The Times They Are A Changin' In Peenko Land

In a couple of months time this blog will be hitting the grand old age of 4 years old. Now that may not mean a lot to you guys, but it means a lot to me. Ever since I started this site it has pretty much taken over my life, for the better I might add. On reflection, I am really proud of what I have managed to achieve in such a short period. Prior to 'Peenko', I would never have dreamed of doing half of the stuff that I have done, such as putting on gigs, releasing records and the like. Okay, so in the grand scale of things, that might not mean a lot to most people, but it has meant a shit load to me. There is one downside to it all, which is something that folk often ask me about, namely 'how do I manage to fit it all in?'. The simple answer to that is that I sacrifice nearly all of my spare time either doing blog or label stuff, plus I have also recently started managing Randolph's Leap, which leaves me with not a lot of time for anything else. If you add into that equation my daughter, my wife and a full time job, it does all add up. So much so that I have to admit that I am pretty knackered at the moment. I love writing this site, family and work aside, it's been the main focus of my life for coming on four years now. But what with two albums coming out on Olive Grove in the next few months, I realise that I don't have the time to do everything. Not unless of course someone wants to pay me to write this blog so that I don't have to work full time. You never know there might be a Sugar Mummy out there just waiting to help support a rambling music blogger. Don't tell the wife mind...
Basically for the next few months I have decided to take a bit of a break from posting every day. In short for the next wee while Friday Freebies and Fresh Meat Monday posts are going on a wee hiatus. The reason for this being that the freebies post takes up so much time to organise and research, that I'd quite like a wee break. If you're looking for someone to keep you posted on free Scottish music, then get following my partner in crime Aye Tunes Twitter account. As for the Fresh Meat posts, in the past two years I have posted a whopping 132 Fresh Meat interviews, so I would quite like to take some time out to go out and discover some new music without the pressure of having to come up with something new and exciting every week.
Recently a number of my contemporaries have decided to call it a day, most notably Favourite Son and then today, the man who partly inspired me to start this site, The Pop Cop, has announced that he is going to be going on hiatus for a bit. Although that being said he's handing over the reins of his site to a mysterious young lady in a kind of Doctor Who-Esque metamorphosis. Seeing as I am going to be quite busy with other things for the next few months, I did think about taking a break from the site all together. That lasted all of two seconds, as I realised that I would miss this too much. So instead I thought about bringing in some new faces to write for me. The trouble with that is that I wanted to bring in folk who shared similar music tastes to myself and could write well (or at least better than me that is - not hard I know). Easier said than done I should add, but alas find them I did. So in a bit of a coup for the site I have managed to rope in two new folk to write reviews for the site. You heard me right, reviews. Hey, I might not think that I am the greatest reviewer in the world. but these guys are pretty damn fine. So here's the plan, I am going to continue to post up sessions, We've Got It Covered posts and the odd news post and Boab is going to continue to review EPs and singles in his Help Ma Boab, It's The 62 Word Review posts. Plus from tomorrow onwards I also have two new reviewers joining the Peenko crew, Mike and Steve.
Both are figures that you might already have heard of, Mike, previously wrote the blog, Songs Heard On Fast Trains, which I had always thought was an amazing read. So when he recently announced that he was calling it a day I decided not to hang about, so I tapped him up and thankfully he was up for it. He's already drafted up his first post, which should be going up at some point tomorrow.
In addition to adding Mike to the team, I have also just drafted in a fellow by the name of Steve, a man who has previously written for the likes of Muso's Guide, Glasgow Podcart and John Robb's Louder Than War site. With a pedigree like that I am not to sure how I have managed to get him on board, I am sure he'll soon realise what a mistake he's made, but for now I am chuffed to bits to have and Mike on board.
Welcome to the team gents.

As for me, I guess that this would be a sensible time to update you all with what I have planned for the next few months. In September coming, the label I co-run, Olive Grove Records, will release our first album of 2012, from the Glasgow six piece, State Broadcasters. It's called 'Ghosts We Must Carry', and it's a gorgeous wee album that I can't wait for the rest of the world to hear. Having had the album since December of last year, I am genuinely really excited that it will finally be out there for others to hear. In case you missed the memo, we released a free single from it back in June.



If you like this, then you're going to love the album. Also ahead of the albums release, we're going to be releasing a second free download single, 'Kittiwake' on 27th August. We also have a video for Trespassers currently in production, which will feature a giant moth man. If it's half as good as I am told it's going to be, then it should be pretty damn special. As for the album it's out on 17th September, and we're currently finalising plans for a launch venue for the album. Hopefully I should be able to share more info on this for you soon, I'll be sure to post something up once it's finalised.

As well as the State Broadcasters album, we're also going to be releasing the album from the massively talented Jo Mango in November. As with the State Broadcasters, I still have to pinch myself that her album is going to be coming out on Olive Grove. The album was originally going to be called The Moth And The Moon, which could have gotten a bit confusing what with us having The Moth & The Mirror on the label. Instead Jo has opted to go with 'Murmuration' as the album title. If you want a wee taster of what the album is like, then have a listen below.



On top of all of the Olive Grove stuff, as I said before I have now started managing Randolph's Leap. Why am I taking on even more work you might wonder, well the answer to that one is pretty simple, I love the band. Having worked with them so closely for almost two years now it felt like a natural step to take on more of a managerial role. This year alone the band have released two albums, played at festivals including Away Game and T in the Park, plus there was the recent headline slot at Tut's. Yes, I am showing off, but fuck it, after all of the hard work that's gone on behind the scenes I feel comfortable with shouting about these achievements. The best thing about it all is that there is still loads of great stuff still to come, there is an EP coming out on Fence Records in October (I think), they're playing the London Palladium with the Pictish Trail in September, there's an album coming out in Japan some time soon, also there's the little matter of them recording their debut album proper. So yeah, all of that might take some of my time up.



Last, but not least (I know, I know, I don't half ramble on), there is the small matter of the blog celebrating it's 4th birthday in October. For those of you who have frequented this site for a few years (poor you), you might recall that I have tried to do something special for each birthday, in year one I gave away badges, year two we had the I Build Collapsible Mountains EP and last year I had my ill fated podcast, which may one day return - mainly because I reckon rambling on a podcast would be easier than having to type up of all my inane thoughts. Anyway, for this years birthday I have something pretty special lined up, or at least I think it's special, you might disagree. Either way it could turn out to be the best/worst thing that I have ever done. For now all that I'll say is that it involves some of my favourite artists recording songs especially for me, which will be released on a special format. I don't want to spoil the surprise, so trust me this is going to be pretty damn cool.

Right I think I best stop there, if you got this far thanks for sticking with me. I am really looking forward to the next few months, I have a cracking team on board and some amazing music to share with you all. The times they are a changin', for the better I reckon.

Blah Blah Blah - News

I do try my best to be subtle when it comes to mentioning things about our label, Olive Grove, there's a fine line between news and spam, so I will try and keep this short. Randolph’s Leap have a new double A side single, ‘Counting Sheep’ / ‘Deep Blue Sea’, coming out next Monday (16th). To celebrate the singles release we're having a wee launch night at Mono on Tuesday 17th May with support from The Moth & The Mirror and Burnt Island. Entry for the evening are only £3, which includes a download of the single, you can buy tickets in advance from Ticket Scotland.

Randolph’s Leap - As I Lie In The Mud

Burnt Island - A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never

The Moth And The Mirror - Wondering Song (live at the Mill)




It's not all that often that I mention gigs in Paisley, mainly because they don't happen all that often and when they do they're usually not worth mentioning. Next Thursday, 19th, is an exception to the rule as UWS Union Paisley are having their annual End of Year Music Festival, an this year they've raised the bar somewhat with a cracking wee line up featuring, Admiral Fallow, Aerials Up, Alan McKim, Kitty The Lion, Michael Cassidy and Johnny Barr. Tickets for the gig are only £3 and it all kicks off 6pm. Further details can be found here.

Aerials Up-Broken Wing

Michael Cassidy - Everybody's Scared


You might have already read about Scotland's new 'super group', Hairy Area over on The Pop Cop blog a week or so back, if you didn't then go and check it out as it's far more informative than any of the shit I am likely to write. Comprising of 3 members of We Were Promised Jetpacks plus members of Endor, Sebastian Dangerfield and Lady North, they might not quite be a super group in most folks eyes, but that's still a talented wee line up.
Having finished their recording their second album, the Jetpack boys found themselves with time to kill, so they ended up forming Hairy Area, or at least that's what I think I was told. I was a bit tipsy when I got this information, tipsy enough that I kept thinking they were called Hairy Mary or Hairy Muff. Anyway, if I haven't already lost you with my ramblings and you fancy checking the band out in the flesh, then you're in luck as Instinctive Raccoon are putting on their debut show at Stereo this coming Saturday (14th May). The night kicks off at 11pm through until the wee hours of the morning. Tickets are just £5 and be bought in advance here.

Hairy Area - Scaffy Bag-off!


If you live through in Edinburgh and you like indie music, then you really should be getting yourself along to Limbo Live, who are consistently putting on some really excellent bills. This month is no exception, as they lined up a cracking wee line up featuring The Lovely Eggs, plus Peenko favourites Kid Canaveral and Cancel The Astronauts, plus Zed Penguin who are new to me. Tickets for the gig are just £7 (until 24th May), and £8 on the door. Further details on the evening can be found on their fancy new website.


Lastly, congratulations to the following bands who have been selected to showcase at this goNORTH festival: Aerials Up, Always The Sixth, Be Like Pablo, Bwani Junction, Capitals, Charlie’s Ranch, Cities And Skylines, Crayons, French Wives, Finding Albert, Homework, I Build Collapsible Mountains, The Imagineers, Indian Red Lopez, Kid Canaveral, Kobi Onyame, LightGuides, Maple Leaves, Mitchell Museum, Pareto, Parma Violets, Panda Su, PAWS, Tango In The Attic, The Black Hand Gang, The Boomshank Redemption, The Boosts, The Frues, The LED The Little Mill Of Happiness, The Leonard Jones Potential, The River 68’s, The Scottish Enlightenment, The Second Hand Marching Band, The Whisky River Band, Trapped In Kansas and Vukovi.
June can't come soon enough for me now!

Scots Way-Hay #57 - Pensioner

Have I mentioned that the label I co-run have a new album coming out next week, if not, then we have a new album coming out next week from Dundee's finest, Pensioner. I think they're going to take quite a few of you by surprise as they're not exactly folk. I have to credit where it's due as it was my partner in crime Halina who brought them to my attention, as she really wanted to work with them. Even before I heard their music, I must admit that we were onto a winner with song titles such as 'Annannannawiddecombe', 'Bruce Forsyth's Chin it to Win it' and 'Enter Shakira'. With titles like you've really got to have the tunes to back them up, Pensioner do in spades. Not normally the kind of stuff that I would actively find myself listening to these days, I am chuffed to bits that we'll be releasing their debut album. Right that's enough of my ramblings, here are the Pensioner boys for more 'sensible' words...

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Mike Lennie. Bass guitarist. Gemini. Ross Middlemiss. Guitarist. Leo.

How would you describe the music you make?

(Mike) Structurally unsound.

How did you come together as a band?

(Mike) Well after the Beatles split up I really missed the thrill of playing to big crowds. I'd always respected Cal as a guitarist so when he called with the offer of joining a supergroup he was putting together I jumped at the chance. I think Ross' creative output suffered when he left Sun records and he was kind of just going through the motions during the '70s. I always got the impression that he wanted to team up with other songwriters he admired in order to light a fire under his ass. Mark was the obvious choice of drummer, his session work with the Plastic Ono Band was exemplary and we all felt he would provide the solid backbone we needed. Nothing flashy, let the songs shine through on their own merits.

I can't really remember for sure though, to be honest the '80s are kind of a haze.

How did you start out making music?

(Ross) I started off by playing Beatles songs on my brother's crappy Yamaha keyboard in my early teens. It had the best 'demo' feature I've ever heard on a keyboard, shifting from ragtime to stadium rock in the crack of a poorly synthesised crash cymbal. Eventually I wanted to join a band, so the keyboard got ditched in favour of the bass and the guitar because no one wants to start a Jean Michel Jarre covers band in high school. I didn't start writing anything of my own until my late teens; I remember it being toe-curlingly woeful.

(Mike) To get chicks.

What process goes into the way you write songs?

(Mike) Sometimes Ross and/or Cal come to practice with something semi-formed and beat Mark and I until we've learned them flawlessly. Other times we take unrelated, unfinished jams and haphazardly cut 'n' shut them together.

Who are your big musical influences?

(Mike) We're all constantly getting into different, quite disparate stuff. Hence we've never really decided whether to make pop music or horrible noise!

(Ross) Cal really likes the collected works of Chaka Khan, for reasons beyond the realm of comprehension.

What kind of influence do you feel that where you come from has had on the music you create?

(Ross) I would say that we're quite lucky in Dundee in some respects. Other than the 'lad-rock' movement of recent years, there aren't really any other obvious trends in music up here. If you don't like 'lad-rock', then it only serves to catalyse you into making the music you want to make. The bigger cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow are permeated with a multitude of trends that disappear as quickly as they arrive, so much so that I think it'd be harder for a young band to establish themselves and maintain longevity if they are particularly susceptible to the influence of others. Life is simpler up here. As a band, we subscribe to the view that if a song is good, then it is good.

What can people expect to see/hear from your live shows?

(Mike) Sexy men, great music.

(Ross) Adventure! Mystery! Romance! More adventure! Actually, wasn't that the tagline to The Jewel of the Nile?

Has there been a particular gig that has stood out for you so far (good or bad)?

(Ross) I really enjoyed our recent support slot with The Phantom Band. Lovely fellows too. They are a great band.

(Mike) Elton John. Wembley '04. Damn!

What are your plans for the rest of the year and beyond? Do you have any new releases planned for any time soon?

(Ross) We are releasing our debut album 'Yearlings' on the 2nd of May through Olive Grove Records, then we plan to bask in the ensuing glory and riches. Seriously though, we've started work on album number two, and we're hoping to fill up the rest of the year with shows. On the other hand, we might just give the smack a go - you're only smoking it.

Pensioner - Gadgie Weddin'


Pensioner's debut album 'Yearlings' is released on Monday 2nd of May though Olive Grove Records. The band celebrate the albums release with shows in Edinburgh tonight (27th) at Sneaky Pete's along with PAWS and Pinky Suavo. Then the next night (28th) they're in Glasgow at Bar Bloc with the Darien Venture and Mondegreen, I'll be at this one propping up the bar so come and say hi if you're about. It's also Halina's birthday so we plan to celebrate in style.
The band round up their tour with a hometown show at Dexters on Saturday night (30th). If you live in or near these towns then get yourself along if you can, they put on quite a show apparently.

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Weekly Round Up (19/12/10)

Monday - Alongside this weeks Fresh Meat starlets, Rose Parade, there was the big announcement that the National had been voted as this years winners of the second ever Scottish BAMS award.
Tuesday - our good friend Brian shared with us a session that Loch Awe recorded for his show on Fresh Air
Wednesday - Part 2 of my artists albums of the year, including selections from A Band Called Quinn, Burnt Island, Come on Gang!, RM Hubbert and the Last Battle
Thursday - there were sessions from Yusuf Azak, Sparrow and the Workshop and Erland & the Carnival. There was also a wee mention of my five minutes of fame...
Friday - Belle and Sebastian in session for Marc Riley, plus an epic Friday Freebies with tunes from Call To Mind, Zoey Van Goey and Seafieldroad all up for grabs
Saturday - continuing on with my festive covers, I had Arab Strap's take on Xmas (Baby Please Come Home) in We've Got It Covered


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

Tonight at Sleazys Electra French are having their very own Christmas Party, with Mitchell Musuem, The Seventeenth Century and Fur Hood. It all kicks off at 8pm tonight, through until 3am, it's only £4 and you get a free Mitchell Museum chucked in there too. If you're quick off the mark then you might still be able to pre-order tickets through Electra French's Bandcamp page.



If you're free in Glasgow on Wednesday night and looking for something awesome to do, then get yourself down to the 13th Note. As a wee thanks to everyone who has shown us so much support in the last few months, myself and Halina are going to be hosting our very own Olive Grove Christmas Party. After the success that we've had with the Randolph's Leap EP and more recently with Esperi's 'Snowman' single, we felt that it would be pretty fitting to have our very own wee shindig. So on Wednesday, Randolph's Leap and Esperi will be joined by the 61st Hottest person in Scotland, the wonderful RM Hubbert.
We'll also have a selection of backed goods on sale, plus the lovely 'I Heart...' will have her own wee stall set up for you to do some last minute Christmas shopping.

All of this and I haven't even mentioned that this is a free gig, it would be great to see some familiar and some unfamiliar faces down for the evening. It's going to be an amazing night!

Scottish DIY Labels #13 - Olive Grove Records

In case you don't already know, today is a pretty fucking massive week for me, on Monday there Olive Grove Records officially launched. In case you don't already know this is a venture started up by myself and Halina Rifai of Glasgow Podcart infamy. It's always been a dream of both of ours so it made sense for us to team up together as we're both so involved in our local scene.
I think Halina is keen to emphasise that Olive Grove is a totally separate venture from Podcart, personally I have no shame and I kind of think that this blog and the label will almost run hand in hand, i.e. you have been warned that I am going to whore Olive Grove on here, a lot.
When I originally thought up the idea of running a series of posts on Scottish DIY labels, I did have a bit of an ulterior motive which was to try and get a couple of tips off my peers before we launched ourselves into the big bad world. Now that we are officially 'out there' I really wanted to run a wee interview to let know folk a bit more about what we're all about. Seeing as interviewing myself would seem a tad mental, I got my partner in crime, Ms Rifai to do it for me instead.....

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Hi my name is Halina ‘facial hair lover’ Rifai


What inspired you to start your own label?

I have always wanted to do it since my teens. I was heavily influenced by people such as Rough Trade, but also a lot of radio DJ’s such as John Peel and countless musicians. I just felt that sometimes people were not getting heard enough that genuinely deserved it and if I could help then so be it. It was too much for just myself so I asked you to help and you said yes which was nice. Now it is all a bit surreal and very fucking emotional.


Who do you have signed to your label?

It is not so much signed as who we are releasing, The beauty about Olive Grove is the artists have the freedom to release with ourselves and then see what they want to do going forward. Effectively, we are like a platform at the moment and if these artists get some kind of recognition then we have done our job. We cover the costs of production and any profits go to the artists and that’s the way I think it should be.


Being based in Scotland do you only sign Scottish artists?

We have a tremendous wealth of talent in Scotland at the moment and going forward. The community spirit displayed by bloggers, websites, podcasters and even labels has been overwhelming so effectively by all joining together it amplifies what talent we have in this country. We focus on Scottish artists because we know more about them and they are on our doorstep so it makes sense.


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

It isn’t a hobby. It has too much of my passion to be a hobby. Actually, yes it’s a passion. To me this is as important as having a body part. It takes our lives forward because it is something we genuinely love and even though we have to put money into it from our real life jobs or other activities then so be it. Fuck it, I would rather be poor and happy than Simon Cowell and paying for a penis enlargement.


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

Never. There is no pigeon holing, if we listen and love it then we approach the artist and take it from there.


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

How do you go about approaching them?Again, following the previous question it is about the music. It has to be. If there is an artist that is intriguing, that we think deserves a platform and is genuinely passionate and great at what they do then we will take interest. With Randolph’s Leap (debut release) and Esperi (2nd release) both those individuals fit the bill.


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

Well considering we only launched November 15th, then I think that is essentially it. It is one of my dreams come true and going by the press that Randolph's Leap and Olive Grove have received then I think we will be just fine.


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

Think about exactly why you are doing it and what you want out of it. It can be all too easy to say yes to something without thinking about the consequences. You must have commitment, passion and be prepared for a lot of obstacles.


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

Well next is Esperi’s limited edition Christmas release. Chris (Esperi) may say I am biased, but I genuinely think it is a cracking double A Side. The CD’s will be in handmade snowman made by the wonderful I heart… and we have the Christmas Party on December 22ndwith Randolph’s Leap and RM Hubbert (legend) at The 13th Note.After that we need to decide what artist is next! If it is anything like so far then my heart is going to get so big it will burst and I will sound even more gay than I do now.

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Weekly Round Up (11/14/10)

Monday - the week kicked off in style with some Fresh Meat action from the Lost Generation
Tuesday - Broken Records recorded an amazing wee session for 6Music,
Wednesday - Esperi charmed us all with his gorgeous tunes, he also became the 41st entry into the Scots Way-Hay club
Thursday - Edwyn Collins was in doing a wee session for 6Music
Friday - this weeks Freebies was slightly delayed due to the Tea Party the night before, it was worth the wait though as there some class tunes from Ash, Telekenisis!, Esperi, Martin John Henry and Miss the Occupier
Saturday - Martin John Henry covering Tom Waits in We've Got It Covered


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


As I have been rushing about like a dafty this past week I am a bit behind on all things newsworthy. Thursdays Tea Party at the Hidden Lane Cafe took up a lot of my week, we had a few last minute near disasters. At one point Sean and myself were without a mixing desk and a PA and that was less than 24 hours until the gig was due to take place. Thankfully though Boab from Campfires stepped in at the last minute to save the day.
In the end it turned into a really special evening, Burnt Island and Ghost Pants were both awesome. Sean has already shown me a couple of the recordings and they sound so so good, I honestly can't to share them with you all. I am trying not to mention too much about it just now for fear of repeating myself when it comes round to actually posting the sessions. So I am going to stop talking about the sessions and instead I am going to start raving on about what could quite possibly be the most exciting project I have ever been involved in.
Yes tomorrow ladies and gents, is the big launch day of Olive Grove Records. For those of you who don't already know, myself and the lovely Halina Rifai, from Glasgow Podcart have teamed up to form our own wee record label. Our aim is to support local talent to the best of our abilities, with all profits (if we make any) going directly to the artist. Yes, you read that right. We are indeed going to work our backsides off for nothing purely to support some great artists that we believe deserve your attention.

Our first release is due out tomorrow, as in Monday tomorrow. Scary McBeans! If you didn't already know it's going to be Randolph's Leap's new EP 'Battleships and Kettle Chips' and it's an absolute corker. You don't have to take my word for it, check out this review from today's Sunday Herald....

You can imagine the reaction in the Peenko household after I read that, yes there was squealing and tears and even a little poop, and that's without taking Erin (Peenko Jnr) into consideration.
In short I was pretty fucking pleased! So as of tomorrow it's time for us to step out in the big bad world, the only thing I can compare it to is that feeling that your parents had when they first send a child to school. It's not that I don't think they'll fit in and make friends, I am just nervous and excited. I really just want to see them do as well as I think they can.

The release isn't officially due out until tomorrow, but we thought we'd give you all a chance to have a listen and make your own mind up by posting this Bandcamp link.
I should point out that there are only 100 CD's, which were all handmade. I can vouch for this as it was me that sat and glued them all together, which took a lot longer than you'd think.
There is also a Sooper Dooper package on offer too, which includes the EP, a hand knitted woolen sleeve, a frisbee, a tote bag and a t-shirt. There are only ten of these on offer, so if you want you'll have to be quick.

Randolph's Leap launch the EP with a special celebratory gig at the Captains Rest on Thursday coming. The gig itself is free, with support from Inspector Tapehead and Blochestra. It is going to be quite a night for all of us, so it would be great to see some familiar faces coming along for the evening. If you are planning on coming along, make sure you get there nice and early to avoid disappointment

Before I go, I should also point out that the Olive Grove Records website will officially launch tomorrow morning, so keep your eyes peeled for it launching, i.e. watch me and Halina getting very over excited on our own sites, twitter and facebook.

Stick with us, it's going to be one hell of a ride!