Weekly Round Up (10/10/10)

Monday - We had some Fresh Meat from The Darien Venture and I also had wee Peenko Exclusive with The Last Battle talking us through their cracking debut album Heart of the Land, Soul of the Sea

Tuesday - This was on of the finest days in Peenko history, s there was The Phantom Band's session for Vic G, an interview with Ed from SL Records and is if that wasn't enough I had a wee competition to win tickets to see The Unwinding Hours in Glasgow, I even managed to grab a few words with Iain from the band. If you are planning on entering this be quick as the closing date is tomorrow.
Wednesday - my Scots Way-Hay'ers for this week were none other than the truly amazing Woodenbox With A Fistful of Fivers
Thursday - The Twilight Sad's session for Marc Riley Session, plus the legendary Matthew Young told us a bit more about his inspirational Song By Toad label.
Friday - it's all about getting your hands on some Freebies
Saturday - Dananananaykroyd took on a Devo classic in We've Got It Covered


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

On Wednesday, Peenko Blog hits the grand old age of two. Yes I know it probably feels like I've been doing this for a lot longer or at least it feels as if I have. To celebrate hitting 'The Terrible Two's' (notice how I have already picked up on the parental lingo), I am going to be having a few special announcements. Some of which you might already know, others might be completely new to your ears and eyes. Let's just say that last years birthday badge give away will be somewhat over shadowed, you'll just have to wait until Wednesday for all to be revealed so to speak. Anyway onwards with the other gubbins....

The Phantom Band are having a wee shin dig this afternoon at Pollock Cricket Club, which is actually only about five minutes from my house so I think I will try and saunter along to this one. Kicking off at 2pm, it will feature DJ sets from the band, plus live music from TUT VU VU, just make sure you bring along a dish and dress neat and tidy.
PS - I know that it says that it's by invite only, but I am pretty sure that if you head along and ask nicely then they'll let you in.

If you're not brave enough to venture southside today, then there's another cracking wee gig taking place in Bloc tonight. Louis Abbott of Admiral Fallow fame is hosting and also kicking off his own night with a solo set, followed by a headlining set from Esperi. That's some line up, you have there and I haven't even told you that it's all free. Get yourself down early for an evening of some stunning intimate music.


On Wednesday night, Stanley Brinks hits Stereo in Glasgow for an evening of alt folk fun. If the name sounds familiar but you can't quite place it, it's the new identity of André Herman Düne, one of the original members of Herman Düne - who are also one of the finest live bands around. Having recorded and played shows in Europe, the UK and the US under various other names: Ben Dope, Ben Haschish, Klaus Bong, John Trawling, John Andreas, Lord Stanislas, to name just a few - man the must get pretty confusing, I wonder what his mum calls him. Tickets for the gig are on sale from monorail, tickets-scotland and ticketweb.

Also on Wednesday night, the fabulous kids of Detour return for another fun filled evening of surprises, carnage and amazing bands. As the line up is a secret I can't really give you any indication of what to expect, apart from that it will be a lot of fun and that you will most certainly need to take the next day off work. It takes place in their spiritual home of Bloc and it all kicks off at 9 through until the wee hours of the morning.


On Thursday night in Glasgow, the Variety Bar is hosting a special evening of fun and frolics in aid of charity. Featuring live sets from Holy Mountain, ProLife, Admiral Fallow, plus guest DJs: James & Johnny from the Twilight Sad and Craig from the Unwinding Hours. Tickets are only £5, which is a total bargain in my eyes.


Next Saturday the 16th, RE:PEATER RECORDS are having a wee shindig at The Captains Rest to celebrate the Split Single Launch with Jacob Yates and the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers and SHe'S HiT, plus very special guests, North American War. It's only£5, with doors at 8pm.

Scottish DIY Labels #5 - RE:PEATER RECORDS

Would you care to introduce yourself?

My name is Stephen McCaffrey and I am involved with a new label called RE:PEATER Records which is run by the band SHe’S HiT. From Sept 2007 - June 2010 I ran Lucky Number Nine Records. This is going to be a pretty straight interview, I’ll leave the jokes to Al from Armellodie - he’s wittier than me.

What inspired you to start your own label?

Probably the same reason as most people with independent ideals; there’s a wide variety of good music being made that largely goes unnoticed by the mainstream and I wanted to help raise the profile of the bands I really enjoyed.


Who do you have signed to your label?

The intention with Lucky Number Nine was to try and bring more attention to bands that we thought had the potential to sign to bigger indie labels. We mainly released vinyl singles and featured loads of bands across several genres including Zoey Van Goey, Astral Planes, Peter Parker and Je Suis Animal.

RE:PEATER is dedicated to two bands, Jacob Yates & the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers and SHe’S HiT, and will release singles and albums.

Being based in Scotland do you only sign Scottish artists?

I don’t think I’d like to restrict releases to Scottish artists - if you hear something unsigned that you like, and would be happy owning, then why not release it? The bands location shouldn’t matter.

She's Hit - Miriam Hollow


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

Anyone in the music industry will tell you how difficult it is to sell records at the moment but I do believe that with a lot of hard work and a lot of luck it would be possible run a label full-time - it wouldn’t be champagne and limousines though, more like beans on toast and Scotrail.

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

I enjoy a lot of different styles of music and Lucky Number Nine certainly wasn’t restricted to one particular sound but with RE:PEATER we are looking for bands that complement each other. I’d like to get to the stage where people are buying our records without hearing them first because they trust that it will sound as good as something they have bought from us previously.


Jacob Yates - You Started At The Bottom

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

We’re looking for artists with individuality, good songs and that have a realistic idea of what they can achieve. We’re not interested in people that think they should be bigger than the Beatles, one man and his guitar crying about his worst break-up or watered down Biffy or Belle & Sebastian copy-cats.


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

The main highlight is getting a delivery of vinyl from the factory and playing it for the second time - the first time you’re too worried that something will be wrong with it.


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

Be patient and do your research - there’s no point in rushing a release as it won’t get the attention it deserves, regardless of how good it is.


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

Our debut release is a split 7” & Download single from SHe’S HiT and Jacob Yates & the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers which will come out on the 18th of October. The Lock Pickers LP will be out in the first quarter of 2011.


RE:PEATER RECORDS are launching the label with a show tomorrow night (Friday 17th September) at the 13th Note in Glasgow. There will be live performances from Fur Hood, SHe'S HiT and headlining will be the labels first signing - Jacob Yates and the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers. Doors are at 8pm and entry is a meagre £4, get it done.

RE:PEATER RECORDS
SHe’S HiT
Jacob Yates & the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers