Friday Freebies

As there was no Friday Freebies last week as I was still up north recovering from my post-goNorth hangover, this weeks post is a bit a monster. A good friendly monster, filled with lots of free goodness...


The State Broadcasters
I haven't really posted much about what has been going on with the label I co-run, Olive Grove Records, for a while now. Not because I have intentionally tried to keep the two apart, more so because I am a bit forgetful, once I have been doing all of my promo stuff for Olive Grove, it doesn't dawn on me that I haven't bothered to mention it on my own fucking blog. That's what old age and sleep deprivation does to you kids. If you want to remember things, don't try running a label and a blog whilst also trying to maintain some kind of sanity. Oh and adding a child to the mix would just be crazy. Anyway, I'll get to the point, in September we're going to be releasing our first album of 2012 and it's ridiculously good. It's from a Glasgow 6 piece, the State Broadcasters, who some of you might remember from their debut album, 'The Ship & The Iceberg' which came out all the way back in 2009. In a few months time we'll be releasing the follow up album. 'Ghosts We Must Carry' and we're understandably pretty damn excited about it. On Monday their we made their track, 'Trespassers' available as a free download on SoundCloud.  I hope you like it.




Touch Sensitive
Our friends at Touch Sensitive launched their first ever album last week in Glasgow and from all accounts it sounds like it was a pretty successful evening. The online directory is looking to establish greater links between underground and alternative music coming out of Scotland, Spain and the rest of the world. As part of their efforts to create greater links between the different nations they've released a compilation which features six of their favourite artists from Spain and Scotland respectively. It's available now as a free download over on their Bandcamp page, featuring tracks from the likes of The Son(s), Plastic Animals and Zoey Van Goey, plus six Spanish bands that are all well worth checking out.





I Build Collapsible Mountains
There's nothing quite like a new I Build Collapsible Mountains to make the day feel that little bit better, admittedly his songs aren't always the cheeriest, but you can always be assured that they'll be good. Luke, aka  Mr Mountain, has posted up a free download of a new instrumental song by the name of 'Sleeplesser', bloody great it is too. You can find it on his SoundCloud page, if you're looking for something to soothe you into the wee hours of the night, then this my friend is the perfect soundtrack, lovely lovely stuff.



Campfires In Winter 
Croy four piece, Campfires In Winter have pretty much become synonymous with this blog, not only have I been championing the band for several years now, I also have their lead singer writing reviews for me. So I guess I am ever so slightly biased about their music, but fuck it, I wouldn't champion the band if I didn't actually like their music. Having been a bit sporadic with their releases, they continually seem to emerge with new demos which are a massive improvement on the last. In the case of the new songs that they've just posted on their Bandcamp page, they do appear to have developed a much more mature sound that bodes well for their debut album, which should hopefully see the light of day before the year is out. Although I wouldn't hold my breath as I have been waiting for an album for more years than I care to remember. For now though get stuck into these new demos, be warned they're catchy as fuck.

Secret Motorbikes
Do you know what Glasgow really needs, a great surf-pop band and you know what, Secret Motorbikes might well be that band. They've got two EPs up for free download on their Bandcamp page, both of which are pretty damn ace. Ch-ch-check 'em out.





Capitals
Edinburgh electronic duo, Capitals, released their new single 'All These Years' on a pay what you want basis on their Bandcamp page. Dare I say it, but this might well be the best thing they've released to date.





Gummy Stumps 
If you like your pop music to be a wee bit bonkers, then you really need to check out the new Gummy Stumps album, "New House Whites" which is available for free download from the good folk over at Winning Sperm Party.





Allan James
Sick of all of the downbeat indie nonsense? well then Mr James might well be your man. His track Don't Look Down is pretty damn awesome, it's also free to download, making it doubly awesome. Nab it for free from his SoundCloud page.





Honey
Glasgow shoegazers, Honey, have two new songs available for free download, if you're not sure which one to check out first, then I'd go for Cape Canaveral, as that's my personal favourite.

The Last Battle
Edinburgh folk-pop outfit, The Last Battle, released their new single, 'Hope Is Gold' earlier this week, as a wee teaser they've made the B-Side to the single, 'The Crunching' available as a free download on their Bandcamp page. Actually scrap that, it's not free anymore, sorry. It's still worth checking out though. The band launch the single with a gig on the 22nd of June at Pilrig St. Paul's Church Hall in Edinburgh.




Supermarionation
Another Edinburgh band who this time are actually giving away a free download are Edinburgh power pop punks Supermarionation who are giving away a free live recording of a couple of tracks on their Bandcamp page. If you like what you hear and you've got a spare grand kicking about, then you could always invest your pennies in their Limited Edition Supermarionation Card Holder!

Friday Freebies

King Post Kitsch
I know I have been banging on about King Post Kitsch for a while now and I will continue to do so as his new album is fucking ace. If you still haven't checked him out then head over to Song By Toad where you will find a free download of the excellent 'Fante’s Last Stand'.

Michael Cassidy
First off he records a Peenko Session, then the next thing you know Michael Cassidy is being voted as one of Scotland on Sunday's Eligibles for 2011. I am sure the fact that he's handsome man and talented as fuck has nothing to do with it, it was all about the influential power of Peenko, or perhaps not. If you haven't checked the sexy beast out already, then you're in luck as he's just posted a free download of a new demo called 'You do it again' on his Soundcloud page.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
I am guessing that Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's wee hiatus was brought to a bit of an abrupt end seeing as nobody gave a shit about any of their side projects, or am I just getting cynical in my old age. Whatever the reasons for them returning, it's nice to have them back, yes their second album wasn't the greatest but I did miss those odd sounding vocals. In September they're releasing their third album, Hysterical, to remind us that they exist(ed) the band are giving away a free download of new track 'Same Mistake'. A welcome return? that's up for you to decide, personally I like this new song and am looking forward to hearing more.

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks
Having spent most of time recently touring with his old band, Pavement, Stephen Malkmus is set to release a new album, Mirror Traffic' with his new old band (that makes sense right?!), The Jicks. You can find yourself a free download of new song 'Senator' on his homepage.

Campfires in Winter
It's been a while since we've heard anything new from 'my boys', but Croy's finest are back and they finally managed to nab themselves a new drummer in the form of the awesome Denny, formerly of Macabre Scene, who sadly called it a day this week. Anyway to remind you all that they've not disappeared off the face of the earth they've posted up 3 demo tracks for free download. Two of the songs are new and the other is a reworking of an older song, With A Ragged Diamond, I know you probably haven't been itching for this as much I have, but I must say it's nice to have them back.

Vetiver
The rather ace Vetiver are giving away a free download of their song 'Wonder Why' from their new album, The Errant Charm, which is out now on SubPop.



The Pineapple Chunks
They're based in Edinburgh, they sound ramshackle as fuck but I can't stop listening to them, so they must be doing something right. Hopefully we'll have more information on them for you soon, for now you can help yourself to a couple of free downloads on their Bandcamp page.

The Deportees
Our friends up in Aberdeen, Bedford Records are set to put out their third release next month with Americana outfit The Deportees. In anticipation of it's release they've posted a free download up on their Bandcamp page.

Maydays
Originally from the North East of Scotland, but now having relocated to Edinburgh, Maydays are purveyors of charming indie pop. You can find out for yourself by downloading their songs for free on their Bandcamp.

The Boosts
Invernessian band, The Boosts have been developing a bit a buzz up in their neck of the woods, they write catchy as fuck pop tunes and they give all of their music away for free, what's not to like. Their Soundcloud page is full of infectious wee pop gems all of which are free, don't say they're not good to you.

Honey
Glasgow based band Honey, recently released their debut E.P, Taste It And See, which they've posted up for free download. It reminds me a bit of the Stone Roses but with a touch of post rock thrown into the mix. I still haven't quite my mind up if it's for me or not, if it sounds like it could be for you then you can download it for free on their Bandcamp page, they're also playing tonight at Slouch in Glasgow.

The Tolbooth Sessions 2011
There is a free compilation of local talent up for grabs on Bandcamp, which includes the much hyped Friends in America, Hey Enemy and Miniature Dinosaurs. Download it here.

How To Swim
If you're heading up to the Insider Festial this weekend then you might want to check out How To Swim before you head off. They've posted a couple of singles for free download via bandcamp, you can get ‘Corpsing’ and ‘She Gets Around’ for nowt here.

Breton
Fat Cat have signed yet another awesome band, fuck knows how they do it. This lot are called Breton and they have a free download up on their Soundcloud page.

Vigo Thieves
You can get yourself a free download of their song Love Is Dead in exchange for a tweet.

Fountains Of Wayne
Bloody hell they're still going, I remember listening to these guys when I was in fifth year school (which was a long long time ago), then they released that song about Staceys Mom, or whatever it was and to be honest it totally turned me off them. Anyway if you still like them and want to hear more they're about to return with their fifth LP. You can download a free MP3 of new song "Richie & Rubin" for free via Stereogum.