We've Got It Covered #89

In the week that would have been Kurt Cobain's 45th birthday, I felt that this would be an appropriate time for me to post up a Nirvana cover. For the majority of my generation it's become a bit of a cliche to say that the Seattle outfit were the ones who properly got you in to music, but hey it's true so why deny it. I vividly remember as a 14 year old staying up to watch MTV's Video Music Awards and being completely blown away by what the music and the energy of it all. As their performance climaxed with Krist Novoselic's bass accidentally crashing down on his head and Kurt trashing all his equipment I was instantly hooked. From their on I discovered a whole heap of new music, which I guess lead me to the point where I am now. Thank fuck for Nirvana, that's all I can say.
It takes a brave band to take on the challenge of covering Nirvana, but I think Edinburgh outfit PET really pulled it off with their trippy take of  Love Buzz* which featured on their last EP, Middle Child Syndrome which is available for free download on their Bandcamp page, as is their new EP, Wear Black.
Talking of birthday boys, yesterday saw Adam Stafford hit his milestone 30th birthday, to celebrate he's heading off on a wee tour which kicks off in Glasgow tonight at the 13th Note. If you fancy heading along he'll be playing with Radio Trees and O'Messy Life, plus it's only £4 on the door, bargain.


Pet - Love Buzz (Nirvana cover)

* yes, I know that Love Buzz wasn't written by Nirvana, but most folk would associate with the band as it appeared on their debut album, Bleach.

Friday Freebies

PET
Back in July of last year I ended up getting myself a bit over excited by Edinburgh outfit, PET (another band who seem to love their Caps Lock button). Their debut EP, What You Building? was one of my surprise finds of the whole of 2011. Their follow up, Middle Child Syndrome was pretty decent, however, for me it didn't really live up the promise of their debut release. With the release of their new single/EP, Wear Black, the jury's still out on this one. Having shyed away from their more poppy side, this new release might just take a bit more time to grow on me. You can make your own mind up though by downloading Wear Black from their Bandcamp page.

Quickbeam
It used to be that every other week their would be a new Scottish music blog cropping up, this year it feels like their is a new Scottish label starting up. Not bad thing in my eyes, not bad at all. The most recent label to crop up are Comets And Cartwheels, formed by the promoter, Paul Downie who runs Pelmet Nites and and our very own Vicki Cole from Randolph's Leap. Not being ones to hang about they've already announced their initial roster, which consists Peenko favourites, Endor, up and coming Glasgow based outfit, PartWindPartWolf and the minimalist folk outfit, Quickbeam. As a wee introduction to the label, Quickbeam are giving away their track Tide as a free download on Bandcamp.

Carnivores
With their debut  album due out later this year, Paisley rock trio, Carnivores are offering up a teaser of what to expect by giving away their beast of a track, Lion Tamer, for nowt on Bandcamp.


Black Mountain
Canadian stoner-rock oufit, Black Mountain have recorded the soundtrack to an apocalyptic surfing movie, which is going to be out later in the year. You can download a free track from the Soundtrack from Stereogum.

SXSW
If you're one of the lucky ones who's going to be out in Austin for this year SXSW Festival, then you might fancy doing some home work on what bands to check out while you're out there. As a wee handy tool the organisers have posted up a torrent featuring a whopping 771 songs (coming in at over 4GB!). If you feel up to the task of hunting down those hidden gems, then get downloading here.

Torche
Miami/Atlanta quartet are all set to release their third album, Harmonicraft, in April. As a wee teaser they've made their song 'Kicking' available as a free download.

The Darkness
I very much doubt that there is much of a demand out there for The Darkness to get back together, but reform they have. They've also been recording some new material, if you're in anyway curious as to hear what the new songs sound like then you can download new song Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us for nowt here.

Aidan John Moffat
Saving the best to last we have Aidan Moffat's retort to Donald Trump's announcement that he's going to be bankrolling the Scottish anti-wind farm group. I'm sure this sentiment will resonate with many of my fellow Scots. Check it out on SoundCloud.

Friday Freebies

King Post Kitsch 
In his quest to continue to give away great music for free, King Post Kitsch really does rule the roost. This week he decided to share a new EP with the world and rather ace it is too, coming in at just under 6 minutes it's a short but sweet trip, but one well worth taking. I am particularly taken with the lead instrumental track, 'Nocturnal Wandering', but as always with these things you don't need to take my word for it, find out for yourself by downloading the EP for free here.

Blue Sky Archives
On Wednesday I spent my evening back and forth between Bloc and King Tuts as I had tickets for Beerjacket and Micahel Cassidy, but I also wanted to catch my new favourite band, Behold, The Old Bear play their first ever gig. What does that have to do with Blue Sky Archives you might ask, well kids they were the headline band at Bloc. Sadly I didn't get to catch their set as I was up at Tuts catching Beerjacket, but I did hear their soundcheck which sounded pretty good, as is their new single ,Cosplay The Hard Way, which is available as a free download here. The track is the first taster from their forthcoming Triple A Side, which is scheduled for release at the end of February.

Kowalskiy
With his 19th (yes 19th) Free Monthly 5-track Scottish EP, my fellow music blogger Kowalskiy has pulled out another fine collection of the Scottish music scene. This month he's got free tracks from My Tiny Robots, PET, The Machine Room, Wolves Of Winter and a wee cover from French Wives. You can find out more details on the EP and how you can download it over on his blog.

Schwervon!
This freebie comes courtesy of my friend through in the East, the fabulous podcaster and new dad, Edinburgh Man (if you get the chance check out his shows!). He pointed me in the direction of this track from the New York duo, Schwervon! Not only is it a great wee pop tune, but it also features backing vocals from none other than Frances McKee from the Vaselines. You can download the tune for nowt on their Bandcamp page.

Errors
Momentum is really starting to build for the forthcoming album, Have Some Faith In Magic, which is due out at the end of this month on Rock Action Records. As a wee teaser of what you can expect Drowned in Sound have posted up a free download of an album track, 'Pleasure Palaces', remixed by Brassic, which you can find here.

Delta Spirit
I had totally forgotten about Delta Spirit until I got one of those NoiseTrade emails in my inbox telling me that I could download two of their EPs for nowt. I originally came across them a goof while back when I ordered the first ever Cold War Kids EP. Anyway enough of me and my pish, what you need to know is that you can download the EPs for free here. Fans of My Morning Jacket and Dr. Dog should enjoy this.

Friday Freebies

PET
In mentioning so many bands on here, I am never too sure if I make it known the stuff that I really really like. PET are one of these bands, their scuzzy debut EP, 'What you building?' has been one of my surprise finds of this year, with the release of their new single 'Middle Child Syndrome' they've cemented that status. The single's not quite a freebie, it's one of those pay what you want scenarios, but fuck I couldn't not post about it. They also have a cracking wee video to go with it which is well worth checking out.

The Low Anthem
Bloody hell The Low Anthem are a generous bunch of folk, they're giving away a free download of their debut self-released and self-produced album 'What the Crow Brings' for free in exchnage for your email address.

Kowalskiy
Another month and yet another cracking free EP from my fellow blogger, Kowalskiy. This month he's got some free tunes from an array of great Scottish bands including French Wives, Otherpeople, My Tiny Robots, Laki Mera, Wolves Of Winter, Mummy Short Arms and the band I was gushing about a minute ago, PET.

Rob St. John
It really does feel as if there's a new release every fecking week from the Song, By Toad stable. Admittedly I am not a fan of everything that the label pus out, but the stuff that I do like I tend to think is really really good, i.e. Meursault and King Post Kitsch. I guess you can now add Rob St. John to that list, his ‘Weald’ 12” LP, is out on Monday 21st November if you fancy a wee taster then you can find a free download of ‘Sargasso Sea’, the second single from the LP here.

Chemikal Undergound
If you haven't already signed up to Chemikal Undergound's mailing list, then you're really missing a trick, as every month they give away some cracking tunes in their "downloads for 'f' all" feature. Having recently revamped their website they're now giving away free tunes from new additions to their stable 'King’s Daughters & Sons' and Irish singer songwriter Adrian Crowley.

Alcopop Records
Oxford indie label, Alcopop Records have posted up a compilation featuring artists such as Johnny Foreigner, Sleet and Snow and Johnny. You can download it completely gratis from their SoundCloud page.

JJ Bull
Aberdonian singer songwriter, JJ Bull, has made his fabulously named new single, 'Pirates (of the Aberdee​-​en)' free to download on his Bandcamp page. The song is taken from his forthcoming album 'Crocothilos', if you like what you hear, he's playing at The Tunnels in Aberdeen on the 19th of November.

Julia & The Doogans
Apparently Katy Perry was in Glasgow the other week, who knew? Well me for one. To 'celebrate' her appearance in our dear green place, Julia & The Doogans have made their cover of Teenage Dreams free to download on SoundCloud.

Blank Canvas
Ambient Edinburgh Punk outfit Blank Canvas have just made their new double A-side single 'By the Fire / Golden' free to download on Bandcamp, rather ace it is too. Hey also have made this video to go with it too, check that out here.

The Cinematics
In case you didn't already know The Cinematics have called it a day, as a parting gift they've made their track Nausea free to download here.

Mark Stoermer (The Killers)
I guess the cool kids gave all gave up on The Killers ages ago, but hey some of you might be interested in this solo album from Mark Stoermer from the band. You can download it for free in exchange for your e-mail address using this link.

The Stagger Rats
Edinburgh Gypsy Death Funk-ers, The Stagger Rats have just recorded their debut album which is being produced by the legendary Owen Morris is all set to be released in Spring 2012. As a taster of what to expect they've made their song 'Fuzzy Fuzzy' free to download here.

New Hands
Canadian outfit, New Hands, who some of you might remember from previous Friday Freebies posts have just released their new single 'This I've Heard' as a free download on Bandcamp.

i dream in colour
They might not be Scottish but the new single'Long Cold Lonely Winter' from 'i dream in colour' is well worth checking out as it's a catchy wee bugger of a song. You can download it for free on their SoundCloud page.

Liebot
Last , but not least I have a wee freebie from Scottish songwriter Liebot, seeing as this only popped into my inbox last night I have only given it the one listen. On first listen it reminds me a lot of a more lo-fi De Rosa, which can only be a good thing. One things for sure is that I am going to go back for a second listen. You can download his album 'Come Home' for free on Bandcamp and that folks is your lot for this week!

Friday Freebies

John Knox Sex Club
For fear of repeating myself, I will say this just once more. You need John Knox Sex Club in your life, no really you do. If you don't believe me then you can see for yourself by downloading some free tracks using this link, once you've had a listen then you can invest yer pennies in their latest album 'Raise Ravens' as its awfy good. You can catch the band in the flesh alongside Olympic Swimmers on the 19th of November at Nice n Sleazy in Glasgow, which is also one of their 20 Years of Sleaze gigs. They're also supporting Three Blind Wolves at a very intimate show at Brel this coming Sunday.

We Were Promised Jetpacks
Stereogum had a wee exclusive this week from We Were Promised Jetpacks, they posted up the video for the bands new song 'Human Error'. The song which is taken from their new album, 'In The Pit Of The Stomach' is also free to download too.

PET
You might recall me getting a bit over excited about Edinburgh outfit PET back in the summer, their debut EP, 'What you building?' has been one my surprise finds of the year. With an equally good if not better EP coming out in a few weeks time, they've just posted up a remix of one of their new songs 'Middle Child Syndrome' by another new favourite of mine Age Of Consent. You can download this awesome wee number for nowt on SoundCloud.

Uniform Motion
If you are on the look out for new music and you haven't already check out the Edinburgh Man podcast, then I would urge you to check it out. In the past few months he's turned me on (ooer missus) to an array of new stuff that I would never have come across. Most recently he's introduced me to an indie-folk outfit by the name of Uniform Motion. You can check them out for yourself by downloading this free sampler.

Hercules Moments
I posted a link up to this compilation in Friday Freebies a few months back, the one thing that I hadn't noticed at the time was that it wasn't actually out yet. Now that it is, it's time for it to make another appearance. The compilation which features an array of acts including The Xcerts, The Little Kicks, Min Diesel, The Deportees and Seas, Starry, can be downloaded for free here.

The Machine Room
Ahead of their appearance on this coming Sunday's Ally McCrae show, The Machine Room have made their cover of New Order's Bizarre Love Triangle free to download on SoundCloud.

The Mirror Trap
Dundee four piece, The Mirror Trap have made the lead track from their new White Rabbits EP free to download on their Bandcamp.

coma emilio
Bloody hell, Glasweigan lo-fi soloist coma emilio isn't one for keeping things to a minimum. If you check out his Bandcamp then you'll find a shit load of free tunes up grabs, including a 69 track album.

Drunk Mule
I can barely keep up with Drunk Mule's free tracks, his new album is now up to a whopping 28 tracks, all of which are free. If you want a starting point I'd suggest checking out new tune 'As One' which you'll find here.

Fresh Meat Monday - Pet

Would you care to introduce yourself?

Pet are a band of boys and girl.

How would you describe the music you make?

We like making droning noises and sweet harmonies.

How did you start out making music?

At first, I wrote hundreds of songs with just lyrics. I was pretty obsessed with The Smiths and The Cure and would write my lyrics to exactly the same rhythm of their existing lyrics. Strangely, the next batch of work I did was completely instrumental, using only crappy midi sounds on a computer sequencer. I make music in waves, each wave has a new character.

What process goes into the way you write songs?

Sometimes a lyric comes with a melody attached to it already, so the song comes stupidly quick. But a method I generally use if starting completely from scratch, is to find inspiration from a drum sample. I'll mess about on guitar, bass or piano to a beat I've sampled, until I have something I like. Sometimes I'll fit pretty meaningless words or sounds to a melody, ending up with vague but painterly stories.

What can people expect from your live shows?

A harmony driven, tight mess.

What are you all listening to at the moment?

I'm going for Elliott Smith's Roman Candle Album. It's almost whispered. Completely beautiful. Totally intense. Matt's been listening to Robbie Basho's Salangadou tune on repeat and is still hypnotised by it... . Lexa's all over the girls of Warpaint, loving the Cure-ishness, all greys and blue. No blues! Dylan's in to Autolux. Shoegazey, dreamy shit. Tasty, heafty drum sounds. Casey says Ben Butler and Mousepad, sort of electro funk or something like that... probably something else too, but something like that.

What can we expect to see/hear from you in 2011?

Pet are going for the release when ready approach. We had our debut single launch on Friday 1st July in the gallery space SuperClub 11a Gayfield Square in Edinburgh (sorry this is a bit late - Peenko). Single number 2 is set for November time with a vague idea of a new release every few months. Expect a live EP and videos galore. We all have a very strong visual approach to the band - so we'll be all over that side of things too. For all Pet releases go to http://petpetmusic.bandcamp.com/ And for all Pet info, new songs, videos etc visit http://petpetmusic.tumblr.com/

Pet - Magnetic

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Friday Freebies

Pet
Right this isn't technically a freebie as it's one of those pay what you like type scenarios, whether you choose to donate any pennies is up to you. The one thing that you do need to do is download their EP as it's fucking awesome, it's been a long time since I listened to something this good that wasn't emailed to me. Hailing from Edinburgh, the band describe their music as being 'heavy feather pop', fuck knows what that means, but it's probably a much better description than I would have come up with. You can find their EP, 'What You Building?' on their Bandcamp page, the band are having a launch night next Friday (1st July) at Super Club in Edinburgh. So if you're in the vicinity with nothing to do, then get yourself along to this one.

Kowalskiy
His Korner might have disappeared a while ago, but my blogger friend Kowalskiy has been keeping himself a busy boy as he's now onto his 12th Free EP. This months release features free downloads from Andrew Lindsay & the Coat Hooks, Innocents Civilian, The Tea Offensive, Le Reno Amps and The Black Hand Gang. You can download the EP directly from Mr Kowalskiy's Bandcamp page.

Twin Brother
Jamie who runs the excellent podcast, Net Sounds, in Inverness put me onto these guys earlier in the week. He suggested that their album 'Best Frenzy', might go down pretty well with folk who like Fleet Foxes, Department of Eagles or Doves. A pretty apt description in my opinion and a rather ace album too. You can download it for free on their Bandcamp, also make sure you check out Jamie's podcast, as its fucking ace.

Bon Iver
I am starting to think I might have to go back and give Mr Vernon's album another few listens, as it really does feel like I am very much in the minority of folk who didn't think much of his new self titled album. I think my friend Karl summed it up pretty well, when he suggested that it might be a good idea if Justin Vernon stopped taking so much fucking coke. Then again it did get a 9.5 review on Pitchfork, so perhaps that shows how much I know. Anyway, if you haven't already heard the album and am wondering what the fuck I am on about, RCRD LBL have a free download of the track 'Calgary' up for free download here.

Plastic Animals
For a Weegie I don't half talk about Edinburgh bands a lot on here, I am not sure whether it's just because I enjoy their scene more, or if just that Edinburgh bands just tend to email me more stuff. Whatever the fuck it is, I am not complaining. Plastic Animals have an EP out next month, I like it, I plan to feature them soon hopefully. Rather than making an attempt at describing them I am going to point you in the direction of a couple of free downloads that they have on their Bandcamp, then let them do all of the hard work in a few weeks time.

Cheesecake
I won't bullshit you, I had no idea who this lot where until just the other day when I emailed Halina from the Podcart. Seeing as she's the goddess of indie knowledge she soon put me right, apparently they're one them there supergroups made up members of Frightened Rabbit, Galchen and Union of Knives. If song titles such as 'Pure massive pubes' and 'Get Tae Fuck Ya Artists Cunt' sound like your cup of tea, then get download them from here.

Capitals
Having just played at goNorth and the Insider Festival, Edinburgh outfit Capitals, stock definitely seems to be on the up. Next month they're playing at King Tuts Summer Nights with Meursault and Over The Wall, then they have dates lined up in Berlin plus they've just been announced to appear at this years Edge Festival in August. With a mini album hopefully in the offing later in the year, the band are hinting on what lies in store by giving away their track 'Running and Hello World' for free in exchange for your email address.

Portishead
I never really got the excitement surrounding Portishead, it's just not for me. It might be for you though, so you might be interested that ATP have posted up a 2 Hour mixtape curated by the band, featuring tracks from the likes of Doom, Caribou and Beach House. You can download the mix for nowt using the following link.

Peace
Having just rambled about how I don't like Portishead, I am now about to tell you about something that's a bit Trip Hop-esque that I do like. It's by a guy who goes under the guise of Peace who's from Glasgow and has made his new Hungry EP available to download for free, and that's pretty much all that I can tell you about him. You can listen to his songs on Soundcloud, then if you like them, there's a link on the right hand side of the page to download the EP for free.

Dan Wilde
Exciting new indie label, Littlest Mojo Music, who promote Roddy Woomble among others, have recently taken on a fella by the name of Dan Wilde. You can download his rather enchanting song 'Nowhere' for free on his Soundcloud page.

Moddi
One of the things that I missed most at this goNorth was the chance to go and see a tonne of new bands, seeing as we were hosting our own night it would have been pretty rude if we'd have fucked off to another venue. Then again, we did have some a great line up, so there wasn't any real need for me to go anywhere else. So the next day when I was catching up with a few folk to find out what they'd enjoyed the previous day, the same name cropped up numerous times. 'Moddi, who the fuck is Moddi?', now I think I must have uttered this a few times, but it eventually seeped in as by the time I got home I was hunting some of his stuff down. It left me feeling two things, one I was happy that folk had told me about him and two, I was gutted that I had missed him. Hailing from Norway, Moddi's sweet acoustic have the power to be uplifting whilst also breaking your heart. You can find out yourself by heading over to his website where you will find a whole host of freebies.

Air Cav
On the odd occasion that I do listen to things that aren't Scottish, one of the main folk that I trust a lot is Ted who runs the excellent Cloud Sounds podcast. The boy knows his stuff, plus his rambling podcasts amuse the fuck out of me. One band that he has been banging on about recently are a Mancunian outfit by the name of Air Cav. Having checked out their Bandcamp page I can see why, see for yourself by downloading a couple of old singles for free.

Finding Fiction
Up and coming power pop outfit, Finding Fiction, who hail from Brooklyn, NYC, are currently giving away their new single 'Migraines & Sheep' for free download on their Bandcamp, catchy as fuck it is too.

Washed Out
Stereogum have a free download of new Washed Out song 'Amor Fati' taken from forthcoming post-chillwave album which is due out on Sub Pop next month.

Mazes
Fat Cat's very own Mazes have posted up new demo track 'Brunswick Stack' for free download on their Souncloud.