Friday Freebies

Due to me being out last week catching the Twilight Sad, I didn't get a chance to draft up a Friday Freebies, boo me. The good news is that this week is double roll over, yay me!


Randolph's Leap
You might have noticed that I have been talking a lot about the forthcoming Randolph's Leap cassette album 'The Curse of the Haunted Headphones', and seeing as it comes out on Monday I will warn you that I am going to continue to bang on about it for the foreseeable future. The album launch night is this coming Saturday at the Captain's Rest, with support from Kith & Kin, Donna Maciocia and a very special guest (ooo who could it be!). As a wee teaser the band have made the track Dying In My Sleep free to download. A catchy wee bugger it is too, then again most of the album will ingrain itself on your brain.


Human Don't Be Angry
As I am sure that most of you are already aware, Malcolm Middleton has been busy recording an album under the guise of Human Don’t Be Angry.. It's just been announced that the album will come out on the legendary Glasgow label, Chemikal Underground on the 23rd of April. The project sees Malcie taking a new direction to his previous solo material, with this mainly instrumental album, as a prelude to the album you can now download the title track from the album, 'H.D.B.A Theme' for nowt here.

The 2 Bears
First up we have a Joe Goddard of Hot Chip fame's new side project,  The 2 Bears, who's new album 'Be Strong' has been keeping me in a positive frame of mind this week. You never know it might do the same for you too, find out for yourself by downloading their track 'Work' for free from DFA Records SoundCloud page.

we're only afraid of NYC  
If you haven't already downloaded we're only afraid of NYC's latest EP, 'zero​.​four' then you really should get that rectified now. If you have already checked it out then you'll appreciate just how good it is, what you might not know is that they've just added bonus track 'Hoppa Inte' to download for free (as is the whole EP). The boys have also just announced that they'll be playing at Never Make Friends presents, alongside This Silent Forest and Mike Nisbet at the Captain's Rest on Saturday the 24th of March.

We Are Augustines
What with this obsession with Scottish music, nowadays I often find that I am nowhere near as clued up on what's going on in the world as I used to be. Most of my new discoveries either come from recommendations from friends or by catching support bands, We Are Augustines fall into this category as I caught them supporting Frightened Rabbit in Edinburgh last Friday and boy did they impress. I guess it's safe to say that We Are Augustines own a few Springsteen records, not something that would normally be my cup of tea, but the three piece were mightily impressive. Find out for yourself by 'liking' them on Facebook and they'll give you a free tune as your reward.

Kowalskiy's Free Monthly 5-track Scottish EP
Another month and once again Mr Kowalskiy's has pulled together another cracking free EP full of Scottish goodness. This month we have free tunes from Ayrshire singer-songwriter, Little Fire, buzz band, Brown Bear & The Bandits, Glasgow folksters, New Town Triptych, Edinburgh starlets The Last September and the rather awesome, Ajimal. Five great tunes in exchange for no pennies, the boy's excelled himself once again.

Andrew Bird
It's been an age since I last listened to anything by Andrew Bird, having been a bit over obsessed with his track 'Fake Palindromes' a few years ago, I now find myself realising that I haven't gone back and listened to his records in ages. So what made me start listening to Mr Bird again, well as you've already guessed it was of course a new free song that I stumbled across. You can download his new track 'The Crown Salesman' for nowt over on his Facebook page, for me it just reminds me why I liked him so much the first time round.

Pareto
In case you haven't already heard, Glasgow alt-rock outfit, Pareto have called it a day, as a parting gift they've made their final single 'These Men Can’t Dance' free to download on Bandcamp.

Seas, Starry
Aberdonian instrumentalists 'Seas, Starry' have just released their new single Faint Praise for free download on Bandcamp, rather lush it is too. With their debut album due out later in the year, just now would be a good time to get yourself acquainted with the ambient/shoegaze five piece.

In Session
 Over the past year or so In Session, a show on Edinburgh Student station, Fresh Air have recorded a number of acoustic sessions, which they've now decided to share with the world. If you fancy some free tracks from the likes of The Twilight Sad, Broken Records, Endor, I Build Collapsible Mountains and Loch Awe, then just follow this link.

Blue Rose Code
I can't quit recall as to whether or not I have ever posted anything about Blue Rose Code before, if I haven't I meant to and at least I'm trying to make up for it now. If you fancy something nice and laid back to ease you into the weekend, then this celtic tinged folk song is a blissful wee number that should soothe the pains of a weeks work away. The song is called Where The Westlin' Winds and it's free to download on SoundCloud.


Drunk Mule
Another week and yet another free tune from those fabulous Drunk Mule boys, this weeks offering is called 'Shoot The Fingers, Kill The Hand' and you can get your grubby mitts on it here.

i like ceareal, my friend
What the world needs now is a new a douglas firs side project and thankfully such a thing now exists in the form of "i like ceareal, my friend", who have just has released an ep by the name of 'season's greetings' (bit late?) which is one of those Buy Now/name your price deals on Bandcamp.

Moonface
Spencer Krug he of Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown fame has just announced that he's going to be releasing a new album for his Moonface project. The record which is due out in April is called With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery, and as a wee taster you can download the track "Teary Eyes And Bloody Lips" for free on Pitchfork.

In Sound Mixtape
Uber cool online indie record store, In Sound have just posted up their monthly mixtape. This latest release has tracks from the likes of Bowerbirds, Damien Jurado, of Montreal and Sharon van Etten and it's free to download here.

Bear In Heaven
To finish up here's one for all you hipsters out there, it's a free download from Brooklyn trio Bear In Heaven. The track is called The Reflection of You and I am pretty sure you can expect to see Pitchfork/Stereogum/Gorilla vs Bear... creaming their tight hipster pants over this wee number.

The Douglas Firs - Happy as a Windless Flag: Track By Track

Today sees the release of the debut album from former Fresh Meat starlets, The Douglas Firs. Now this isn't the most comfortable of listens, for me it took a long while before the album actually sank in. It's very much a late in the evening kind of album, that the band reckon would be verging on prog-rock if they could play their instruments - their words, not mine. It's the kind of album that you will love or hate, there is no in between. Personally I think it's a great wee album, hence the reason why I asked them to do this Track By Track. Right I think that's enough of my rambling pish, I'll pass you across to Neil from the band to talk you through 'Happy as a Windless Flag'...


I Will Kill Again

This song is literally a song of suicide, as the protagonist of the song waves goodbye to everything, and himself. it is a farewell to doctrines of self proclaimed visionaries, false causes, delusions, fear; an acknowledgement that we can never really know the world for what it really is. there's also a goodbye to romantic thought, and ends feeling a bit useless and tired. the "bloody landing rag and tooth" line is autobiographical - from when I was a postman in Aberdeen and found some grizzly scenes whilst climbing tenements.

A Military Farewell

This was just a bit of fun because i liked the song, the harmonies, and it fit in with the record thematically. it follows the dull thud of suicide, jumping from a great height. this is the version paratroopers used to sing in WW2 - they were terrified they'd get caught in their parachutes and just fall to their death.

Sepulture

The cover became less funny the older the recording got, and I've noticed it has annoyed several reviewers! it leads into a short cover song originating from near where i was born, called "yellow's on the broom", then there is a funereal march called "sepulture" (literally meaning 'tomb').

Future State

Future State is supposed to be passing into another life. though I don't necessarily believe there is an afterlife. probably just blackness, forever?

The Quickening

The Quickening is a song about being born, being comforted by the feeling of safety until you're old enough to understand the horrors of the world. the lyrics are supposed to be quite simplistic, and there are a couple of deliberate references in there but I won't say what. But ultimately the song is a celebration of the camaraderie that exists when people get together to play music, and this represents this false comfort we have as children.

The Shadow Line

"The Shadow Line" is about an imaginary line that we cross from youth into maturity. the first stanza is about 'endless' youth like a drawn-out note. the second is about sentimentality failing, and fading. then old age / death arrives, a bit like a giant storm that we know is coming, eventually.

Balance of Halves

"Balance of Halves" is about leaving the freedoms of our early days behind, but sometimes there are flashes of that ecstatic youthful feeling throughout the rest of life. I suppose it is this transient feeling that provokes middle aged people to buy Ferraris and have ludicrous affairs with younger men/women. though perhaps I'm just upset that I'll never own a Ferrari.

Grow Old and Go Home

"Grow Old and Go Home" is about the feeling of fatigue and uselessness, and soundtracks my walk home to my old flat in Edinburgh. I could hear the trains rattling over Abbeyhill as I drifted off to sleep.

Soporific

"Soporific" is about dreaming dreams where you are sort of watching yourself take part. it feels like this to me sometimes in waking life as well. it's a song about surrendering to sleep, and it being a little like death in some ways. I've always had pretty bad nightmares, but when i lived in Aberdeen it was interspersed literally with the screams of people outside (I lived in the thick of town).


The Douglas Firs play live at Sneaky Pete's in Edinburgh on the 18th of June. 'Happy as a Windless Flag' is available to buy now from their Bandcamp page for just £5.

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Friday Freebies

Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat
Every man and his dog seems to raving on about how amazing, Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat's new album 'Everthing's Getting Older' is, sadly I have yet to hear it, but their session for Vic on Monday night was really quite breath taking. If you follow this link then you might get a better inclination of what to expect as there's a free download of their song 'The Copper Top' up for grabs.

The Douglas Firs
If blogger hadn't let me down then I would have used this opportunity to let you know that the Douglas Firs were/are celebrating the launch of their new album ''Happy as a Windless Flag' tonight in Edinburgh. If you aren't there then you can console yourself by downloading their single 'The Shadow Line' for free from Soundcloud. Check back in on Monday for more on the bands album.

BMX Bandits
Last month the BMX Bandits were involved in organising a charity download album in support of the victims of the Japanese earthquake. If you didn't download yourself a copy, then sadly you were too late. They have however, made a live version of their song Little River of Spring, taken from the aforementioned album, available for free download on Bandcamp.

Candythief
Some time Fence associate, Canythief has made her new single 'Song For David' available to download for free. Be quick mind you as it's only going to be up for a limited period.

Lost Telegrams
This freebies comes courtesy of my east coast blogger friend Stu from Tidal Wave Of Indifference, it's from a female Edinburgh outfit by the name of Lost Telegrams. Rather nifty it is too, the band are currently recording their new EP, which should be out shortly. Until then it's release you can content yourself with a free download of their song 'Away' on their Bandcamp.

Smashing Pumpkins
Ah Billy, why don't you just call it a day and stop destroying everything that was once good about the Smashing Pumpkins. If you are still clinging on to the (Siamese) dream that Mr Corgan will eventually be recreate song equal to past glories, then you might want to download new song 'Owata' for free on the bands homepage. Me I'll be avoiding this like the plague.

Presenting: Barmellodie

Next Friday is a going to be a busy wee evening in Glasgow for gigs, at Stereo my good mate Jim has gone solo and is putting on his first ever 'Ayetunes Presents' gig with Boygirlanimalcolour, Kochka and Trapped Mice. Tickets are only £3 in advance and £5 on the door.

After that's all finished it will be time to head up to Bloc for the first in the series of nights beng put on by Armellodie Records. Cleverly billed as 'Barmellodie', this 6-month residency sees the label putting on a series of gigs showcasing acts from their roster plus an array of local talent. The night will also feature guest DJ spots from local bloggers and tastemakers as well as resident ArmelloDJs spinning tunes right through to the wee hours on the third Friday of each month.

Kicking it all off they have Battery Face, Le Reno Amps and The Douglas Firs, plus they have Phil from Elba Sessions spinning some tunes too. If you're going along make sure you buy Phil a drink as he's just become a dad for the first time. The first band should be kicking off around 11pm, after which Al and Phil will be spinning tunes till about 3am. Entry is free until midnight, after which entry will rise to a whopping £2. It should be a pretty epic night considering everyone that they've got involved. Further details can be found here.

Le Reno Amps - Never Be Alone

The Douglas Firs - The Quickening

Battery Face - Lurch

Fresh Meat Monday - The Douglas Firs

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Hello, my name is Neil, and I make music under the moniker "the douglas firs", which I have done so since Summer 2003

How would you describe the music you make?

It is the music of one man, potentially mad, going mad again, and again... In actuality, the first record was an amalgamation of all my favourite music thrown into a mixer and reproduced badly, in effect accidentally making something that sounds original. I recorded a lot of it in churches, as they were the only places kind enough to let me use their equipment.

The new record is a lot darker and minimal, with more emphasis on dischord, disharmony and dissonance. The three Ds (of death?).

I love ambient music, so I've tried to replicate that element using organic instruments. There's piano, sax, trumpet, organ, and so on.

The first record, yet to be released, is a concept record that is, on the surface, about flags, sight/blindness, life/death, synaethesia, the hardening of the soul. Oh - and moths.

How did you start out making music?

Using a four track and an acoustic guitar, in my shed in Aberdeen. I recorded about 40 demo songs in 2003.

What process goes into the way you write songs?

I've been trying out different methods - recently I've discovered the joys of working under pressure. I have been utterly suprised I could work this way. I have found I write really quickly, and there is an element of creativity you can force into existence. This was when I had a church residency for one month last year.

Saying that, some songs have taken years and years, and some have still never been fully realised.

What can people expect from your live shows?

It's a little more pronunciation live, with about seven people, and more guitars. There's an emphasis on principles, or ethics. Fugazi are one of my favourite bands...except maybe we're a little less aggressive.

What are you all listening to at the moment?

I'm particularly liking the following - Sean McCann, Polvo & Kurt Vile.

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

An EP, an album, and maybe even a second record - if I can ever allow myself to be happy with it.

The Douglas Firs - Soporific

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Friday Freebies

I Build Collapsible Mountains
Last week, the legend that is Luke Joyce designed that pretty new banner you see above, then he went and topped it all off by tipping me off about this band. At first he failed to mention that it's his own little side project, which was kind of embarrassing as I had gotten highly over excited and started gushing over it. God I sound like such a girl sometimes. Anyway, there are three songs available for free download on their Bandcamp page. I strongly suggest you check them out, then you can gush too (did I just make the word gush seem really rude?).

The Douglas Firs
Aberdeen/Edinburgh shoegazers, The Douglas Firs have put two unreleased songs up for free download, Acolyte Firelight Diorama and Whiteman's Tribal Diorama can both be downloaded for free over on their blog page.

Randolph's Leap
Their new EP, 'Eerie Indie Adam', is up for free download on their Bandcamp page.

Jack James
The Glasgow indie-folkster has just posted his new album, 'Quarter Life-Crisis' up for free download on his Bandcamp page.

Blackbird Blackbird
Let's Move On Together EP is free to download on his Bandcamp page.

How to Destroy Angels
Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails fame has a new project entitled How to Destroy Angels, and they have put their first EP up for free, you can download it here.

Winning Sperm Party
The amazing Scottish indie label has put not one, but two of their new releases up for free download. Head on over to their homepage where you can find an EP from Rory McIntyre and an album from Eternal Fags.

Debutant
Having recently released an excellent split single with Conquering Animal Sound on Edinburgh label Gerry Loves Records. Now the one man Edinburgh dream pop outfit have posted two songs to download, 'Definition' and 'La Pucelle' can be had for free on his Bandcamp.

Hot Hot Heat
We had some Hot Hot Heat last week but there's another track from their forthcoming album, Future Breeds available here. I really like this, makes me want to listen to them again after the disaster that was Happiness LTD.

The Drums
Anyone like The Drums? Not too into them myself but there's a cracking remix of Forever And Ever, Amen by St Etienne. If you don't at least nod your head and tap your feet a wee bit then you're not human. Get it here.


Kowalskiys Komplimentary Korner

Curators

After doing some snooping about, our good friend 'The Doc', has come up with this little gem, a live recording (26 minute 26 second long MP3) of the Curators entire set from Stereo (22/04/10). Its posted on their Facebook but you don't have to be a member to access it. The direct mp3 link is here. "The sound quality is great, apart from the sound engineer burping twice! Better out than in though...."