Gigs Gigs Gigs

It's been a while since I last did a news round up, but as per usual I wait until my inbox is close to bursting until I finally get my finger out and cram everything into one 'handy' post. Seeing as every man and his dog seems to be out playing gigs at the moment, I just wanted to share with you some excititng things that are happening that you might want to check out...

First off next Monday sees the releases of the second album from RM Hubbert's new album Thirteen Lost & Found, which comes out on Chemikal Underground. Featuring collaborations with an array of talented folk including Emma Pollock, Aidan Moffat and Alex Kapranos, it's sure to be an early contender for the end of year album polls. To celebrate the albums release Hubby is heading off on tour, kicking the whole thing off with a show at Stereo in Glasgow next Friday, which is very very close to selling out. So if you fancy heading along you'd be advised to get your tickets asap.

27th Jan - Stereo, Glasgow 
1st Feb - Bishop's Castle Town Hall, Bishop's Castle
2nd Feb - Cube, Bristol
3rd Feb - King's Place, London
7th Feb - Butterfly Cabinet, Newcastle

RM Hubbert - Nursery Recital (Vic Galloway Session)

It's not much of a secret that I am a big fan of Adam Stafford's last album, so it should come as no surprise that I am looking forward to catching him when he heads off on tour next month with Radio Trees (aka MJ of Zoey Van Goey/Aidan Moffat's Best Ofs fame). The short tour at the end of February/beginning of March sees the pair taking in an array of Scottish dates and a wee venture just south of the border down into Newcastle. Here are the dates in full:

Feb/March Tour 2012:
25th Feb: Stafford’s 30th Birthday Bash  w/Radio Trees & O’ Messy Life (Newcastle)  13th Note Cafe (downstairs), Glasgow
1st March: w/Radio Trees, The Tunnels,  Aberdeen
2nd March: w/Radio Trees, new Portsound @Manna Cafe, Dundee (Newport-on-Tay)
3rd March: w/Radio Trees, Head of Steam, Newcastle
4th March: w/Radio Trees, The Third Door, Edinburgh

Adam Stafford - Shot Down You Summer Wannabes (Vic Galloway Session)

Radio Trees - Old Folks

If you missed out on tickets for Admiral Fallow's gig at the ABC next Friday, then you could always console yourself by picking up some tickets for Louis Abbot's solo shows at Brel on the 25th of January and the 1st of February. The gigs which will see Louis playing with some 'very, very special guests' are only £5 and you can purchase them here.

Louis Abbott (Admiral Fallow) -Burn Me Now (The Pop Cop Session)

My friend up in Inverness, Jamie at Netsounds Unsigned has announced his first showcase gig of the year at Mad Hatters next Friday (27th). To kick things off he's lined up none other than Dead Boy Robotics, Team Kapowski and Lady North and is if that wasn't enough the whole thing is free. So if you're up in that neck of the woods get yourself along at 9pm to check out some of Scotland's finest up and coming bands.

Lady North - Ali, the Pig Opera and the Helicopter

In case you haven't already heard, the club/gig promoters Pin Up Nights are going to be calling time it day at the end of March. Having made the The Flying Duck their home for just over three years now, the gang only have 3 more nights left and they have promised to send things off on a high. Their last night night takes place this coming Friday and this time round they've gone for a space/sci-fi-themed event billed as an Intergalactic night. Featuring live music from Den Haan, Nevada Base and Fiction Faction, further information on the night can be found here.

As if a bill featuring Sebastian Dangerfield, Edinburgh School for the Deaf and PAWS wasn't enough, my pal friend Stu over at the Tidal Wave of Indifference has just announced that he's added Broken Records frontman Jamie Sutherland to the line-up for his second gig. Taking place on Saturday the 25th of February at the Wee Red Bar, tickets for the gig are available for £6 (plus booking fee) at Avalanche Records and through Brown Paper Tickets.

PAWS - Miss American Bookworm (6Music Session)

Fresh Meat Monday - Dead Boy Robotics

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Gregor McMillan, vocalist and bass player from Edinburgh band Dead Boy Robotics.


How would you describe the music you make?

Alternative, electronic, new wave, tribal.


How did you start out making music?

Dead Boy Robotics started off as late night noise experiments that involved making guitars sound like Gameboys, putting vintage synths through loop pedals and sawing Casio keyboards in half.


What process goes into the way you write songs?

Songs usually stem from a guitar riff or laptop idea and are built from there. Once we have refined those ideas into a loose song structure vocals start creeping in. Lyrics are usually the last part to be written and vocal melodies always seem to be the last thing to be worked out.


What can people expect from your live shows?

Our live shows have become very energetic and very loud since the recent addition of drummer Paul Bannon.


What are you all listening to at the moment?

At the moment of typing this 'Changes' by Yes is playing on my iTunes...but i've also been enjoying recent albums by Zola Jesus, M83, Kuedo and Mastodon.


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

Our debut album comes out at the end of November so we'll be playing some shows in support of it's release. For 2012 we'll be writing album number two and will hopefully have some festival appearances.

Dead Boy Robotics - Do You Know Your Exits

You can catch the band playing live at Edinburgh’s Third Door, Lothian Street on Saturday December 3rd, their the self titled album is released on November 28th.

Bandcamp
Facebook
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No Rest For The Wicked.... A News Roundup

I know I said I was going to take a break from blogging for a few weeks, however, as my inbox almost feels like it's about to burst with emails here's some news and gubbins for you all...

I must admit that I am a wee bit jealous of Gerry Loves Records, in the past 12 months or so they have released some of the most exciting new music that Scotland has to offer. Now with their fifth release they've made me doubly jealous as they're just about to release a split 7” on the 8th of August, featuring PAWS and Lady North. Arguably two of the hottest bands in Scotland at the moment, the boys certainly know their stuff, you can stream two of the singles below.

Lady North - It's All About Gettin' That Claude Monet by gerrylovesrecords

To celebrate the split release PAWS and Lady North are heading out on tour, they're in Aberdeen's Dirty Hearts Club, Snafu, on Thursday 28 July with support from Devils Disco, followed by an appearance at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh on Monday 1st August, before finishing up at the Captain’s Rest in Glasgow on the 3rd of August, with support from Hairy AREA ( Side project featuring members of We Were Promised Jetpacks, Lady North, Endor & Sebastian Dangerfield).

If you can't make it along to any of these shows, then you can pre-order the split release via Gerry Loves Bandcamp page, it's only £4 and it would be money well spent.

Paws - Lekker by gerrylovesrecords

Edinburgh DIY promoters, Tracer Trails are putting on their fourth Retreat Festival over the weekend of August 27th-28th 2011 at Pilrig St Paul's in Leith. So far they've confirmed Broken Records, Jesus h Foxx, Meursault, The Scottish Enlightenment, Skeleton Bob, The Leg, Rob St John, The Pineapple Chunks, Two Wings, eagleowl, ballboy and FOUND, with more to be announced over the coming weeks. Tickets for the gig are on sale now, day tickets are £7 and weekend tickets are £12, you can buy them here.

I quite like this new trend of bloggers putting on gigs, not just because it makes me and Jim look trend setters (we're not Song By Toad has been doing them for ages), but more because it's interesting to see others stepping out of their comfort zones and putting on some excellent bills. The most recent of the blogging community to take this bold step are my friends Stuart and Chris, who run The Tidal Wave of Indifference and Favourite Son respectively.

I have already had one of them asking me for advice, which in all honesty felt pretty odd as I hardly feel like an expert in putting on gigs, I have been winging it since day one. Then again I guess that everyone's blags these kind of things, most folk just aren't stupid enough to admit it.

The Tidal Wave of Indifference gig is of particular interest to me as he's got Star Wheel Press, a band who I have heard a lot of good things about, but still haven't listened to. Apparently they've got the best selling album this year in Avalanche Records, seeing as last year Kid Canaveral were their biggest seller, I have a feeling they might well be up my street. On top of that he has Peenko favourites, French Wives, who were on top form at this years Wickerman Festival, plus there's also the excellent Douglas Firs and Lost Telegrams. Personally it's the kind of gig that might well persuade me to travel through to Edinburgh for the night. Tickets for the gig are on sale in advance here, if you buy one then I am sure you will be making a certain young gentleman that little bit less stressed.


Our other blogging companion Chris who runs Favourite Son is also stepping up to the plate with his first ever gig which takes place next month at Pivo Pivo in Glasgow. Featuring Tape Records very own Dead Boy Robotics, Any Color Black and Blank Canvas. If you're quick off the mark then you can win yourself a pair of tickets to the gig, details and the like can be found here.

Right, that's emptied out some of the important stuff in my inbox, now I just have to work out what to do with all of these free download links... oh and there's a Wickerman review to be written (if I can remember any of it that is).

Dead Boy Robotics - Ally McCrae Session (30/05/11)

Track Listing

1. Ever
2. As Children We Fear The Dark Part 2
3. Tale Of the Winter Kids
4. Gather On The Threshold

Download

Friday Freebies

Meursault
God Don't Like it have a free Download of Meursault’s 'Crank Resolutions' up for grabs. It's taken from their 2nd album “All Creatures will Make Merry” which is due out at the end of May.

Wounded Knee
I caught Drew aka 'Wounded Knee' last week at the warm up to the Dead Parrots 3rd birthday bash, alongside the ever fabulous RM Hubbert. Both of them put on top performances, so I must admit that I was well chuffed when I stumbled across his newest release, The Ayrtime.Org EP, it's available for free download here.

The Pernice Brothers
You can download an MP3 from their upcoming record “Goodbye, Killer,” which is out in mid June, all you have to do to get the new song “Jacqueline Susann” is click here.

Glasgow Podcart
the lovely Podcart folk have put up a few more sessions up for download, including sessions from Beerjacket, Julia and the Doogans and Dead Boy Robotics, they're all available for free download on their Bandcamp.

Beneath Us The Waves
A bootleg recording of Beneath Us The Waves live at the Liquid Ship for Elba Sessions is up for free download here.

Dananananaykroyd
Those pesky kids and their fun ways, they've only gone and recorded a cover of the Friends theme tune for all their Facebook/Twitter followers. Seeing as I don't want you lot missing out you can download it here.

Sleigh Bells
This weeks hipster freebie comes from the amazing Sleigh Bells, I cannae wait for their album to come out. If the demos that are floating about are anything to go by then this could be something pretty damn special. Until then you can get an inkling of what to expect by downloading "Tell 'em" over on their homepage. Sweet as the proverbial fucking nut.

Go-Away Birds
The latest offering from the band made up of folk from Zoe Van Goey and Gold Help the Girl has just been up for grabs. Head on over to their homepage to download their latest EP 'Those Bombs' which is available completely gratis.

Ash
Those wacky Irish men are still banging away at their A-Z compilation, what larks they are. They have 3 tracks up for free download, including a remix by Mogwai, just over to their homepage and you'll find the links on the right hand side of the page.

Throwing Muses
A new Throwing Muses demo, "Freesia" is up for free download here.

Hair Rocket
A free download of Pennsylvanian indie pop outfit Hari Rocket's debut EP 'Don't Leave A Light On' , is up for free on their Bandcamp (cheers to Drunk Country for the tip off).

The Monroe Transfer
The London post-rockers got a cracking review on Line of Best Fit this week, if you fancy giving them a go then head over to their Bandcamp where you can download their song 'Waltz' for free.

Muscle Club
Their song 'We Don't Watch We Stare' is up for free download, and as you probably already guessed it's up on their Bandcamp. Don't you just love Bandcamp, so simple yet so fucking brilliant.

Casino Queen
The Lo-fi Edinburgh outfit have an EP up for free download, and yep you guessed it, it's Bandcamp time. Fuck I am starting to feel like one of the American Pie movies going by the number of times I've mentioned the 'B' word this week.


Interpol
In a first for Friday Freebies, I have embedded a download link so you don't have to bugger off anywhere else. As I know how much you all love it here, all that beautiful green-ness. Aye, anyway, NYC hipster folks Interpol have a new song up for grabs. Download it below.

Kowalskiys Komplimentary Korner

Arran Arctic
Sign up to his mailing list and you get an acoustic version of one of his album tracks!
Just click here.

Weekly Round Up (18/04/2010)

Monday - Ross Drummond aka Electro-pop outfit 'Lies' were my Fresh Meat

Tuesday - Vic Galloway's return from the other side pond meant that I could get back onto recording some sessions. It was North Atlantic Oscillation, again (?!), thankfully this time round the session went well. The less said about the first two songs from the Radio One session, the better.
Wednesday - The Hubmeister General (RM Hubbert) became the 11th 'member' of the Scots Way-Hay club, giving one of the most interesting set of answers to date. In addition to this, Peter Parkers recorded a wee session for Marc Riley's 6Music show. Rather good it was too.
Thursday - Peenko favourites Mitchell Museum were in session on Huw Stephens Radio One show, it was a belter of a session. Plus we even got a wee plug for our gig. Although Mr Stephens did make Kid Canaveral sound more like a venereal disease and said it was part of the Campfires in Winters festival. I know I shouldn't complain, but us bloggers can be a right bunch of bitches sometimes.
I also posted King Creosote's session for the Marc Riley show. Seriously how gorgeous was that?! Also, I really don't know how I/this blog would cope without the legend that is Mr Riley. I also posted a wee interview with Walter Micklethwait (try saying that after a few beers, it's almost as difficult as Little Yellow Ukuleles), one of the organisers of the amazing Insider Festival . He was number seven in my 'Community Care' feature, I'm sure you'll agree that it was worth the wait, now all I need to do is think who my next victim might be...
Friday - is always about the freebies, my personal favourites were from Antlers, Cults and the Evening Chorus. It really does that I am finding more and more stuff each week, is this the way forward for bands these days......



News, gigs and gubbins............

Zoey Van Goey announced they'll be playing a couple of matinee shows in May, under the banner of Practice Makes Perfect. The gigs take play on Sunday the 2nd and 9th of May, at the Captains Rest. The gigs will see the trio road testing new material for that difficult second album. Both events kick off at 2pm, further details can be found here.

On Wednesday the Glasgow Podcart have another corking gig lined up the 13th Note, featuring Peenko favourite Miaoux Miaoux and Dead Boy Robotics. It promises to be spaff-tastic night of electro goodness plus it's free. The Podcart kids done good again.

On Wednesday, White Heath and Jesus H Foxx are playing the I Fly Spitfires night at Maggie's Chamber in Edinburgh, doors are at eight and tickets are a bargain £2. Should be a cracking night.

If you happen to live in St Andrews or the surrounding area and you have no plans for this afternoon, then you should check out the On The Rocks Festival which launches today.
Otters Sing Lullabies are putting a gig on at the beautiful hidden St John's Garden, featuring a whole host of talented Scottish folk artsists, including Edinburgh band The Last Battle.

Details of this years West End Festival haven't been officially announced yet, but some of the gigs have been posted. Taking place in June, Oran Mor has Ian McCulloch - Tuesday 15th, King Creosote - Wednesday 16th, Zoey Van Goey/Peter Parker/Endor (Silence Can Break Your Heart) - Thursday 17th, Beerjacket - Friday 18th, Mr Kil/Three Blind Wolves - Saturday 19th. Tickets are on sale here.

The Lava Experiments play the Captains Rest, this coming Thursday (22nd). Also on the bill are The Hardy Souls and Psycho Candy. Tickets are £4 on the door or £2.50 in advance from the band.