Skinny Villains - Subcity/Pop Goes The Revolution Sessions

Track Listing 1. Gang Of Three 2. Gloria 3. Red Light, Lit Bridges 4. Reset Download

A month or so ago, myself and a few of my blogger pals were asked on to the Pop Goes The Revolution show on Sub City. A lot of fun it was too, it was also the first time I had the pleasure of meeting George who hosts the show, a man who's knowledge of the local music scene in Glasgow put me to shame. You might recall that he recently put on first gig just recently and he enjoyed it that much that they're going to be putting on a second Pop Goes The Revolution Live II on the Thursday 14th April at the Captain's Rest. The gig is also going to be Skinny Villains Single launch for their forthcoming two track single 'Young Love/Green Eyed Monster'. Also playing on the night will are Male Pattern Band, Butterflies On Strings and Napoleon In Rags. It's only £5 with single or£4 without, further details can be found here.

Skinny Villains will make their third appearance at Subcity on the 8th of April on Pop Goes The Revolution, alongside appearances from Male Pattern Band and Napoleon In Rags who will also be coming into the Sub City studio. You can listen to the show live here.

Scots Way-Hay #53 - Michael Cassidy

I must admit that I am guilty of saying this a lot, but it's true to say that the way I like to find out about new artists is through recommendations from friends. For those of you who are regular visitors to the site, you'll have noticed that we have started to post up our very own sessions. The last session night that we put on was with one of Glasgow's finest Peter Kelly, aka Beerjacket. As we've been putting on the sessions in the form of acoustic gigs, it's also meant that that we've had support slots lined up. When I first told Sean who films and record the sessions that I had asked Peter to record our latest session, he told me he knew someone who would be a perfect fit for the bill. He'd recently seen Michael playing at a Words Per Minute show in Glasgow and had been totally blown away by him. He sent me over a live recording of his song 'Everybody's Scared', which sounded great so I asked him if he fancied coming along to record a session. On the night of the recording he literally blew me away with his performance, even threatening to upstage Mr Beerjacket. Since that night I have been raving on about Michael to anyone that will listen to me, not that I expect many folk to actually pay much attention to me. Quite simply I think Michael is one of the most exciting talents I have heard in ages, give him a listen and let me know what you think...

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Hello my name is Michael Cassidy and I am a singer songwriter from Paisley.

How would you describe the music you make?

I would describe my music as alternative folk with influences from pop and rock.

How did you start out making music?

I was brought up in a musical family and played different instruments from a young age. I started out playing the accordion for a few years but grew tired with that and moved onto guitar and piano. Very quickly after picking up the guitar I started to compose my own little ditty’s but they were nothing more than replicas of other artists songs! I started a band with my best friends when I was around 14 and from the outset I took a leading role in the song writing process within the group. So either through the band or on my own I was starting to learn the process of making music. I feel writing for the band was an important step in my song writing education because my band members reactions would ultimately tell me if I had written something crap or not. This helped me become quite critical of my own work and to never settle for something unless I was truly satisfied with it.

What process goes into the way you write songs?

My songs usually come very late at night when I am sitting quietly with an acoustic guitar so not to wake up my parents. I feel at these times my mind is empty of any thoughts and at these times I allow myself to be lost to the process. I usually have a Dictaphone handy to record any ideas and once an idea is down I very rarely go back and change any of it. I like to keep the song writing process very organic. For example, if I don’t have an idea for a chorus or how to end a certain section I will simply leave it to come back to later. I don’t like to force songs and I like the idea that a song comes to the writer without them having to do very much at all.

Who are your big musical influences?

My father is a major influence on my career because he is a multi instrumentalist and has always been in bands since I can remember. He bought me my first few guitars and there was always a piano in my house growing up. He was a founder member of the group the Tannahill Weavers who were a major Scottish folk group of the 1960’s and 70’s and who are still going today.

More contemporary influences include Rufus Wainwright whom I have been to see perform every time he has been to Scotland. I am also influenced heavily by artists such as Radiohead, Richard Thompson, Paul Simon, Dylan and Brian Wilson.

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

When I was younger there wasn’t a great deal to do so you find yourself starting bands with your friends because it gives you something to fill your time with, this in itself is important because it starts you on the process of creating music.

Although I like to slag it off I am actually proud to come from Paisley and different places within Paisley turn up in my songs. For example I went through a phase of writing poetry on the Train coming into Paisley and was influenced heavily by the sights and sounds I would encounter as I approached the station. Much of this writing found its way into my music. Mainly my writing is quite personal though and is much more to do with the different relationships in my life. There is still grittiness to Paisley however and I doubt I would have been able to have written the same songs had I been brought up in a mansion in Beverly Hills.

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

I like to talk to the audience which can be a good or bad thing depending on the quality of my banter. If it is a busy gig and everyone is in going out mode I like to play a lot of fast foot stompers but if it’s a quiet intimate gig I like to change it up and play a quieter selection of songs. Either way people will hopefully get to hear some well written songs that will leave an impression on them.

What's the worst heckle you've had?

I’ve been lucky enough to escape the heckles so far but I do remember one gig I had with my band a few years ago when we had just come off the stage and this drunk girl who was in another band playing that same night walked straight up to me and said something along the lines of “You think your good but your songs are rubbish and you cant sing!” So Harsh! I would like to tell you that I told her to piss off but I think I said something crap like “cheers your entitled to give your feedback” but that was a good few years ago and I’m OBVIOUSLY over it now, ha ha!

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

I have played a few gigs now in Stereo in Glasgow and I absolutely love it in there. The acoustics of that room just seem to really suit my music and I always seem to get great feedback after gigs in there. Also thanks to Peenko I also played their most recent session with Beerjacket in the Hidden Lane Cafe in the west end. That was a brilliant night and I loved from start to finish the set up of that gig.

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

I am starting to record my first album in May in a brand new recording studio that is just being finished in the Gorbals. The old Liptons Social Club has been renovated into a new world class recording studio. I will be in there over the summer recording and I cannot wait for that. Aside from that I have been recently found out that I will be played on Ally McCrae’s Radio one show which is an absolute massive deal for me. Hopefully getting a few more gigs confirmed as well, filming another music video and possibly a single release towards the end of the summer. Check out my myspace for any more details.

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Michael Cassidy - Everybody's Scared

Bronto Skylift - SXSW Tour Diary (Day 1)

When I first asked Bronto Skylift to do a wee a SXSW tour diary for me, I really had no idea what they'd come back. All I could knew for sure was that it certainly wouldn't be something run of the mill. Let's just say they didn't disappoint, here's Day One of Bronto's assault on America...

(click the picture for a larger version)

Bronto Skylift Bronto Skylift -Eagle/Falcon (Vic Galloway Session)

Jack Townes - Ally McCrae Session (28/03/11)

Track Listing
1. Juvenile Smile
2. Hey Jackie
3. Who Talks Like That
4. Sunshine

Download

Fresh Meat Monday - Wrongnote

Would you care to introduce yourself?

We equal Wrongnote. There's four of us.

Callum Smith - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Other Noises

Sean Biggerstaff - Guitar, Vocals, Beatbox, Noises, Catering Services

Greig Duncan - Bass, Vocals, Networking, Smiling

Stewart Robison - Drums, Vocals, Realistic Horizons

How would you describe the music you make?

Callum: It's dynamic, expressive, cathartic outsider-rock. There are splashings of extra-dimensional porn soundtrack but, generally, it's very song orientated. Even the words have meaning, sometimes.

Sean: Mean-spirited and without hope.

Callum: Sean misunderstood the question. He's describing himself.

Sean: You fucking crack me up.

How did you start out making music?

Callum: The band in it's current form has existed for two and a half years but, thankfully for the sake of storytelling, three of us have known each other since school. When I was 16, I made a demo of a song called Three Valium Cats and the Dog's Dried Bone. Greig and Sean heard it through a mutual friend and we did a rough demo of four tracks together. It was going well until I decided not to turn up to our biggest gig, drop out of school and get addicted to painkillers instead. Two years later, Greig forgave me and we started to make music again, mostly electronic stuff with a few rock demos. A few years pass and we need a drummer. Enter Wob* about three years ago and then, six months later, Sean is back and we finally equal Wrongnote.

Sean: I was first asked to get involved because I was the only guy around with a decent multi-track recorder at the time. I then insisted on using my otherworldly guitar genius to turn the humble demo into a psychedelic masterpiece and was consequently asked to join the band. Left before we'd really done anything due to events more or less accurately described before. I stayed a fan of the music and was involved from the sidelines in various ways until a few years of anger management and general maturing brought me to the realisation that such interpersonal strife can breed creativity, so I leapt back into the melee.

*Wob is Stewart's nickname. This is because he is from Dumfries - the land of nicknames.

What process goes into the way you write songs?

Callum: I'll come to the rest of the band with the basic ideas, structures, chords and some very basic lyrics then we work on it together. This stage of the process requires us to shout vicious personal insults at each other while making no attempt to explain our musical ideas with any clarity. We abandon more tracks at this stage than any other. The eleven songs on our album represent the ones that made it out of this stage alive. Others may be revisited later but far more will remain dead. This is probably a good thing.

Sean: Yeah, it's a sliding scale between us all thinking of parts to compliment Callum's songs and us building songs together in rehearsal, though still mainly based on Callum's ideas. We have worked on things that have started with other members, but they've never come to fruition. Whether this is due to deliberate subliminal undermining of other people's work on Callum's part remains ambiguous.

Callum: Most of the time it's not even subliminal.

What can people expect from your live shows?

Sean: A slightly punkier band than the one on the record.

Greig: A topless drummer.

Callum: No refunds.

What are you all listening to at the moment?

Callum: Devo, Brainticket and the soundtrack to La Planete Sauvage as well as two tracks called 'I Hear It Now' and 'Blue Rigby' by Wax Audio which are probably the best and most ambitious mashups I've ever heard. Also, a bootleg recording of Sonic the Hedgehog themes by the RSNO. It's got a version of the Star Light Zone theme that gives me as much unadulterated joy as my dog seems to get from farting on the couch.

Wob: This week, I have been mostly listening to Kerbdog. An Irish rock band from the distant 90's.

Sean: The long term passions of Chris Whitley, Man, The Beatles and King Crimson continue. At the moment I'm having sordid affairs with Bobby Conn, Mahler, Richard Thompson, Robert Fripp's 'Soundscapes' and the Prodigy. Also, surprisingly, listening to our own record quite a bit. Not sure if that's healthy.

Greig: Deftones are a daily must. The Mars Volta, Pantera, RX Bandits. I am listening to Elbow a lot too.

What can we expect to see/hear from you in 2011?

We're hoping to tour the album which we released on 24th December. There's also some new material which we're playing live. We may even get some more recording done but the priority is to get more people to hear the album.

Wrongnote - You've Got Some Optic Nerve

If you that sounds like your cup of tea then you can catch Wrongnote headling Nice & Sleazy on Saturday 16th April.

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We've Got It Covered #43

I am running a bit behind today, I am currently feeling just a little bit delicate after a few too many sherbets last night. Thankfully though we have this little nugget to help ease the pain, it's Amber Wilson, a young lady from Aberdeen and her take on Band of Horses 'Detlef Schrempf'. If it tickles your fancy then you catch her in the flesh this Thursday at the Captains Rest, where she's supporting Endor, alongside Randolph's Leap and Esperi.


Amber Wilson - Detlef Schrempf (Band of Horses cover)

Win tickets to see Bombay Bicycle Club, FOUND and Seventeenth Century

It's been a while since we last had a competition on the blog, but now thanks to Miller I have the chance for you to win tickets for Bombay Bicycle Club's sold-out gig at Oran Mor in Glasgow next Wednesday (30th March). The gig is part of the next instalment of the Miller Filtered Music series, which has previously featured Doves and Ash.

Support on the evening comes from two of my favourite bands in Scotland at the moment FOUND and The Seventeenth Century. Having caught FOUND at the Captains Rest just a few weeks back, I can vouch that they put on a cracking live show, that and their new album Factorcraft is already one of my top albums of the year so far. As for The Seventeenth Century, I think they're arguably the finest live band in Scotland in the moment, they currently seem to be getting pretty big over in the Netherlands. I wonder if that makes the Netherlands the new Japan...

By now you're probably thinking I wish he'd get to the point and get to the question, well in order to be lucky enough to win a pair of tickets courtesy of Miller Filtered Music, all you have to do is answer this simple question:

In which Scottish City are the band FOUND based?

A) Glasgow
B) Edinburgh
C) Aberdeen

Send your answers, name and contact info to me at peenkoblog@gmail.com with 'Bombay Bicycle Club Ticket Competition' in the subject line.

The closing date for the competition will be this Monday 28th @ 7pm.

You can become a fan of Miller Filter Filtered Music on their Facebook page, that way you can keep up with the very latest news and updates about the gig on March 30th, as well as to watch videos and download free tracks.

Due to the age restrictions at Oran Mor this is competition is open to over-18s only.
Terms & Conditions

Please drink sensibly. Drinkaware.co.uk for the facts.


FOUND - Let Fidelity Break

The Seventeenth Century - Young Francis

Friday Freebies

King Post Kitsch
I know I have said this umpteen times before, but I'll say it again. I am very fucking excited about the forthcoming King Post Kitsch album. If his new EP, 'Some Call It Hell, But It's Home' is anything to go by then I am pretty sure I won't be disappointed. You too can feel the excitement by downloading the EP for free here.

Tiny Birds
I always find the best way to find out about new music is through recommendations from my peers, this little freebie came courtesy of our friend DC from the Waiting Room who tipped me off about Tiny Birds. Their new album sounds quintessentially English, it reminds a wee bit of Jeremy Warmsley's first album, no bad thing in my eyes or should that be ears? Either way you can download the album and make your own mind up.

The Darien Venture
It's been a pretty exciting week for The Darien Venture, they've been signed up by exciting new Glagsow label, Overlook Records. To celebrate this momentous occasion they're giving away 'The Back to the Future EP' for free download on their Bandcamp.

Francis Macdonald
Teenage Fanclub drummer Francis Macdonald, has just released posted "Maculate Conceptions"an instrumental album that he recorded on his MacBook computer during the Fannies European tour in Nov/Dec 2010, up for free on his Bandcamp page.

Animal Collective
In anticipation of their forthcoming ATP curation, Animal Collective have posted a mixtape featuring an array of talent, which includes songs from various artists including Beach House, Meat Puppets, Spectrum, The Frogs and of course Animal Collective. You can download it here.

Battles
The NYC experimental outfit have a free download of their new song, 'Ice Cream' up for grabs on their homepage.

FOUND
Ever wondered what FOUND covering the Quantum Leap theme tune might sound like, no me neither, but now thanks to the wonders of the internet you can. Download it here.

Pumajaw
Perth's finest, have made their new single 'Mask' free to download on their homepage. Describing themselves as being 'quite dark and cinematic but with a pop sensibility', a far better summation than I would have come up with. They will be playing King Tuts on the 25th of April, in support of the physical release of the single.

The Raveonettes
KEXP have a free download of a new tune from The Raveonettes, you'll find 'Forget That You’re Young' here.

Bill Callahan
Taken form his forthcoming new album, Apocalypse, Smog main man's new song 'Baby's Breath' is free to download over on Stereogum

The Big Nowhere
The Glasgow alt-folkers have made their new EP, 'Things We Lost In The Flood' available to download for free on their Soundcloud page.

Dropkick
Scottish alt-folk power pop outfit, Dropkick have a whole load of albums up for free download here.

Throwing Muses
You can download acoustic versions of songs from Rat Girl as performed by Throwing Muses here.

Jonnie Common
Inspector Tapehead member and all round talented fella, Jonnie Common, has posted up a wee remix for free download on his Bandcamp

Jump: Press A
Edinburgh rock outfit, Jump: Press A, have made their new EP, 'In Case Of Emergency' available to download for free on Bandcamp. You can see the band playing live when they support Scrap Brain at their single launch on the 8th April at Maggies Chamber in Edinburgh.


There will be no Friday Freebies next week as I am out at gigs on Wednesday and Thursday night, sorry kids. On the plus side that does mean a double roll over for next week.

North Atlantic Oscillation - Marc Riley Session (23/03/11)

Track Listing

1. Cell Count
2. 77 Hours
3. Jesus Was A Crossmaker (Judee Sill cover)
4. Alexanderplatz

Download

Scottish DIY Labels #17 - Flowers In The Dustbin

Would you care to introduce yourself?

We are Flowers In The Dustbin. I am Stephen McKee.


What inspired you to start your own label?

Kick To Kill. And a conviction that we shouldn't spend the rest of our lives waiting from someone from London to tell us our music was worthy. Create your own revolution.


Who do you have signed to your label?

Currently: Nevada Base, For Abel, Mummy Short Arms, Kick To Kill, The Echo Session, The Ex-men, Tatyana.


Being based in Scotland do you only sign Scottish artists?

Flowers has no boundaries!


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

It's a religion.


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

Inspiration.


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

There are 3 criteria: great songs, great live, and great people. Must have all 3! We usually ask them to play at one of the Flowers nights.


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

The label exists to promote music we believe in. So every time a track gets played or reviewed, or we see people discovering the band at gigs, we're inspired. Success? There have been loads of high points. Some of Kick To Kill's reviews were rightly euphoric. The Echo Sessions half page in The Sun, and day's coverage of the second 'bank job' on Real Radio when they played gigs outside RBS branches to promote Fred Goodwin baiting single 'Tell Me'. Hearing Nevada Base on the radio the other day. Daytime radio play? Bless 6 Music.
But my personal conviction is that our greatest successes are still to come. 'Cigarette Smuggling', the forthcoming single from Mummy Short Arms, is a personal anthem. It's the kind of song that reaffirms your belief that living is indeed good! The For Abel album 'Greater Inventions' is magnificent. A joy akin to the Stone Roses debut album, though it's influences are more post punk. Nevada Base should clearly be broadcast directly into workplaces by legislation on an hourly basis. And Kick To Kill are the first genuine contenders I've heard to follow the lineage of Velvet Underground, Stooges, Joy Division, Jesus and Mary Chain. The Echo Session's album is a Glaswegian Sergeant Peppers, as if the Kinks had been born and bred in Glasgow.


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 for the right reasons - love of the music you are promoting. And don't be a bullshitter.


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

The most exciting music known to us! That is likely to include releases from Nevada Base, For Abel, Mummy Short Arms, Kick To Kill, The Echo Session and more! Our 6th commandment is: BE REASONABLE - DEMAND GENIUS. If you fit the criteria, tell us! But whatever we release, it will be the the antidote to most of the drivel force fed on the public by the media. It's an obvious target, but nonsense like the Xfactor and The Brits are a national disgrace. Don't accept the bland that confronts you every day. We're at the outset of a dreadful repeat of the 80's Tory nightmare. Too many people made a terrible mistake voting to disenfranchise themselves. They can keep the parliament, we demand the airwaves! The revolution is NOW!

FLOWERS PLAYLIST Feb 2011 by Flowers In The Dustbin

Flowers In The Dustbin
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Broken Records - World Cafe Session (23/03/11)

Track Listing
1. You Know You're Not Dead
2. I Used To Dream
3. A Darkness Rises Up
4. Home
5. The Motorcycle Boy Reigns

Download

Scots Way-Hay #52 - Le Reno Amps

The one thing I love about Le Reno Amps is the fact that I really don't know what they're going to do next. For the past the few weeks I have been listening to their forthcoming album 'Appetite' on heavy rotation, each time I listen to I have been racking my brains as to how the hell I was going to write up this introduction piece, a nigh on impossible task as these boys aren't for being pigeon holed. One minute they sound like a psychedelic Beach Boys jamming with Apples In Stereo, then the next minute they're strumming out some country western numbers. It's a rollercoaster ride and a half, I can assure you. Although I must admit that on first listen I couldn't quite get my head round it all, but as Al from the band put it quite aptly, Le Reno Amps are like Marmite, you'll either love 'em or hate 'em. Round these parts we're feeling the love...

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Scott Maple (SM): We prefer being introduced like, but if we must, Scott Maple and Al Nero - the future, today.

Al Nero (AN): Hello.

How would you describe the music you make?

SM: Very good.

AN: Very.

How did you come together as a band?

SM: We had our own bands, but were asked to get together and write some songs for a PRS event. We duly did this, appearing as an acoustic duo with some songs built (in the main) around country harmonies.

AN: Thirds and perfect fifths, it's in the game.

How did you start out making music?

SM: I bought a guitar from somebody in High School. I learnt to play by listening to (mainly) American punk and playing along. I started making up my own riffs and melodies. When I moved to Aberdeen I knew exactly one person, so I had a lot of spare time and wrote some songs.

AN: Yeah, similar story for me; got guitar, made a riff, made a song, made a lot of love to a lot of beautiful women.

What process goes into the way you write songs?

SM: First of all I centre myself by feeling the earth beneath my feet. I then create a white cord of energy that goes from the base of my spine up through the top of my head to my soul (which is about 1 to 3 feet above my head). I pull all of my energy into the core or Sushumna (the white pillar of light that runs through the middle of the body, about 6 inches in front of the spine), and centre my consciousness in the head centre. I visualise myself inside the core, I become the core, then I go have a shit.

AN: Thirds and perfect fifths, it's in the game.

Who are your big musical influences?

SM: Soooo much stuff, but I guess Cake and Beck got me interested in country / folk / harmonies and that was probably the starting point for Le Reno Amps' music.

AN: Fiddler on the Roof.

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

SM: Not much to be honest, not musically at least.

AN: I think a sense of belonging to a place does have an influence but we've never been one's for gushing patriotism, especially musically.

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

SM: High energy, excellent songs, a connection with the audience, excellent songs, good humour, excellent songs, never the same show twice. Did I mention excellent songs?

AN: Come to our shows if you want to get Charlie Sheened.

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

SM: Someone asked me that the other day and we've done so many it's a bit of a blur. I remember once me and Al travelled for 2 hours to do a gig, the band who's gig it was had pulled out but failed to tell us. They hadn't advertised and we played to literally one man and a dog. That was pretty bad, but hey, we just love to play!

AN: Sanctuary Scotland. Priesthill. Carpark. What a day.

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

SM: We're about to put out our new album, 'Appetite', which we put a lot of time into. We're going to play some gigs to promote that, make people aware of its fabulousness. As for the year beyond, we're in the very early stages of writing songs for a new project, and of course the next Le Reno Amps album.

AN: What are we doing another one? I better have a sit down.

Le Reno Amps new album 'Appetite' is released on Monday 18th April 2011. A limited version (cunningly named, 'Appetite for Construction') shall see the full album released alongside a free exclusive 6-track digital EP, Construction. The limited version is available for Pre-order now on Bandcamp.

The band officially launch the album at Captains Rest, Glasgow on Thursday 21st April. Support on the evening comes from The Douglas Firs, Super Adventure Club and Galoshins. Oooft that's a line up and a half, tickets are only £5, so no excuses for non-attendance.

Le Reno Amps - I'm Alive

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Roddy Woomble - 6 Music Session (22/03/11)

Track Listing
1. Roll Along
2. Work Like You Can

Download

Craig B (The Unwinding Hours) - Glasgow Podcart Session

As I am sure that most of you are well aware, I am pretty good friends with the Glasgow Podcart crew. So last week I sent them a cheeky wee email asking if they could send me the MP3s of a session they recorded with Craig B from The Unwinding Hours, they were kind enough to oblige and they even said I could share the songs with all of you. Ain't that kind of them! Recorded in Halina from the Podcart's living room, the session is up to stream now on this weeks podcast. It also features a wee interview with Craig, which is well worth a listen. You can listen back to it and watch the videos here.

Track Listing
1. Burning River
2. Wayward
3. Annie Jane

Download

Fresh Meat Monday - New Town Triptych

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Hello there, we’re New Town Triptych. We’re a Glasgow-based band made up of Scott Thomson, Corran McArthur and Stephen Sloane.


How would you describe the music you make?

We’d probably call it acoustic-folk-pop-rock, since we don’t really stick to just the one type of music all the time. We play acoustic instruments and like to put nice 3-part harmonies into our songs when they’re needed.


How did you start out making music?

Scott and Stephen played in a band called Zeus Forte about 8 years ago and later Corran and Scott were in a band called Empires. However, those bands eventually ended so the 3 of us started this project about a year ago. We began by just playing other people's songs we liked and took it from there.


What process goes into the way you write songs?

It usually starts with a lot of staring at the wall, then looking at guitars, then the ground, then each other, and then staring at the wall again... Eventually, Scott comes up with some chords and a melody, takes that to Corran and Stephen, and if they like it, then they’ll all start to develop it into a song.


What can people expect from your live shows?

We try to make the kind of music that’s interesting and entertaining, we don’t want our songs to be difficult to listen to. We appreciate good musicians, good music and songs that are put together properly, so we try to bring those ideals to our own shows in the hope that everyone listening will enjoy it. We want every show to be the best one we’ve ever done.


What are you all listening to at the moment?

Verse Metrics, Rocky Votolato, The Low Anthem, Broken Bells, The New Pornographers, The Happy Particles, the list goes on.


What can we expect to see/hear from you in 2011?

We just released our self-produced debut single called "Just How You Designed", available from all good digital download stores, and we launched it at the City Hall’s Recital Room in Glasgow on the 4th Feb, which was great! Next up for us will be more gigs, probably around the west coast, and then back to the studio for the follow up single which we expect to be released in the summer. Keep an eye out for us at the West End Festival in June too.

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Gigs, News and Sunday night blues

I am going to start this post by apologising to anyone who might be waiting for a reply email from me. Normally I am pretty on top of my inbox, but this weekend I have succumbed to the dreaded man flu, so much of today has been spent lying on the couch feeling sorry for myself. It's pretty safe t say that today hasn't been the best of days. Thanks to me overdosing on Lemsip I have 'manned up' and will stop moaning so I can get this post done. I did say recently that there would be some random gig/new posts cropping up every so often, so being true to my word here's some news and a few good gigs coming your way over the next month or so...


First up we have a wee shindig being put on at the Captains Rest at the end of the month featuring the pop-tastic Endor, Olive Grove's very own Randolph's Leap & Esperi, plus Amber Wilson, who I have heard a lot of good things about but have yet to see her live. The gig is being put on as a VS night by Pelmet Nights and Gathering Whispers, if past performances are anything to go by this should be a great evening.

If you're in a band and you're thinking about applying to play at this years goNorth Festival and you haven't already done so, then you best get your finger out as submissions close at the end of this week. I know I have raved about this event before, but it really was great fun for me last year, I learned a lot, drank far too much and I even got to meet Mimi from Shameless. By meet I of course mean 'saw', as she was signing autographs in Poundland, classy as fuck.



Promoters, No Dancing are continuing to step away from the norm and bring together an array of amazing bands that you wouldn't normally see on the same bill. Last time round they had Bronto Skylift and Withered Hand. This time round they've brought together Peenko favourites The Scottish Enlightenment, Miaoux Miaoux and Male Pattern Band for a cracking evening of music. It takes place on Saturday 9th of April at The Admiral Bar and it's only £5, bargain.

It's been a while since I mentioned Pin Up Nights, so I thought it was about time that I gave the night a wee plug. This coming Friday they've lined up some stellar bands in Milk, Sonic Hearts Foundation and Galleries, plus there will be all the usual shenanigans that makes the night so much fun. Find out more over on their homepage, also if you've got a minute check out their fanzine which is always a pretty good read.


The fabulous Washington Irving make a welcome return next month with the release of their new single 'Abbey Gallop'. Out on the 25th of April, the band are heading off on a massive UK tour to support the release of the single, this includes a number of Scottish dates this April:

2nd Edinburgh - Sneaky Petes
5th Glasgow - Captains Rest
6th Dundee - Dexters
7th Aberdeen - Snafu
8th Stornoway - Jager Rooms
9th Inverness - Coel Mor
10th Aviemore - Old Bridge Inn
26th Glasgow - Love Music in store
28th Communion Glasgow Launch @ Stereo

You can stream a live version of the B-side to the single, French Leave below.

French Leave - Live session on Radio 1 by Washington Irving

Continuing on from Fridays video post, the awesome Detour boys have continued to post up their video diaries, make sure you check out this wee video of Withered Hand, Kid Canaveral, Errors, Twin Atlantic, Admiral Fallow and The Twilight Sad. They also made this mind blowingly good video that I'd urge to check out...

Edinburgh outfit, Scrap Brain who caused a bit of a controversy a few months back when they aired their opinions on the 'anti-folk' scene in their home town. There's nothing like a good bit of contention to get yourself noticed, so with the grunge-punk trio set to release their debut single, ‘Nal’, at a launch gig on Friday 8th April it's going to be pretty interesting to see what kind of reception they get. The gig takes place at Maggies Chamber, with support from the much lauded Lady North, Jump: Press A and Art of Privilege.
The single was recorded at Verden Studios and is being promoted by New Found Sound as part of the band’s development deal awarded to them for being judged the best band of the 2010 ‘Friday Night Live at Frankenstein’s’ competition. Tickets for the gig are available in advance for £3 from TicketWeb or from Scrap Brain, and will be available on the door for £5. Doors for the gig open at 7:30pm. I wonder how many folkies will make it along...

Lastly, a small group of undergraduate students from Heriot-Watt’s Scottish Borders Campus are organising a music event in Edinburgh to raise money for MS Society Scotland.

The band night entitled ‘Gig for MS’ will showcase three up-and-coming Scottish bands from both the Edinburgh and Glasgow music scene: ‘My Tiny Robots’, ‘Ghost Ride the Whip’ and ‘Chris Hunter’, with a DJ playing until late. The night will be held at Edinburgh’s ‘Electric Circus’ located at 36 Market Street - on Wednesday the 6th of April 2011. Doors will open at 7.30pm with tickets being sold on the door at £5 each. All proceeds will be donated to MS Society Scotland. Further details can be found here.

We've Got It Covered #43

I know that I posted a link to download this song in yesterdays Friday Freebies, but as I am sure that it would have passed a number of you by I thought I'd post it again today, just in case you missed it. Earlier in the week legendary hip-hop artist, Nate Dogg, passed away. I am not going to bullshit you and pretend that I was a massive fan or anything like that, but it does make me sad when folk die young. As a wee tribute, Edinburgh's finest, The Last Battle have posted up their cover of 'Regulate', it's free to download on their Bandcamp or you could just click on the link below.

The Last Battle - Regulate (Warren G & Nate Dogg Cover)

Everything Is Big in Texas...A Video Roundup of Sorts

I am sure I am not alone in being the only one who's a little bit envious of all of those lucky folk who are currently sunning it up at this years SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. I must admit that I have been trying to avoid Twitter as much as I can over the past few days, purely because the more I read, the more jealous I get. This evening though I finally succumbed, thanks to the awesome Peej Reid who runs the Dear Scotland website who sent me this video of King Creosote covering 'And Another Thing!!' with Kid Canaveral as his backing and. I think Peej sums up my feelings for this video perfectly, "I was out last night and I kept thinking that if Peenko were here he would be shitting his pants". I am almost certain that if I had seen this in the flesh then the chances of me soiling myself would have been pretty damn high.

It really does feel as if the whole of the Scottish music industry has decamped to Austin, to show America how it's done. If you want to get a better idea of the festival is all about, then you should really check out the Video Diaries from Detour Scotland and Song By Toad, both of whom have been posting up their daily adventures.

SXSW 2011 Day 1 Video Diary from Song, by Toad on Vimeo.

I think that's enough SXSW chat for one evening, but that's not where the video fun stops kids! I am not sure if I have mentioned this on the blog before, but the first and only release on Peenko Records, I Build Collapsible Mountains has moved on to bigger things. Much bigger things in fact, he's signed up with US label Burning Building Recordings who will be releasing a new EP next month. If this video is anything to go by, then we're in for a bit of treat.
Also, as a few folk have asked about Peenko Records, at the moment things on that front have been put on hold for now as all of my attention is being put into Olive Grove, for now at least.

I Build Collapsible Mountains - U.S. EP promo. from Luke Joyce on Vimeo.

The last video of the night comes courtesy of The Lafontaines, who have posted their new 'Come Dine' with me inspired video for a track called 'Stop it now' to coincide with Comic Relief. They're trying to raise £100 by the end of the day, so get watching then show them your support.

Friday Freebies

TV On The Radio
Brooklyn's finest release their new album 'Nine Types Of Light' next month, having blown me away with their last album 'Dear Science', I must admit to being just a little bit excited about this one. They're currently giving away new song “Caffeinated Consciousness” in exchange for your email address.

PAWS
Having blown several folk away at their EP launch a few weeks back, those awesome PAWS boys have posted up a live bootleg of a show they last year at Stereo in Glasgow. As if that wasn't enough they've also posted the rest of their releases to date (excluding their new EP, The Mermaid) up for free download too. The boys will be returning to the scene of the crime tomorrow as they're playing with The Babies and Schnapps at Stereo.

Kowalskiy
Our good mate Kowalskiy has just released 9th free monthly EP, bloody hell 9th? How time flies by, this month he's got another corker in store for you. If you fancy five free songs from some of the most exciting emerging artists in Scotland, then look no further. This month he has roped in Night Noise Team, Rose Parade, Chasing Owls, Two Zebras and The Mouse That Ate The Cat.

The Last Battle
As a tribute to the untimely passing of Nate Dogg, those lovely Edinburgh folkies The Last Battle have posted up their cover of Warren G & Nate Dogg's classic, 'Regulate'

Penguins Kill Polar Bears
Another Edinburgh band trying their hand a cover version are those rocktastic Penguins Kill Polar Bears kids who have covered PJ Harveys 'This Is Love', rather nifty it is too.

Andrew Lindsay & the Coat Hooks
A few weeks back I got sent the forthcoming EP by Andrew Lindsay & the Coat Hooks, to my discredit I didn't get round to listening to it properly until just a couple of days ago. Having given it the once over I must admit that I was pretty damn impressed, then again if you rope in are Loch Awe's Matthew Healy, Shambles Miller and Reverie to appear on an EP, then you're certainly onto a winner there. The EP, The Whittling, comes out on Monday coming through new Scottish DIY label, After the Hush, founded by former Stereokill editor Marcus Kernohan. As a wee taster they've very kindly made "Bearded Author" from it available for free download.

Skies Fell
The Glasgow rock outfit have now added a hidden bonus track to their single 'Statues', which is free to download on Bandcamp.

Toro Y Moi
Here's one for you hipsters, KEXP have a free download of“New Beat” by Toro Y Moi from the 2011 album Underneath The Pine.

Bear Driver
I am trying my best to avoid mentioning what's going on in Austin at the moment, purely out of jealousy I might add. One such band that are out wowing the good folk of Texas are the awesome Bear Driver, who have posted their Fugitive EP up for free download to celebrate this momentous event for them.

Neil Milton
Scots artist Neil Milton who is now based out in Poland has a new EP which is up for free download though Valentine Records, you can find it here.

Waterson
Glasgow electronica artist from has made his new single 'When You Tell Me That You Love Me' which was remixed by UK House legend, Ashley Beedle, available to download for free on Soundcloud.