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.