Weekly Round Up (31/10/10)

Monday - Amy Duncan kicked the week off with some Fresh Meat action
Tuesday - Steve Mason and A Band Called Quinn sessions
Wednesday - Inverness post-rockers, Shutter took on some Scots Way-Hay action and I also let you know about a couple of exciting new projects which I am involved in.
Thursday - I had quite a few sessions up for download, Cancel the Astronauts, Isobel Campbell and the Twilight Sad all did there bit. The good folk from Off the Beaten Tracks also did some Community Service
Friday - this weeks Freebies included tunes from Le Reno Amps, Tapes 'n Tapes, Remember Remember and FOUND
Saturday - didn't get tickets to see Take That, then why not console yourself with the Seventeenth Century's cover of Patience, did I mention that they're also playing at AvP3 next Friday? Apparently tickets for that are a bit easier to get your hands on...


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

So the week of THE big gig has finally arrived, Ayetunes vs Peenko 3 is back and this time it's personal (no I have no idea where I'm going with that either). If you haven't already got yourself a ticket sorted what's been stopping you?! In the unlikely event that you don't know who we've got lined up, it's the Seventeenth Century, Come On Gang! and I Build Collapsible Mountains. It's going to be awesome sauce! It's this Friday night, it's only £6, it all kicks off at 7pm at the Classic Grand. We'd love to see some familiar and some unfamiliar faces coming down for the evening. There will of course be the usual free sweets on offer from this bearded twat - man that just sounds plain wrong. I should think these things through more in my head before I say them.....


On Thursday night, Elba Sessions are back with another cracking wee evening of intimate entertainment. Making his first live outing in Glasgow as I Build Collapsible Mountains, Luke Joyce warms up nicely for the following nights show at AvsP, by making an appearance. Joining him for the evening they also have Iglue and Now Wakes The Sea.



Also on Thursday (4th) night, Benni Hemm Hemm, Second Hand Marching Band & Tannahill hit Stereo in Glasgow for an evening of folk pop tinged fun. I won't be usual presumptuous self and expect you to have heard all of these bands, so here's a wee blurb (ie a copy n paste) about them all....
"Benni Hemm Hemm, the delightful pop troubador from Iceland, whose Scottish band features members of Eagleowl, SHMB, Withered Hand, The Occasional Flickers, How to Swim, The Trembling Bells, The Pineapple Chunks, Jesus H Foxx, Captain Slackship's Mezannine Allstars and more (and there's only 6 members). Benni has, in the past, collaborated with Alasdair Roberts and Jens Lekman and is currently recording a joint album with SHMB.
The Second Hand Marching Band will be a 17-or-so piece indie folk funhouse who shall play to the crowd and in the crowd, with post-rock influenced buildups, quiet folk songs and dance party tunes.
And the last group, Tannahill, are particularly special, made up of Alasdair Roberts, Wounded Knee, Sean from John Knox Sex Club and SHMB members Alistair, Pete, Ross and Rich. Their set will consist of reinterpretations of Robert Tannahill songs. Robert Tannahill is a Scottish poet from Paisley who died 200 years ago, but whose legacy is now coming to more people's attention after years of being overshadowed by his contemporary and inspiration, Robert Burns.This will be the first performance of the group, who will be releasing an album of Tannahill songs next year."
Kick off is at 7pm and door charge will be £5.

Next Saturday, the 6th, promoters 45 A-Side Records have a cracking wee gig lined up at Stereo in Glasgow. For your evenings entertainment they have Meursault, Olympic Swimmers and Happy Particles for just £5. The evening kicks off at half seven, it should be quite a night.



I'll leave you this week with a video from a band who have been getting me pretty excited as of late, they're called Let's Talk About Trees, a side project from some of the members of John Knox Sex Club and Washington Irving. The band will be making their live debut at Stereo in Glasgow on the 20th of November, so get the date down in your diary...

The National - BBC Radio 2 Session (26/10/10)

Track Listing

1. Anyone’s Ghost
2. England
3. Afraid Of Everyone

Download

We've Got It Covered #24

Less than a week to go kids, yes, the third in the series of Ayetunes vs Peenko gigs is this coming Friday. If you're not coming and you don't have a decent excuse, e.g. you don't live in Scotland, you don't like Jim, etc, then I expect to see you making the effort to come along. I'll be disappointed if you don't make the effort to come along, yes, I am trying to guilt trip you into coming. I am particularly looking forward to this one, as not only do we have three amazing bands and a much bigger venue, the pair of us are also free to enjoy the gig. As we're hiring someone to sit at the door and collect the pennies. Rumours that we didn't want Jim scaring the kids away remain unfounded.
Anyway, in anticipation of the big day, here's the Seventeenth Century's take on Take That. Whether they'll be playing it next Friday remains a mystery....

The Seventeenth Century - Patience (Take That Cover)

Friday Freebies

Le Reno Amps
This weeks freebies have a bit of Halloween theme to them, our first spooky free download comes from those effervescent pop maestro’s fae the Highlands of Scotland, Le Reno Amps. Just head on over to their homepage for some trick or treat action, if you're lucky then you'll find yourself a wee download of their track ‘Never Be Alone’, which should whet your appetite in anticipation of their forthcoming album which is due out on Armellodie Records in Spring 2011.

Tapes 'n Tapes
I fucking love this band. Their gig at Nice n Sleazys a few years back still rates as one of my all time favourites. It feels like ages since they did anything, so their return is a more than welcome one in my eyes. You can download their new track, 'Freak Out' for free here.

Remember Remember
Next Friday, Mr Ronald celebrates his 30th birthday with a special gig in Glasgow in support of his new EP. Of course none of you will be going since you're all coming to AvsP, right? You can console yourself at missing out on this gig by downloading free track, 'Get Good' taken from the EP here.

Yusuf Azak
I know I go on about my fellow blogger, Song By Toad an awful lot on here, but fuck it, he deserves your attention as he's very good at what he does. He also has a cracking wee label too, jealous? moi? fuck yeah. Anyway, that's enough brown nosing, he's got yet another wee corker up his sleeve in Yusuf Azak. His debut album is due out in a couple of weeks, as a wee taster he's giving away a free single to promote it, download it here.

John Knox Sex Club
I am not sure if I have ever mentioned JKSC on here before, I guess they are just one of those bands that have been on my 'to-do list' for quite a while, but kept getting shunted back. I bought their album ages ago, it is quite possibly the greatest album design ever. So if you like their song, 'John the Revelator, which you can get for free here, then I'd urge you to invest in a copy as it's a beautiful bit of work, and the music's pretty good too.

FOUND
I nearly forgot about this weeks FOUND freebie, I feel kind of bad about that. I am starting to questions myself whether I have become too complacent and just taken them from granted. thankfully though I have managed to reprieve myself by adding it in at the last minute. This weeks freebie is Halloween themed and it's called Something Under The Bed Is Drooling. Go get it here.

Pixies
Mind I posted a link last week that came from the Pixies, but was actually about Interpol, confusing wasn't it. Well at least it was for me. Thanks to Jim Ayetunes, we have the real deal this week, as he very kindly pointed out that they had posted a free download of their set at Coachella 2004.

El Dog
Taken from the soundtrack to Scottish film, 'Wasted' which was on BBC2 last Saturday (it's still on iPlayer if you fancy giving it watch), these three tracks are all pretty damn good. You can download them for free here.

Now Wakes The Sea
It's funny how life works out, sometimes you make friends and then they just drift out of your life, never to be seen again. Or at least that's how it's supposed to work, right?
A month or so ago an old friend got in touch and he mentioned that he was now in a band called Now Wakes The Sea. After a wee catch up, one thing lead to another and I put him in touch with our pals at Elba Session, who asked them to play at their last gig of 2010. Their lo-fi songs did it for me, you can make your own mind up by downloading some free tunes from their Bandcamp.

Girls
Try 'googling' this and not getting shit off your wife, I guess I shouldn't have added the words 'dancing' and 'naked' in there too. Shit. Going off on a ramble. Trying to be amusing and failing and now my wife thinks he less of me, who'd have thought that could be possible. Aye, so there's a band called Girls, they have an EP coming out, Stereogum have a free download from it, blah blah blah porn blah.

Lykke Li
Man that was tough to spell, or at least it was for me in my tired state as I try and work my through this post late on a Thursday night. All you really need to know is that you can download a free copy of single 'Get Some' for free here.

Davies Versus Davies
This freebie came courtesy our friend Drunk Country (if you don't know who this, make sure you go and check out his excellent radio show by clicking the link), who tweeted about it earlier in the week. Apparently it's a side project from John Mouse (being rubbish I have no idea who this is), but seeing as it comes with the DC seal of approval it goes straight into this weeks Freebies.

Crystal Castles
They're not my cup of tea, but I am sure some of you will like this, it's a new version (featuring Robert Smith) of their Platinum Blonde cover, which you can download for free.

Futuristic Retro Champions
Last week I featured these guys in my Fresh Meat Monday post, two days later they announced that they were going to be calling it a day. See the power that I have to destroy a band (NB I am clearly talking bollocks here). The band plan to go out on a high with live dates in December. Until then you can console yourself by downloading their cover of 'Robert De Niro's Waiting' here for free.

The Caretakers
Normally I don't like to just lift bits out folks emails, but I really liked the honesty of the email I got from The Care Takers wondering if I would consider featuring them in Friday Freebies. After I gave them a quick listen and really enjoyed their tunes I couldn't not share this with you... "I’m a PR/marketing professional and college/university instructor by trade, but on the eve of starting my first true musical endeavor I became disillusioned with the corporate world and began feeling contempt for the less-than-ethical mainstream public relations profession. After more than 20 years I decided to give up my day job and devote myself completely to making music; something my body and mind have been screaming at me to do since I was a teen. The album ‘Unfinished Thoughts’ came together with an amazing group of friends, inspired by our working class surroundings, and a call for political insight. We’re not packaged. We’re not young and shiny. We’re not about to be the subject of an 18-year-old’s tweet, but this music is who we are." So there you have it, I was genuinely inspired to listen their songs after reading that, I am glad that I did as it's pretty fucking good. You can make your own mind up though by heading downloading three songs for free from their Bandcamp.

Bullets in Madison
I have no idea where I got this freebie, I must have saved it to my favourites earlier in the week, so I can't credit to anyone as my memory has failed me sadly. There's loads of tracks and you can get them for free here.

CMJ
I know CMJ was last week, but it's worth noting that Insound have a cracking wee compilation up for grabs for free, go get your hands on it here.

Cancel the Astronauts - Vic Galloway Session (28/10/10)

Track Listing

1. I Am The President Of Your Fanclub
(And Last Night I Followed You Home)
2. Love Backwards
3. Funny For A Girl
4. Animal Love Match

Download

Isobel Campbell and Willy Mason - KEXP Session (26/10/10)

Track Listing
1.Cool Water
2. I Wish I Knew How To Say Goodbye
3. Keep Me In Mind, Sweetheart
4. No Place To Fall

Download

Community Service #15 - Off The Beaten Tracks

I have had this post pencilled in for a while now, but as things quietened down over this summer it just kept getting pushed back. Their return to the Scottish music scene is a very welcome one, in case you aren't already aware of Off The Beaten Tracks, the basic premise is that they take artists to unusual places and film them playing stripped back versions of their songs. It's a simple concept, but it's really effective. I first came across the site after they posted the session with Scott from Frightened Rabbit. They were the first people to give 'Swim Until You Can't See Land' it's first airing to the general public. I ended up watching the session an unhealthy number of times, and so my love for Off The Beaten Tracks started.
I must admit that I was saddened that they disappeared, I had feared the worst. So their return is a more than welcome one for me. They've just posted up a cracking session with Broken Records, which you I urge you to check out, after you've finished reading this interview that is.....

In your own words describe what Off The Beaten Tracks does?

We stole an idea from The Takeaway Shows and applied it to local bands and touring bands passing through. We take a band out onto the street or into some odd location that wouldn't normally have a band playing, and we film it. Then we put that film on the internet.

For all the folk out there that don’t know what Off The Beaten Tracks is, why should they check it out?

I suppose it gives you a chance to see bands you might like doing something a bit different. Most of the bands we've had sound quite different when they're stripped back to just acoustic instruments. I like the fact that it shows off the songs that are often obscured by noise and/or lots of instruments.

What was it that inspired you to start Off The Beaten Tracks?

As I said, we stole the idea from The Takeaway Shows. Both Alex and I are web nerds, music nerds and perpetual dat idea people. We wanted to create something that satisfied all of that, and we wanted to continue promoting bands in some way. Plus meeting bands and taking them to odd places and filming them is just really fun.

You have been on a bit of hiatus this year, does your return herald a new chapter in the life of Off The Beaten Tracks? And where have you been?

Life forced us to take a break. Alex's wife had a baby last year, I got married this year, we had other projects and jobs to attend to, and basically we couldn't go on putting out as much footage as we did in 2009. We're not very good at saying no, so e ended up with too much to juggle and something had to give. Then at the same time we had some major technology failures, and it's taken us a while to recover all the footage. Always back things up (twice) kids!

I think the new chapter will be steadier, with less frequent episodes (in the last part of 2009 we were publishing about once a week). We've got a new website in the works that will make watching the episodes a better experience, and we're working on some ways to let people watch our videos in different ways and places. We're also cooking up some ideas for collaborations, and we're currently making a list of bands we want to film this year and next. It's going to be really good, I hope.

What would you say has been the best thing to happen since you started it?

We've had some great laughs and filmed some excellent performances and made a few friends along the way. We've done some daft things too. That's all we could really expect from it I suppose.

What band/artist have you most enjoyed filming the most?

There really isn't one session that stands out above all others. I've genuinely enjoyed all of them. Our first ever session, with Come On Gang, was fun in a baptism of fire kind of way. Hanging out with Scott from Frightened Rabbit was good as he's a lovely guy, and we got to hear "Swim Until You Can't See Land" before pretty much anyone else, and it got us on the front page of Pitchfork. The Honeytrap session was a good day out as they're hilariously odd, and I feel in a river, and then we all went to Matthew Toad's house for the band's Toad session which turned into a debaucherous party till the early hours. FOUND with Cybraphon was crazy and weird and great. The day we filmed Trespassers William and Glissando was great fun, as we had an amazing venue to film, and both bands were incredible at their gig that night, and the more debauchery… Watching Jeffrey Lewis just reeling off accapella songs. Watching Moustache of Insanity continue to sing their song as they feared for their lives at the hands of some cider wielding jakey. A rather drunken late night session with Woodenbox. Filming Meursault play "William Henry Miller Pt1" in front of the William Henry Miller mausoleum with a group of people providing handclaps. My list could go on and on. I've genuinely enjoyed every second of it.

You were out at this years SXSW Festival, how did that come about and who did you film while you were out there?

We've both been for the last 4 years in a row. If you like live music, beer and meat, there is no where better. It's intense but amazing. This year we knew we had to take out gear and try to film a few bands while we were there. We ended up filming Efterklang, Broken Records, Wave Pictures, Winter Gloves and Burnt Ones, a great band from Indianapolis. They're all up on the site now. It was a little stressful at times, in the heat and with epic hangovers, but it was really great fun and we're really excited with how the sessions came out.

For any bands/artists out there thinking that they’d like to do something with Off The Beaten Tracks, is it worthwhile them getting in touch or is it a case of you’ll find them?

By all means get in touch. We're always on the lookout for bands we've never heard that we might like, even if we don't end up filming them. Please be aware, though, that we have had hundreds of requests, and we can't possibly answer them all. We wish we could.

Lastly, what can we expect to see/hear from you in the near future?

We have a session from Three Blind Wolves that we filmed before our enforced hiatus (sorry guys) that's really good. that'll be coming out next. Then we have a list of bands we want to film, and we've been in contact with some to get he ball rolling. We're hoping to do another 3 or 4 sessions this year, and then start over fresh in January with the new site and a proper schedule. It's a nice idea which probably won't work, but we'll try.


Off The Beaten Tracks

The Twilight Sad - BCB Radio Session (27/10/10)

Track Listing
1. The Wrong Car
2. And She Would Darken The Memory
3. Cold Days From The Bird House

Download

Busy Busy Bee

I did say last week that I am also involved in a couple of other projects at the moment. Yes, I know I am fucking idiot. Who in their right mind takes on even more stuff on top of everything I already do, plus add the addition of the arrival of Erin (Peenko Jnr). So far I have found that cutting back on sleep helps do a lot more, although it does make me a right ratty fecker at times. Then again I enjoy what I do, so I shouldn't really complain, although a couple of extra hours in bed would be nice. Anyway, enough of me moaning, I've done enough of that already, it's about time that I told you a bit more about some projects that I have been asked to be involved in.


The first project I am still getting to get my head round what they want me to do, but it does sound pretty exciting. Basically the good folk over at New Found Sound have launched an exciting new project, promoting up and coming Scottish artists.
So how are they going to be doing this then you might wonder. The plan is to host regular nights at the Frankenstein venues in Edinburgh and Glasgow, showcasing local talent. Taking place on Wednesdays in Glasgow and Fridays in Edinburgh, the events are aimed at unearthing local talent and giving them exposure to some of the coolest music companies in the country including record labels, studios, merchandise companies, touring, press (I think that I come under the umbrella of press, although I would argue that I certainly don't fall into the category of cool).
All bands that perform on of the evenings will apparently be well looked after (they'll feed and water ye), plus every artist will get an exclusive discounts from every sponsor.

So that's pretty much all I know for no, I did ask if it was like a Battle of the Bands, but apparently that was pretty wide of the mark. That being said, it still sounds like one to me, I am not against the idea, as I like the idea that you can bring in an array of people that give it a degree of credibility. Far too often in this country we turn our noses up at things like this.
It's daft that we look down on people when they try to do something this constructive, it's almost as if the hipsters have won. Anyway, that's enough of my ramblings, here's the important stuff that you need to know....

This is open to bands in any genre from metal, rock/pop to singer songwriters and solo acts and open to bands anywhere in the Country. Some of the Country’s most reputable music companies are supporting the series with the following on offer:
• Recording Session (Glasgow) – Courtesy of HOUSE PRACTISE STUDIOS
• Recording Session (Edinburgh) – Courtesy of VERDEN STUDIOS
• Single Release – Courtesy of GREEN FLAME RECORDINGS
• Press, PR Campaign and Scottish Tour – Courtesy of NEW FOUND SOUND
• Radio Podcast / Exposure – Courtesy of JIM GELLATLY’S NEW MUSIC
• Distribution – Courtesy of EMUBANDS
• Reviews / Exposure – Courtesy of PEENKO - look it's little old me, in amongst a load of important sounding folk
• Merchandise Deal – Courtesy of VEXED APPAREL
• Website / Online Package – Courtesy of PIXELGAPS
• Design – Courtesy of BLOODYHONEY

If you are interested in getting involved just click this link to find out more, in all honesty it seems like a cracking wee idea to me. If you're an up and coming artist why not give it a go, there's no point in looking a gift horse in the mouth.


The other venture that I have been asked to get involved in comes from Eli & Oz, a new digital label set up by a lovely lady by the name of Jen Anderson, whom The Pop Cop appointed her with the cringe worthy title of 'King Maker'. The plan is that her label will release monthly digital singles featuring 'the best Scottish bands'. In coming months they have singles from the poptastic Bear Bones in December, followed by a single with Peenko favourites the Son(s) early in the New Year. After these releases things get more interesting, as Jen has devised quite a novel idea which brings together an array of talented folk from the Scottish music industry, and me.
The premise seems pretty straight forward, each month Jen picks out 5 bands who have submitted some of their music to Eli and Oz. These songs are then sent out to a list of folk who work within the Scottish music industry, they then put the bands in order of who they think would be the next best release. Whichever band is the most popular is then be released on the label. Personally I think it's a cracking idea, simple, yet brilliant. I am not just saying that as I got asked to be involved, honest guv.
Also, before anyone starts moaning about it (not that I am trying to suggest us Scots whinge!), no band will be ‘out’ because they didn’t win, as they will probably come up again in another vote. Below are the five songs that we have to choose from, now I am not 100% if I am supposed to be sharing this with you, but I am of the opinion that a bit of transparency can't do any harm.

Shortlist for February release by eliandoz

Just so you know, the judges are as follows:

Simon Singleton (Pure Groove record store)
Mikey Stirton (Fourthfloor Music Management)
Robert Hicks (Beyond It Promotions)
Ross Morrison (Agent at Primary Talent)
Craig Michie (A&R at Chrysalis)
Yvonne McLellan (A&R at Island)
David O’Hagan (A&R at Mercury)
Vic Galloway (BBC)
Jim Gellatly (Radio Magnetic, Original 106, Amazing Radio)
Jonathan Geddes (The Herald/Evening Times)
Tim Barr (News of the World)
Lloyd Meredith (Peenko)
Ally McCrae (Detour)
David Weaver (Detour)
Andrew Maitland (Booker at The Arches)
Avril Cadden (Sunday Mail)
Jason Edwards (Agent at 13 artists)
Jenny Myles (Toast Press)
Craig Johnston (DF Concerts)
Dave McGeachan (DF Concerts)
Craig Wylie (Mean Fiddler)
Grainne Braithwaite (Synergy)
Andy Cook (agent at CAA)
David Mogendorf (MTV)
Hazel Berry (Berry Branch Music Management)
Paul Cardow (PCL)
Stuart Thomas
Matthew Young (Song By Toad)

If I am honest, it still feels pretty odd to be asked to do these kind of things, the perception of me being some kind of taste maker still feels pretty odd to me. That being said Halina from Glasgow Podcart brought down a peg or two the other week by telling me my music tastes were shite. Then again we have set up a label together, so I am not quite sure how to take that!

If you fancy your chances of being considered for future release by Eli and Oz, then you can upload a track to their Soundcloud page (make sure that you click the ‘share button' though).

Scots Way-Hay #39 - Shutter

I know I must sound like a broken record sometimes, some might even say predictable. I like to think that this is more of positive and that consistency is more of a positive thing. That being said, when it comes to post-rock, I really am a walking contradiction. I continue to tell folk that I just 'don't get it' or something equally stupid such as 'it's just noise' - that sentence usually takes place after (a) I've drank too much and someone is creaming their pants over Mogwai, (b) I am trying to get a rise out of someone, (c) all of the above.
The truth of the matter is that it's a genre which doesn't always sit well with me. I have a pretty short attention span, so instrumental songs don't hold my attention as much as a catchy wee indie-pop song. It's my bad I know, I guess I am a child of modern society were I am always on the look out for something new and exciting (Nic, in the unlikely event that you are reading this, I am of course referring to music and not other ladies). So for me to like an instrumental post-rock outfit they're going to have to be pretty damn special. Prior to this post the only band that have fallen under that umbrella were the Gothenburg Address, who are currently on an indefinite hiatus - hey if it was good enough for At the Drive In, it's good enough for me.
What I am trying to say in a roundabout way is that this weeks featured artists, Shutter, had to be pretty damn special in order to get my attention (and keep it).
Hailing from Inverness, they first came on to my radar a couple of months back when Vic Galloway had them down to do a session for his Radio One show. So impressed was I by the recording, I bought their album the very next day, a wee belter it is too. Right I think that's enough rambling from me for one week, here's Matt from the band to tell you a bit more....

Would you care to introduce yourself?

I'm Matt from Shutter. I play guitar. Shutter are Pete Macdonald - guitar, James Roberts - Bass, Will Roberts - Drums and Matt Campbell - guitar


How would you describe the music you make?

On a very basic level it's 4 minute instrumental epics ranging from the very quiet to the very loud. With lots of ambience/beats and melody in between.


How did you come together as a band?

Myself and Pete have been playing together in bands since 2000. I worked with James in a camera shop and decided to watch his younger brother play drums at an open mic night. We were blown away and decided to go out to the hills for a random drive that night. We all decided there and then to form a band and the rest as they say is history!


How did you start out making music?
I'd played in an instrumental band before, but it was never a particular ambition for Shutter to be instrumental. We shared a mutual interest of post rock but there is much diversity in the band. Each of us have our own interests ranging from hip hop to alt country. Our initial jams were incredibly loose and free. Our drummer would latch onto any riffs and we'd try and structure some order into the fairly chaotic jams. We all shared inspirations from our surroundings, particularly the Highlands and we'd use this as a grounding for our songs.


What process goes into the way you write songs?

Our method of song writing is incredibly simple for us, 90% of it happens at jams. Most happens fairly spontaneously and it's a case of grabbing the good stuff and tidying it up. Over the years we've focussed more on structure and timings. Years of playing together has helped tighten the band and we feel very comfortable playing spontaneously together. A lot of work has gone into our songs, particularly the album.


Who are your big musical influences?

It ranges throughout the band. Personally I was influenced at an early age by Nirvana. In my early teens I absorbed myself in the Sub Pop scene and also listened to a lot of Fugazi. I was also influenced by Scottish bands such as Arab Strap, Laeto, Aereogramme and Mogwai. I'm influenced by all types of music and we share a varied taste. The past few years I've been influenced by the atmosphere of Tom Waits records, the rawness of Neil Young and the chaotic beauty of Pavement. I think it's important to be inspired by as much as possible.


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

I think it's had a large influence. The surroundings and landscapes of the Highlands are incredible and we are only 5 minutes away from peace and quiet! We are influenced by themes of space, the sea, and the general visual impact of rural Scotland.

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

We wear our heart on our sleeves. There's no ego, fancy hair cuts or 'cool' clothes. We just play passionately and if people can get anything at all from that, it's a bonus. Our shows have a bit of a reputation for being very loud which was never an intention. Our gigs usually involve a lot of sweat!


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

Good= Supporting Deftones at Carling Academy or providing the live soundtrack to Inverness's Firework show on Guy Fawkes night. Bad = Driving to London after several van disasters to play to 5 people who were too busy knocking peoples eyes out with their pointy shoes.


What are your plans for the rest of the year and beyond?

For the rest of the year we plan on writing more material for another release next year. We don't plan many live shows this year but plan on doing an exciting tour early 2011. It's not all confirmed yet but involves taking our live visual show from the Pillars album launch on the road.

Shutter - New Starts

The bands debut album 'Pillars' is out now, you can get yourself a copy here. All you post-rock kids out there should love this, as I said before, I'm not normally a big fan of this kind of music but sometimes there are some exceptions to the rules.

Home
Big Cartel
Myspace

Steve Mason - Marc Riley Session (25/10/10)

Track Listing

1. The Letter
2. Am I Just A Man
3. All Come Down
4. Boys Outside

Download

A Band Called Quinn - Radio Scotland Session (23/10/10)

Track Listing
1. We Are The Scum
2. Wolf Cries Boy

Download

Fresh Meat Monday - Amy Duncan

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Hello, my name is Amy Duncan :)


How would you describe the music you make?

Folk / electronica


How did you start out making music?

I played piano and violin from a young age, in a classical way, and went to music college in Manchester when I was 16 to study the double bass.
I reached a very low point a year later and dropped out, moving into a bedsit in Glasgow where I started playing the guitar. Writing songs and singing became my solace, and a way of working through difficult times. I later went back to college and finished my degree!


What process goes into the way you write songs?

Sometimes I begin with a musical idea on the guitar/piano or bass, and then words and melody come, but sometimes its the other way round - I get a vocal idea, then shape music around that. My new album 'Potential-Space' is a collaboration with my lyricist friend David Paton, so that was a different process again. Last year David was writing a lot of song lyrics, and sending some to me. I chose the ones that stood out for me, or that I connected with most, and worked out the music for them. Some of the lyrics were written by me, and sent back and forth between the 2 of us until we both liked them.We didn't really set out to write an album at first, it sort of unfolded in a very natural way, and when we had 10 songs it felt complete. They appear on the album in the order they were written.


What can people expect from your live shows?

I play with Fiona Rutherford (harp), and Bradley Burns (live electronics) and I alternate between the piano, guitar and double bass as accompaniment to my voice. Its quite an intimate sound, emotional, and hopeful. My friend said, after our album launch gig, that we give off a humane and friendly vibe.


What are you all listening to at the moment?

Well, I was just given the new Joanna Newsom CD, which I am finding very inspiring. I was recently sent some Fourtet - 'Sing' being my favourite track from that. I often listen to the Grace Jones CD 'Living My Life', on a sunny day, its very uplifting. I have been listening to that one for years now!


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

We will be playing some gigs to promote the new album Potential-Space. I also have a lot of other songs recorded, and am hoping Brad and Fiona will add some of their magic to them. Up until now most of the music I have released has been self produced, a very intense experience of just me at home recording. I feel its time to open the door now, and to let a new, fresh energy in. I feel very excited about the next album to come, but I don't want to rush it. There is still a lot of promotion for Potential-Space to be done (I am doing my best with that!) and so I would expect the new album to be ready in the spring of 2011.


Amy Duncan - Rare and Free

Home
Bandcamp
Facebook
Myspace

Weekly Roundup (24/10/10)

Monday - Monday was a really special day for me, as we had the first ever Peenko Sessions featuring Kid Canaveral. There were also details on how you could come along to the next session. Plus the soon to be defunct Futuristic Retro Champions took on some Fresh Meat action

Tuesday - I had a live recording of Frightened Rabbit's set at this years Lollapalooza festival
Wednesday - the poptastic Endor were the newest additions to the Scots Way-Hay club
Thursday - The Zephyrs were in session for Marc Riley, plus there was a cracking wee 'tour diary' by David from Kid Canaveral, from what I've heard he had to edit quite a lot of things out... ;)
Friday - Freebie time, there were some right corkers this week, including tracks from Ghost Pants, Bear Bones and the Go Team
Saturday - There was a session from the Twilight Sad featuring an acoustic version of the lead track from their new EP, The Wrong Car. In We've Got It Covered, Evil Hand took on a Beach Boys classic.


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

It's fast approaching the end of the month, which must mean that it's Pin U Nights time at the Flying Duck. This month those kooky kids are getting into the spirit of things and having their own wee Halloween part. Featuring live sets from local indie pop starlets, Pop Up, Endor and the Social Services, it's only £4 to get in if you turn up in costume. Tickets are available in advance from Tickets Scotland.

Next Friday, my fellow blogger, Favourite Son is putting on his first ever gig at the Classic Grand as part of the series of Oxjam gigs. He may well be new to this game, but he's still managed to rustle up a cracking wee line up featuring, The Winter Tradition, Nevada Base and Kochka. It's only £4 advance, or £5 on the door and it's all in the aid of charity. Get on it kids, this is going to be a belter of a gig.


Meanwhile over in Edinburgh, Homework are putting on a gig billed as 'The Night Before Halloween' at the Pilrig Church on Leith Walk, Edinburgh. Support on the evening comes from We See Lights. Tickets £7 / £5 in fancy dress, plus it's BYOB (nice touch). Get tickets here.

The Twilight Sad - BBC Nottingham Session (16/10/10)

photo by Vicki Cole

Track Listing
1. The Wrong Car

Download

We've Got It Covered #23

This freebie comes courtesy of my fellow blogger, Kowalskiy, he suggested I use this cover of the Beach Boys classic 'There's Forever' by Evil Hand after he sent it over to him alongside his contribution to his second Free Monthly EP series. It's a cracking wee cover, perfect for a lazy Saturday morning...

Evil Hand - There's Forever (The Beach Boys cover)

Friday Freebies

Ghost Pants
Paul Carlin (aka the dude from Dananananaykroyd) is back with the third in his series of lo-fi EP's, and you know what, I reckon this might just be his best yet. Sticking with the 'heart's theme, this one is called 'Active Hearts' and although it's down as being free, I asked the man himself if it would be okay to say to folk that they can download it for free, he said 'yes'. What a nice man he is. You can get yourself a copy here. Ghost Pants make their live debut at the first ever Peenko 'Tea Party' next month at a very intimate venue in Glasgow (hint I mentioned this earlier in the week).

Bear Bones
It was only when I added this freebie in did I realise that I probably haven't mentioned Bear Bones on here before. I am pretty sure that I played them on one of my shows on Fresh Air, or at least I intended to, my memory is terrible for these kind of things. Anyway, enough of my ramblings, Bear Bones are Scottish, they write catchy indie folk pop tunes and they also have a wee freebie up for grabs. In December they are due to release a new single through new innovative label, Eli & Oz, as a wee taster of what to expect you can download their song 'Oil & Lacquer' for free here.


The Second Hand Marching Band and Benni Hemm Hemm
You might remember a few months ago that I posted a wee freebie from these two that they had posted in order to promote their joint gig in Aberdeen. Well now they're back giving away even more free songs as a wee taster of what you can expect at their co-headline gig at Stereo in Glasgow on November the 4th. Just click this link to download 3 free tracks.

The Go Team
They're quite possibly one the most fun live bands about at the moment, they're playing at Oran Mor in February and now they have a free track up for grabs. If you head over to their Soundcloud page, then you'll find their new track T.O.R.N.A.D.O which you can stream and download.

FOUND
As will be the norm for the foreseeable future, I have no idea what this weeks free track from those fabulous FOUND kids will be. I can however tell you what last weeks was, yes, I am that helpful/useless, last Friday they posted up a free download of Blood - Grumpy (FOUND's Blood Donation) . Bloody brilliant it was too, I am sure they'll have another corker for you this week, find out by clicking the link.

Gruff Rhys
Remember that rumour that was kicking about a couple of months ago that the Super Furry Animals had split up, thankfully it wasn't true. The band are on a bit of a break at the moment, but that doesn't mean they've gotten lazy, well at least their singer hasn't. He's been off working on some solo material, if you head over to his homepage, then you can download one of his new tracks 'Shark Ridden Waters' in exchange for your email address.

Interpol
I am not too sure how this link came about, but during the week the Pixies tweeted about how they'd played a gig with Interpol in Mexico and because of that they were going to be giving away two free tracks. Confused, then you're not alone.

Freelance Whales
The New York band have certainly been making massive waves this year, sorry that was a terrible pun. No seriously I'm sorry, I can't help being so cheesy. If you haven't already checked them out then I'd urge you to do some much needed catching downloading their track 'Enzymes' here.

Andrew Bird
I have the good folk at the Skinny to thank for this freebie, they RT'd it on twitter (if you don't know what that means I can't be arsed explaining), just right click save this link to enjoy a free download of 'Hot Math' from Andrew's instrumental LP 'Useless Creatures', which is out on October 25th.

Arran Arctic
Scottish musician Nonima has produced a cracking remix of Arran Arctic’s latest single, Interrupt Me! The remix takes the My Bloody Valentine / Kevin Shields / Asobi Seksu elements of Interrupt Me and whips them into a cavernous mish-mash of distorted techno frenzy! Download it here for free.

CMJ
I'm sure that a lot of you are already aware that there is a major music conference/festival taking place in New York this week. Scotland's very own Phantom Band are out there working their backsides off to show America how it's done. Sadly this free compilation that Stereogum have posted up doesn't feature a track from the Phantom's, instead it's got tracks from Marnie Stern, Sleigh Bells and Lower Dens. Sounds like hipster heaven to me.

Gizeh Winter 2010 Sample
Conquering Animal Sound have an awesome new track on the Gizeh Winter 2010 Sampler, also on there are free songs from Sleepingdog and Glissasndo, you can download it here.

City and the Sea
Canadian outfit, City and the Sea's new EP, ‘Leave A Light On’, is up for grabs for free, the band have worked with some of the producers that were involved in records by Feist and Apostle of Hustle. If that sounds intriguing, then you can find out more here.

Epic26
Edinburgh's Epic 26 have posted up their new EP up for free download, all you have to do to get a copy is just follow this link.


Kowalskiy's Komplimentary Korner

For those of you who are more regular followers of Friday Freebies might have noticed that my fellow blogger Kowalskiy has cut back on his regular freebie tip. We agreed that it would probably make sense to have him come back every month to bring you his 'Free Monthly Scottish EP'.
I know I keep saying it, but he does continue to up his game with every EP. This month he as a cracking wee EP featuring four of my favourite Scottish acts of the moment, The Seventeenth Century, RM Hubbert, Randolph's Leap and Zoobizaretta. There's another band on there too, I am probably best not mentioning what I think of them though....

The Zephyrs - Marc Riley Session (20/10/10)

Track Listing

1. Creative Faith
2. So Called Beau
3. She Walked Me Home
4. Rip The Heart

Download

Scrambled Eigg - The Away Game Diary by David from Kid Canaveral

Smashed Tits

Jealousy is a an awful trait, but I have to admit that I was incredibly envious of all of the lucky punters that attended the Fence Collectives' inaugural 'Away Game Festival' on Eigg. Having been to Home Game I had a rough idea of what I might have missed out on. In order to rub salts into the wound I decided to ask David from Kid Canaveral to write me a wee diary about his experiences on Eigg, or at least tell me the bits that he could remember/would actually share with me. So here it is, Mr MacGregor's hazy memories of a cracking weekend spent on an Island off the West coast of Scotland.... (I should point out that all of the terrible captions under the photo's are all my doing, yes, I know they're terrible)

After the 150 tickets sold out in six minutes, and the fact that an additional 90 musicians would accompany those lucky brief-holders, led some people to question if the 70-or-so inhabitants of the beautiful Isle of Eigg would know what hit them. I, on the other hand, having heard tales of these merry Islanders, thought that it may be the incomers attending the first Fence Records Away Game (a new and wild sister Festival to the annual and fantastic Homegame) who would be the ones left shell-shocked. I certainly know it took me, and others, almost a week to pull themselves together after returning to the mainland.

My morning started by returning to Strathclyde Students Union to pick up my car before the meter ran out. Glamorous stuff, I know. I left the other Canaverals blissfully unconscious and headed back to where we'd opened for Frightened Rabbit the previous night. Which was the (very good) reason we weren't on Eigg the previous day. That was quite an experience, but it was having an adverse effect on my early morning Yoker to Queen Street train ride. We progressed smoothly through breakfast and packing the cars. But, hang on, shouldn't Kate be back from picking up Johnny Flynn from the airport by now? Scott and Laura are already at ASDA (other supermarkets are available) waiting to buy drink? What time is the ferry? Right.

What should have followed was one of the most scenic drives you can do in Scotland, if not the UK. What actually followed was a convoy of three cars tearing up the West Coast trying desperately to make up time that had somehow disappeared, and not create an indelible black mark on the weekend by causing the deaths of (at least) eight people. The prospect of missing the last Shearwater ferry of the Friday was a thought too much to bear. Incredibly, and despite almost being crushed by a lorry over-laden with hay bales on Rannoch Mor, we arrived for our 6pm ferry at 5.54. Apparently this crossing was something that was widely discussed throughout the following couple of days, to the extent that some people would have you believe that it could make an appearance on the big screen as "The Third Crossing of The Shearwater". Yes, it was little choppy, and yes, there was some splashing but it wasn't that bad, was it? Obviously I say this having had the comfort of being in the cabin, due to the fact we were last in the queue and everyone else wanted an open air view. Ha. If you speak to Dan of Withered Hand fame, you'd get a different story. Somehow we managed to survive the 'perfect storm'...Scott and I by consuming most of a (modest) crate of Tennent’s and cheering at each plunge over a crest of a wave, Kate and Rose by staring at a fixed point in the distance. Each to their own. Scott and I had foolishly positioned ourselves immediately beside the boats only toilet. This would lead to a steady stream of folk who had been in the pub all afternoon crashing by us and the repeated visits of the unfortunate Sunday Times journalist who'd gone greener than a bi-lingual road sign. What a rubbish simile.

We arrived and were greeted with open arms by Johnny (Pictish Trail) and Kenny (King Creosote) before participating in the human chain of baggage handlers tossing amongst other things, some questionable luggage, from boat to tractor trailer. The full beauty of Eigg was not immediately apparent as the sun had been setting with haste as we made our way across The Minch. So, I should probably start talking about music, as that's what everyone was there for. The two venues for the weekend were the Town Hall and a specially erected Marquee immediately beside it. It was impressive stuff. I’ll admit that the two days of music are now one crazy blur of tunes, drink and pastry, so I’ve only really written about what I can recall. I make no guarantees about timings…or days. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Oates Field. Especially ‘I won’t want you’. One of their new songs still has me blushing when I recall the lyrics. FOUND were even better than when we played with them in St Andrews recently. Their set was interrupted by a local gentleman who (after asking Ziggy if he could use his microphone) berated the crowd for not dancing more fervently to “this f***ing amazing band”. Everyone obeyed. Withered Hand delivered a great set during which a woman shouted “Men! You’re all the same!” at me whilst I was singing along to one of Dan’s more salacious lyrics. Dancing, falling over, repeatedly hugging an incredibly patient Bart from Eagleowl (whilst lamenting the worst (and most humiliating) gig we ever played as a three piece, that he and every other musician who was on the LIMBOLive Vol.1 CD witnessed at the launch) and all sorts followed and Friday became Saturday and I got a year older. That’s 27, if you’re counting, not “40!”, as someone shouted at me during our set.

Guinness for breakfast, nice...

Saturday

Saturday started with a stumble down from the farmhouse to the hostel for some breakfast. Well, in the back of a transit van. There, a game of hungover scrabble was punctuated by interruptions by one the most hilariously awful women ever to draw breath. Don't worry, she was an incomer. After some incredible patience and toast it was time to head back to the Town Hall and Marquee.

The Legendary Bearded Ladies of Eigg

Slow Club were the perfect tonic to a hangover, and provided inspiration to many by having consumed a fair few already on the Saturday morning/afternoon. With a crystal clear sound in the tent that most venues would be envious of they reminded me just why I have enjoyed their live show so much in the past. I would later really ingratiate myself with Charles (Watson, of the ‘Club) as while I was talking to him in the bit at the back of the Marquee stage with two guitars over one shoulder and a pint in my hand, one of said guitars would slip off my shoulder and land on my forearm causing an arc of Guinness from said pint to land in the lid of their Merchandise case. I wasn't even drunk. He was awfully nice about it...

It must be love...

So then we had our set. It was going to be great. The tent was filled all the way to the back and we were riding on the back of some great gigs and some very flattering press following the release of our debut LP ‘SHOUTING AT WILDLIFE’ (plug, plug, plug). Our first two songs went fine, perhaps a little baggier than usual, but that was just down to the excitement of the occasion? Things started to go wrong on our cover of Missionary (that we'd learned for our BBC session earlier in the week) and after this it became apparent something was up. 'Smash Hits' was plagued by drumming 'issues' and one of the strings on Kate’s guitar prominently used in the choral riff managed to slip a whole semi-tone out of tune, during. It turned out Scott was suffering from what appeared to be rather acute cramp in on of his arms and it looked like our set was over. We were all gutted and none more than Scott. His face was a mixture of pain and distress. Scott managed to continue through the remaining songs of our set and in the process gave himself a black eye and a bloody crotch (luckily [!?] the blood was from his hand) through overcompensating due to the cramp. He carried on where many others would have jacked it in, and considering the fact folk still seemed to be enjoying themselves I can't stress enough how grateful I am.

Apparently Barry Manillow made a surprise appearance on Eigg...

For 'You Only Went Out to Get Drunk Last Night', we were joined by an extended choir featuring four of the recorded members and additionally Johnny Lynch, Kenny Anderson, Princess Biscuit and some of the RaMilnes. After a false start it was great fun. We finished our set (which by the end of, Scott was an unhealthy green pallor from the pain) and limped offstage to far greater ovation than we thought we deserved. Upon talking to people (specifically other bands/performers first, to ask was that as crap as it felt) afterwards we were told a number of heartening things. For instance: 'it was shambolic, but entertaining" and "you were shite technically, but it was great fun". When talking to others who'd been in the crowd and weren't necessarily paying particular attention to the technical side of things, most seemed too inebriated to care and claim to have enjoyed it. And that's what matters, eh? And a fair amount of folk bought our album afterwards. Scott still couldn't make a fist on the Sunday, so we're hoping that it was just cramp and not something more serious and problematic for the future. Mercifully none of the reviews have mentioned us [apart from a favourable one in the Guardian, YAS!], as compared to the many other acts over the weekend, we were sorely below par. Good-natured heckling requesting the removal of my shirt and repeated renditions of the chorus of Stevie Wonder's 'Happy Birthday' punctuated the gaps between songs where I would normally ramble on. It was touching. Perhaps I will listen to "TAPS AFF!" at our next show.

King Creosote played a set that was just flipping marvelous. A greatest hits set of sorts and a version of “the Happy Song” that had me thrashing about like an idiot pumping my fist in the air as if I was mulleted, watching Bon Jovi and mentally insufficient. Brilliant. After this I learned that if you haven’t eaten for 10 or so hours that the best thing to do is get two of the Fisher and Donaldson (blatant plug for free fudge doughnuts?) Spinach and Ricotta Rolls that have just appeared from the oven down in Galmisdale and put them either side of a sausage roll, sandwich style, it’s probably one the best things ever. Not for regular consumption, though. I managed to squeeze in receiving some verbal abuse from Matthew of Song, By Toad infamy before watching British Sea Power do lots of climbing in the marquee making it a bit wobbly. Luckily everyone was too smashed to be worried of collapse. As the evening careered on, I indulged in some “Ill” ceilidh break-dancing with Sarah (Tanat-Jones of Come On Gang!) to Daimh before laterplaying guitar on one of the songs in their set (COG! not Daimh…). This was lots of fun, obviously, but it was born out of badness/mischief. Mikey (Morrison) was meant to join us for a song at our album launch, but we didn’t have time to practice. I was meant to join COG! for a song or two at their single launch last month, but we had a show in Glasgow on the same night. I asked jokingly when we first met on Eigg what song they wanted me to play on and Sarah convinced me to wind Mikey up about it until they played. Then it ended up actually happening. Sorry Mikey. The rest of their set was flippin’ brilliant and led to me thrashing about like a muppet, yet again. I would dearly have loved to have been able to stay conscious and upright for Gummi Bako and Massacre Cave at 6am, but we’d just had a mental busy week and, alas it was the cold, cold tent for me.

Sunday

When we were heading back down to the ferry port on the Sunday, our very polite-seeming, female driver came out with and absolutely cracker. When asked how we were feeling, we groggily responded unanimously with “Fine”, to which she responded “F.I.N.E, that's F***ing Incapable of Normal Expression, isn't it?”. Which I guess is kind of similar to what the weekend had been: Good humoured and full of pleasant surprises. The ferry home was notable for the presence of a whale alongside us. Malcolm Middleton took a moment out of feeling seasick to observe that it could be Johnny in wet suit trying to give us one last festival thrill, the wry bugger.

Thanks to Johnny, thanks to Sarah and thanks to Kenny. What an adventure.

I think someone wants to go home....

Scots Way-Hay #38 - Endor

I have spent the past hour trying to write this introduction piece, I stupidly decided that it would be easy enough to come up with something half way decent (i.e. passable) whilst also trying to entertain a screaming baby. Not that I imagine that the blurb that I write at the start of this feature matters to you all that much, I am sure you don't come on here expecting to read anything anywhere near sensible from me. In case you hadn't already worked it out, you're probably best to skip my ramblings and go straight to the band answers.
Seeing as I am trying to pass myself off as some sort of music writer, I guess I had better try and introduce this weeks featured band, Endor.
I imagine that a lot of folk out there who follow the Scottish music scene will already know the name. Until fairly recently that's all they were to me, a band whose name popped up on the bill of some pretty decent gigs. For one reason or another they never crossed my path, upon reflection this seems pretty ironic to me, as firstly, they take their name from one of my all time favourite films and secondly, they write cracking catchy indie-folk pop tunes.
It wasn't until I picked up their eponymous debut album on a bit of a whim at the start of August that I fully realised what I had been missing out on. My excuse is that it came out on the exact same day as the Kid Canaveral album, so it almost passed me by. I do love the irony that we had two Scottish indie pop bands releasing long overdue debut albums on the exact same day though.
Anyway, that's enough ramblings from me for one week, Mrs Peenko needs rescued from a crying baby, so here's the lovely Jarv to tell you a bit more about the band...



Would you care to introduce yourself?

Hi we're a band from Glasgow called Endor. There are 5 of us.


How would you describe the music you make?

This is going to sound so pretentious and lame but we've always called it Thinkpop. We've been told it's pop in the same vein as Teenage Fanclub or Orange Juice.


How did you come together as a band?

We all met at high school. Calum and I have been friends since we were little as have Rich and Mark. Then a few years ago I met Andy at work and he begged to get into the band but we made him suffer until he couldn't take it anymore then we put him out of his misery earlier this year after recording the album. I don't know if he regrets it now though, you'd have to ask him.


How did you start out making music?

Originally we got together over our love of Weezer and bands like Belle and Sebastian, and Idlewild. Our first ever show at a friends house party was a set of 8 Weezer songs and Big Me by Foo Fighters all played at triple speed cause we were nervous! After a while we started writing our own songs and put out some singles on Say Dirty Records, then recorded and released our first record this year.


What process goes into the way you write songs?

Rich and I spent the last year and half living together and writing a lot of songs specifically for the album. Normally Rich or I will have some music or an idea for a sound or something then we'll work on it together before I write lyrics. For quite a few songs Rich had the whole thing down with a melody of him singing lyrics to another song or just mumbled words then all I had to do was write lyrics and restructure things slightly to fit. We recorded rough demos of everything and actually had the tracklisting sorted in order to get an idea of a flow for the album before going into the studio. We spent a long time talking about how we wanted the album to sound and how it should run from beginning to end. Basically it just me and Rich playing instruments at each other and rambling about stuff we like, then we play it for the guys and they either get it and start playing or look at us like we're playing Jean Michel Jarre crossed with The Cheeky Girls. Which sometimes we might as well be.

Who are your big musical influences?

I guess the major influences for this album were bands we've been listening to for years cause we wanted it to sound like a first album even though we've been together for a while, so the really obvious stuff like The Beatles, Paul Simon, Teenage Fanclub, B&S etc. Also definitely Weezer, Flaming Lips and a bit of Fleetwood Mac thrown in for good measure.


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

Quite a lot, but mostly in the sense that we've been playing in Glasgow and going to shows here all our lives. So when people compare us to bands like FR or WWPJ I always think that's obviously going to be in there cause we've been around each other so much, that type of sound is going to move as if by osmosis between us. That's also the case with bands like The State Broadcasters, we kidnapped their trombone and accordian players because we just wanted their sound so badly! We didn't get to keep them though. :(


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


Some songs with some quiet bits which people talk over, some loud bits which people can't talk over, and hopefully some really quiet bits that people rarely try to talk over.


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

Over the years there's been some great gigs and loads of awful gigs. The one that's sticks in the memory now though was our album launch with Over the Wall and Washington Irving. We played the whole record in order and had all our guest horn players, singers, and accordian maestro for the one night only sort of thing. It was amazing! We were ok, but to have that kind of backup on stage just lifts everything above what we could ever achieve on our own.


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

We've got some stuff coming up that we can't quite confirm yet. But there's some really fun shows coming up and we're talking about the next record and sorting ourselves out to start writing again.


Lastly, who shot first Han or Greedo?

Han. Always.

Endor - Chapel Doors

Home
Bandcamp
Myspace
Twitter

Endor's self titled debut album is available to buy now, it's a cracking wee album filled with little pop gems, a perfect remedy to those cold dark winter nights that are fast approaching. On Friday the 29th of October they are playing at Pin Up Nights Halloween Party alongside The Social Services and PopUp.

Frightened Rabbit - Live at Lollapalooza (08/08/10)

Track Listing
1. Modern Leper
2. Nothing Like You
3. The Loneliness and the Scream
4. The Twist
5. The Wrestle
6. Backwards Walk
7. Head Rolls Off
8. Old Old Fashioned
9. Swim Until You Can't See Land
10. Good Arms vs. Bad Arms
11. Poke
12. Living in Colour
13. Keep Yourself Warm

Download
Email me for FLAC

Announcing Peenko Sessions #2: The Tea Party, featuring Burnt Island and Ghost Pants

After the success of the first 'Session' it would seem rude to not do another one. For our second recording we have decided it would be a lot more fun to host them in more of a live setting. As much fun as it was chilling out on Sean's couch, watching Kid Canaveral, it's time for us to get some of you lot involved. So on Thursday the 11th of November, we will be having our first live outing at The Hidden Lane Tearoom in Glasgow. If you've never been there before, then I would urge you to go and check the place out it as it's a cracking wee place to get a cuppa and some home baking - hence the reason for me asking the owner, Kirsty, if we could put the sessions on there. So I would also like to thanks in advance to her for agreeing to let a couple of strangers come in and take over the place for the evening.

So we have the amazing venue all sorted, what about the musical entertainment for the evening.
Kicking off the evening and also making their first ever live outing we have Ghost Pants. Some of you might already be familiar with the name after I mentioned their two free EP's in Friday Freebies. In case you missed it, Ghost Pants is a new side project Paul Carlin of American Men and Dananananaykroyd fame.
Our headliners for our first outing in a live environment will be provided by the hushed tones of the gorgeous Burnt Island. If you haven't already picked up on this band then I urge you to check them out, their mini album, 'Music and Maths' is an absolute corker of a record. As with Ghost Pants, they too have a few free downloads up for grabs, just head over to Wiseblood Industries were you will find a couple of free singles.

So there you have it, two cracking bands, one amazing venue. I would love it if some of you could come and join us for the evening. The night will kick off at 7:00pm, it's £3 on the door and there will be an array of cakes and tea on offer. Just make sure you get down to this one nice and early as this is going to be a very intimate evening.

Facebook Event

Burnt Island - Man On Fire

Ghost Pants - Light