Bits and bobs

As I have previously mentioned I can't be doing with running my Weekly Roundup posts anymore, mainly cause it became too big a pain in the arse, that and I wanted to have least one day off from blogging. Not that I actually avoid my laptop as I am still emailing folk, this blogging malarkey certainly does take over your life. Not that I am complaining mind, if I didn't enjoy it I would have chucked it ages ago.

Once again I appear to have gone off on a bit of a tangent, the whole point of this post was to round up some bits of news that might be of interest to some of you.


First up, in case you had forgotten this Thursday , Kid Canaveral will be playing the first of their SXSW fund-raising gigs at Stereo in Glasgow. As it's me that's putting on the gig it would be great to see some friendly faces for the evening. It all kicks off at 7pm with support from Randolph's Leap and Martin John Henry, with OnTheFly spinning some tunes too. Tickets are available to buy now directly from the band.

Tomorrow will see the release of the new French Wives EP, 'Feel Safe Small', a cracking wee record it is too. To celebrate the release on their own new label, Red Hat Records, the band will be playing an instore gig at Love Music (formerly Avalanche) in Glasgow at 5pm. So you might want to speak to your boss about nipping away early from work to get along for this one as it's almost certain to be pretty packed.

French Wives - Covered in Grace by peenko

Last weekend when I was through in the Edinburgh I got the chance to visit the newly relocated, Avalanche Records. I was genuinely pretty impressed with their new premises, plus any record store that sells cupcakes gets an automatic win. On top of having all of that, the store is also hosting a number of 'Scottish label' weeks, sadly Olive Grove haven't been invited to the party yet, but we're working on it. Our friends over at Chaffinch Records are lined up for 21st February, and they'll be releasing a special 10-track compilation CD titled 'Woodlands' featuring exclusive tracks from the likes of The Second Hand Marching Band, Burnt Island, South Downs, Lucky Luke and Immigrant. Then to top it all off the week will culminate with an in-store gig from Peenko favourites, Burnt Island on Saturday the 26th at 3pm. Further details can be found over Chaffinch HQ.

Next Monday, the 28th, sees the release of the next in the series of Eli & Oz singles. Their next single is going to be with Glasgow band, Open Swimmer, and their single 'Sugar Bowl' which you can stream below.

Open Swimmer - Sugar Bowl by eliandoz

Scottish DIY Labels #7 - Chaffinch Records

Would you care to introduce yourself?

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

What inspired you to start your own label?

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


Who do you have signed to your label?

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

Being based in Scotland do you only sign Scottish artists?

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

South Downs - Something Inside


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

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

Burnt Island - Me and All My Friends Are Alright

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

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

Lucky Luke - Please Bomb Slough


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

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


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

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

Anthony Reynolds - For When You Were Young


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

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


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

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

Chaffinch Records