This week saw Scottish DIY label, Overlook Records announce details of their 1st Birthday gig. Taking place at The Captain's Rest on Saturday the 2nd of June, they've lined up a hefty bill which features every member of the Overlook family, so that'll be Trapped in Kansas, The Darien Venture, Salò, So Many Animal Calls, Bellow Below and Vasa Crusades. Tickets for the gig are just £5, with seven bands on the bill you can't really argue about getting value for your money. With almost half of the tickets already sold, you'd be wise to get yours nice and early if you fancy going to this one. To get you in the mood here's Trapped Kansas cover of the Calvin Harris song 'I'm Not Alone'.
The Twilight Sad
Kilsyth's finest sons are all set to release their much anticipated third album (proper), No One Can Ever Know, next month. Having heard the album I reckon it's going to take a lot of folk by surprise with the new direction they've taken. As a wee teaser of what to expect, you can download Another Bed from it for free via both the Skinny and Spin.
Aloha Tigers!
My good friend Ian, who used to run the blog Have Fun At Dinner has set up his very own wee record label, Kircudbright Tape Club, and his first release is going to be with a band he's been championing for some time now, Bloomington-based dream-pop outfit, Aloa Tigers! Their debut album is due out later this year, but as a wee teaser of what to expect they've made their single, The Kind of Girl U Like, free to download on SoundCloud.
Mike Nisbet
Thanks to his placing in last years BAMS award, a lot of folk seem to now be taking notice of Oban's singer songwriter, Mike Nisbet. If you haven't already checked him out out, then now's your chance as he's made his song, Not Long, free to download here. It comes highly recommended kids.
The Last Battle
Around this time last year, Edinburgh folksters The Last Battle recorded recorded a New Years song called '365 days', and they're now very kindly giving it away as a free download on their Bandcamp. Look out for the follow up to their excellent debut album, Heart of the Land, Soul of the Sea, later in the year.
Hey Marseilles
It's been a while since I mentioned anything about Seattle septet Hey Marseilles, a band that I first heard after my friend Luke, aka I Build Collapsible Mountains, played them on an episode of the Glasgow Podcart. I'd actually forgotten how much I liked this lot, so it came as a nice surprise to find out that the influential radio station, KEXP are giving away a free download of their song “Elegy” here. 2012 looks set to be a big year for this lot, look out for a follow up to their debut self release, To Travels & Trunks later in the year, just cross those fingers that they make it over to these shores.
Monoganon
Those who frequent these parts on a regular basis might recall that I was raving about Monoganon's last album, Songs To Swim To, so much so that I had it was my second favourite album of 2011. So you can imagine my excitement in finding out that John B McKenna & Co have just released a new mini album called Help through those nice folk at Winning Sperm Party. Although not as immediate as their last release, this might not be for everyone, but I promise you that if you stick with it, it improves with every listen.
Trapped in Kansas
Those lovely Trapped in Kansas boys have very kindly decided that it might be a nice to give away all of the music that they record prior to the release of their last EP 'How To Go'. Just head on over to their label, Overlook Records where you can find a link to a whole load of goodies.
The Give It Ups
There are a few different record labels that continue to impress me with the music that they put out, one label that continues to impress are London DIY label, Odd Box Records. Their most recent release comes from twee indie four piece, The Give It Ups, and their single 'Let's Be Frank / If Everything Ends' which is fucking ace and free to download here.
Conquering Animal Sound
Having spent much of last year touring round Europe, Conquering Animal Sound have decided that it would be a nice idea to give something back to everyone who came out to see them. As a wee treat they're giving away a free live EP, featuring a couple of album tracks and some works in progress. Download it for nowt here.
No Island
Do
you love your hardcore! No seriously, do you love your hardcore? If you
do, then Glasgow hardcore punks No Island might well end up being your
new favourite band. Their self-titled debut EP is free to download on
their Bandcamp
page and I can't help but think that these guys would be fucking
awesome love. I guess I'll have to find out for myself some time soon.
Niki And The Dove
Earlier this week it was announced that Niki And The Dove came 5th in this years BBC's Sound of 2012 new music list, if you fancy finding out what this fuss is about this Swedish electronic duo then you can download their song 'The Fox' for free right now by clicking on 'Free Download' under their Facebook profile photo.
As In Bear
For quite a while now, my partner in crime Halina from Glasgow Podcart has been banging on about an Ayrshire outfit by the name of As In Bear. It wasn't until they got voted in as one of the Best New Bands in the recent Ayetunes Readers' Poll that I finally took note (my bad). If you fancy finding out what all the fuss is about then head on over to their SoundCloud page where you will find a whole host of free tunes.
Matt Norris & the Moon
Having just supported Primal Scream at their Hogmanay show, Edinburgh outfit Matt Norris & the Moon are unsurprisingly on a bit of a high, so much so that they've posted up an improved version of their song First Light of Day for free download on their SoundCloud page.
Fat Janitor
I still don't know too much about this noisy lot, the only thing that I can now tell you for certain is that they've posted up a mini album called Lurk for free. If you feel like giving your ears a healthy battering then getting downloading here.
Hipster Death Squad
The best named band in the world with the tunes to back it up are back, yup those prolific young fellas have crafted yet another corking wee tunes. It's called Good Times Again, which you can download for free on their Bandcamp page.
Seafieldroad
I would argue that the solo project from Andrew Eaton-Lewis from the band Swimmer One, is one of the most under rated Scottish acts out there at the moment. You don't have to take my word for it though, if you head over to their Bandcamp where you can find two new songs which are available on a pay what you want basis. Even if you don't fancy shelling out any pennies for them, I'd urge you to get them downloaded.
The Martial Arts
Glasgow indie power pop outfit, The Martial Arts are giving away their new album Your Sinclair for nowt over here.
coma emilio
Last, but certainly not least we have one man project 'coma emilio' who's been busy working away on new material. Fans of lo-fi experimental music should find themselves right at home with his new album, Not Songs Not Sung Not Sad, which you can download for free here.
And so it begins... I did warn you at the end of last week I did warn you that I would be starting on my numerous end of year polls. Following on from the success of last years series of posts I have decided to run my Artists Albums of the Year, which basically meant that I went back to any of the bands and artists that have featured in my Scots Way-Hay posts over the past couple of years. To kick us off here are the choices of Happy Particles, Discopolis, John Knox Sex Club, Come on Gang! , Trapped in Kansas and Miss The Occupier.
I had been a fan of Belong for a while before Common Era came out, their previous efforts sitting somewhere between Stars of the Lid and Tim Hecker at his most rusty. I was pretty surprised by the departure i heard on first listen, it's still engulfed in the usual 'tumble dryer' ambience but there is a really strong melodic heart to this record along with some almost subliminal rhythms. One of the reasons i like it so much is that it can be hard to tell where the source of a lot of the cacophony is coming from, although it all sits prettily in harmony. Your brain connects melodies and perhaps makes up some new ghost melodies too. I get that nice nostalgic cozy feeling from it that you do from some Boards of Canada records where melody and memory seem to bind in a beautiful wonkiness. It certainly owes something to some bands from the Shoegaze era but i think they have achieved something distinctly fuzzy and their own. Not just my favorite of 2011 but one of my all time favorite records.
Bon Iver - Bon Iver chosen by Laurie Corlett-Donald (Discopolis)
An incredible follow up that I think captures the simplicity and beauty of his debut ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’ butmanages to chart new territory with epic 80’s sounding ballads to fully instrumented rock songs. I cannot wait to spend the winter months listening to this record on repeat in my room while enjoying large glasses of mulled wine.
Sparrow & The Workshop - Spitting Daggers chosen by Rory Anderson (John Knox Sex Club)
Sparrows first album was cracking, this is ten times better. Nick is a complete geek with equipment so all the guitars are a step ahead of the previous album, plus the harmonies perfect. Jills vocals are incredible, she has a delicate quality but also wails (not like zep, I mean in a good way) like fuck which can kick the arse of most singers. As I said, the harmonies are great, Gregor has an amazing voice as well, and the two match so well, never been able to explain why.... I guess everyone talks about the vocals when Sparrows come up in conversation, but the lyrics are lovely too. Jill is a really sincere writer, we played with them up in Aberdeen, and they soundchecked 'Old Habits', everyones jaws dropped in John Knox, we all were really taken by that song, the performance was great, but the lyrics were really beautiful. Anyway, that was pretty much 5 sentences of rambling. The record is really well put together, it's hard just to put on one song from it, but my favourite is 'Against The Grain". If I could drive and put a driving tape together, that song wid be on it.
P.S. The intro of Soft Sound Of Your Voice sounds like Dirty Diana by Michael Jackson, which is bawzoot.
FOUND - factorycraft chosen by Michael Morrison (Come on Gang!)
My album of 2011 is factorycraft by FOUND. Since it was released in March, nothing else has got much of a look-in on the annual roundup stakes, and I’ve subsequently played it dozens and dozens of times.
As perennial overachievers, it was great to finally see FOUND get snapped up by Chemikal for this record and, thankfully for both parties, everyone seems in agreeance that factorycraft is a solid step-up from their first two albums proper. Anyway…
It’s dark, funny, very very smart and instantly arresting. It also plays as a record – with two distinct sides – which is a rare treat these days. Though it’s experimental in approach, factorycraft is a solid pop record which is never ‘out there’ for the sake of artiness, and instead just occasionally trips the listener up a little along the way. I always think it’s pretty easy to create something unique, but to make something unique and good is nigh on impossible, and that’s what FOUND seem to do on an almost bi-annual basis these days.
Each song is killer, with Blendbetter’s epic drop being a stand out for me, but it’s the obvious range of influence on offer that keeps the record leap years ahead of the crowd. Part The Cure and part Arab Strap, but with really weird bits thrown in, factorycraft is impossible to date – if I was an idiot, I would absolutely believe that this record was a vintage relic sent back through time from the future. If I lived in Hoxton I would call it 'small-town- industrial-hawick-soul-pop'.
Colin Stetson- New history of warfare volume 2-judges chosen by Sean (John Knox Sex Club)
A record that I struggle to compare to anything else I have ever heard. In fact to go on about it and attempt to 'review' it would be pointless so I won't other than to say it is beautiful, apocalyptic, baffling, furious and desperate.
The Cosmic Birth & Jounrey of Shinju TNT by Akron/Family chosen by Chris Ward (Trapped in Kansas)
I stumbled across Akron/Family one late night trawling the recommended artists on iTunes and since I heard the first minute of opening track 'Silly Bears', I was hooked. This album opens up a world of epic and cosmic proportions, every song invites you into a radiant phantasmagorical soundscape. For me it's like listening to the best elements of Grizzly Bear, Maps & Atlases, Animal Collective and Beach Boys all rolled into one!
Like most albums you've never heard before the first port of call was the incredible artwork on the cover, which is a volcano spewing out lava into the night sky. It's a beautiful wash of deep colours and it defiantly added a peacock moment which lured me in and I'm glad to say I was not disappointed. Wanting to know a bit more about the band I read a few articles which led me to find out the album was written in a cabin built into the side of an active volcano in Japan and then recorded in an abandoned train station in Detroit and that they lost one of their founding members when he went off to become a Buddhist monk!
These guys are special, their music is special and I think more people should be listening to Akron/Family and the cosmic birth & journey of Shinju TNT.
Simon Werner a Disparu by Sonic Youth chosen by Magnus (Miss The Occupier)
Simon Werner a Disparuis a film soundtrack released this January on Sonic Youth's SYR label, an outlet for occassional albums and EPs highlighting the band's more experimental extremes. These haven't exactly been radio friendly unit shifters (1999's double disc Goodbye 20th Century is hard going by most people's standards) but this new release is probably the most accessible of the SYRs, more reminiscent of, say, Tortoise or the Dirty Three. Simon Werner a Disparuis entirely instrumental and is heavy on atmospherics and white noise, but there are plenty of Providence-esque pianos and jangly guitar melodies. The closing track Theme d'Alice is ace and politely rocks out in a similar way to Pink Steam from Rather Ripped.
The recent speculation about Sonic Youth's future has given the band headlines in 2011 for all the wrong reasons. Certainly more focus will be on Lee Ranaldo and Thurston Moore's respective solo projects in the near future, so it's only right to give credit to the actual music Sonic Youth have put out this year rather than the very un-Sonic Youth celebrity gossip that's been doing the rounds.
I have been meaning to post about Trapped in Kansas for ages, but I kept waiting until I heard some of their new material before I stuck anything up. Having been impressed by their earlier releases, the Glasgow based four piece really have stepped up to the plate with their new EP, 'How to Go'. Having appeared at goNorth, T in the Park, Wickerman and Rockness, they certainly a band who are on the up. In anticipation of the release of their forthcoming EP, I caught up with the boys to get them to introduce themselves to you all...
Would you care to introduce yourself to the Peenko readers?
Hi we're Trapped in Kansas, we consist of Finn Le Marinel, Chris Ward, Colin O'Hara & Iain Symes.
It’s that question that all bands seem to hate answering, but how would you describe the music you make?
That's a tough question for us, we've never really sat down at any point and said let's make music like this or let's be indie or rock. We've always just done what comes to us, people seem happy to pigeon hole us as math rock and we're fine with that but I think there is certainly a wider variety of stuff going on with our music. I'd feel like we'd be cheating a math rock purist if we were solely billed as math rock, there is definitely elements of indie, rock, post-rock, emo wedged in there for good measure too!
How did the band come together then?
Well we all lived together at uni, we hung out and started a band, as you do, and we felt we had something good and a wee bit different. We got offered to play our first show at King Tut's and from then on we've just been working away hard to craft what we do.
So where does the band name come from then?
It comes from a bad travelling experience, we were talking about worst places you could imagine to be stuck in, Finn has actually been trapped in Kansas before and that's how the whole thing began.
Is there a certain process that goes into the way you write songs
Usually Finn or Colin will come to practise with a idea/riff and we'll build the rest up from there. Finn will normally have a few ideas kicking about in his head, we take song writing as organically as possible, if something doesn't work, we all have an idea to go in there, so invariably we end up trying loads of different parts to see what fits best. We kind of start with a core idea/riff and then weave everything else around it.
What artists would you say have had the biggest influence on the band?
I'd say people like this town needs guns, maps and atlases, Manchester Orchestra, Biffy Clyro...generally people who make interesting music.
What would you like someone who’s listening to your music for the first time to take away from your music?
That we're interesting, a bit different and hopefully that we're good.
Do you feel that where you come from has had much of an impact on the music that you create?
Yes, very much so. We're all from different parts of the country and we all had very different lives growing up and I think that has really helped to expand our creative range in the band. Finn spent alto of his youth travelling round with his family. He spent time living in America, Cyprus and the UK, Iain is from Co. Claire in Ireland, Colin grew up in Clydebank and Chris is from Glenrothes on the east coast of Scotland.
What has been your most memorable gig to date, (be it good or bad)?
I'd probably say T in the Park as it was all a bit crazy and as a band the most exciting weekend of our lives.
Aside from world domination, what are your plans for the rest of the year and beyond?
Well we're releasing our EP on the 3rd of October, we've got a couple of launch shows coming on the 27th in Edinburgh and the 2nd in Glasgow, we've got Oxjam in October over in Edinburgh and we're planning a tour in December. We're probably going back to the studio early next year to record our follow up EP and then hopefully do some extensive touring and festivals next summer.
Sadly Trapped In Kansas have had to postpone their EP launch gig which was due to take place on Sunday coming. The boys have promised that they'll make up for it by playing a 'mega show' in Glasgow in the very near future. The EP will be available to buy in physical format and digital download via the bands website from Monday the 3rd of October, be quick mind as they sold out of the pre-release within a matter of hours.
There are certain moments that define your life, it's the little things that tend to stick with you. One such moment for me was the last Define Pop festival at the Flying Duck, yes I got drunk, saw lots of great bands and danced like a total fanny (there is video evidence of this, but I'll be fucked if I am going to actively share it with you). More importantly for me it was a day were I got to meet and make friends with a lot of great people. If I hadn't been there, then I am pretty sure that I wouldn't know half of the folk that I do now. I guess to a certain extent that if I hadn't been there I wouldn't be doing half the things I am now, if it wasn't for Define Pop. If that doesn't sell Define Pop 3 to you this Saturday (the 13th of November), then I guess I should also point out that Wull who organises it has got a cracking wee line up in store for this years festival. Here's what he's announced so far...
Tango In The Attic, Suspire, Trapped In Kansas, The Machine Room, Epic 26, The Ghosties, Aspen Tide, So Many Animal Calls, Little Yellow Ukuleles, Campfires In Winter, I Build Collapsible Mountains, The Hundred Metre Club, Keep It Secret, Indigo Central With more acts still to be announced!
Monday - Penguins Kill Polar Bears sunk their teeth into some Fresh Meat Tuesday - Scottish American outfit, The Wynnton Marshals Radio 2 session got a well earned posting. Fans of the Teenage Fanclub would be recommended to check them out Wednesday - The Seventeenth Century stepped up to the plate and became the 25th entry into the Scots Way Hay club. Great band, great post, great tunes, if you missed it on Wednesday make sure you check them out. Thursday - The legendary John D from Pin Up Nights did some Community Service, plus I also posted live sets from this T Break Stage. Friday - Yet another week filled with some amazing Freebies, including tracks from Peenko favourite King Post Kitsch, a greta new tune from Edwyn Collins, up and coming Edinburgh outfit Trapped Mice and some solo tracks from Ryan Joseph Burns of the afore mentioned The Seventeenth Century. Saturday - Camera Obscura were our We've Got It Covererd stars with their take on the Abba classic Super Trooper
News, gigs and any other gubbins......
Right it's Sunday, Sunday's nights are usually pretty dull nights, the fear of work the next day tends to start to kick in late in the afternoon. So what better a way to cure those blues than by heading along to the Classic Grand tonight for Mammoeth’s debut album launch. Formerly known as Team Turnip , the band have organised cracking wee line up featuring Sunset Song (formerly Wake The President), recent 'Ayetunes vs Peenko' starlets Randolph’s Leap and the a talented young lady by the name of Georgia Seddon (the daughter of Incredible String Band legend Mike Heron- now that's some impressive heritage). Doors are at 7pm and tickets are only £6, possibly the cheapest Sunday night blues curer that you're ever going to find. You can find further details here.
Now for the bit where I go all corporate on you all. Some of you (i.e. Jim) might remember that I ran a post a while back about the end of the Mill, 'cleverly' entitled 'Run of the Mill'. I had picked the information up from a bands blog, but as they had their fingers rapped for it I had to pull the post. Turned out that it was actually true though, the Mill is no more, some might argue that it's not that great a loss, but I always thought it was a good idea that could have been tweaked. I guess once you give things away for free it kind of devalues to a certain extent, which usually meant that you ended up with a lot folk being there to be seen rather than to see the bands. I know I am getting older, but seriously why the fuck do people go to gigs just to talk shite to their mates. The older I get the more I can relate to Larry David. Anyway, there was a point to this, honest there was. Basically the Mill is no more, in it's place Miller have used their research to find a product more tailored towards what 'the kids' want. It's called Miller Filtered and t sounds like it good be a much better way to market beer and music together. What they have decided to do is go with the novel idea of bringing big name bands to Oran Mor (sorry Edinburgh, but there will no longer be any East coast Miller gigs), and to have them play their songs in a stripped back fashion. Kicking it all off are The Doves, a band that are billed as one of the biggest in Britain, or at least that's what the press had us believe. Weren't they supposed to do an Elbow last year, I don't think they ever quite made the major league breakthrough did they? Still though, they are a pretty big band, I think the fact that the gig sold out in less than 24 hours can vouch for that. In addition to the Doves they have two local bands playing, one of which is Pearl and the Puppets. An artist that I will that I have never really painted in a positive light, after seeing her play at the launch I can appreciate that she's talented. Not my cup of tea, but she should do well. As for the other band that are playing on the night, they were so bland that I can't fully remember their name. Right that's just about enough of my ramblings on Miller Filtered, basically it sounds like an interesting concept. The Doves gig is sold out so you'll have to wait until the next event before you can check it all out. Apparently they have someone pretty special lined up, but they won't be releasing any details until after the first gig takes place. So basically keep those eyes peeled, I am sure they have something exciting in store for us all.
In case you missed the plug for it during the week, then here's a wee reminder that this Friday is the second ever PinUp Nights Festival, featuring sets Mitchell Museum, Sonny Marvello, Futuristic Retro Champions and Campfires in Winter. Plus DJ sets from Scott from Sons & Daughters, Remember Remember, plus loads more. Check their website for further details.
Innovative Edinburgh base label, Gerry Loves Records, celebrate the release of their second split single. After the success of their first split release which featured Conquering Animal Sound and Debutant. Now they're back with another really interesting combination, Yahweh and Trapped in Kansas. The single is out next week (2nd of August) on limited edition 7", with the added bonus of a download of the two tracks, plus also an exclusive bonus track by each of the artists. Plus if you're quick off the mark then there is also going to be an extra special super limited, deluxe edition. You can pre-order yourself a copy by heading over to the Gerry Loves website.
To celebrate the release they're putting on couple of gigs in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The first one is this Thursday (29th) at the The Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh, with the bands relocating to Glasgow for on Friday the 30th July at Nice n Sleazys. Trapped in Kansas and Yahweh play live on both nights, plus support. You can stream both of the singles below.
Next weekend sees the launch of the inaugural Captains Rest Festival. It takes place over two nights, Saturday 31st July and Sunday 1st August, with the 'Rest is being taken over by a whole mixture of Scottish and international bands. Saturday's line-up looks something like this World Atlas (Brooklyn, Ny) Lenzie Moss (Glasgow) Male Pattern Band (Glasgow) Lady North (Edinburgh) Q Without U (Glasgow) Calacas (Glasgow) Mike Nisbett (Glasgow) While on the Sunday they have Young Empires (Toronto, Ca) She's Hit (Glasgow) Un Cadavre - (SEE THEY CAN STILL GET GIGS IN GLASGOW, FUNNY THAT IT'S WITH PCL) Xprolifex (Glasgow) Tangles (Glasgow) Curators (Glasgow) Little Kicks (Aberdeen/Edinburgh). Further details are available here.
Tickets for this years Retreat Festival go on sale tomorrow, billed as a strung out weekend of DIY pop music in Edinburgh. The event which is in it's third year, takes place over the weekend of the 28th and 29th August. Featuring 16 acts from Edinburgh and Glasgow, the event has a a cracking line up in store for you. SATURDAY AUGUST 28TH : eagleowl, Enfant Bastard, FOUND, Jesus H. Foxx, Skeleton Bob, Withered Hand and Wounded Knee SUNDAY AUGUST 29TH : Benni Hemm Hemm, Conquering Animal Sound, The Douglas Firs, The Leg, Meursault, Milk, Rob St John and The Wee Rogue Day tickets are £7 and Weekend Tickets are just £12 Click here for further details.
Lastly, next week sees the launch of another independant Scottish Festival, Doune The Rabbit Hole, which surprisingly enough takes places up in Doune (near Stirling). This one is for charity, it has a cracking array of Scottish talent, it looks something like this Meursault (Song, By Toad), The Junipers , Withered Hand (SL), Rozi Plain (Fence), Francois & The Atlas Mountains, Wounded Knee, Hidden Masters, Lipsync for A Lullaby, Les BOF!, Modus, Sara & The Snakes, and much more, as well as (DJs) Rudi Zygadlo (Planet Mu), Josh Jones (Death Disco - The Arches, Glasgow), Tall Paul Robinson (The Go-Go Club – Studio 24, Edinburgh), and GRNR. Now that's what I call a line up! Tickets are very reasonable £15-£47, you can buy them here.
Martin John Henry The ex-De Rosa front man has been working away on his first solo album since the split of his aforementioned band. As a wee taster he is giving away a free copy of his cover of the Beatles, 'Because', all you have to do is click the link.
Trapped in Kansas The Ayrshire rock sprites have posted covers of Darien Venture and Calvin Harris up on their Bandcamp page for free. Mon the 'Pumped in Venice'! The Dirty Cuts For those of you paying attention I featured these guys on Monday in the Fresh Meat feature, if you liked what you heard or you weren't paying attention then now's your chance to do some catching up as Ed from 17 Seconds has sent me over a wee link of a remix by Dino Bardot of their song 'Yummy Mummy'. He also sent me a link for a free download of the b-side to the first single '2 page Spread', it's called 'Lips', and all you have to do is click here. What a sweety that Ed is, sadly I didn't get to say hi to him at the bloggers DJ night. Probably for the best that night as I might have scared him with my hugs/kisses. Oh and I can't be the only one the keeps wanting to add an 'n' to the band name, right?
Ghost Pants Ghost Pants, aka Paul Carlin from Dananananannanananananananananananananannananannaaykroyd's, is giving away his Analogue Hearts EP for free on his Bandcamp. Ch-ch-check it.
Song of Return You might remember them as Union of Knives, we'll things have all been a bit up in the air lately. Still it's good to have them back, there has been a bit of change in personnel but the tunes are still mighty fine. If you sign up to their mailing list they'll send you two MP3's, cracking deal in my eyes.
Deathpodal Another member of the Fresh Meat club giving away stuff this week is Alastair J Chivers, aka Deathpodal. He recorded a new song at one his friends flat warming parties which he's decided to share with us all. It's called 'Flat Squash' and it's free to download on his Soundcloud page.
Invisible Elephant As if one freebie wasn't enough, the Sonic boys and girls have also put up a free download of the new Invisible Elephant EP, 'The Lights Go Out'. If you like bands like Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine, then this should defo float your boat.
Yuck Hotly tipped shoegazer London four piece have a few songs up for grabs on their blog, you hipster that want to have been into them first can get yourself some free downloads here. Silver Columns I know I had a freebie from this 'mysterious duo' last week, but hey I'm excited about hearing the album. An Astronomer remix of their forthcoming single 'Cavalier' is up for grabs over at RCRD LBL.
Firebrand Boy The lo-fi electronica artist has songs about Queens Park and Albert Avenue (a street on which I once lived) has a posted his new 'Glasgow EP' up for free download.
Junip Jose Gonsalez, mind him? aye the guy that had the song on that advert with all the bouncy balls/cover of the Knife's 'Heartbeats'. Wondered what he's been up to lately? Probably not, but I am going to give you a wee update. He's been off recording with his old band Junip, there should be an EP in the offing sometime soon. As a taster, "Rope and Summit" from it is being given away for on the bands homepage. The Coral Mind those cheeky scousers, they had a fair few catchy numbers, then they kind of disappeared up their own arses/were no longer deemed fashionable (you decide). I thought they were gone for good, oh how I was wrong, they're back and they are giving away the 'Butterfly House' from their new album for nowt.
dems Edinburgh based, one-man lo-fi pop outfit outfit, 'dems' has posted new song 'Jarndyce vs Jarndyce' up on his Bandcamp. Catchy little number it is too, get in about it here.
The Unwinding Hours In their monthly(?) email Chemikal Underground send you a wee link to some freebies that they've posted, if you haven't already signed up then I suggest you get that sorted straight away. The latest freebie on offer is a download from the Unwinding Hours tour EP which they have a few copies left for sale in the Chemikal shop. An acoustic version of their song 'Traces' is up for free download, along with a whole host of cracking tunes, get stuck in here.
Dr Dog As some of you out there might already know, our good friend David 'Kowalaskiy' became Doctor Dave this week. So once you've finished gorging yourself on all of these freebies make sure you hit his site and congratulate him. We're all 'very pwoud' of you you kidda! Anyway, he's dug up a large number of Dr Dog freebies for us, the legend that he is!
