Moth And The Mirror.
The launch at Stereo will feature live sets from Barn Owl, Conquering Animal Sound, Song Of Return and Dam Mantle, plus there will also be a DJ set from Detour-Scotland. Advanced tickets for the show are available here for just four pounds and pre-orders for the album are available on their Bandcamp.


I know that I normally save Fridays for any free downloads that I have come across that week, but this little number from Peenko favourites, French Wives, was too good not to mention. Tomorrow (the 27th), they are posting up new song, 'Welcome, in the night', and you can get your hands on it for absolutely nothing. Just head on over to their Myspace on Monday and you'll find details on how to get your grubby little mitts on a copy. The band also have a couple of gigs lined up this week, on Friday night they'll be at The HAC in Irvine, followed by a headlining showing at Stereo in Glasgow on the Saturday, with support from Male Pattern Band.
As a wee teaser, you can stream 'Welcome, in the night' below...

Welcome, in the light by frenchwives



The Scottish Enlightenment officially release their 'Little Sleep' EP tomorrow, although it actually went on sale yesterday. You can have a wee listen to it below, personally I think it's superb, it might not be as immediate as their last EP, trust me it relly grows on you. The bands debut album, ‘St. Thomas’ is set to follow in November, personally I can't wait to hear it.

Now a days my Sunday afternoons are filled with walks in the park and meeting other friends with babies. If they weren't taken up by these things then I'd be spending this afternoon down at Stereo checking out the latest Hazy Recollections gig. Running from 2pm through till 6, their usual host Findlay Napier has a whole host of bands from the local folk and indie scene. Featuring, Jo Mango Damon Valentine Calum MacCrimmon's- Mans Ruin Findlay Napier and the Bar Room Mountaineers ... and a very special guest (word on the street is that it's Roddy Hart)….. Tickets are £7 or £5 concession, it certainly beats pushing a pram round the park ;)

Tonight (26th) at the Flying Duck, Slow Club returns with it's very own mini festival, featuring music and films. If you fancy an ambient Sunday night then head along to the Duck's kitchen bar, where you will be treated to the following live acts with a backdrop of avant-garde movies;

WOUNDED KNEE
LOWLAND HILLS (Joe Quimby and Jer Reid)
SMACKVANNOMA (playing to his own films)
HELHESTEN
THEAPPLESOFENERGY
More details can be found here.


Lastly, here's a cracking wee video from those lovely Mitchell Museum boys....

Mitchell Museum: 'Tiger Heartbeat' 8-bit Extended Directors Cut from mitchell museum on Vimeo.

We've Got It Covered #19

The weeks really do feel like they're flying in at the moment, honestly it feels as if I just drafted up my last We've Got It Covered post a couple of days ago. Not that I am complaining, as I do like sharing these wee gems with you all, this week we have Scottish indie royalty covering the queen of pop - actually is she still the queen or has that Gaga lady stolen her crown? or are we still not sure if she's got a cock? And on that note, here's the Fannies.....

Teenage Fanclub -Like A Virgin (Madonna cover)

Friday Freebies

Frightened Rabbit
In case you missed this last week, Frightened Rabbit feature on a wee covers album of songs by indie-pop band The Philistines Jnr, there are more details on the album and a free download on Pitchfork. There is also a wee remix up there from We Were Promised Jetpacks.

Stars
I love this band, love 'em, so I was well chuffed when they decided to give away two free tracks to folk on their mailing list. You can download these two tracks, Opinions Versus The Sun (STARS Vs. The Album Leaf) and We Don't Want Your Body (TEEN Remix), by clicking this link.

Hot Chip
"There's a free download available of a 3am rave-gasmic mix of Hand Me Down Your Love by dynamic duo Wild Geese. Click here to get yourself disco'd up".

The Son(s)
I know I keep harping on about this lot, but then I guess I wouldn't do it if give them all of this attention if they didn't deserve it. A while back I posted that they had a couple of tracks up for grabs, well now there's a cracking wee EP too. You can download their 'Radar EP' for nowt over on their Bandcamp, get it done kids.

Hercules Moments
The Aberdonanian bloggers have compiled a cracking wee compilation album called funnily enough, 'Hercules Moments: Vol. 1' which they have posted for free download. It features tracks from a variety of 'local' bands, including Peenko favourites, Indian Red Lopez. Download it here.

British Sea Power
The band have a seven-track EP due out on Monday 4 October. The Zeus EP is the band’s first release since The Man Of Aran soundtrack from 2009 and acts as a wild and wunderbar-wonky precursor to the band’s fourth studio album, set for release in 2011. You can download the lead track from the EP by signing up to their mailing list here.

Factory Kids
The Glasgow experimental pop duo and former Fresh Meat starlets have a new EP out, and wouldn't you believe it, it's available for free. Go and grab yourself a copy from NOECHO Records.

The Ramisco Maki Maki Rocking Horse
This freebie comes courtesy of Highland label Planet Grouch Records, check out their latest release from The Ramisco Maki Maki Rocking Horse, you can download their debut mini album for free using this download code: bpcr-7ta3 be quick, only a few copies available.

John Vanderslice
The American singer-song writer has posted up his 'Green Grow The Rushes Grow' EP for free download on his website.

The Girobabies
The Glasgow psychedelic punk rock outfit have posted a free download of their track 'Bank Charge', taken from their EP 'Social Not Working', download it here kids.

Jamie Sturrock
Another cracking wee release on the fabulous Wiseblood Industries label, this one comes from experimentalist artist Jamie Sturrock. You can download his EP2: Giascape for zero pennies here.

Tempercalm
The Glasgow trio are set to return with a new album in October, as a wee taster you can download the track 'Kick Obsession' from it for free, just click the link.

The Pierces
The New York outfits new EP, Love You More, is due out next month, as a taster they're giving away a song from it. Just click here to get your free download of "To The Grave".

The Plimptons
You can download the first 4 tracks off the new Plimptons album for free here.

Noumenon
The Chicago 'party math trio' recently debuted their first official release "Party Mathematics" through cool as fuck DIY label, Big Scary Monsters back in May. Now that the the record has been out for a few months the band have posted it online for free via their Bandcamp page.

Nosiemakers Sampler
In exchange for your email address you can get yourself a free sampler featuring; Ben Rector, Bleu, The Civil Wars, Coal Train Railroad, David Mead, Derek Webb, Green River Ordinance, Joy Williams, Justin McRoberts, Kate York, Katie Herzig, The Last Royals,Lovedrug, Matt Wertz, Matthew Mayfield, Matthew Perryman Jones, Mike Farris, Mikky Ekko, Red Mountain Church, Sandra McCracken, Sleeping At Last, Snowden, Thad Cockrell, Trent Dabbs and Waterdeep. Get it here.

The Celestians
The Scottish alt-rockers have posted up their 'Specimens' EP for download on their Bandcamp.

Smile Smile
The band announced on Twitter a few weeks ago that they would record a Live/Acoustic set, letting their followers decide which songs they wanted to hear they would record them live and make it available for free download. The band were true to their word and here's the fruits of their labour.

Laubfrosch
Another band who have taken up the mantle of submitting a freebie for you lucky kids alternative dance-rap-band from Germany, called "Laubfroschfresh" with their electrofunky Remix of Yeasayer's O.N.E. Listen to it here, then if you like it download it here.

Trent Reznor
The Nine Inch Nails frontman has a posted a free 5-track EP from The Social Network score that himself and Atticus Ross created, get it here.

White Denim
A very late addition to this weeks freebies comes courtesy of Texan garage rockoutfit, White Denim, who have posted a free album up for download. It's not the “official” follow-up to 2008′s Fits, which they are still working on that, but it should be give you a good indication of what we can expect. Download it here.

Kowalskiy's Komplimentary Korner

Hold The Suspect

This weeks freebie from the doc is the debut EP by Edinburgh alt-rock outfit, Hold The Suspect. You can download their EP for free on their Bandcamp, you can also check out Kowalskiy's review of their latest EP, 'Are You Home yet?', here.

The Recovery Club - Vic Galloway Session (22/09/10)

Track Listing

1. Seven Letters
2. Belvedere
3. I Always Thought You Were Beautiful
4. Rest and Be Thankful

Download

Scottish DIY Labels #7 - Chaffinch Records

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Hullo – my name is David Love and I run Chaffinch Records.

What inspired you to start your own label?

I was made redundant in 2005 and wanted to do something interesting with some of the money. I initially saw it as an opportunity to sell some of my own stuff as South Downs but quickly realised the stuff I had recorded at that point wasn't up to much. I also wanted to help friends like Immigrant and Lucky Luke release some new material. Kenny Anderson and Fence Records were a massive influence on me too.


Who do you have signed to your label?

I don’t have anybody tied into the label. I’m approached by artists and I release material as and when I have the funds available.

Being based in Scotland do you only sign Scottish artists?

It was initially going to be Scottish bands only but I’ve now had material out by English, Welsh, Spanish and American artists.

South Downs - Something Inside


Is this something you do as a hobby or can you make a living from it?

I could never possibly make a living from the label and in this digital age I’m surprised anybody can. It’s purely a hobby – although an expensive one.

Burnt Island - Me and All My Friends Are Alright

Do you have a certain type of sound that you look for in a band?

Not as such – but I do probably err towards more left-field folk/pop stuff.

Lucky Luke - Please Bomb Slough


How do you go about deciding which artists you want to work with? How do you go about approaching them?

On the first Chaffinch release – The Whisper EP, it was myself and some friends - Immigrant, King Creosote and Lucky Luke. Once that release came out, it had a knock-on effect and quite a few artists starting contacting the label through the website. The only artist I contacted direct was Anthony Reynolds.


What has been you personal highlight from running the label so far? What has been your biggest success?

My biggest thrill was releasing Anthony Reynolds’ (of the bands Jack/Jacques) Ponies EP. He is a total legend in my eyes. Unfortunately it didn’t seem to get much media interest or airplay. Easily my biggest and quickest sellers have been The Second Hand Marching Band and Burnt Island releases. I think both bands have a great future ahead of them.

Anthony Reynolds - For When You Were Young


If you could give one piece of advice to someone wanting to start up their own label, what would it be and why?

Do it only for the love of music as you won’t make a penny.


What can we expect to see and hear from the label in the future?

Another CD album from Burnt Island, a 2-CD set from Anthony Reynolds, an EP from The Second Hand Marching Band, an album by South Downs and possibly another various 7” vinyl compilation.

Chaffinch Records

Scots Way-Hay #34 - iglue

It's been a pretty tiring few weeks in the world of Peenko (i.e. me), so I think it's somewhat appropriate that this weeks Scots Way-Hay post is a bit more chilled. Niall Masson, aka iglue, is a singer songwriter from the Isle of Lewis, who I first caught up at this years goNorth. Yes, I know that I have been featuring quite a number of the bands that I saw up in Inverness, but trust me this guy is more than worthy of your attention. His stripped back style reminds me a lot of early Bright Eyes, with his haunting raw voice makes you feel like you are out on some remote Scottish island, away from all the stress of the city. A place where it's you alone with your thoughts, it's a beautiful wee place to be.


Would you care to introduce yourself?
Hello, My name is Niaal Masson and my music goes by the name of iglue. I'm a young lad with skinny legs and knobbly knees.

The Modern Youth by iglue

How would you describe the music you make?

I try to make my music as honest as possible, a true reflection of me and my feelings. It is warts an all but I think that adds to it, I'd say I'm trying to create a feeling and a reaction within the listener. But to me it is a way of getting things of my chest and expressing myself, I'm not too concerned about being the next big thing.


How did you come together as a band?

Well it happened more because my last band sort of fell apart. There was no animosity but I felt that I wanted to take my writing a bit more seriously and concentrate on lyrics and felt I couldn't do that in the band I was in at the time.


How did you start out making music?

Well on the Isle of Lewis there has been a great local music scene that really kicked off when I was in my early teens, everybody I knew wanted to be a part of it. I had been practising with a couple of mates and we would basically just play At The Drive-in songs and jump about and have fun, we were asked to contribute a song to a local label compilation and that was the first song I ever wrote. It was pretty post punk and pretty basic but it was OK for a first go! I hadn't moved onto vocals at that point and was just playing guitar. I was about sixteen or seventeen at the time, the guys in bands thought we were great and everybody else hated us because it wasn't Jonny Cash. But that was the first spark really, which was about four or five years ago now. Since then I've constantly been writing and been getting more and more serious about it.


What process goes into the way you write songs?

Well for me it usually starts out with an idea on guitar. Whenever I pick my guitar up I just play and play and let it come sort of spontaneously, if something sticks out i'll keep it at the back of my mind and keep going over it whenever I pick up, eventually I'll find another piece that will fit. I suppose it's a bit of a jigsaw really. Lyrics wise I'll sit down and just write what comes into my head, give it a few days and then try and work on it. It'll be mostly about how I feel at the time, I find when I'm angry or a bit down the best times for writing, and for some reason it makes me feel better. I try and make sure my lyrics aren't just filler, if I go back over something and think hey that doesn't really make any sense I'll scrap it, I'm quite hard on myself in that sense. Some other songs will come from poems I've written, which I try to write as much as I can, whenever I have a pen handy. But really I'm kind of winging it songwriting wise in a way, I've never been shown how to do it or taken advice, I've just tried to write how I feel. I'm lucky that a lot of my friends are songwriters and it's not that weird for us because we're all doing it, but I could be writing complete crap for all I know haha.

Men Are Made At Sea by iglue

Who are your big musical influences?

Well when I was growing up I was completely obsessed with At The Drive-in and Biffy Clyro and I have to say I wouldn't be the person I am now if I hadn't heard those bands, they actually blew my mind when I heard them, I couldn't get enough and that influenced my personality, there was no boundaries for them and that rubbed off, they weren't in a band for the masses but for a minority who would like them a lot more and they really had a connection with people! I loved that. I must have seen Biffy Clyro live five or six times in that period(they even played in Stornoway) and their shows were just crazy and best of all they were fucking Scottish! I love Scottish music through and through. We have it all right on our doorstep and that has influenced me massively. I love it all, Mogwai, Arab Strap, King Creosote....and on and on. When I listen to all that stuff I feel a real connection with it. Most of them are on indie labels and are in it for the long haul and you have to respect that. I'd also say that I have been influenced by the big underground American bands from the 80s too, Black Flag and Fugazi mainly, their music was real and their attitudes were amazing, they built attitudes and we still adhere to them right now, it's either DIY or sell your soul! And as I mentioned above there was, and still is a great scene of musicians on the Isle of Lewis, we're all friends and there's no competition between us and best of all it's not about money, it's about the love of it and we all stick in and help each other out and it really has been a motivator. I don't want to write a long list of bands I like but I think I covered the main influences on me up there, there is hundreds though, as with all music lovers.


What kind of influence do you feel that where you come from has on the music you create?

It's had a massive influence, I can see the sea from every window in my house, it just seems to have a soothing effect on me. I can't explain it other than that I love it, when it's completely flat and looks like a mirror and when it's angry. Also if you go out at night it's totally silent, it's quite eerie but absolutely amazing at the same time. You can see the entire sky on a clear night with no light pollution and occasionally the Northern Lights and it really is just a beautiful place with some great traditions. It's made me a bit of a deep thinker I suppose, a deep thinker obsessed with the sea and fishermen. I also luckily went to school with some great writers, it was just seen as normal to begin writing, and we were all supported by local people who loved music and saw potential in us and were patient with us. I potentially wouldn't even have started writing if I had grown up elsewhere. Plus Scotland is nice...


What can people expect to see/hear from your live shows?

Well at the moment it's just myself and a red telecaster, the best backing band of all time. Hopefully you'll break down into tears of joy. That hasn't happened at a gig yet, but hopefully one day. I wouldn't book me for your wedding, I'm far too depressing for that! Has there been a particular gig that has stood out for you so far (good or bad)? Well earlier in the year I played at a GoNorth showcase in Inverness which was pretty decent considering I was only added last minute. I have played there before and usually it's quite empty and you go home and carry on life but this year the place was busy and full of people getting drunk after the seminars. It was a great platform for me and the place fell quiet when I was playing and I got a bit of a lump in my throat. It was one of those moments when you get a bit of a shiver going up your arm, in a good way though! It felt like I had caught the room. Another time a guy asked me if he could give my guitar to his son, always worth asking I suppose, I'm sure one day he'll get that free guitar, live the dream.

What are your plans for the rest of the year and beyond? Do you have any new releases planned for any time soon?

At the moment I'm gearing up to letting my four new tracks loose on the internet! I have a good feeling about them, they were a lot of hard work and I think they are the best stuff I've recorded so far! I'm also looking forward to playing during the launch of Kevin MacNeils new book In MacSorleys in September. After that we shall have to wait and see, hopefully it shall be bright and positive though :)

iglue - This Island

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Kid Canaveral - Vic Galloway Session (20/09/10)

Track Listing

1. You Only Went Out To Get Drunk Last Night
2. And Another Thing!!
3. Missionary (King Creosote cover)

Download

Scottish DIY Labels #6 - Too Many Fireworks

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Hi, I'm Neil Milton and I'm the brains behind the too many fireworks record label. The label began in 2003 and ran for a few years before I went off to do something else for a while. This month (September 2010) we're returning after a 4 year rest. In the first few years we released albums by flying matchstick men, Titus Gein and Laeto and our singles club featured Errors, Macrocosmica and Findo Gask. We also ran a clubnight called Fire: works at Glasgow's Barfly for a couple of years. The new too many fireworks is based in my new home of Warsaw in Poland but is still, intrinsically Scottish. It will, in the main, be a net label focusing on modern-classical, ambient, electronic and post-rock, releasing digital download albums, eps and singles and to begin, we're re-releasing our entire back catalogue on download. On our new website, toomanyfireworks.co.uk [still in development but will be complete when this goes out] we refer to the the first time around as "act i" and the relaunch as "act ii". I guess if we ever start doing physical releases again, we'll maybe start "act iii". I hope that sums it up.

What inspired you to start your own label?

In "act i", a whole lot of things inspired me to start …fireworks. Chemikal Underground was the biggest inspiration I think. I loved their artists: Mogwai, the Delgados, Aereogramme, Arab Strap, the Radar Bros - Amazing. I loved that a band could run a label from their kitchen and become Peel favorites. I loved that they didn't feel they had to move to London to "make" it. Another huge inspiration was a label from Manchester, Valentine Records. I met those guys on my first trip to the industry conference, In The City. They gave me a lot of advice in starting up and gave me confidence to go for it. For "act ii" though, my main inspiration was my move to Warsaw and retaining a connection with the Scottish music "scene" when I wasn't really there any more. I felt it was time to bring it back. Admittedly, it's now 9 months later and we're just getting going but I guess I found emigration to be a little more time-consuming than I'd expected.

Who do you have signed to your label?

No one. We don't sign artists to the label, we license their releases - the bands retain the copyright of their music. I suppose if you wanted to ask who I considered "too many fireworks bands" from the first time around I'd probably say Laeto, flying matchstick men, Titus Gein and my old band, Troika. Everyone else was part of our "Dialogues" 7" singles club. In "act ii" we'll be dragging the Dialogues series into the internet age with a collection of "Digital Dialogue" split download singles. We've also got Graveyard Tapes, me and several others lined up for full releases but it's all "gentlemen's agreement" type stuff at this stage so no names - some are pretty impressive though.

Being based in Scotland do you only sign Scottish artists?

No, definitely not. I mean, so far everyone that has released records on …fireworks have been based in Scotland but that's not any hard and fast rule. I lived in Glasgow and released bands I liked. With the internet, there's a much wider reach nowadays so too many fireworks' artists could come from anywhere with a broadband connection.


Is this something you do as a hobby or can you make a living from it?

In the past, it was a living but now it's somewhere in between. You can definitely make a living out of it but you have to be lucky and have some money to put into it too. Especially when dealing with physical releases, you need some decent money behind you. It might seem like a lot of fun, to have your own label but it's a lot of work. A lot. Luckily though, the rewards to look forward to after all that work are plentiful.


Do you have a certain type of sound that you look for in a band?

This time around, I'd quite like to focus on modern or contemporary classical music alongside post-rock, ambient and electronic releases but there's really no rule. I mean, I could say all of that and then I might get a chance to work with, I don't know - let's say for arguments sake - EagleOwl or Second Hand Marching Band, you know, some band that doesn't quite fit that description? Well, you're not going to turn that down, eh?


How do you go about deciding which artists you want to work with? How do you go about approaching them?

First and foremost, I have to really like, if not love, the band. When you do this, you have to get behind the bands you are releasing and if you don't absolutely believe in them, there's no point. As for approaching them? I just ask.


What has been you personal highlight from running the label so far? What has been your biggest success?

I have a few personal highlights from the label. The Laeto album, Zwoa, which is now, genuinely, one of my favourite albums of all time is a huge highlight for me. Our clubnight, fire: works, was also a great success after a very slow start. Our biggest success though has to have been the Titus Gein album, tracks of which appeared on several video games - I think Juiced for the PSP and MotoGP '06 were two of them.


If you could give one piece of advice to someone wanting to start up their own label, what would it be and why?

Surround yourself with honest, constructively-critical friends who will help you when you need it, support you when you need it and be brutal… when you need it. And you will need it.

What can we expect to see and hear from the label in the future?

As mentioned earlier, we're re-releasing our back catalogue on digital download - some of the earlier releases feature a host of bonus tracks - and an 8-bit electronica album by Germlin that was only ever given away free at a gig Joe did at the Sub Club back in 2004. Next will be my own e.p. of music from the We Sink Ships: Elements photographic exhibitions. Later in the year will be an e.p. by Graveyard Tapes and in November we'll be releasing a compilation of interpretations of Fryderyk Chopin's music to celebrate the end of his 200th anniversary. It's all starting to come together and I'm really excited by this. I hope others will be too.

Too Many Fireworks

Edwyn Collins - 6Music Session (20/09/10)

Track Listing
1. Losing Sleep
2. Searching For The Truth
3. It Dawns On Me

Download

Fresh Meat Monday - So Many Animal Calls

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Oh herro. We are So Many Animal Calls. We are a group of 3 young gentlemen who write upbeat songs with often downtrodden lyrics. It seems to balance things out. An example of this is our debut EP “Your House is a Hospice”. We enjoy long walks on the beach and candle lit dinners (with a side of Dragon's Den).


How would you describe the music you make?

We play a form of Scottish Rock which dabbles with reverb and pop sensibilities that is suited to the Winter months. The music, however, has so far been hastily written and recorded in the Summer.


How did you start out making music?

Myself (Ross) and Sean had been writing songs for a while. We then recruited Martin in June and attempted to port the songs that we had written into a full band format. In order to force ourselves to be productive, we booked a gig at The Captain's Rest and spent our time polishing and refining the songs getting ready to record/play live.


What process goes into the way you write songs?

You could honestly say that these songs were written on a 5 string, then 4 string acoustic guitar then brought to Martin who sealed and packaged it all together before vocals were put on top. The form was then defined when in the studio with a full band setup. The process tends to vary from song to song though.


What can people expect from your live shows?

Sweat. Buckets of it. Toy instruments and crude mediocre banter. Lots of it. Larfs. Not lots of it


What are you all listening to at the moment?

Ross : My Bloody Valentine, BOYGIRLANIMALCOLOUR, RM Hubbert, The National and A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Sean : Meursault, The Xcerts, Flip Banshee, Motion City Soundtrack, Frightened Rabbit

Martin : Three Blind Wolves, Bombay Bicycle Club


What can we expect to see/hear from you in 2010?

We basically intend to try and get our music out there and heard by playing lots of gigs / dishing out DIY handmade EPs to anyone who will give us the time of day! We've been talking about playing some gigs further afield and becoming Men in ven for a few days. We also intend on releasing at least one more EP before the year is out.


So Many Animal Calls - We Sleep Back To Back


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Roddy Hart and The Lonesome Fire - BBC Radio 2 Session (19/09/10)

Track Listing
1. Send A Message
2. Map Of Your Heart
3. Boxes

Download

Weekly Round Up (19/09/10)

Monday - Dundee's finest, The A Forest kicked off the week with some Fresh Meat action
Tuesday - Tired Pony's session for NPR, plus more excitingly there was an interview with my fellow blogger Ed from 17 Seconds was the fourth DIY label that got a little feature, if you haven't checked out his label then make sure you do as he's put some cracking records in the past few years. Including the new album this weeks featured Scots Way-Hay band
Wednesday - The Last Battle have a cracking wee album due out next month, make sure you hunt it down when it does come out, until then you'll have to make do with this interview they did for me as part of my Scots Way-Hay posts. In addition to this I had sessions from Edwyn Collins, The Vaselines, plus Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan
Thursday - the fifth in my series of posts on Scottish DIY labels, with new up and coming label RE:PEATER RECORDS
Friday - Another week, another shed load of freebies, Summer Camp, Randolph's Leap and Esperi being my particular stand outs
Saturday - Yahweh were out Saturday starlets with their take on the Animal Collectives 'My Girls' in We've Got It Covered.


News, gigs and any other gubbins......

On Wednesday (22nd) night at Stereo, a whole host of local talent are coming together to celebrate songs spanning Stevens' career under the title of 'Widows in Paradise'. Featuring performances and collaborations from members of an array of talent including Open Swimmer, Washington Irving, Julia & The Doogans, The Last Battle, Randolph's Leap, Endor, Esperi, Quickbeam and more, this is a truly unique event that you don't want to miss. Tickets are on sale now, as well an evening full of cracking songs, you can also expect some delicious homebaking, mmmmmm cakes.....

It's almost that time of the month again for Pin Up Nights (did I just make Pin Up Nights sound like someone having their period?). This month they are having their very own 'Geek Night', they have lined up Angelos Epithemiou from Shooting Stars to DJ at it. Fuck knows what that'll be like, they do have some cracking live bands playing though, including previous Fresh Meat starlets B-Movie Junkies, the ferocious Paws and Heart Beats (who I know nothing about) to play live. Tickets are available to buy in advance through the Pin Up Nights website or through Ticket Scotland.



Tomorrow sees the release of the highly anticipated Cold Seeds album on CD through Song By Toad Records. In case you aren't already aware, the band could almost be described as something of a Scottish super group, featuring members of Meursault, Animal Magic Tricks and the legendary Kenny Anderson, aka King Creosote. This album is a one-off collaboration, which was recorded in Matthew 'Toads' living room, if you listen closely to the first song on the album you can even actually here his cat making a 'guest' appearance. The album was recorded over two weekends back at the end of 2009 and has been out on 12" vinyl for a little while now, and now it's finally making it's long awaited release on shiny CD's. You can order yourself a copy through Song By Toad Records.

Cold Seeds - Leave Me to Lie Alone in the Ground
Cold Seeds - The Perfume of Mexican Birds

Tomorrow also sees the release of Steven Milne's new single 'Best of Times' on Bedford Records, you can stream the lead track from it below. With his album "Chasing Phantoms" due out at the start of November, this track certainly bodes well for what we can expect to hear, he's certainly one to listen out for.

Steven Milne - Best of Times by Bedford Records

The Scottish Enlightenment launch their new EP, 'Little Sleep' this Friday (24th) at Sneaky Pete's in Edinburgh. The EP itself isn't out until next week, I've heard it and can confirm that it's one of the finest things they've done so far and that's saying a lot. Tickets for the gig are £5 or £4 advanced, support on the evening comes from Dan Lyth and Moon Junk, plus it'll give you the opportunity to get yer grubby little pits on their EP that bit earlier.


To finish this weeks round up I thought I'd post this wee video by up and coming Scottish band, Dirty Keys, it was produced in Glasgow by LDH productions, enjoy....

The Xcerts - Vic Galloway Session (16/09/10)

Track Listing

1. Slackerpop
2. I Scare Easy
3. Young (Belane)
4. Lament

Download

We've Got It Covered #18

I really don't think I could imagine Yahweh covering anyone else but Animal Collective, even before hearing the song it just sounds like the perfect match up for their musical style. Originally recorded as part of a BBC Campervan session at last years Rockness Festival, this a corking wee take of 'My Girls'.

Yahweh - My Girls (Animal Collective cover)