Friday Freebies

Happy Particles
Having made it down to the final ten in this years SAY Awards, Happy Particles have decided to give us a wee teaser as to how the follow up record might sounds. They've posted up a free download of the very first demo from the new record that they are just beginning to write, called 'Far Enough Inside'. If this is an indicator of what is to come, then I am sold.



CHURCHES
The prize for the hottest new band in Scotland this week goes to 'mysterious' Glasgow outfit CHURCHES (they even have the hipster friendly band name in capitals thing going on). The band who comprise of two boys and a girl caused a bit of a stooshie recently with the release of their debut single "Lies", which was made available as an exclusive download over on the Neon Gold blog. Rumour has it that the 3 piece are comprised of Iain Cook from The Unwinding Hours, Lauren from Blue Sky Archives and Doc from The Twilight Sad, but hey that could just be speculation (i.e. it is them). All you need to know is that 'Lies' is a cracking wee tune and you can download it for nowt here.

Jesus H Foxx
It's been that long since we last heard anything from Jesus H Foxx, that I had presumed they'd given up the ghost. Way back in 2009, the Edinburgh outfit released their Matter EP on Song, by Toad Records and then they disappeared off to record their debut album. Finally after all this time, Scotland's answer to Guns n Roses 'Chinese Democracy' finally sees the light of day later this month. To get us all in the mood and to remind us that they still exist, Mr Toad has posted up their single, 'So Much Water' for free download. If this tune is anything to go by, then the wait will have been worth it.

  So Much Water by Song, by Toad


Kowalskiy's Free Monthly 5-track Scottish EP 
There are certain things in life that just make things better, listening to your favourite records, getting a lie in after having a few too many shandies the night before (this rarely happens with me anymore) and to that pile I would like to add Kowalskiy's series of free monthly EP's. Not only does he make my job a hell of a lot easier when it comes to writing these Friday Freebies posts, but he's also introduced me to a lot of music that a lot of the rest of the Scottish blogosphere seems to overlook. Take for example his most recent EP (#23 no less), in which he's roped in an array of great music, which includes Northern Alliance, Fiction Faction, Letters, Foxhunting and The Beautiful Lies. There are a few bands in there that I have to admit I had never heard of until now, sterling work as always that man. You can read a bit more about all of the bands over on his blog, then download the EP from his Bandcamp page.



Wherehumanseat 
Fans of Yahweh and Boards of Canada take note, Wherehumanseat might be right up your street. With whole heap of  music available for free download on his Bandcamp page, this Glasgow artist is certainly someone I will be keeping my out for in the future.





Poor Things
Perth's finest sons, Poor Things have posted up a couple of demos for free download on their SoundCloud page.

  Sparky DEMO by POOR THINGS 

Drunk Mule
Some of you might remember the days of Kowalskiy's Komplimentary Korner, every week my blogger friend used to give me a tip for the latest freebie he'd stumbled across that week. Now he's got his EP series to keep him busy. Nowadays though, it feels as if I should be allocating the Drunk Mule boys their own weekly slot as they continue to churn out cracking wee tunes that they give away for free. This week is no different as they're giving away another brand new song called "Whisky Breath" for free on their Bandcamp page.

Friday Freebies

Son(s)
They come from Aberdeenshire, they now reside in Edinburgh, they sound cracking. That's about all you need to know for now, don't believe me, then go and check out their Bandcamp where you will find a couple of free downloads.

Mates of State
The husband-and-wife indie pop duo have posted a free download of their cover of Daniel Johnston's "True Love Will Find You in the End", which features on their forthcoming album 'Covers' album. Also, in case you missed it last time round, their cover of Girls track "Laura" is still available for nowt too.

Miss the Occupier
The Glasgow female fronted punk trio have posted their song 'Dead Pirates' up for free download over on their lastfm page.

Bad Veins
The Cincinnati's power-indie-pop outfit have posted their song 'Falling Tide', which is taken from their eponymous debut album up for free download

The Second Hand Marching Band
There's bloody thousands of them, and now there's a shed load (ten to be exact) free songs up for download on their lastfm page. If you haven't already heard/got a copy, check out the wonderful 'A Dance Half To Death', class song.

Something In Construction
The uber cool London label have teamed up with the NME to give away new and exclusive tracks from Memory Tapes, Phoenix, Class Actress, Air France, Phoenix, Freelance Whales, Washed Out and There Will Be Fireworks.

The Dodos
Here's on for the hipsters, or at least the hipsters that were for the initial buzz, the rest of you, well you're in for a treat. Give 'em your email and they'll send you a download of the Dodos Live From Akropolis (Prague), recorded in November of 2008. Cue some crap pun about them being extinct or the like, sorry but I'm not witty/shitty enough to do that.

Jesus H Foxx
With their debut album due out sometime in October, these Song By Toad-ers have posted a free download of their song 'J&J'. Get stuck in here.

Randolph's Leap
Now for a public apology (I feel like the Daily Star, they're always apologising for making shit up aren't they?). Last week I said that Randolph Leap's latest release was Eerie Indie Adam, turns out I had got my facts wrong, yes I know it's not like me, it is actually the oldest rather than newest release on their Bandcamp. They have a new single 'Squeamish', which is available for free, oh and it's a wee beauty.

Crystal Fighters
Their new single, 'In The Summer' isn't out until the 5th of July, however, you can get yourself a free copy now in exchange for your email address/a tweet on their homepage.

A Band Called Quinn
In anticipation of their headline set at Limbo Live (which was yesterday, oops), a free download of their song 'He's a Dog' is up for free download here.

Stars
I love this band, love em! Chuffed to bits to hear that a new album is in the offing. As a taster Stereogum have posted new song 'Wasted Daylight' up for free, sweet!

Kowalskiy's Komplimentary Korner

Futuristic Retro Champions

You might have spotted this on his blog last week, well now it's up for download it's time to give it another mention. Head on over to their Bandcamp page and get yourself a free copy of their 'LaChunky EP'.

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.