Friday Freebies

Gargleblast Records
Back at Christmas time those nice folk over at Gargleblast Records got right into the festive spirit by giving away a series of freebies, now they've decided to do it all again under the guise of Springfest. So far they've posted up three free downloads, 'There's a Phantom Hiding in My Loft' by Martin John Henry, 'Black Albino' by Desert Hearts and 'It Helps to See You Hurt' (live) by De Rosa.



Seams
The award for this weeks hottest new Scottish band goes to Seams, or at least that's what the word on the street/Internet appears to be. The Dundee five piece seemed to have gotten a lot of people very excited with their recent appearance at King Tut's, Muslim the producer on Ally McCrae's Radio One show can't stop raving about them. For me the jury is still out, from what I have heard they've got some pretty catchy pop tunes, whether they justify all of the hype I am not sure. You can make your own mind up by grabbing a couple of free downloads from their SoundCloud page.

  8 by Seams

Father Figure Records Compilation  
As soon as I think I've finished writing these Freebie posts I tend to find someone posts up another cracking free download just as I have gone to bed. Thankfully though in the nick of time, one last Facebook check has alerted me to a cracking free download from Father Figure Records, which features none other than those fabulous Trapped In Kansas boys, plus some free tunes from the likes of Three Trapped Tigers and Tall Ships.




Penfold 
Naming yourself after Danger Mouse's bespectacled hamster sidekick automatically gets you bonus points in my eyes. As does posting stuff up for free download, which is exactly what Livingtson four piece, Pendfold have just done with their new self titled single which you can find on their Bandcamp page.



HelloVideo
Dundee trio, HelloVideo have just posted up their new EP 'Reset' for free download on their Bandcamp page. The band remind me of a more poppy version of Rival Schools, so if that sounds like it might be your cup of tea then check 'em out. The three piece will also be playing at the innaugural Brew At The Bog festival on the 5th of May in Inverness.




Mt. Judge
This freebie tip came courtesy of a Happy Particles post on Facebook, if you are fan of ambient or drone music, then Glasgow outfit Mt. Judge might just be for you. Their new EP, Not Always is free to download on Bandcamp, plus if you like what you hear then for juts £2 you can buy a copy on cassette.



Without Aeroplanes
If you're a connoseur of post rock, then you might want to check out Glasgow instrumental outfit, Without Aeroplanes. Fresh from recording their new EP at Lofi Studios, the 5 piece have posted up their new EP 'Tell Me Tales of Canada' on their Bandcamp page on a pay what you want basis.

A wee valentines gift to you all

I find your lack of Valentine's cards disturbing...

After the rather exciting announcement on Twitter that De Rosa have decided to get back together to record new material, I bet you you were all thinking that today really couldn't get any better. Well it can and it just did as Randolph's Leap have a wee Valentine's gift to share with you all, a little lovey-dovey song entitled 'Dying In My Sleep'. The track is taken from their forthcoming album, 'The Curse of the Haunted Headphones' which comes out next Monday (20th), which will be available on very limited edition cassette and download on Peenko Records, which I have brought back from the grave especially for this release). The band are also doing a couple of album launch nights in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Tomorrow night they'll be through in the Capital doing a wee Song, by Toad House Gig alongside Molly Nilsson who hails from Manchester. As this is a house gig, tickets for this one are very limited but you may still be able to pick one up here. Then on Saturday they'll be back at the Captain's Rest for a gig that I am putting on, which is doubling as the album release and as a fundraiser for an EP which they're going into the studio to record later this month. Support for the gig comes from Kith & Kin and Donna Maciocia, plus we also have a very special guest who won't be announced until the day of the gig (to give you a wee clue it's someone that I really really like). Tickets for the gig are only £5, plus it will be your first opportunity to get your hands on one of the limited edition cassettes, seeing as there are only 30 copies there shouldn't many left to sell online.As a wee taster you can download Dying In My Sleep below, I hope you like it as much as I do...

Martin John Henry - Vic Galloway Session (14/11/11)

Track Listing
1. Span
2. Ribbon On A Bough
3. Cody (Mogwai cover)

Download

We've Got It Covered #26

I must apologise for the lateness of my posts in the couple of days, it's been a busy old week and the Tea Party on Thursday night disrupted my normal schedule some what. Boy was it worth it though, if you haven't been to the Hidden Lane Cafe before I'd urge you to make the effort to hunt it down. You have no idea how nice it was to have the smell of freshly baked cakes wafting around a venue as opposed to the normal smelly BO and farts. It went so well that we plan to do another one in the new year, provided that Kirsty who owns the place, lets us back. I think we were all pretty well behaved, apart from Boab who knocked a shed load of pretty cup cakes over.

Anyway, enough of what I've been up to this week on with this weeks cover version, which comes from former De Rosa frontman, Martin John Henry. I am pretty sure that I have bored you before with how sad I was to see his old band call it a day, on the plus side though Martin has been busy working away on his debut album, which is due out some time next year. If the demos that he's been posting up are anything to go by then we should be in for a treat.
Until then you can wet your appetite with this cover of Tom Waits 'Rain Dogs'.


Martin John Henry - Rain Dogs (Tom Waits cover)

Weekly Round Up (15/08/10)

Monday - Calamateur brought some Fresh Meat to the Peenko BBQ
Tuesday - esteemed author Rodge Glass did some Community Service as he introduced as to the Year of Open Doors. Plus some Boab revived his 62-Word Review, fuck me that's 4 posts in under a year.
Wednesday - the fabulous The Social Services took the time out to answer some questions for me, making them the 28th entry into the Scots Way-Hay club
Thursday - the first stream of my antics on Fresh Air alongside David from Kid Canaveral, the Son(s) compared it to a Scottish version of Loose Women, a pretty apt description I reckon.
There was also a session from Louise McVey and the Cracks in the Concrete
Friday - Freebies, Freebies, loads of fucking Freebies!!!!
Saturday - Franz Ferdinand's took on Britney Spears 'Womanizer' in We've Got It Covered


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

The Scottish Enlightenment return to live action this week with a cracking wee gig in the capital, on Thursday (19th August) night they play at Henry's Cellar Bar. They're playing as a three piece, with an emphasis on the old acoustic guitar. Fair do's you might well think, but you'd be wrong, oh so wrong, keep reading kids. On the night they will be joined by their good friend Dan Lyth who will be helping us them out on stage and also playing his own set. In addition to this they have Debutant joining them to play an acoustic set (apparently his loop pedal is broken), and to top it all off they have also roped in former De Rosa front man, Martin John Henry, to come along and 'busk some songs'. So to recap you have The Scottish Enlightenment, Dan Lyth, Debutant and Martin John Henry all for the bargain sum of £5. It all kick off at 8pm, and it's arguably one of the finest line ups you'll see in August.


If you are looking for something to do on Tuesday (17th) night and you live in Glasgow, then the place to be seems to be Mono in Glasgow, as Steve Mason formerly of the Beta Band, is doing a free show. It all kicks off at 7pm, it's an acoustic performance and you're advised to get down nice and early as it will probably be pretty busy.

Festive Freebies

I know I said there would be no more Friday Freebies this year, well to get round this I have gone with Festive Freebies as to be honest there are far too many cracking tracks out there that I had to share them.

Kid Canaveral
Having stalked the Canaverals for over a year now, it would be fair to say that I am just ever so slightly excited about their forthcoming album. After listening to their new song 'Good Morning', which they are giving away as a wee taster of what's to come, I think you will be to. Just head on over to their Bandcamp page and download yourself a copy of one of the catchiest pop songs you'll hear all year.

Martin John Henry/De Rosa
The ex-De Rosa frontman has put up a copy of his old band's Christmas variation of one of their songs, 'Under The Stairs (Christmas Reverie)'. You can enjoy this festive treat here

Broken Bells
Broken Bells, the collaboration between Danger Mouse James Mercer, have released their debut single "The High Road" for free and it is available to download here.

Olo Worms
The Fence Collective's Olo Worms are giving away all of their back catalogue for you to download for free, just head over here.

Y’all is Fantasy Island
The greatest band to come from Falkirk since Arab Strap are making a re-appearance in 2010, having been somewhat prolific in 2008 (they released a whopping four albums), 2009 was a fairly quiet year. 2010 looks like they'll be back with a bang, to kick the year off they've put their single 'Play On the Weekend’s Sunny Days' up to download for nada here.

Jack James
Glasgow singer/songwriter Jack James recently launched his debut album, 'Lights off, headphones on', which he's very kindly put out as a free download (although I am pretty sure you can buy a physical copy if you like that sort of thing. You can get yourself a free download here.

Warp
The pioneering indie label are giving away a selection of their 'Hottest Acts For 2010' over at the Guardian, their hot tips for this year include Nice Nice, The Hundreds in the Hands and Gonjasufi, check them out here.

SubPop
Sub Pop release have put a few free downloads showcasing what to expect from their releases in Jan/Feb, just right click and save the link. Here you go; The Album Leaf "Falling From The Sun", Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni ba "Muscow", Retribution Gospel Choir "Hide It Away", AFCGT "Two-Legged Dog" and Beach House "Norway" (yes I know I have already featured this, but somebody might have missed it, plus it's good enough to feature twice).

Cats and Cats and Cats
The London Post-Rockers are giving away a cop of their festive song 'If I'd had antlers' here.

Julia and the Doogans
If you didn't sign up their mailing list as I recommended a while back, then get your finger oot and you'll get yourself a free MP3 of their song 'Glasgow'. They have also put up a new song called 'Maps of the World' up to download for free, it's only available until Boxing Day, so no dilly dalying about, go get it here.

Peenko vs Martin John Henry

It's been about six months or so since the demise of De Rosa, a sad loss to the Scottish music scene, thankfully though we have not seen the last of them. Lead singer Martin John Henry has gone solo and is currently demoing new material which should hopefully see the light of day some time in 2010. I caught up with (stalked) Martin at one of his recent gigs and he very kindly took the time out to answer some questions for me, here's the results....


It's been a few months since the De Rosa split, what have you been up to?

I’ve been tending to my personal life, enjoying a break from making music. De Rosa had been going hard at it for a few years and it was nice to step back for a few months. I’ve been listening to a lot of music rather than writing loads, thinking about how to approach this new solo project.

I really don't want to beat about the bush, so what brought about the demise of De Rosa?
I really believe that De Rosa had run its course. We had worked with such rigour during the making of our two main albums that it was disheartening for us to see them go largely unnoticed. There was a bit of tension within the band at the end of our last tour supporting Doves and it just seemed to show that we were all really tired of it all. By the time we all sat down to talk about things, I think each of us had already decided to call it a day.

Do you find it more liberating working on your own, or do you miss the team spirit that you can get in band?
I miss the band a lot. When it was good it was the greatest time of my life. Being in a band is like having a family around you, people who you trust that can inspire you to be your creative best. Every one of those guys put their own stamp on the demos I brought, taking the music to a place that belonged to the collective, not just myself. The thing is, that band was the only band I had ever been in, and my only experiences of making music had been in that setup. It’s exciting to take on the challenge of creating something on my own, seeing things through from the original idea to the finished recording.

Have you been writing much new material?
I’ve been writing for an album. I think I have about three quarters of it written, but there are a few songs still to come. Andy Miller - who recorded all the De Rosa stuff – will be recording it. I’ve played a few solo gigs in Scotland recently, just to get that first hurdle out of the way. It gave me the chance to try out some new material.

If so, what likelihood is there that we'll see any of it being released?
Anything that I think is good enough to be put out will be released in some form or other. I’m going to do a few DIY releases before the album is finished. I was thinking that these will be short run singles that I’ll sell through my own websites – quickly made, home recorded stuff, you know? I’m going to spend some time making the artwork interesting for these. The main album will be recorded at Gargleblast Studios in Hamilton, and I’m planning for it to be out in autumn 2010.

Have Chemikal Underground/Gargleblast expressed any interest in doing something with you?
Yes. These are early days and I hope to work with both labels again at some point.

What would you is your biggest inspiration in your song writing?
The trigger for composing something new often comes from listening to other people’s music, although other things, personal stuff, bits of language, photographs etc, can be the inspiration behind the words. I was thinking recently that the way I experienced music in my teens - through headphones, where you are placed right in the centre of the recording – is what made me want to make my own recorded music. I think that’s why I enjoy the recording part so much. The record that inspired me to pick up my guitar again after De Rosa was Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle by Bill Callahan, which is a fantastic sounding album. “Working through death’s pain” – what an inspiring line. The music that’s currently exciting me is the album Actor by St Vincent.

Do you find that you tend to come up with lyrics or the music first?
Music every time, but I think it’s more romantic to say that you write lyrics first. Although, I often write lists of titles and choose the most inspirational as a starting point for the music.

You recently covered the Beatles 'Because', for Mojo Magazines 'Abbey Road' tribute, how did that come about?
Dave Henderson, the guy who puts all the Mojo CDs together is a fan of De Rosa, and had asked us to do something on a previous CD. We were away touring at the time and couldn’t contribute anything. He got back to me a couple of months later, after the band had split, and asked if I’d be interested in contributing to the Abbey Road CD. It was really nice of that guy to give me the chance to do this. Andy Miller made a great job of that recording, and it was one of the best studio experiences I’ve ever had.

Where and when can people catch you playing in the flesh?
I’m playing at Sick Kids Sunday at the GRV in Edinburgh on 31st January. Come and see me and help people that need it at the same time.

Lastly, are there any acts that you would recommend that I check out?
Right now I’d get both St Vincent albums if you don’t have them. Best thing I’ve heard in a long time.

Once again I would just like to thank Martin for taking the time out to answer my rambling questions, it was very much appreciated. Now get yourself over to his Bandcamp page and download his new song 'I Love Map', it's cracking. You can listen to it below if you don't believe me.



For even more stuff from Martin head on over to Elba Sessions where you can stream a session he recently recorded for them, do it, do it now.
Myspace
Bebo
Twitter

Peenko's Albums of 2009 #3 - De Rosa - Prevention

There has been a surge in the popularity of Scottish bands singing in their native accent, De Rosa not only did this, but they took it one step further, singing about the history of their where they grew up and how it effected the world around them. Essentially a modern folk album,' Prevention' touched upon taboo subjects such as domestic abuse and drink driving, crafting them into some of the most beautiful songs t0 have ever emerged from this wee country. De Rosa were my holiday romance of 2009, no sooner had I fallen in love then they where suddenly gone. The Lanarkshire quintet released 'Prevention' in March, before quietly announcing a few months later that they had split a few days before they were due to play a headline show in Glasgow. The album also features my favourite lyric of 2009, "desire crawls on my back like a rat, I doubt Rentokil handle that" from the song 'Pest', that line just kills me. Over time I believe that 'Prevention' will come to be recognised as a classic Scottish album, I am just thankful I managed to catch them before the honeymoon was over.

De Rosa - Pest
Home
Myspace

De Rosa - Unreleased Songs

I have been sitting with these songs ready to post for quite a while now, I was holding out for an appropriate story or the like to attach them to, alas that time has never come round so I have decided to just post them up on their own. A massive thanks goes out to Alan for sharing these tracks, without him this post would be nothing, nothing I tell you...

De Rosa - The Engineer
De Rosa - Arc

Chemikal Merchant

Sunday nights, for me the worst night of the week, that impending feeling of doom at the thought of having to go into work the next day can be a real killer. Sunday the 27th of September will be different though, as Martin John Henry, Lord Cut-Glass and Rick Redbeard (the Phantom Band) are playing a free gig at Bar Gandolfi as part of the Merchant City Festival. The gig should be pretty special in this intimate venue, withAlun Woodward performing songs from his excellent debut album under his Lord Cut Glass moniker, MJ Henry showcasing some of his new post-De Rosa material, and Rick 'Redbeard' Anthony adding his stripped back folk sounds to what promises to be a belter of an evening.

De Rosa - Appendices

"A project where a free specially written and recorded song is given away free by MP3 download on the first Monday of each month of 2008."

Track Listing
1. Appendix #1 - It Lives in Parks
2. Appendix #2 - Ore
3. Appendix #3 - Blisters (Dirty Version)
4. Appendix #4 - One Sixtieth of a Second/Too Late
5. Appendix #5 - The Sea Cup
6. Appendix #6 - Falling Water
7. Appendix #7 - Out to Play
8. Appendix #8 - Robin Song
9. Appendix #9 - Joyless
10. Appendix #10 - A Prelude to Entropic Doom
11. Appendix #11 - Community
12. Appendix #12 - To Early Days of Home

Download

Martin John Henry (ex-De Rosa) announces some dates

I am not sure if I emphasised enough how gutted I was when De Rosa split earlier this year, having only really 'discovered' them at the start of the year, it was like getting a new toy for Christmas then breaking it on Boxing Day.
Gutted as I was to hear of their demise, it was good to hear that lead singer Martin Henry would continue to make music, of which I have been keeping a keen ear listening to any demos he posted on his Myspace (sounding good it is too). Now he's announced some additional dates to the previously announced Chemikal Underground show in Aberdeen, they are as follows
The Captain's Rest on the 3rd of October, with a provisional date at the Merchant City Festival pencilled in for the 27th of September (TBC).
He's also just taken recorded a cover of ' Because' for 'Abbey Road Now' a 'the Beatles' covers album which is free with this months Mojo Magazine, which you can listen to or download below.

Martin John Henry - Because
Myspace

Sound as a pound

Bugger me, not since the days of following Symposium around the country, (yes Symposium, got a problem with that?!) have I felt any sort of urge to go to Aberdeen, until now that is.
As part of this years Sound, the North Easts new-ish Festival, Chemikal Underground are having a bit of a shin-dig up at the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen. This very special show will feature

The Phantom Band
Emma Pollock
Aidan Moffat
Martin John Henry (ex-De Rosa)

For all of the important details just click on the links where sensible folk will have written sensible things, unlike my ramblings.....

Tickets
Sound Festival
Myspace

Oh and if this sounds good to anyone outwith Aberdeen, then you get there cheap as chip on Megabus and Travel Lodge are doing hotels for £30 a night, just a thought.

De Rosa - Cathkin Braes (live at Tigerfest)

Martin Henry (De Rosa) - Pest (Acoustic)
Martin Henry (De Rosa) - Under The Stairs (Acoustic)

De Rosa - Nocturne For An Absentee

De Rosa pull out of Hinterland

"Due to unforseen personal circumstances, we regret that De Rosa will not be playing at Hinterland Festival in Glasgow this Thursday, or at the Plaff Festival in Granada, Spain this Saturday. This is the first time we have ever cancelled a gig, ever, and we sincerely apologise to the all promoters and organisers involved."

Bugger

Stag & Dagger News

Details of where all of the bands are playing has been announced, and now it looks as if the Twilight Sad are playing after all, here's hoping. there are some tough choices to be made, at the moment the Art School looks like the place to be, but then again so does the Captains Rest and Stereo, and then there's the 'Sad. Anyway, get your tickets, they're only a tenner, can't say fairer than that. (This infor was pinched of the Skinny website)

Glasgow School of Art: Meursault, White Denim, The Phantom Band, KONX-OM-PAX, Clark.

GSA - Vic Bar: Young Fathers, Lemonade, Joy Formidable, Record Playerz DJs, Art of Parties DJs.

Nice N Sleazy: Boycotts, Findo Gask, Cursive, Hot Club DJs.

Captain’s Rest: Over the Wall, Paper Planes, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, Dananananaykroyd, The Mae Shi, Huntleys and Palmers Audio Club DJs.

Stereo: Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers, De Rosa, BMX Bandits, The Aliens, Men & Machines, Optimo.

Classic Grand: Elvis Suicide, Gringo Star, Mika Miko, Black Lips.

ABC1: The Twilight Sad, Cold War Kids.

the Skinny

Stag & Dagger

the new De Rosa video - "Nocturne For An Absentee"

De Rosa - Vic Galloway Session (09/03/09)

Track Listing
1. Nocturne For An Absentee
2. Flight Recorder
3. Army Dreamers (Kate Bush cover)

Download

De Rosa - Marc Riley Session (10/03/09)

Track Listing
1. Nocturne For An Absentee
2. Love Economy
3. Flight Recorder

Download