Reppin' Aberdeenshire, and more recently Glasgow, my session guest on this show is the immensely talented, not to mention modest, Yusuf Azak. His albums, most recently Peace in the Underworld and before that Native Son, contain more ideas than many artists manage in an entire career, a style born out of experimentalism and free form. In amongst chatting about his music, Yusuf performed three tracks live in the studio all of which are here for your listening pleasure.
Your new music fix can be sated with cuts from The Duke, Detroit, Baby Strange, Tijuana Bibles, Turtle, and C Duncan. Hook in and enjoy!
Music can be thought of in terms of spectrography, the visual representation of the spectrum of frequencies in a sound, with colour and substance being directly proportional. At one end of the continuum are dream-pop-heavy de nos jours who band together as part of an increasingly amplified contemporary post-rock subculture. They attempt to distance themselves from the traditional musical palette by adding new ‘textures’ and ‘bright colours’ to create homogenised subterfuge. The end result is more often than not an aimless swing from the wonted sublime to the breathlessly inane ridiculous. Sitting uncomfortably at the top of the spectral waterfall, they look faded and discoloured.
Atom Tree are wavelengths apart in this sense. The accession of the Glasgow three-piece, led by producer Shaun Canning, has been duly noted by the BBC and fashion brands alike. They have been sharing stages with a string of established artists in recent times and have been labelled as ‘ones for the future’.
Clouds is their second offering and heralds a more vocal sound in comparison to their debut EP, Tide of Thorns. The cover features the group’s logo atop a monochromatic negative of a cumuliform cloud. Canning opens with Sinner and a tape-effect inspired introduction. This leads onto a bright piano driven-melody, accompanied in verse by Julie Knox. The track is fresh and complimented by an intelligent pause half way through. The subsequent crescendo is memorable and the final chorus is augmented by a heavy two-step beat and breathy synth.
Hearts follows. The track begins abruptly and Canning employs a mix of arpeggiated piano and cut-up vocals from Knox. Similar to the opening track, the listener is treated to a further piano breakdown and heavy bass-driven final chorus. The vocals of Knox are worth a mention as they feature heavily in this track and throughout the rest of the EP. Never over-bearing, her voice lends a human touch to the otherwise synthetic production.
Hold On is probably the most obvious track on this extended play and immediately shouts Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs and Sohn. Echoing vocals, a squelchy synth and a high pitched arpeggiated reso-lead act as the catalyst for a further reverberated build-up, crash cymbal fanfare and double-backed chip tune melody – this is simple but ultimately effective.
The title track is the highlight. Measuring over six minutes, Canning leads in with a slow cymbal rush and inverted ethnic-style rhythm before adding a tripping hi-hat loop. The piano melody is intricate and bright and only gets better as the track progresses. A muffled looping vocal acts as a gentle reminder of Canning’s apparent shift in emphasis. The distorted tape-driven outro brings the EP to a pleasant conclusion. Clouds is vocal electronica done well and unlike many of their contemporaries, Atom Tree stay true to their primary colours. In a world of pale spectrograms, they are well located at the foot of the spectral waterfall, where colours are intense and vivid.
- Andrew Kidd
Atom Tree - Clouds is out now via Hot Gem Records and is available on digital download from Boomkat and iTunes. Hearts is free to download from the band's Soundcloud page for a limited time. Get it below.
After a few weeks of live sessions, it's just me on my tod this week. And of course you joining me to listen to some of the best new tracks about at the moment. Which is pretty much what this week's podcast is all about with new tracks from Machines In Heaven, Prehistoric Friends, Bellow Below, C Duncan and a whole heap more. Slàinte!
With the news that this year's T in the Park would be the last to grace the hallowed Balado turf, the festival is set for a bittersweet party from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th July, before it moves to Strathallan Castle for 2015's festival. It's perhaps fitting that this year's festival marks the 21st year of T in the Park, with 21 traditionally being the age at which young adults go out and seek their place in the world. The festival, for my tastes, has lost its way a little over the last few years, and one wonders if a new site can let it find its feet a little bit.
That all being said, those heading up this weekend will not be thinking
of the future, but of the three days of great music that lay ahead of
them. So if you're will be one of the 100,000 joining in the last
Balado cries of "T IN THE PARK", here are Scottish Fiction's tips for
the weekend.
The
Sad at Balado. Oooh baby! The Twilight Sad are undoubtedly one of
Scotland's best live bands, as proven by their 10th anniversary shows
last year. Unknown to some, cult following to others, and
post-punk/indie Gods to others, The Twilight Sad play early doors on
Sunday in the King Tut's Tent, right after Earl Sweatshirt (so head
along early to catch him as well). Prepare for ear-grinding,
face-dissolving, heart stopping noise, with some of the best penned
lyrics this side of Frabbit.
If you like your electro chilled out and spacious, a la Jon Hopkins,
then Atom Tree is tip for you. Producer/musician Shaun Canning, has
padded out his project with the addition of Julie Knox on vocals and
Michael Robertson providing the drums, lifting the band from Canning's
bedroom to the clubs and venues of Scotland and beyond. Recent release See The Light, turned heads and made many do just that. Join the following and catch the band playing Saturday evening on T-Break Stage.
What
do the Highlands sound like? You'll not get a better answer to that
question than Call To Mind, who play T on the BBC Introducing Stage.
Atmospheric, rich and poignant, the four piece swell and swoop in live
shows, their instrumental moments engulfing the crowd in one big hug.
Be warned, if you are looking for guitars and quiffs look elsewhere. If
however you're open to music from the most beautiful album this year so
far, then Call To Mind are a must see.
Last year's T saw Lauren Mayberry and co. played to a
heavy crowd on the Transmission Stage. With the festival taking place
before their album, The Bones Of What You Believe dropped on 20
September, their ample crowd was based on buzz and hype. Now the goods
are out there, and their top 10 and 20 placings in the UK and US album
charts respectively means the masses will be out in force this time.
Personally I don't think CHVRCHES are as good a live band as they could be, but there's no doubting the crowd love them, and their set this year could prove a real highlight.
We've blogged about Deathcats extensively for the last few months, and with good cause too. They've spread faster than ebola, and are a lot more fun too, rapidly gaining a reputation across the country as an incredible prospect live. Grungy, garage rock guitars, layers of fuzz and reverb, youthful lyrics and ultimately not giving one iota of a fuck, Deathcats' set at the T-Break Stage on Friday is the let loose rock out you need to complete your weekend.
Headliners Biffy know all about plugging away and building success, and fellow Ayrshire boys Fatherson have paid attention and taken notes. Fatherson have been around the Glasgow/Scottish music scene for years, gigging relentlessly, and taking their time with releases in a build up to their album I Am An Island, another nod, intentional or not, in Biffy's direction. Fatherson are their own band however, and they switch with ease from ear bursting guitar rock, to stripped back melancholic indie anthems. Catch them playing in the King Tut's Tent on Saturday.
Previous
session guests on Scottish Fiction, Blood Relatives have an ear for a
catchy melody and witty lyrics. Unashamedly pop, they splice in
influence from the likes of Camera Obsura, Phoenix and elements of Belle
And Sebastian, to present a more intelligent package, which knows how
to dance. With tracks like Dead Hip, Duck, and Deerheart, all
taken from their 2013 debut album, you'll be leaving the T-Break Stage on Sunday evening
with sore cheeks from smiling and sore ankles from dancing.
Medals is the side project/part time hobby/alternative band of JP Reid, him of Sucioperro and Marmaduke Duke fame. Whatever the aim is, Medals has proved a worthy outlet, with album Disguises gaining plaudits last year for it's rock/pop uplifting sound. Medals play on the BBC Introducing Stage, and which hopefully will see them play to a plentiful crowd.
Perth four piece wecamefromwolves have pop punk vibe, with elements of
Biffy whizzed in there too, able to craft rock songs with teeth and pop
sensibilities. Fresh from releasing their Paradise Place EP in
April this year, the band have been edging down into the central belt
with a handful of gigs now clocked up. I've not yet seen them live, but
on the strength of the tracks on their EP, you can bet their set on the
T-Break Stage will be one to catch. Set your alarms for early doors on Saturday morning.
Hail
the conquering heroes! Biffy Clyro and T in the Park are like Frodo
and Sam; always together, and relying on each other. In the past Biffy
have used T to build their profile, fanbase, and live shows but you get
the feeling this year T are using Biffy as their trump card to sell
tickets. Arguments will rage whether 'old school' Biffy were better,
but bearing in mind that latest album Opposites topped the
charts and was short listed for the Scottish Album of the Year Awards,
they ain't doing to bad these days either. Fans from back in the day
will also have the pleasure of rocking out to back catalogue favourites,
as the band don't shy away from dropping their early work into festival
sets. Headliners on Friday night, you can't say they won't put on a
great show.
All girl harmonies and dreamy pop hooks? Check. It must be TeenCanteen, who pretty much capture that summer feeling with their sound. Another band who have previously appeared as Scottish Fiction session guests, their whimsical everyday dreams, and tales of love lost and found, all backed up by cheery melodies will perk up any festival goer who is in need of it. Check them out in the T-Break Stage on Friday night.
Dundee
trio Fat Goth cannot be explained. They cannot be described, nor can
you prepare yourself for them. Fat Goth can only be experienced, in
pure visceral, unadulterated, unfiltered and uncensored glory. T-Break
Stage, Saturday night. Be there.
Other selected highlights, including non-Scottish artists, across the weekend would include; Pixies, Slaves, Earl Sweatshirt, We Are Scientists, Tame Impala, The Amazing Snakeheads, Eilidh Hadden, Tuff Love, Birdhead, Kill The Waves, Secret Motorbikes and The LaFontaines.
For full line up, and more information about T in the Park, check out the official T in the Park website.
Free from the hell that is college graded unit work, Scottish Fiction is back with another hour of freshly squeezed new Scottish music. With enough variety to tantalize all tastes, there's full blown grunge from Algernon Doll, along with chat about Radio 1's Big Weekend, dark electro pop by way of Eilidh Hadden and Atom Tree, and a blistering track off the new Broken Records album. Grab a glass and pour, it's Scottish Fiction your one stop shop for the best new Scottish music.
Consistently offering opportunities for smaller Scottish artists to get on the T In The Park bill, develop their onstage performance, and get festival experience under their belt, the T-Break stage has announced the 16 acts playing at this year's T In The Park.
It's one of the best line up's for a few years on the T-Break stage. Our personal picks include Atom Tree, Birdhead, Blood Relatives, Deathcats, Fat Goth, NAKED, Secret Motorbikes, TeenCanteen, Tuff Love and We Came From Wolves.
Congratualations to all the acts playing, and if you are heading up to Balado on the weekend of 11th, 12th and 13th July, then be sure to check out as many of them as possible. There's also a free track from each artist available via the T-Break website.
Happy New Year to y'all. 2013 was another feather in the cap of fantastic music emanating from Scottish shores. The rise of CHVRCHES shows we do electro-pop with the best of them. The return of Boards of Canada demonstrates we've not lost that shoe-gazey EDM touch either. In between there's been hoards of fantastic folk, positive pop, humongous hip-hop and incredible indie to treat ears of all frequencies.
On Christmas day we aired a special episode of Scottish Fiction which was a look back on some of our favourite singles and EP's for 2013. You can listen to that in full here or via the embed at the bottom of the page. Here's the majority of those tracks, plus a few more, making this post my favourite 25 singles or EP's from 2013.
In no particular order, and with no other judging criteria than my own personal tastes here's Scottish Fiction's Top 25 Singles / EP's of 2013
Prides - Out Of The Blue
Name changes have never sounded so good. Previously Midnight Lion, now Prides, the Glasgow three piece re-invented themselves to fist pumping effect. Dancing like a maniac to this tune at Wickerman was a highlight of 2013.
Campfires In Winter - Picture of Health EP
Following single White Lights released early in 2013, September's release of Picture of Health EP cements Campfires In Winter's status as one of the finest emerging bands in Scotland. Album next surely?
Book Group - Victory Lap / A Lowdown of a LOUD Sound
Début single from Book Group released via the influential Gerry Loves Records. Insprining, uplifting and gloriously inflectious. Book Group, don't you ever change.
Young Fathers - I Heard
Edinburgh hip-hop trio Young Fathers hooked many people with this smooth, emotional and soulful cut from their second EP Tape Two. Released on the legendary Anticon label, lead single I Heard has the power to worm inside your brain for weeks.
Atom Tree - Tide of Thorns EP
There is a wave of artists who are continuing to push electronica music in new and exciting directions. Glasgow producer and musician Atom Tree is but one of them. Debut EP Tide of Thorns leads the pack and this track Die For Your Love evokes fluorescent memories of euphoria on a blissful come down.
Nevada Base - Foresight
Having never been a Nevada Base fan before this track I feel almost sheepish in the realisation that they are indeed Scotland's answer to LCD Soundsystem. Foresight is an accessible jump on point for those in search of jerky rhythms and groovy basslines.
Naked - Lie Follows Lie
Spooky, eerie and haunting. Check, check and check. Not the most googleable names in music, but once you've found Naked, and this July release from the Edinburgh based three piece, you won't want to let go.
Giant Fang - Aqualung
When I reviewed this track back upon it's 23rd June release I said it had a 'freedom-of-the-summer' vibe and flavoured by the influence of M83. In the midst of winter Giant Fang'sAqualung transports you back to the warmth of a carefree summer.
Lovers Turn To Monsters - Skeletor EP
Ok so I know I said this was in no particular order, but I'm putting it out there Lovers Turn To Monsters Skeletor EP is my favourite EP of 2013. Intelligent and brutally honest lyrics with simplistic and heart tugging guitar playing, it's on a comparable scale with the indie lo-fi artists that young Kyle Wood calls his heroes.
Fake Major - Have Plenty Of Fun
Four armed singer songwriters don't come much better than Richard and Jarv of Fake Major. Released on Comets & Cartwheels back in May of this year, Have Plenty of Fun proves that sometimes song writing partnerships are much more important than bells and whistles. This track Little Researcher is a gem.
Michael Cassidy - Everybody's Scared
Fans of Paisley musician Michael Cassidy will be familiar with this track. Everybody's Scared has been given the full band treatment ahead of the release of début album My Electric Heart, and re-released with a renewed sense of warmth and purpose.
DEATHCATS!!! - The Raddest EP
Bursting with scuzzy feel good vibes, channelling the blitzkreig ethos of The Ramones and the lo-fi touch of Fugazi, DEATHCATS might just change your life. Failing that The Raddest EP is awesome and deserves your attention.
Honeyblood - Bud
Scotland's answer to The Breeders and Throwing Muses, Honeyblood released Bud on continual Scottish music supporters FatCat Records. It's garage rock with a laid back veneer and one of 2013's finest singles.
Poor Things - Hurricane Poor Things
Poor Things are another band who mine '90's American alt-garage rock for influence. And to fantastic effect too. Hurricane Poor Things ambles with intent and purpose. Check it out.
Pinact / Min Diesel - Split 7"
Sneaking two bands in for the price of one here, this split 7" released in September by the Cool Your Jets label showcases Pinact and Min Diesel in all their DIY alt-rock glory.
Gone Wishing - The Gone Wishing Tape
The discovery of 2013 for me was the music of Owen McLaughlin. In it's solo guise Owen plays under the moniker of Gone Wishing and his debut EP is heartfelt, gutsy and tender in just the right amounts.
Lidh - Rockpool Hospital EP
This video harks back to the play cartoon imagery used by The B-52's, but Lidh's music draws from a much wider range of influences combining in a slightly rough around the edges folk pop. Single Rockpool Hospital is the pick of the bunch from her EP of the same name.
Mast - Romance
Former The Darien Adventure man Liam Rutherford struck out on his own in 2013 as Mast. He struck gold with this shimmering delightful track Romance
John Knox Sex Club / Over The Wall - Split 7"
With both bands hiding in the shadows for most of 2013, a combined return via a Gerry Loves Records split 7" was a stroke of genius on everyone's part. Animals packs the usual John Knox Sex Club punch, and Tell Her I Love Her bursts with inventive fun pop.
Garden Of Elks - Extended Play
Shouty fun pop at it's best, Garden of Elks seal the deal with a pinky promise (so they say) and rock raucously with a Pixies induced stupor.
Mad Nurse - The Rip
Not a lot is known about Mad Nurse expect they are a four piece from Edinburgh who specialise in epic, layered post rock tinged creations. The Rip EP is one of 2013's most unrecognised releases.
Shambles Miller - Deadpool
Shambles Miller Does It Again. Is what the headlines would say in a world where the Glaswegian singer-songwriter replaced Beyonce as the world's biggest pop star. Whilst we wait for that, latest single Deadpool cheekily muses on the big questions.
TeenCanteen - Honey
All girl sunshine pop never sounded so good. Taking their lead from the girl bands of the 60's and 70's, Glasgow's TeenCanteen shone brighter than most with this début release Honey.
No live guest this week, so it was me on my todd, chattering away like a parrot. (See the picture has a very tedious relevance). However making up for this is the return of features such as Cover Lover, Re-Mixing It Up and Tweet-a-track. There is also a whole host of great new music from The Grand Gestures, The Little Kicks, The Spook School and more!
Following in the wake of CHVRCHES, Atom Tree is the latest Scottish artist to produce some excellent electronica. Tide of Thorns EP is a refreshingly advanced and wonderfully developed for a debut.
Opener Die For Your Love deserves to be played through a cinema surround system as a soundtrack for a fast car car advertisement. Open roads, wind in your hair, speeding down the track. That kind of thing. Don't let the lack of vocals fool you, it plays no major factor in the awesome sound.
This is all thanks to the epic build up and construction of the instruments.
Desired Effect has a nice plinky plonky riff which works well as it’s simple and melodic. It's a track that could be used in a soundtrack for an indie style rom com movie.
Tide of Thorns is best listened to after midnight. As everyone’s thoughts get deeper as the night truly descends, then this is the essential track to listen to while you swither about your life choices.
Once you’ve done some re-evaluating, P.S is better than any lullaby to send you off to sleep.
Hopefully Atom Tree will edge out of the cloak of mysteriousness that enshrouds him. Tide of Thorns is a solid effort and is better than most releases that are getting the attention that they shouldn’t really be receiving. Considering the Facebook profile was only created June this year, following the name change from Atomic League, Atom Tree, a.k.a. Shaun Canning, is just a musical fetus really. With a hell of a lot of potential. I for once look forward to the development.
- Holly Callender
Atom Tree - Tide of Thornsis out on Hot Gem on 18th October.
If you pay attention round these parts you'll be well aware of my gushing blogger love for this week's live guest Lovers Turn To Monsters. Possessing an ability to pen open, honest and emotionally charged lyrics, twisted in with pop culture, geeky jokes, and personal highs and lows, he is, in this blogger's opinion one of Scotland's under appreciated songwriters. Coupled with lo-fi melodies and a goofy demeanour, it was a pleasure to welcome Kyle back onto the show.
As well as three live tracks courtesy of my guest, there was new music from Atom Tree, Giant Fang and Hector Bizerk, as well as the second instalment of my Oxjam: We're Skint, They're Skinter podcasts.
