Friday Freebies

Apologies if this weeks Freebies seems a bit rushed, however, I was out seeing Endor last night so I am trying to quickly get this done before I head out to work. Ah the joys of real life getting in the way...

Dark Mean
One of the most enjoyable things for me about starting this blog was the number of folk that got in touch with me from all over the world. One guy that's been a massive supporter of this blog has been my American friend Mark, who also goes under the moniker of Mudville. It's not been just a one way street of me introducing him to Scottish stuff, he's turned me onto a lot of great stuff from across the pond that I would probably never have come across. The latest band that he's pointed me in the direction of are Dark Mean, a Canadian band that he somehow accidentally bought two copies of their album. Being the kind fella that he is he sent me over a copy one of his spare copies. Being a bit rubbish I have only just started listening to it this week, but fuck me it's a bit good. You don't need to take my word for it though as you can download their track 'Happy Banjo' for free on their Bandcamp.

Miniature Tigers
When I first started reading music blogs way back in 2005, the blog that I visited the most was always You Ain't No Picasso (a mighty fine site I should add). Over the years the site has turned me onto some pretty amazing music, one of the greatest finds that they introduced me to were indie-popsters Miniature Tigers. The band have a new album due out later in the year, as a wee taster they're giving away a free download of their new song 'Boomerang'.

Ace City Racers
Glasgow indie pop outift, Ace City Racers, have made their song 'Work Hard, Play Hard Again ' free to download on their SoundCloud page. It's a Blur 'Country House' era-ish, it's also one catchy bugger of a tune, grab it here.

Wavves
Here's one for all you hipsters, it's a new track from pop-punnker, Wavves called 'I Wanna Meet Dave Grohl' (don't we all).

American Songwriter Magazine
I know virtually fuck all about the American Songwriter Magazine, the one thing that I do know is that they've got a free compilation up for grabs. So if you'd like some free tracks from the likes of Beirut and Mariachi El Bronx then look no further.

GMJ Playlist
Here's another free compilation for y'all, this one has tracks from the likes of VHS or Beta, Wooden Shjips andBlitzen Trapper, you can download it here.

My Tiny Robots
Edinburgh odd Pop four piece have made their track ‘Rock Bossa Nova Four Beat Black’ free to download on their Soundcloud. The single is a precursor to their release of their series of three digital singles in October.

A Fight You Can't Win
The Edinburgh grunge four piece have made their eponymous album free to download on their Bandcamp.

The Darien Venture
Glasgow rockers, The Darien Venture have made their song 'Animals' free to you all using this link.

Slacker 73
Glenrothes outfit, Slacker 73 have made their song 'Reebox Shinin' free to download on their Bandcamp.

Atlas : Empire
I don't know too much about Glasgow outfit Atlas : Empire, I think they must have something to do with the Silent Forest, but then again I am only guessing that from the tags on their SoundCloud. Anyway, the important thing to know is that they have a free download up for grabs here.

Wiredrawn
Aberdonian alt-rockers, Wiredrawn have made some of their tunes free to download on their SoundCloud page, from what I have heard so far this sounds like they might well be ones to keep an eye for in the future.

Friday Freebies

King Post Kitsch
I know I have said this umpteen times before, but I'll say it again. I am very fucking excited about the forthcoming King Post Kitsch album. If his new EP, 'Some Call It Hell, But It's Home' is anything to go by then I am pretty sure I won't be disappointed. You too can feel the excitement by downloading the EP for free here.

Tiny Birds
I always find the best way to find out about new music is through recommendations from my peers, this little freebie came courtesy of our friend DC from the Waiting Room who tipped me off about Tiny Birds. Their new album sounds quintessentially English, it reminds a wee bit of Jeremy Warmsley's first album, no bad thing in my eyes or should that be ears? Either way you can download the album and make your own mind up.

The Darien Venture
It's been a pretty exciting week for The Darien Venture, they've been signed up by exciting new Glagsow label, Overlook Records. To celebrate this momentous occasion they're giving away 'The Back to the Future EP' for free download on their Bandcamp.

Francis Macdonald
Teenage Fanclub drummer Francis Macdonald, has just released posted "Maculate Conceptions"an instrumental album that he recorded on his MacBook computer during the Fannies European tour in Nov/Dec 2010, up for free on his Bandcamp page.

Animal Collective
In anticipation of their forthcoming ATP curation, Animal Collective have posted a mixtape featuring an array of talent, which includes songs from various artists including Beach House, Meat Puppets, Spectrum, The Frogs and of course Animal Collective. You can download it here.

Battles
The NYC experimental outfit have a free download of their new song, 'Ice Cream' up for grabs on their homepage.

FOUND
Ever wondered what FOUND covering the Quantum Leap theme tune might sound like, no me neither, but now thanks to the wonders of the internet you can. Download it here.

Pumajaw
Perth's finest, have made their new single 'Mask' free to download on their homepage. Describing themselves as being 'quite dark and cinematic but with a pop sensibility', a far better summation than I would have come up with. They will be playing King Tuts on the 25th of April, in support of the physical release of the single.

The Raveonettes
KEXP have a free download of a new tune from The Raveonettes, you'll find 'Forget That You’re Young' here.

Bill Callahan
Taken form his forthcoming new album, Apocalypse, Smog main man's new song 'Baby's Breath' is free to download over on Stereogum

The Big Nowhere
The Glasgow alt-folkers have made their new EP, 'Things We Lost In The Flood' available to download for free on their Soundcloud page.

Dropkick
Scottish alt-folk power pop outfit, Dropkick have a whole load of albums up for free download here.

Throwing Muses
You can download acoustic versions of songs from Rat Girl as performed by Throwing Muses here.

Jonnie Common
Inspector Tapehead member and all round talented fella, Jonnie Common, has posted up a wee remix for free download on his Bandcamp

Jump: Press A
Edinburgh rock outfit, Jump: Press A, have made their new EP, 'In Case Of Emergency' available to download for free on Bandcamp. You can see the band playing live when they support Scrap Brain at their single launch on the 8th April at Maggies Chamber in Edinburgh.


There will be no Friday Freebies next week as I am out at gigs on Wednesday and Thursday night, sorry kids. On the plus side that does mean a double roll over for next week.

Festive Freebies

Apologies for the lack of a Friday Freebies last week, I'm afraid that I got struck down by a dose of the dreaded man flu and was pretty useless to man nor beast. On the plus side I now have a double dose of free shit to share with you all, bet your chuffed to bits with that news. Either that or you don't give two fucks and are too excited about the prospect of getting hammered tonight and eating the face of random strangers. Either here's this weeks freebies........

Mitchell Museum
Those luverly Mitchell Museum kids recorded an EP especially to give to you all for Christmas, what a nice bunch they are. The tunes aren't too shabby neither, in fact I'd go as far as saying they're pretty fecking awesome. Stop what you're doing and go and download 'The Closer We Got The Harder We Fell' for free on their Bandcamp.

King Post Kitsch
I must admit that I am pretty excited about the forthcoming KPK album which is due in March on Song By Toad Records, as a wee pre-cursor of what to expect he's very kindly giving away a download of a new track called 'Movies & Magazines'. After listening to the track a couple of times it just made me want to hear the album even more, you can hear what' getting me all excited by following this link where you can download the track for free.

FOUND
Not content with already having one of the greatest album you're likely to hear in 2011, those amazing FOUND boys gave away a whole albums worth of remixes last Friday. If you're quick off the mark then you might still be able to download yourself a copy. While we're on this wee FOUND-trip, I also wanted to point you in the direction of this EP that Tommy from the band recorded using car sounds, it might sound pretentious as fuck, but it's actually pretty good. It's also free (unsurprisingly) and you can find it here.

Call To Mind
For me personally, Call To Mind's debut EP was one of the most beautiful releases of this year, now they're giving it away as a free download there are no excuses for you not to check it out. With their debut album due to arrive at some point in 2011 it should be one hell of a year for these guys.

Adam Stafford
The YIFI frontman has a new solo album, 'Build a Harbour Immediately', due out early next year. As wee taster of what to expect, you can download new track 'A Temple of The Holy Ghost' for free on his Bandcamp.

King Tuts
As they did during the summer, King Tuts are running a few nights of local talent at the start of January, under the banner of New Year's Revolution. As they're getting into the festive spirit of giving stuff away fore free, they've compiled a wee compilation of some the artists they have lined up, down it in exchange for your details here.

The Darien Venture
Those lovely Darien boys are giving away their cover of the Christmas classic, 'Feed the World' as their festive gift to you all. Just right click, save and it's all yours.

How to Swim
I wouldn't even know where to start if I was to try and pigeon hole How To Swim under some kind of genre, let's just say it's not dull. If you fancy delving into the unknown then you their free festive EP, 'Santa Has All The Best Tunes' is a good starting point. It's available to download for free on their Bandcamp.

A Band Called Quinn
Louis Quinn's pop starlets have a free download of their tune 'I Wish You Love' up for grabs as part of their A Band Called Quinn Advent Calendar. Nice.

How Garbo Died
There are a whole load of goodies up for grabs for nowt on their Bandcamp page, including a festive tune which is interesting to say the least

Mariachi Eli Bronx
For one week onlry, Mariachi El Bronx are giving away a free download of their Christmas song, 'Lady Rosales', all you need to do is sign up to their mailing list and it's all yours.

Pete and the Pirates
They have posted up a new track called 'Winter 1' which you can find here.

St Etienne
Head over to RCRD LBL where you will find a free download of St. Etienne's festive song 'No Cure For The Common Christmas'

Bright Eyes
Conor Oberst is giving away a taster of what to expect from his forthcoming album The People’s Key, in the form of new track ‘Shell Games.’

Iron & Wine
Just follow this link to download “Tree By the River” from Iron & Wine’s forthcoming album Kiss Each Other Clean.

Curators
Get yourself a free download of State Of Grace by Curators here for free.

Stanley Odd
As a wee festive treat the Scottish hi-hop outfit are giving away their track 'Ten to One (Solareye Demo)' away for free on their Bandcamp.

Owen Pallett
The artist formerly known as Final Fantasy, or the guy that does the strings in Arcade Fire or the man who Poo's Clouds, however you want to know him, is giving away an EP worth of material for free here.

Gorillaz
I am guessing most of you already know about this one, but just to be on the safe side here it is. The Gorillaz gave away a whole album's worth of material on Christmas Day, recorded over the past few months on Damon Albarn's iPad, you can download 'The Fall' here.

The Decemberists
I am pretty sure I have already posted this, but in case you missed or my mind is just playing tricks on me you can download The Decemberists new single 'Down By The Water' for free on iTunes.

Verbicide Magazine
Have a wee compilation up for grabs featuring songs from Deer Tick, Slow Club and The Hush Now, you can find it here.

Yeasayer
Fancy a wee Yeasayer live album, then look no further as they've posted up a free download of one of their live shows. Recorded at Ancienne Belgique in Brussels on October 28th, 2010, you can download it here.

Pixies
Another band giving away free live recording are the Pixies, who have posted up four from London in 2004, and one from Athens in 1989, which you can find here.

Domino Records
The influential label have a wee compilation up for grabs, including tracks from Four Tet, Steve Mason and Orange Juice. You can find it here here.

6DayRiot
The London based folk outfit (fronted by a Scot) have posted a free download of their cover of the Pretenders classic '2000 Miles'. Download it here.

Tracey Thorn
Download yourself a free cover version of Tracey Thorn's take on the Sufjan Stevens' seasonal classic, 'Sister Winter'.

The Klaxons
If I am honest I've never seen the appeal of the Klaxons, but I am sure that some of you out there must like/have liked them at some point. In which case you might be interested in their new EP 'Landmarks of Lunacy' which they're giving away for free.

You Animals
They've put together an EP of alternate version of some of the tracks from their forthcoming debut album and they’re giving it away absolutely free.

Gizeh Records
Home to folk like Conquering Animal Sound, worriedaboutsatan and Sleepingdog, the Leeds based indie label have a free sampler up for grabs. It includes tracks from the aforementioned bands, plus a whole load of other goodies. Download it here.

Fresh Meat Monday - The Darien Venture

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Hello! I am a boy named Liam and I play the guitar in an all-singing all-dancing Math Pop quartet going under the name 'The Darien Venture'.


How would you describe the music you make?


As much as every band wants to say that their music is totally original, unless you're making music by slapping your nutsack on a bag of Jelly Babies - you're not. So I'll just say we're heavily influenced by bands like American Football and Mimas to the Beach Boys and the late, great Aereogramme. It's also pretty hard not to take influence from local acts too - there's a really nice competitive element between a lot of our mates bands which means everyone tries to write better and better songs resulting in some really incredible music. It's nice to be a part of.


How did you start out making music?

Kyle (Bass), Jonny (Drums) and I all lived together at uni, although Jonny and myself have been playing in bands together since we were about 14 (we both come from Selkirk to which 3/5ths of Frabbit and Gregor from Trapped in Kansas call home too). Dave worked in the local Zavvi in Ayr at the time so we used to go and and try and pester to get stuff early and generally chat about obscure bands we'd 'discover'. He was playing in a band called Fragile and after their bass player left Kyle decided to join which lasted a few months until their drummer left. By this point Dave was coming round more and more to hang out and one thing led to another (as they do) and before long we'd started the band. Note: I've left out the part where we had another drummer (the one and only Marco Edge) but parted ways after our first demo only to get Jonny.


What process goes into the way you write songs?


Generally one of us brings a riff or part of a song to the table (myself and Dave both try and write as much stuff using Logic to record and swap) and from there everyone just has suggestions on where it can go. What usually happens is Dave and I will have an argument until something resolves. We've both come to the conclusion that the only reason we're arguing is because we want the best for a song and both know at the end of the day we'll argue to a conclusion we're both happy with. It never gets personal and we know we're not really falling out, it's just a process that has to happen.


What can people expect from your live shows?

I hope a really good time; all of us have always been believers that if you're going to go to a show you're going to want to see entertainment (by entertainment I mean 4 grown men throwing themselves about like a bunch of twats) - I've never completely seen the point of going to see a band just stand there and play, you could just stay at home and listen to a CD. I mean obviously there are a lot of bands that don't move a lot due to the fact they're playing crazy technical shit that requires zen-like concentration, and we've got a few songs that require some semblance of focus too or they're just going to sound bad. Which is something we've definitely worked to get right - the balance between sounding good and looking mental. Fuck knows we've crossed way over the line a few times and it's just sounded horrific, but generally I'd like to hope we get it right most of the time.


What are you all listening to at the moment?

Personally a lot of local stuff, it always good to see what's out there in the same scene and there are some insanely great bands kicking about at the mo, but also a few touring bands we've had the pleasure of playing with have left their mark (Mimas, Tubelord). But I know we all love bands like Aereogramme, American Football, Weezer, Reuben, Minus the bear, Tool etc. Myself and Jonny (him more than me) are also into a lot of heavier bands like Opeth, Meshuggah & Killswitch Engage (Don't judge. Their first album is perfect).


What can we expect to see/hear from you in 2010?

To be honest, I have no idea - the last 8 months have been kinda limbo for us, we've been taking time to write a load of new stuff and record a few tracks and we've been talking to a few labels to figure out what we can do next - either release the tracks we've got recorded ourselves or find someone to put it out for us. I'm sure we'll sort something out so just keep an eye on (edit) the links below and if you could get along to a show to let us know if we indeed crossed the sounding good/"Is that boy taking a fit" line that'd would be awesome.


The Darien Venture - e_r_a

Myspace
Facebook
Twitter

Darien Venture - Air3 Radio Session (03/12/09)

Track Listing
1. Broadcast Signal Invasion
2. Fresh Prince
3. One Point Twenty One Gigawatts
4. When I Was Your Age

Download

Introducing - The Darien Venture

Picture taken from here

When I started this blog I really didn't know where I was going with it, and to be honest I still don't, that's half the fun I guess. One thing I never really imagined would happening was that I would actually get other people posting on here, so when I decided to let Bob loose on my 'baby' a few months back I did feel as if I was opening Pandora's Box, hey I'm still the captain of this ship, except now I am sailing this ship with the aid of some people who can actually write coherently.


The latest addition to the crew is Susie, who, if you kick about here often enough will realise that she is a fellow Frabbiteer or Bunny Boiler as my wife calls us. For a while now she's been banging on about some great new bands that i know not a lot about, so she's very kindly taken up my suggestion that she writes something for me. For her first (hopefully there will be more) post she has decided to an introduction to the Darien Venture, enjoy....

Great bands can lead to great bands. This is true of how I came to know and appreciate The Darien Venture as much as I do. Having been a fan of Trapped in Kansas since they supported Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin last September (back in the We Are days) I always on the lookout for the chance to catch them again. And in a very musical mood on March 30^th, I made a last minute decision and took off from Stirling to the Captain’s Rest (the same place I would be for a fair few hours the next day as well) to see Trapped in Kansas play with The Darien Venture and Out of Samsara. I was a little aware of Darien’s music via myspace but at this gig they were amazing, the crowd loved them and so did I. I caught both Trapped in Kansas and Darien Venture again just over 2 weeks later in the same venue for their joint EP launch and by then I was a solid fan of both. And apparently I’m recognizable since at this gig both bands knew who I was.

Hailing from Ayr and made up of friends and university chums, The Darien Venture do exactly what they say on the tin (or in this case, the myspace) – “Expect volume and good times.” They will be recording their first EP in October and can only go from strength to strength. And as I say to everyone I tell about them, they have a song about Back to the Future so you really can’t go wrong.

The Darien Venture are playing The Mill @ The Oran Mor on September 24^th with Atlas Skye – Free tickets are available here

And are playing Stirling University’s Union’s Transmission with Trapped in Kansas on November 12^th. Free for students and non-students can be signed in (one each student). So you better find yourself a Stirling Uni student if you want to come along to what is gonna be a fun night.