I do try my best to be subtle when it comes to mentioning things about our label, Olive Grove , there's a fine line between news and spam, so I will try and keep this short. Randolph's Leap have a new double A side single, ' Counting Sheep' / 'Deep Blue Sea ', coming out next Monday (16th). To celebrate the singles release we're having a wee launch night at Stereo on Tuesday 17th May with support from The Moth & The Mirror and Burnt Island . Entry for the evening are only [...]
Mrs. Toad's Lettuce The above picture shows how our veggie patch is doing, for those of you who give a flying fuck, which admittedly might not be many of you. Sunday was spent lying about in the garden reading books, which was nice and relaxing after getting pished late into the night with Monster Island, These Single Spies and Kid Canaveral after the Henry's gig on Saturday night. This Saturday we will be collecting for the RNLI in Stockbridge, so if you want to help out please do get in touch as we will [...]
Edwyn Collins Edwyn's collaboration with The Drums is available to download for free on his homepage . Kowalskiy Our blogger mate posted up his 10th Free Monthly 5-track Scottish EP this week, this months EP features Bottle of Evil, The Last of Barrett's Privateers, Jump: Press A, Loch Awe and Pooch. You can find find out more details here . Johnny Reb Having spent much of last year out in Portugal recording with Morrissey's guitarist Boz Boorer, Johnny Reb have made all of the [...]
Out of all of the gigs that I helped to organise last year, this was probably the one that was the most memorable. Not just because it was the only one that I was sober at (only because there wasn't a rider for me to steal), it was down to a number of different factors. The unique beauty of the Hidden Lane Cafe where the gig was held, the panic of finding out 24 hours before the gig that we didn't have a working PA and the shear awesomeness of both bands. If you've ever been to the Hidden [...]
When I sent emails out to all of the bands that I have featured this year as part of my Scots Way-Hay posts I honestly didn't expect to get much of a response. Turns out that I was completely wrong, as I have been inundated by bands wanting to share what's been floating their boat [...]
So here we are with the second of my series of posts getting some of the artists that did interviews for us to tell me their albums of 2010. Our artists taking part this week include A Band Called Quinn, Burnt Island, Come on Gang!, RM Hubbert and The Last Battle. We've got quite an [...]
So here we are with the second of my series of posts getting some of the artists that did interviews for me to tell me their albums of 2010. Our artists taking part this week include A Band Called Quinn, Burnt Island, Come on Gang!, RM Hubbert and The Last Battle. We've got quite an eclectic mix of albums here, a lot of which I haven't heard yet and some albums I love. A big shout out to the Last Battle for having all of the band choosing their album of the year. Top marks, however go out to Mikey [...]
Monday - Fresh Meat Monday came from the fabulous Marthas and Arthurs Tuesday - I had a couple of sessions from the Twilight Sad and Broken Records Wednesday - the plant pot-tastic Ghost Pants were my 40th entry into the Scots Way Hay club Thursday - again more sessions, one from Frightened Rabbit and a classic session from the Delgados Friday - as always there was a vast array of Freebies [...]
After the success of the first 'Session' it would seem rude to not do another one. For our second recording we have decided it would be a lot more fun to host them in more of a live setting. As much fun as it was chilling out on Sean's couch, watching Kid Canaveral, it's time for us to get some of you lot involved. So on Thursday the 11th of November , we will be having our first live outing at The Hidden Lane Tearoom in Glasgow. If you've never [...]
Would you care to introduce yourself? Hullo – my name is David Love and I run Chaffinch Records. What inspired you to start your own label? I was made redundant in 2005 and wanted to do something interesting with some of the money. I initially saw it as an opportunity to sell some of my own stuff as South Downs but quickly realised the stuff I had recorded at that point wasn't up to much. I also wanted to help [...]
Sorry, this is the best I can do. And since I'm on holiday this weekend too, you'll take what you're given and bloody like it. If I've missed anything, comment away. Tuesday 14th September - Skullflower , Fordell Research Unit , Noma and Scrim at Banshee Labyrinth "Ritualistic feedback and guitar decomposition". A co-promote from like-minded purveyors of weirdo sounds Braw Gigs and Winners Dinnae Shiver. Matthew would hate it. Which makes it even better for the rest of [...]
Would you care to introduce yourself? My name is Adam Stafford, based in Glasgow, I run a predominately digital download label called Wise Blood Industries. What inspired you to start your own label? Two notable influences on the way the label operates are Glasgow imprints Winning Sperm Party and Cry Parrot. Both are DIY co-operatives whose main concern is offering music to the people for free, with no regard for commerce whatsoever. [...]
Christ, my liver is suffering quite badly from Festival Burn as it is, and I have barely attended this year's festival at all. I am hoping for a few nights spent drinking tea when we go to China, because God knows I can't handle much more bloody drinking. Still, this week looks like a relatively kindly one in terms of personal chemical punishment, so the people of Edinburgh have the best part of a week to prepare themselves for the fireworks which mark the end of the Festival. Christ I need a glass of orange juice. [...]
Now for something a bit different to the 'norm', it's time to bring a little bit of culture to the blog, it's a first and probably the last time I'll feature any kind of literature on here. So why have I decided to run a feature on the The Year of Open Doors, initially it was because of the persuading powers of esteemed author Rodge Glass. Initially I was a but unsure as to why he was keen for me to do post about his latest project which brought together a collection of short stories from new Scottish writers. [...]
'Novels are full of padding, they're clearly objectionable' Paul Reekie 'Submission' The above quote is one of my favourites and comes from the 1996 short story collection 'Children of Albion Rovers'. It is the way I feel about many novels, and neatly sums up why I have such a love for the short story. There is no [...]
My brother heads off today, so I figured we'd take one last chance to do a podcast while we can. This is mostly new stuff and inbox though, so I am not sure how he'll react. Actually, he was in the room last week while I went through my inbox, played stuff, replied to emails, deleted things, and so on and so forth. I think his response was that he simply wouldn't be able to handle the avalanche of shit I have to get through, and that it would simply turn him off music completely. I [...]
we're only afraid of NYC Today sees the release of their third EP, 'zero.three', by the Glasgow trio, it could quite possibly be the greatest thing to have been released in 2010. Yes, it's that good. I guess you already know that myself and Jim 'Ayetunes' love this band, if you don't trust us, then trust the lovely Lauren Laverne who also shares our passion. Download yourself a free cope of the EP over on their Bandcamp page, then once you realise how right I am, make sure you come along and catch their headlining set [...]
There's something wonderfully uncomplicated about this gorgeous EP by Burnt Island. It's not simplistic or basic or anything like that, it just has a confidently slow pace and an effortless manner – they just make it all seem so easy. I think what they've mastered, which makes this so good, is the art of the Tiny [...]
Mrs. Toad has been stranded in God Bless America by that infernal cloud of Icelandic ash, so I am home alone for the last week and all of the next one. This is very much Not Fun, because as much as she's a mean old bitch, I do seem to have developed a grudging affection for the silly old mare so a fortnight apart is very much unappreciated. It's about time those Icelanders re-established some bloody discipline, honestly. Anyhew, there is some excellent stuff on this podcast, even though it really doesn't hang together around a particular theme [...]
Aye, I know, I know. It's been fucking ages since I done one of these things. It was supposed to be weekly. It's no longer weekly, and will be known from now on as The Infrequent 62-Word Review. Though I'll be doing plenty of them. Anyway, fire your music my way , email link is down the right hand side there. See it? Grand. Here we go... Burnt Island - Music and Maths (mini album) Minimalist instrumentation and arrangements untarnished by superfluous frills lie at the heart of this beautiful mini-album from novelist/biographer/journalist /lecturer Rodge [...]
Peenko
Song, by Toad
Dear Scotland
Another All-Star In The Studio With Daft Punk
J-Ax Meglio Live Tour 2012: la scaletta della data zero a Rovereto con l'omaggio ai Beastie Boys
Childish Gambino – Black Faces (Ft. Nipsey Hussle) : Sick New Rap Single
Sound of Summer (v. 3.1)
