That's My Jam #10 - Young Fathers - I Heard

Young Fathers have been championed a lot by people such as Vic Galloway and Ally McCrae, and with very good reason too.  The three piece from Edinburgh have got an unique sound, with hints of The xx fused with r'n'b, and have already got tongues wagging with their 'Tape One' release last year.  This track, taken from their forthcoming 'Tape Two' album, is wrought with emotion, the lyrics bleak and tortured, yet the beat fixated on a hypnotic tribal feel.  It's been on repeat practically all night.  Dive in and get lost in the glorious 'I Heard'.

We're Only Here For The Banter - The Streams

If you are a fan of Stag & Dagger headliners We Were Promised Jetpacks, then chances are you'll dig this three piece from Denny.  The Streams have a pretty awesome start to the year by anyone books.  Grabbing the chance to support The 1975, they have also released their début EP and support The Twilight Sad, with whom they also share loud noise making influences.  Check them out!

Hello, how are you?

We are great, had a good Sunday roast like...

It's the question everyone hates, but could you tell us a little bit about your music and your influences?

Our music is really modern and loud, we use a lot of reverb and staccato to make things interesting because there are only 3 of us.  We don’t know how to describe our sound but we go with the tag of indie/alternative. We have various influences from bands like Dire Straits, Nirvana, Queen and Pink Floyd, but we love our Scottish music scene just now.  There are so many good bands we look up to and are influenced by.

What's your song writing process like?

Basically Shaun will write a rough song and bring it in the practise room and we build it round that.  Jamie starts adding in bass melody and Martin tries some drums to fit.  It’s the easiest way, we all have input and contribute different ideas and end up with noise, good noise.

What could we expect to see from a live show?

We try to be as loud as possible at our live shows.  There are moments when vocals and guitar are dynamically arranged so that when drums and bass kicks in its head nod-able!  We just play our set and try say minimum so we can fit in as many songs as possible.  Something always goes wrong like a strap coming off or a lead coming out, always works out alright though ahah!

What was playing with an establish band like The Twilight Sad like?

The fact we are all fans of The Twilight Sad made it pretty amazing getting to play with them, even better that it was at our home town, and even better it was the same day we released our EP!  It was only a few people from selling out.  The Sad absolutely killed it, such a pleasure.

If it were all to end tomorrow, what would you say has been your greatest achievement?

Definitely the last six months!  Supporting The 1975 three times at sold out shows and playing with The Sad!  We never thought we would get these chances in one year.

What have you got planned for 2013?

2013 has been pretty amazing already, we have been so lucky and had such a great response!  We just want to keep going the way we are, try get some more amazing support slots and travel around meeting people.

What other artists (Scottish or not) would you recommend to the Scottish Fiction readers?

We are good pals with Mini Dinos, those guys are really cool, and so catchy live!  We have been fans of Bwani Junction for ages, Shaun was part of the stage invasion at the album launch, those guys are so good.  Also check out Honeyblood, those girls are Deap Vally... but better!

Thanks for speaking with us, would you care to share a joke with us?

We got asked to support Biffy Clyro this year, but we couldn’t cause Martin was grounded


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That's My Jam #9 - Nevada Base - Foresight

You know that moment when you finally get a band that other people have been raving about for ages?  Yeah that's what this track, 'Foresight' is all about for me.  I'm sure it won't trouble them too much, but I'd never really got on board with Nevada Base and their brand of electropop.  The title track from their new single however has reeled me in with sheer electric magnetism, the funky beat locking into my brain and re-writing my earlier apprehension.  Think James Murphy meets David Byrne with a sexy swagger, and you're in the right (disco) ball park.

'Foresight' comes out on Monday 29th April on Black Lantern Music.

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 24th April 2013

Check out my swag from Record Store Day!  In the show you'll get the chance to hear a track from the Frightened Rabbit & Manchester Orchestra 12" and a song from next week's guest Adam Stafford's special RSD cassette.  But before we look ahead to next week's guest...

It's Lenzie Moss live in session!  It was a pleasure to be joined by Finlay, Gareth and Chris, who as well as some lovely chat, brought with them some great tracks to play during the first hour of the show.  And to top it all off they treated us to three excellent session tracks exclusive to Scottish Fiction.

On top of all that there is the usual dose of new Scottish music from the likes of Lidh, eagleowl, Atomic League and more!


Imogen Heap - Hide And Seek - As chosen by Lenzie Moss

Lenzie Moss - Time Is On Your Side (Live in Pulse 98.4 FM Studio)

Dionne Warwick - Are You There (With Another Girl?) - As chosen by Lenzie Moss

Lenzie Moss - I Don't Believe In Anything (Live in Pulse 98.4 FM Studio)

Queen - March Of The Black Queen - As chosen by Lenzie Moss

Lenzie Moss - Kelvin British Summertime (Live in Pulse 98.4 FM Studio)

The Mirror Trap - Westminster Ghost Story
Dear Lara - rabbit island
Lidh - Quite At Ease
Reverieme - Dark Matter
Frightened Rabbit & Manchester Orchestra - Architect

Tweet-a-track - A Sudden Burst Of Colour - Zen - As chosen by Luke Duncan

Atomic League - Die For Your Love
FLYNN - Luv
eagleowl - not over
Adam Stafford - Zero Disruption

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Scottish Fiction - 24th April 2013 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

goNORTH 2013 - Showcase List Announced

The full list of acts invited to showcase at goNORTH 2013 was unveiled earlier today.

Back for a 13th year, the Scottish showcase festival for the creative industries returns to Inverness on June 5th and 6th with over 70 acts set to perform across the city centre.  Having never been before, I'm very much looking forward to not only checking out some of the fantastical music on show, but indulging in the various seminars, talks, advice giving, bribing (you never know...) and what not that goes on amongst the movers and shakers in Scottish music.

The 2013 showcase list is as follows:

ALARM BELLS
ALGERNON DOLL
ARCHES
ATLAS:EMPIRE
BE LIKE PABLO
BEAR ARMS
BEHOLD THE OLD BEAR
BIRDHEAD
BLACK INTERNATIONAL
BOOK GROUP
CALL TO MIND
CAMPFIRES IN WINTER
CARNIVORES
CASUAL SEX
CLEAVERS
DAVEY HORNE
DONALD MACDONALD & THE ISLANDS
DUNCAN OVERMEER
DYLAN TIERNEY
EUGENE TWIST
FAKE MAJOR
FAT GOTH
FLUTES
FOREST FIRES
FRIENDS IN AMERICA
GALOSHINS
GARDEN OF ELKS
HECTOR BIZERK
HOMEWORK
JEMMA TWEEDIE
JO MANGO
KOBI
LIDH
LIONEL
LITTLE FIRE
MIKE NISBET
MINIATURE DINOSAURS
PINACT
PLASTIC ANIMALS
POOR THINGS
PRONTO MAMA
RED RONSON
ROMAN NOSE
SAINT MAX AND THE FANATICS
SHAMBLES MILLER
SO MANY ANIMAL CALLS
THE BOY WHO TRAPPED THE SUN
THE BROKEN RAVENS
THE DEADLINE SHAKES
THE IMAGINEERS
THE LAFONTAINES
THE MOUSE THAT ATE THE CAT
THE OK SOCIAL CLUB
THE OXIDES
THE RECOVERY
THE SEA ATLAS
THE VELVETEEN SAINTS
THE YAWNS
VASQUEZ
WILLIE CAMPBELL
WOODENBOX

That's My Jam #8 - The Pastels - Check My Heart

Back with their first new material since 1997's 'Illumantion' album (conveniently discounting their 2003 soundtrack for The Last Great Wilderness), The Pastel's return with this the first single from their forthcoming album 'Slow Summits'. 

The single was released digitally on iTunes on 8th April, and get's a physical release on 7" vinyl on Monday 29th.  You should pop to Monorail Records, which is owned and run by The Pastels' very own Stephen McRobbie, to buy your copy, which will also contain B-side 'Illuminum Song'. 

Enjoy this breezy summery feeling video, which fits the chilled out, alt-rock vibe of 'Check My Heart'.

The Pastels - "Check My Heart" from stereogum on Vimeo.

That's My Jam #7 - The Mirror Trap - Westminster Ghost Story

Dundee four piece The Mirror Trap return following their EP 'The Invisible Hand' late last year, with this, the first cut from their second album 'Stay Young'.  Dark, jagged and off kilter rock, 'Westminster Ghost Story' is a kick in the cojones and home to an earworm of a beat.

The album is scheduled for an autumnal release later this year, and in the meantime if you're a Dundonian, or like travelling, you can catch the band play Juteopolis Fest at Beat Generator Live! on Saturday night along side We Were Promised Jetpacks, Arches, Copper Lungs and more. 

We're Only Here For The Banter - Cairn String Quartet

Hello, how are you?

Hi Neil, we're great today thanks.  How are you?

Very well thank you!  It's the question everyone hates, but could you tell us a little bit about your music and your influences?

Oof tricky.  We listen to everything.  We do a lot of travelling and we usually have things on in the car that we plan to cover that week.  This week included both Rachel Sermanni and Rihanna but if you thought you saw us driving past singing Mahler 5 or a Shostakovich Quartet at the top of our lungs you probably wouldn't be mistaken.

What's it been like working with people such as Camera Obscura, Admiral Fallow and with the Electric String Orchastra, The Twilight Sad and Emma Pollock?

We are so lucky to have been asked to join such incredibly talented musicians!  Live collaborations are our favourite part of what we do.  We have played twice now with Camera Obscura both at the Barrowlands. There's no words to describe the Barras, there's just magic in the air.  You just know you and everyone on stage is going to have the best ever gig!  And you play your socks off.  And so do they.  And you do .. you just have the best gig ever! 

And once we got to play the Barrowlands with Camera Obscura and Attic Lights on the same night!  We were so excited, we were afraid we'd take off!  Often these artists come up to us and say they are nervous around the 'real musicians'.  We get really embarrassed at that as we count the artists to be the real talent - they are writing the amazing songs!  We just play or join in with what they have created.  The Twilight Sad said they were the most nervous they'd ever been before our ESO gig!  They didn't believe us when we said there were more than a few shaky knees in the Electric String Orchestra.

What could we expect to see from a live show?

A lot of sequins :)  No, it depends on the repertoire really.  We use pedals and looping for quite a few tracks and we're always trying to make new sounds on the instruments.  We generally have a very diverse playlist and we try hard to replica the sounds of the bands we cover but also put our own spin on.  Also classical orchestral training leaves you with the habit of mimicking one another's sounds too so often you'll see the grins and grimaces as one of us mixes something up and the others have to catch on for fear the ghost of Leopold Mozart will be after us!  No two live shows are ever the same.

If it were all to end tomorrow, what would you say has been your greatest achievement?

I think we're just really humbled by all of the diverse performance opportunities we've had.  Last year, we had fantastic traveling experiences to South America, North Africa, Cannes and Holland but the best bit was probably on home ground, when hundreds of people in a packed out tent at T In The Park stamped and screamed, "One More Tune" as we left the stage after our quartet set.

What have you got planned for 2013?

We have a few studio collaborations due for release this year which is very exciting.  Call To Mind, Laurie Cameron and There Will Be Fireworks.  We may have some other news up our sleeve too.....

Is it fun to challenge people's perceptions of classical and traditional music, by doing covers such as your CHVRCHES and Biffy ones?

Absolutely brilliant craic!  We do what we do simply because we love such a diverse range of music.  A lot of people pick up a guitar and learn the song that they've heard on the radio.  We just try and recreate the music we love the only way we know how.

What other artists (Scottish or not) would you recommend to the Scottish Fiction readers?

Our videos are our recommendations.  We try to cover whatever we are listening to at the moment!  But also loving Young Fathers, Stanley Odd, Luca, Homework, Will Hanson and our new favourites from the studio Call To Mind.

Thanks for speaking with us, would you care to share a joke with us?

There's two fish in a tank.  One of them says to the other, "how do you drive this thing?"


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That's My Jam #6 - eagleowl - 'Not Over'

In August 2008 eagleowl released their début EP having been making music for a good few years beforehand.  On 13th May 2013 their début album 'This Silent Year' via Fence Records.  What's that about good things and waiting?

This track, 'Not Over' is the first track to be properly previewed ahead of the album release, and it's a soaring, emotional number, layered with beautiful instrumentation; strings, drums, guitars; and soft vocal harmonies which tug at the heart and hint at a sorrow behind the lyrics.

The album, which will be available on limited runs of CD with hand printed sleeve, booklet and beer mat (saves you using the sleeve) and on vinyl (incl. CD).  The band play two launch dates, firstly on 10th May in Edinburgh at the Pleasance, and then through in Glasgow on 12th May at The Glad Cafe.

That's My Jam #5 - Prides - Out Of The Blue

'Out Of The Blue' is a very appropriate name for my latest jam, as the re-invention of Midnight Lion into Prides (not letting go of the lion references quite yet lads) was kept pretty under wraps by those in the know.  Having added Callum from Kitty The Lion, Prides have struck out with the electro-pop grove being trail blazed by CHVRCHES, who incidentally are fans.  On the day when Daft Punk dropped their new single 'Get Lucky', this track from Prides more than holds its own in the catchiness stakes.

We're Only Here For The Banter - Inuit

Not many bands can say their début release was on a engraved bamboo USB stick packaged in a handmade wooden box.  But then again, Inuit, are not your average band.  When Without Aeroplanes disbanded last year, Inuit, previously a side-project, became the full time vehicle of 'ambient post-rock'.  And with all respect to Without Aeroplanes, I'm glad they did!  The EP 'At One Time, For A Time' boosts some incredibly haunting and fulfilling music.

Hello, how are you?

We're doing well, thanks!

It's the question everyone hates, but could you tell us a little bit about your music and your influences?

When we first started this band we deliberately aimed at 'ambient post-rock' without really being sure what that would actually sound like.  Inuit was originally intended to be a side project while we devoted most of our time to another band that we were in called Without Aeroplanes so when that band broke up it just made sense for us to push on with Inuit as our main project.  We make floaty instrumental music with a lot of electronic backing that we sell on bamboo USBs in foam lined boxes.  We are not even close to joking.  As far as influences go there's a pretty eclectic mix.  Chris listens to a lot of ambient/electronic bands like Hammock and The American Dollar, Darren is a massive Frightened Rabbit, and Scottish folk fan and Andy is really into Joy Division, Sigur Ros and a long list of punk bands.

What's your song writing process like?

Usually we all will come up with an idea and we'll all jam it out together in someone's bedroom.  If that works we'll take it into the rehearsal space to hear what it sounds like with live drums then on to Barecalf Studios where we torture our good friend and producer Michael Butler with copious amounts of programming and click track mixing.  It's a pretty lengthy process given that we use a lot of backing but it's been paying off so far.

What could we expect to see from a live show?

We put a lot of focus on having a visual aspect to the show as well as the musical side of things.  Our EP launch involved live visuals, animations, a big sheet, smoke machines and a crazy light show so hopefully we'll be able to continue doing that going forward.

If it were all to end tomorrow, what would you say has been your greatest achievement?

Managing to be in a band we all love that shares all of our interests and influences equally.

What have you got planned for 2013?

2013 has started pretty well for us.  We've released our debut EP on Good Grief Records and finally launched a band that we've been working on in the background for the last 6 months.  The plan right now is to get to work on writing more new songs and playing as many shows as possible.  We're currently working on a show in Edinburgh in the next month or two as well as a pretty cool gig with another Glasgow band that we can't really talk about right now.  Safe to say we have a lot of plans!

Can you build an igloo like your namesake tribe, or is it all just bravado?

Just bravado, but we are quite accomplished at building couch forts.

What other artists (Scottish or not) would you recommend to the Scottish Fiction readers?

Our label mates Bianca and Young Philadelphia.  Also, our buddies in Flood Of Red, Owls In Antarctica, Fiesta Minor and Vasa.

Thanks for speaking with us, would you care to share a joke with us?

Two Inuits were sitting in a kayak and were very chilly.  To keep warm, they lit a fire in the craft, but it sank. They should have known.  You can't have your kayak and heat it too.


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Record Store Day 2013 - A Scottish Fiction Guide

Saturday coming is Record Store Day, a day for celebrate, and supporting, all that is good and right about independent record stores.  In it's sixth year, it has grown to a behemoth of an event, and shows no sign of abating, much to the glee of record store owners. 

The day has become about so much more than just shiny pieces of plastic, and it now encapsulates so much about what makes record stores great; live music, local bands and promoters, family fun, carnival atmospheres and DIY record label releases.  To help guide you on your adventures tomorrow I've put together a list of what's going on where, and some special releases from Scottish artists you should be looking out for.

Releases

First thing to bear in mind is that there's the official RSD release list and then there are other releases being put on in conjuction, but not in association with RSD.  I'm not sure if shops will be distributing lists around their customers of what is in stock, but if so be aware it might only be official stock, rather than some of the indie stuff listed below.  I've indicated where this might apply.  Here's what to look out for from a Scottish musicians point of view:

Adam Stafford - Millions Must Work Forever EP - Cassette - Non official RSD release

Admiral Fallow – Tree Bursts In Snow including 24-bit studio master download - 12" vinyl

Beer vs. Records - Song By Toad split EP - Featuring tracks from Le Thug, Plastic Animals, Magic Eye and Zed Penguin - 12" vinyl - Non official RSD release

Beer vs. Records - Barney's Beer - Four beers and download codes for tracks from Le Thug, Plastic Animals, Magic Eye and Zed Penguin - 4 pack of beer - Non official RSD release

Biffy Clyro – Modern Magic Formula b/w City Of Dreadful Night - 7" vinyl

Big Country - In A Broken Promise Land b/w Flower Of Scotland - 7" vinyl

CHVRCHES – Recover - 12" vinyl

Django Django – Hi Djinx! - 12" vinyl

Edwyn Collins & The Heartbreaks – What Are You Doing, Fool? - 7" vinyl

Frightened Rabbit – Norland Wind - 7" vinyl

Frightened Rabbit & Manchester Orchestra – Architect b/w Manchester Orchestra & Grouplove – Make It To Me - 12" vinyl

Frightened Rabbit – The Midnight Organ Fight / Quietly Now - 12" double vinyl

Glasvegas – I’d Rather Be Dead (Than Be With You) b/w Later… When The TV Turns To Static - 7" vinyl

Garbage – Because The Night (Patti Smith cover feat. Screaming Females) b/w Love Like Suicide and Automatic Systematic Habit (Costa Cadeu remix) - 10" vinyl

Jesus And The Mary Chain - Pyscho Candy (reissue) - 12" vinyl

King Creosote – That Might Well Be It, Darling - CD

Mogwai – Special N (L. Pierre remix) b/w Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat – The Copper Top (Plasmatron remix) - 7" vinyl

Orange Juice – Rip It Up (reissue) - 12" vinyl

Orange Juice - You Can’t Hide Your Love Forever (reissue) - 12" vinyl

Orange Juice - Texas Fever (reissue) - 12" vinyl

Orange Juice - The Orange Juice (reissue) - 12" vinyl

Primal Scream - Record Store Day - 12" vinyl

Randolph's Leap - Furtive Glances EP - Cassette - Non official RSD release

Simple Minds – Promised You A Miracle (Mylo remix) b/w Broken Glass Park - 12" vinyl

The Beta Band – Champion Versions (reissue) - 12" vinyl

The Beta Band - The Patty Patty Sound (reissue) - 12" vinyl

The Beta Band - Los Amigos Del Beta Bandados (reissue) - 12" vinyl

The Twilight Sad – (If You) Keep Me In Your Heart (Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat cover) b/w Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat – Alphabet (The Twilight Sad cover) - 7" vinyl

Three Blind Wolves - Three Blind Wolves Love Music - CD (only available in Love Music) - Non official RSD release


Once you've splurged your pennies it's time to unwind.  And that won't be difficult as here's what's going on across the various independent record stores in Scotland.  If you're about in Glasgow, I'll maybe see you.  Say hi!

LOVE Music - Glasgow

Expect queues folks, it's always busy on RSD and the added cake and coffee whilst you wait is a welcome bonus!  There's also a pinball competition for those with crazy flipper fingers.  Music wise here's what to expect (times subject to change):

14:00 - Young Aviators
14:30 - Viking Galaxy
15:00 - French Wives
15:30 - Fake Major
16:00 - Washington Irving
16:30 - Three Blind Wolves
17:00 - Woodenbox
17:30 - Glasvegas


Monorail - Glasgow

At Monorail there's a real family feel being nurtured, I remember spotting Bob Hardy from Franz Ferdinand last year with some sproglets running about, and with their face painting and home baking on offer the kids will feel right at home.  Musically things kick off at 17:00 and run until approximately 20:00 with Vic Godard & The Sexual Objects, Ela Orleans, World Peace.


Oxfam Music - Glasgow

TYCI have organised a fabulous female line-up, so whilst you might not get new RSD vinyl, although you can trawl the racks for some great second hand stuff, you'll be able to hear this lot play some sweet music from 16:00 to 18:00:

Kitty The Lion
Siobhan Wilson
Jo Mango
Kirsten Innes


Avalanche Records -Edinburgh

As well as plenty of RSD goodies you can catch Fake Major, who'll be playing to the crowd around 13:30, and then in-store performances from Glasvegas at 14:30 and Admiral Fallow at 15:30.


VoxBox Music

Gerry Loves Records are helping out with the event, which probably has the best line up of the day.  Sadly I'll be in Glasgow, but if you're a resident of the capital enjoy this lot:

12.00 - Wounded Knee
13.00 - Magic Eye
14.00 - eagleowl vs Kid Canaveral
15.00 - Mike Heron Band (feat members of the Incredible String Band and Trembling Bells)
16.00 - Rob St. John
16.50 - Adam Stafford
17.30 - Honeyblood

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 17th April 2013

With Record Store Day looming on the horizon, Saturday 20th April in case you wondered, there's some rather specific chat about RSD 2013 events in independent record shops both here in Glasgow and over the M8 in Edinburgh.  There's also a raft of tracks which will be available to buy on lovely vinyl and tape, including CHVRCHES, Randolph's Leap and Zed Penguin.

Elsewhere there's new music from The Pastels, Prides, Camera Obscura and Adam Stafford, plus a Mogwai remix for 'Re-Mixing It Up', a cover by The Fratellis and your choice of track in 'Tweet-a-track'.  Get stuck in!

The Pastels - Check My Heart
Collar Up - In Love And Disgrace
Randolph's Leap - Gina
Zed Penguin - This Town
CHVRCHES - Now Is Not The Time
The LaFontaines - Light Up The Background

Tweet-a-track - Idlewild - (I Am) What I Am Not - Chosen by @pathunknown

The Streams - LemonHaze
Steve Heron - Picturesque
Camera Obscura - Do It Again
Future Glue - Crooked
Poor Things - Morgan
Garden Of Elks - Surfer Boy

Cover Lover - The Fratellis - All Along The Watchtower

Bacchanal Party - Mandy
Panda Su - Maps
United Fruit - Taste I Can't Give Up
Primal Scream - It's Alright, It's Ok
Prides - Out Of The Blue
Book Group - Year Of The Cat
Adam Stafford - Ghostly Arms

Re-Mixing It Up - Mogwai - San Pedro (The Soft Moon Remix)

The Duke, Detroit - Kids
Capitals - Reliever
Woodenbox - Courage


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Scottish Fiction - 17th April 2013 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

T In The Park - Top Breakthrough Acts Join Bill

Say what you will about T In The Park, and let's be honest it evokes different reactions from music bloggers and music fans, you don't hang around to see your 20th birthday without doing something right.  That something, for me, has always been T's ability to bring up and coming artists from around the work to play, often on the smaller stages or earlier in the day.  Those fans with the courage to face an early afternoon trek from campsite to arena, and battle through the Tennent's enduced headache will find the T experience a lot more rewarding than those who just turn up for the headliners.

We've been lucky enough to have been allowed an insiders look at the latest line up announcement.  Here's who you can expect to be joining the already bustling bill:

LA indie rock outfit Local Natives will bring a California vibe to the Scottish countryside with their glorious harmonies and epic, soaring melodies.  The band’s second album Hummingbird – produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner – is being widely tipped to take them to stratospheric new levels after they made a big impression at SXSW this year.



Lucy Rose’s debut album Like I Used To was met with major critical acclaim when it was released last September, with the Warwickshire songstress being hailed as one of the country’s most exciting new songwriting talents.  Her charming nu-folk sound combined with her edgy porcelain voice and wondrous lyrical tales has earned her major radio airplay on 6 Music and BBC Radio 1, plus a rapidly growing fanbase and millions of YouTube hits.



Birmingham four-piece Swim Deep also caused quite a stir at SXSW this year, wowing the crowd with their sun-kissed indie pop anthems.  Swim Deep are one of 2013’s brightest stars, and they’re sure to showcase tracks from their hotly anticipated forthcoming debut album Where the Heaven Are We, due for release this summer, in their T in the Park set.



London-based Theme Park burst on to the scene in 2011, when their track Milk topped the Amazing Radio chart for an impressive three consecutive weeks.  The band released their long awaited, self-titled debut album in February – a collection of indie-dance gems with a distinctly tropical flavour.  One of the hottest new guitar bands around, they’re sure to get the T in the Park crowd going.



The debut EP from Oxford singer-songwriter Lewis Watson It’s Got Four Sad Songs On It BTW topped the iTunes singer-songwriter chart on its first day of release, outselling the likes of Adele, Madonna and Ed Sheeran in the process, and attracting the attention of just about every record label in the land.  Excitement is continuing to build around this bright young songwriting talent, with tracks from his latest EP The Wild receiving airplay on BBC Radio 1.  His T in the Park debut is not to be missed.



London four-piece Sons & Lovers kicked off the year with a four-week residency at Club NME, and things aren’t showing any sign of slowing down.  With tracks such as Set My Heart and King earning the band a dedicated following, these rising stars are ones to watch.



If you are wanting a piece of the action and don't already have tickets then head over to www.tinthepark.com or www.ticketmaster.co.uk or call 08444 999 990. 

Ticket type Price (all subject to booking fee)

Friday day ticket - £75
Saturday day ticket -  SOLD OUT
Sunday day ticket - £82.50
Weekend (no camping) - £184
Weekend and Camping - £194
Thursday Weekend and Camping - An additional £11 to the Weekend and Camping price

For regular T in the Park news, check out www.facebook.com/tinthepark and follow us on Twitter @Tinthepark


T IN THE PARK 2013: ARTISTS ANNOUNCED SO FAR ARTISTS OVER THE WEEKEND:

Adam Beyer | alt-J | Azealia Banks | Bastille | Beady Eye | Ben Klock & Marcel Dettmann (b2b) | British Sea Power | Calvin Harris | Chase and Status | CHVRCHES | Claude VonStroke | The Courteeners | Daughter | David Guetta | Deacon Blue | Disclosure | Dizzee Rascal | DJ Sneak, Derrick Carter & Mark Farina (b2b) | Earl Sweatshirt | Eats Everything | Editors | Emeli Sandé | Everything Everything | FOALS | Frank Ocean | Frank Turner | The Fratellis | Frightened Rabbit | Haim | The Heavy | Hot Natured | Imagine Dragons | Jackmaster | Jake Bugg | Joy Orbison | Kendrick Lamar | The Killers | Kraftwerk | Labrinth | Laurent Garnier | Lewis Watson | Local Natives | Lucy Rose | The Lumineers | Miles Kane | Modest Mouse | Modestep | Mumford & Sons | Nina Kraviz | Nina Nesbitt | Noah and the Whale | Ocean Colour Scene | Of Monsters and Men | The Original Rudeboys | Palma Violets | Paloma Faith | Peace | Phoenix | The Proclaimers | Richie Hawtin | Rihanna | Rita Ora | Rudimental | The Script | Seth Troxler | Silicone Soul | Slam | Sons & Lovers | Stereophonics | The Strypes | Swim Deep | Theme Park | Tom Odell | Tribes | Twin Atlantic | Two Door Cinema Club | Tyler the Creator | The View | Villagers | Yeah Yeah Yeahs | The 1975 | with many more to be announced…

Doune The Rabbit Hole - Line Up Announcements

Having been in attendance over the last two years, Doune The Rabbit Hole, is a festival I've got a lot of time for.  They exist in that space between commercial festivals, and festivals which are too niche to widely appeal.  The festival is on the move again, this time relocating to the Cardross Estate, Port Of Menteith in Stirlingshire, and with their recently announced line up it looks likely I'll be making it three years in a row for Doune.

LINE UP (Jabberwocky, Fruitstand and Baino Stages)

THURSDAY - Orkestra Del Sol, Machines In Heaven, The Fast Camels, Garden Of Elks, Honey & The Herbs

FRIDAY - Alasdair Roberts & Friends, The John Langan Band, PAWS, Rick Redbeard, Gallon Drunk, Arbouretum, Meursault, Haight Ashbury, Steve Adey, Stanley Brinks (ex Herman Dune), The Cosmic Dead, Galoshins, We Are The Physics, Big Ned, No Island, Doug MacGregor, Lori McTear, The Skarsoles, Dave Mac, Kenda Nagasaki and more!

SATURDAY - Clinic, The Pastels, Bombskare, Zun Zun Egui, Stealing Sheep, The Monochrome Set, Robyn Hitchcock, Washington Irving, Rozi Plain, Panda Su, Mother Ganga, The Wellgreen, Foxgang, Flamingods, Beerjacket, Shambles Miller, Freschard, Helicon, St Max & The Fanatics, Honey & The Herbs, Dead Temple, Tom Snowball, Dbass Collective, Edgar Guerreiro, Mhazz, adullboy and more!

Guest Stage - Neu Reekie Featuring: Jesus, Baby,  The Sexual Objects and Teen Canteen

SUNDAY - July Zs, Rachel Sermanni, Bo Ningen, Horndog Brass Band, Hidden Masters, Jo Mango, Randolph's Leap, The Banana Sessions, Cineplexx, Siobhan Wilson, Three Dimensional Tanx, Giblets of Yesterday, Martyazz Ensemble, Dirty Diamond & The Gunslinger, Prog Corner DJs, Bottle of Steven, Ellen McAteer

Scottish Ficton Podcast - 10th April 2013

So I played it safe and it never quite made it onto the playlist for the show, however this is as much political commentary as you're getting.  I'll leave the rest for you to fill in.  To the music my good man, post haste!

And what marvellous music indeed, with oodles of new stuff woven through the fabric of our little show.  Expect new tracks from Michael Cassidy, Song Of Return, Quickbeam, Algernon Doll, Casual Sex and more!  Also in the mix is our 'Cover Lover' track, a Travis cover of a famous Matt The Hoople song, this week's 'Tweet-a-track' suggestion and a 'Re-Mixing It Up' number which is a Bis remix of Arab Strap.  Top drawer!  All this and much more in the land of Scottish Fiction.

Father Sculptor - Lowlands
DanDanDan - Terminator Salvation Pogo Stick
Atlas:Empire - Michy Valentino Sleeps With The Fishes
Michael Cassidy - The Men Who Stood Beside Me In The War
Middleton Hall - Belgain Onions

Tweet-a-track - Curators - Loose Lips Sink Ships - As chosen by @kowalskiy

Where We Lay Our Heads - Keanu Leaves
Magic Eye - Flamin' Teenage
Zed Penguin - This Town
Mt. Judge - Time Machines Pt. II
The New Fabian Society - Cyclothymia
Casual Sex - Stroh 80

Cover Lover - Travis - All The Young Dudes

Donald MacDonald & The Islands - Heart Ryan Can't Fix
Sparrow And The Workshop - The Faster You Spin
Vladimir - Bleed
Great Cop - Stop Hiding
Algernon Doll - Cassini
Washington Irving - Wandering Wits

Re-Mixing It Up - Arab Strap - Turbulence (Bis Remix)

Song Of Return - Torn Between The Tides
Quickbeam - Immersed
Cleavers - I Can't Wait Around For You


Subscribe/listen to the podcast via iTunes.

Scottish Fiction - 10th April 2013 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

Video Killed The Radio Star - Round Up

Music videos. Yeah? Yeah!

Here's the second single from Michael Cassidy from his forthcoming album 'My Electric Heart'. It's a rather vintage feeling video, which tallies up nicely with the track 'The Men Who Stood Beside Me In The War'

Care for some Casual Sex?  Thought you might.  Here's the video for their debut single 'Stroh 80', which is out now on Moshi Moshi Records.  Yowsers!

Song Of Return have... returned.  Sorry that was painfully easy.  They will doing a Singles Club of sorts, putting out a few unreleased tracks available via their bandcamp for download for 50p.  Kicking things off is 'Torn Between The Tides' which is accompanied by this video.

Song of Return - Torn Between The Tides from Black Ash Media on Vimeo.


With their debut album finally given a release date, 3rd June 2013 via Comets & Cartwheels, Quickbeam are teasing us with this video for 'Immersed', the first track taken from the album

That's My Jam #4

I'm torn.  I love records.  And I love beer.  In fact I'd go as far to say that most of my disposable income is spent on these two pastimes.  So when faced with Beer vs. Records on Record Store Day my mind, and most likely my wallet, will crumble!

It's from the above fun venture that my latest jam comes from.  On Saturday 20th April for Record Store Day, the ever wonderful Song, By Toad Records in conjunction with Barney's Beer unveil 'Beer vs. Records', a battle to see which will sell out first, 12" coloured vinyl or a 4 pack of tasty beer, each equipped with 8 tracks by some very, very good bands.  The contributors are our recent Scottish Fiction Presents: Aye Tunes vs. Peenko headliners Le Thug, previous gig buddies Plastic Animals, Magic Eye, and Zed Penguin.

I've heard all the tracks involved, and can assure you they are splendid.  Here's some tasters (sadly you can't taste the beer in advance, though I'm sure from one of Edinburgh's finest microbrewers it'll be good) for you, one track from each band.

Plastic Animals - Pizarnik

Plastic Animals - Pizarnik from Song, by Toad on Vimeo.

Magic Eye - Golden Circle



Zed Penguin - Wandering

Zed Penguin - Wandering from Song, by Toad on Vimeo.

Le Thug - New Balance

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 3rd April 2013

(Picture courtesy of Fanny Lambotte / Wolf Teeth Music)

It's a laid back and cultured affair for this week's show as out live guest Siobhan Wilson treats us to some wonderful live music, chat about her time in France and her influences, and selects some tracks for our listening pleasure.  Following our session there's a 'Cover Lover' track from Frightened Rabbit's new EP 'Backyard Skulls', plus brand new music from Plastic Animals, Edwyn Collins, Travis, Black International, and chat about all things from Beers vs. Records, gigs, and babies.  Yes, we cover all bases here.  Enjoy!

Perfume Genius - Normal Song - As chosen by Siobhan Wilson

Siobhan Wilson - All Dressed Up - Live in Pulse 98.4 FM Studio

France Gall - Laisse Tomber Les Filles - As chosen by Siobhan Wilson

Siobhan Wilson - Ta Petite Minette - Live in Pulse 98.4 FM Studio

Adam Stafford feat. Siobhan Wilson - Sound Of Fear Evaporating - As chosen by Siobhan Wilson

Black Balloons - This House
Penfold - Exactly How It Happened
Travis - Another Guy
Esperi - Somersaults
Plastic Animals - Pizarnik
Thirty Pounds Of Bone - Home Faring
Farewell Singapore - Celebrate Your Mother
Edwyn Collins - Too Bad, (That's Sad)

Cover Lover - Frightened Rabbit - Norland Wind

Galleries - Midnight Rush
Colin's Godson - Death Star Ditty
Black International - A Gilded Palace


Subscribe/listen to the podcast via iTunes.

Scottish Fiction - 3rd April 2013 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

We're Only Here For The Banter - Tremors

Hailing from Glasgow, four piece Tremors dropped their début EP 'Tremors' late last year.  It snuck up on us, and it may well do the same to you if you check it out after reading our little tête-a-tete with the band.

Hello, how are you?

Hello Scottish Fiction!  We are doing brilliantly thanks.

It's the question everyone hates, but could you tell us a little bit about your music and your influences?

Yeah we would agree that it can be an annoying question, but it is a fun question to answer too.  You can spread the names of some of your favourite bands that way haha!  We always describe our music as guitar driven because we have two guitars in the band, but we don’t like to class ourselves as a rock band sometimes because there are too many negative connotations that come along with that now a-days.  Basically we like to play music that has a groove to it, something that is danceable just because we all have a love for classic rave and electro like the Prodigy.  I think the easiest way to describe our music is guitar driven dance music, or danceable indie rock if we have to use the term rock.  As a band we draw from all kinds of independent rock acts to math rock, post rock, afro beat, and electro to help create our own sound, or try to at least!  Some of our favourite bands include Foals, Bombay Bicycle Club, Radiohead, Everything Everything, Vampire Weekend, Fugazi, and Deftones; we think that music needs balls and so we all like a bit of the hardcore stuff.

What's your song writing process like?

Well I am the lead songwriter and write 99% of our songs.  But the other lads write the occasional song as well just to take some pressure off of me and mainly because they are capable of writing good songs so why block their creative flow?  Anyway the song-writing process is quite simple to be honest, I will go away and write the lyrics and basic chords for the song then bring it into the rehearsal space and show it to the rest of the band.  They then add their own parts to the song, and the great part about this band, to me anyway, is the way we just gel and connect.  I never have to tell them what to play and I would never dream of it because the parts that they come up with for the songs end up making it sound about ten times better than how I imagined it.  So really I come up with the foundation for the songs and they help make it a sturdy, good looking piece of architecture.  The other way songs are written occasionally is by jamming, then once we have jammed on something cool I will go away and write lyrics.  And lastly the other method is when one of the other members brings in lyrics and chords, or just a riff and we work on it in the same way we work on any other song.  It is fun to say the least.

What could we expect to see from a live show?

Energy, lots of sweaty, in fact very sweaty, energy.  We believe a live show should be mental, entertaining, and a totally different experience from the record, it is its own entity really.  We want to make sure that the fans and people who have been so nice as to come and see us have a good time and get pumped up enough to dance.  So we practice until we are as a tight as can be and then go crazy live, while in the process getting very, very sweaty...  I mean hell if you sweat that much there is no need for a shower right?  We can say this, it keeps you bloody fit.

If it were all to end tomorrow, what would you say has been your greatest achievement?

Getting a couple to finger bang on the dance floor?  That is definitely up there with one of the funniest things we have seen, but that happened before David joined the band so we will leave that one as the second best thing.  We would have to say that our greatest achievement was helping shut down Stairway, the old club near central station.  As far as we know we were one of the last bands to play there so we have a sneaking suspicion that we had something to do with it haha...  Well we hope so anyway.

What have you got planned for 2013?

We are currently recording our first album and it is the single most important thing on the horizon for us at the moment.  We’re very excited about it because we’ve loaded it full of tracks that we consider to be our strongest, and hopefully that will make it a strong and enjoyable record.  Apart from recording the album we are just gigging a ton.

What other artists (Scottish or not) would you recommend to the Scottish Fiction readers?

People should definitely check out Panda Trap, Paper Crowns, Post War Years, Darien Venture, Nude, Cafe Disco, and Trapped in Kansas.  Those are some terrific bands, most of them from the Glasgow area too so we highly recommend going to see them!

Thanks for speaking with us, would you care to share a joke with us?

Yes... One Direction.


Check out more from Tremors

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Scottish Fiction Presents: Aye Tunes vs. Peenko - Jo Mango, Julia And The Doogans, Siobhan Wilson

Time for the second of our gig announcements today, and after the success of February's singer-songwriter gig, we're doing another time, but with an all female line-up.  And to make it all much more exciting, the gig will be part of the West End Festival.  Here's what's going down.

Siobhan Wilson - Originally from Aberdeen, now based in Glasgow via way of France, we are delighted to have Siobhan opening proceedings, with material from her excellent 'Glorified Demons' EP which was produced by Frabbit's Gordon Skene didn't you know. 

Julia And The Doogans - We've long been fans of Julia and her doogans, so to say we are chuffed to finally get her on a gig doesn't quite cover it.  They need no introduction to the Glasgow music scene, and you won't regret catching them live.

Jo Mango - And headlining this feast of music will be Jo Mango with her ever intriguing musical performance, playing delectable delights from recent album 'Murmuration'.


All this takes place at The Roxy 171 as part of the West End Festival on Saturday June 29th.  Doors from 8pm.  Tickets online or at the door for £6.

Or buy online tickets as a bundle with May's gig and save some pennies! Given May's line up is also realllllly good I'd recommend that option!

If Facebook events are your kind of thing, then you can say your going in interactive form too.

Scottish Fiction Presents: Aye Tunes vs. Peenko - The Spook School, Garden Of Elks, Colin's Godson

May!  Gig!  Bands!  Fun!

April Fool's Day is probably the worst day of the year to announce a gig line up, but after Saturday's fun times with Le Thug, Saint Death and Pinact, we wanted to get the word out about our next two endeavours with blogger gig buddies Aye Tunes and Peenko.  Heeeeeeeeere's May!

Colin's Godson - First up are a band who are makers of concept albums that aren't awful.  They don't play live much.  Which should be an extra incentive to come on down!

Garden of Elks - Also in support are this groovy three piece.  They may or may not be real elks. They certainly are creators of good tunes.

The Spook School - Headlining are one of the finest indie pop bands in all the land, The Spook School haven't played in Glasgow for aaaaaaages.  Come and welcome them back then



All this takes place at Broadcast on Sauchiehall Street on Saturday May 25th.  Doors from 8pm.  Tickets online or at the door for £6.

Or buy online tickets as a bundle with June's gig and save some pennies! Given June's line up is also realllllly good I'd recommend that option!

If Facebook events are your kind of thing, then you can say your going in interactive form too.