Broken laptops, broken hearts, and broken dreams. All or none of these may have contributed to our brief absence from the land of podcasting and radio. No time to dwell on that though, as it's right back into the mix with another hour of tunes, tunes, tunes. On this episode there's music from Honeyblood, Prides, Kill The Waves, Insect Heroes and oh so much more. It's Scottish Fiction, your one stop shop for the best new Scottish music.
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.
Post GoNorth and pre SAY Awards, this episode of Scottish Fiction coories in snuggly with a raft of great new tracks for company. In bed with us this week is both tracks from the forthcoming IndianRedLopez and CS Buchan split 7", the latest single from Paws, stunning electro-pop from The Wild Curve, and sludgy shoegaze via Wozniak. 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.
Fader up, headphones on, tunes a go. This week's podcast takes a drive through pastures new, stopping to take in the heady sounds of new tracks from Deathcats, Vasa, Book Group and Friends In America. There's some well deserved SAY Award praise for Hector Bizerk, and a lagoon of other great sounds. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Last week I unveiled my favourite tracks of 2013 on the blog, which had the rather unfortunate effect of generating a list induced frenzy upon myself. Since then I've decided fighting the compulsion is futitle, and the only thing for it is to provide our Top 20 Scottish albums in list form too.
If you tuned into Scottish Fiction's New Year's Day special on Pulse 98.4 FM, then you may already know the outcome. Similarly if you have checked out the latest Scottish Fiction podcast then the element of surprise may have frittered away. Incidentally said podcast is available here.
As always with lists, you need to put a limit on what you include, otherwise it becomes tedious. I am of the person opinion that there's no difference between my 35th favourite album of the year and my 34th favourite album of the year. So I've gone for a Top 20. (Also in a rather convenient coincidence, 20 tracks fit nicely into a two hour radio show.) However there's a few 'honourable mentions' I'd like to put out there, albums that had I invested more time in them (which I didn't for whatever reason), probably are equal to any on the final list. So do try and check out the following albums too; eagleowl - This Silent Year, Steve Mason - Monkey Minds In The Devil's Time, The Little Kicks - Put Your Love In Front Of Me, The Pastels - Slow Summits, Sweethearts Of The Prison Rodeo - On The Desolate Hillside, Monoganon - F A M I L Y, L. Pierre - The Island Come True, Blue Rose Code - North Ten, Homework - 13 Towers, and This Silent Forest - Indivision
Without further ado, in reserve order, here's our favourite albums of 2013:
#20 - Reverieme - With Up So Floating
Self released back in April, Reverieme have evolved from being the solo project of lead singer Louise Connell into a fully fledged band with this clever and catchy sophmore album. With Up So Floating features some darker moments, but fans of the Camera Obscura influenced sounds of debut album Melodies will not be disappointed either.
#19 - Camera Obscura - Desire Lines
Speaking of Camera Obscura, the Glasgow indie-popsters made their return this year with their fifth studio album Desire Lines. Sweetness seeps out from this record, with Tracyanne Campbell's vocals softly weaving through the layered melodies to wondrous effect.
#18 - Boards Of Canada - Tomorrow's Harvest
Who didn't wet themselves just a little bit when the news eeked out about super secret Boards Of Canada releases on RSD 2013? Returning from a 8 year absence, Tomorrow's Harvest came out on 10th June after one of the best hype building promotions in recent years. Woozy, dreamy, evocative and deliciously layered, it's classic BoC.
#17 - Quickbeam - Quickbeam
Albums this beautiful deserve to be heard by as many people as possible. The eponymous début album from Quickbeam is one that you can lie back, turn off and shut out all the concerns of daily life, and float away with.
#16 - Friends In America - What It Is To Be
Not American, but most likely friends, Glasgow four piece Friends In America have been building up to the release of What It Is To Be for the best part of two years. A labour of love, which shines through the clever songwriting and melodic indie sound.
#15 - Kid Canaveral - Now That You Are A Dancer
Indie darlings Kid Canaveral released their second album Now That You Are A Dancer on the now defunct Fence Records. Building on the strong base they developed with Shouting At Wildlife, it's more of the assured indie-pop that we loved first time round.
#14 - Blood Relatives - Deerheart
In the form of Dead Hip, Blood Relatives are responsible for endless hours of this mid 20's male shaking his hips unashamedly. Yet the catchy melodies and pun filled lyrics didn't end with the first single taken from the album, they continue right through like a stick of rock. A joyous début that you will return to again and again.
#13 - Hector Bizerk - Nobody Seen Nothing
Self released, self promoted, and self supported, Hector Bizerk continue to stream ahead blazing a trail for Scottish hip-hop and demonstrating what you can achieve when you apply yourself. Louie raps with passion, belief and knowledge, with Audrey snaps at the drums. Fuller, louder, and sharper, the album deserves all the plaudits it has received.
#12 - RM Hubbert - Breaks & Bone
Not one to rest on his laurels, SAY Award winner RM Hubbert had album number three in the bag even before previous album Thirteen Lost & Found bagged him the SAY Award prize. The last in the ampersand trilogy Breaks & Bones sees Hubbert attempt to call time on the experiences that shaped his previous work and move on, and features vocals from the man himself for the first time.
#11 - Kevin Harper - Kingdom Of Wires
A contender for the most under appreciated album of 2013, Kevin Harper's self released effort Kingdom Of Wires is an unheralded gem. The albums embodies DIY punk ethos and musically draws influence from a host of '90's American alternative bands. Lyircally it's as honest and open an LP as you'll find from last year.
#10 - The Spook School - Dress Up
Demonstrating the immediacy and expectation that comes with releasing material on the internet, I expected The Spook School's début album a long time before it finally came out in October. However it's clear that the band have been working hard, tightening up everything, honing their sound to ensure that when they did drop Dress Up, it lived up to the promise of their early singles.
#9 - Fat Goth - Stud
RAWK! Released all the way back in January, it would be easy to forget Fat Goth and their second album Stud given all the great music that been released since. But Stud is not an album that goes quietly back on the shelf. It's 9 songs worm their way into your head, set up camp, and hold the funkiest, loudest, raucous party you've ever imagined.
#8 - Sparrow & The Workshop - Murderopolis
Released on the Song By Toad label Sparrow And The Workshop's third album, the cheekily named Murderopolis, may be the band's finest yet. At times descending into effects driven madness, at others harmonising playfully, it's a creative masterpiece.
#7 - Conquering Animal Sound - On Floating Bodies
Ally McCrae stated that Conquering Animal Sound were one of his tips for the SAY Award's 2013. He's a man who knows a thing or two. Were On Floating Bodies to be absent from the longlist when it's announced in a few months, it would be a travesty. It's a wonderful album which pushes the boundaries the band marked out on their previous album.
#6 - There Will Be Fireworks - The Dark, Dark Bright
The Dark, Dark Bright is an absolute triumph of an album, from a band who now can stand aside, not behind, the influences that shaped them. There Will Be Fireworks prove they can do layered indie rock in the quiet-loud-quiet mould as well as anyone.
#5 - Rick Redbeard - No Selfish Heart
Steeped in Celtic folk music, No Selfish Heart sees The Phantom Band frontman Rick Redbeard step out with his own solo material. Hauntingly beautiful, simplistically detailed, the album celebrates the softer, gentler side of music.
#4 - Algernon Doll - Citalo-pop
Ewan Grant a.k.a. Algernon Doll taps into his punk and hardcore roots to craft an album that has more room to breathe, and is more complete than his début. Citalo-pop scuzzes, fuzzes, roars and delights with Grant's elegant songwriting heading the charge.
#3 - Adam Stafford - Imaginary Walls Collapse
One of the most inventive, creative and thoroughly likeable musicians, Adam Stafford returned with a masterful blend of musical influences that hang off each other with ease. Imaginary Walls Collapse is a triumph deserving of your time.
#2 - CHVRCHES - The Bones Of What You Believe
There was no way that The Bones Of What You Believe couldn't have been a success. But a collective sigh of relief was exhaled when we realised just how good CHVRCHES debut was.
#1 - Frightened Rabbit - Pedestrian Verse
Number 1. Numero uno. Top of the heap as ol' blue eyes would say. 2013 really say Frightened Rabbit step up to the plate that being signed to a major label presents. Not only did they play their biggest UK tour to date, pull in a massive crowd at T in the Park, but fourth album Pedestrian Verse has the making of becoming a classic album.
End of year obligatory list time! The difference this year is that we announced our top 20 Scottish albums in a countdown broadcast on Pulse 98.4 on New Year's Day. This episode consists of a track from each of our favourite albums of 2013, in a mega dramatic countdown, that could only be spoiled by knowing the playlist in advance... D'oh!
Reverieme - Sorry Or Something - From the album With Up So Floating
Camera Obscura - Do It Again - From the album Desire Lines
Boards Of Canada - Nothing Is Real - From the album Tomorrow's Harvest
Quickbeam - Grace - From the album Quickbeam
Friends In America - Gaffe - From the album What It Is To Be
Kid Canaveral - Breaking Up Is The New Getting Married - From the album Now You Are A Dancer
Blood Relatives - Deerheart - From the album Deerheart
Hector Bizerk - Welcome To Nowhere - From the album Nobody Seen Nothing
RM Hubbert - Bolt - From the album Breaks & Bones
Kevin Harper - Kingdom Of Wires - From the album Kingdom Of Wires
The Spook School - The Cameraman - From the album Dress Up
Fat Goth - Debbie's Dirty Harry - From the album Stud
Sparrow And The Workshop - The Faster You Spin - From the album Murderopolis
Conquering Animal Sound - Warn Me - From the album On Floating Bodies
There Will Be Fireworks - River - From the album The Dark, Dark Bright
Rick Redbeard - No Selfish Heart - From the album No Selfish Heart
Algernon Doll - Cassini - From the album Citalo-pop
Adam Stafford - Please - From the album Imaginary Walls Collapse
CHVRCHES - Gun - From the album The Bones Of What You Believe
Frightened Rabbit - Backyard Skulls - From the album Pedestrian Verse
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!
Day two of Scotland 'alternative festival', and the Scottish Fiction team are awake, if not fully compos mentis, fed and water, and ready for a full on day of great music, centred once more around the Solus Tent and the goNORTH Festival Tour Tent.
A change in the advertised stage times (or perhaps a misprint in the lanyards) meant that my early afternoon trip down to the Solus Tent to see Giant Fang, instead meant I was able to catch some of the The Recovery instead. Brash, loud and angry metal coated rock was the order of the day, sharply dispelling any remnants of sleep that were lingering. Lead singer Andy prowled the tent, spitting vocals with fury and passion, and giving one of the most confident and self assured displays of any front men all weekend. Not content with the sizable crowed that had gathered, he proceeded outside the tent shepherding in punters from the blaring sun to the sweaty tent for their daily dose of hardcore.
Staying in the crushing heat of the Solus Tent, four piece instrumental post-rockers Vasa provided another masterclass in layered experimental rock music. Giving tracks from their début EP 'Never Have Dreams' an outing, their carefully designed sound thrusts the listener along an interstellar path, each boom of Alex Gordon's bass drum propelling us further into the unknown. But it's a journey the crowd make with aplomb. Vasa are a post-rock band with pop sensibilities, their musical ears able to tag onto a catchy hook and build around that. From the already mentioned EP, 'Cynthia' is a real stand-out with it's rhythmic melodies and enthusiastic execution, guitarist Scott Coupar throwing himself around the stage and in the photo pit.
The goNORTH Festival Tour Tent allowed me the opportunity to right a wrong that has lingered for some time. Despite actually having put the band on a gig bill back last October, I've never actually seen Book Group play live. Their charming brand of indie-folk has already drawn comparison with the heart-on-sleeve style of Frightened Rabbit, and it's not hard to see why. The crowd lap up each track, including a group of toddlers that probably bring the average age of the whole tent down by a good decade, and one break dancing maestro who answered the call to dance very well. Ending with their strongest track to date, 'Year Of The Cat', lead singer Graeme Anderson climbs the front barrier while bellowing out through a megaphone the final refrain of "don't you ever change". The only change one suspects for Book Group, will be more a higher billing and bigger audiences.
Douglas Frew makes melodic and catchy electronica music under the name Giant Fang. For this Wickerman set in the Solus Tent, only his second live show, he has bolstered his set up to include a full backing band, provided by members of Prides and Take A Worm For A Walk Week. Recent single 'Aqualung' was made for moments like this, the track soaring with all the airs of a festival anthem, Frew and the band bringing out the big notes at all the right times. It's great to be able to hear a full set of Giant Fang material, and there's a couple of tracks that pique my interest including a very minimalist '80's sounding song and one that chimes familiarly with The Killer 'When You Were Young'. 'Kingdom' is another one of those magic moments, Frew majestic vocals gliding over the glittery electronic melodies, and bringing the summer sun inside this small tent.
Similar to my predicament with review Hector Bizerk for Friday's review, Fake Major are a band I've seen live a good few times over the past months. What is also similar is how my awe never fades and my enjoyment increases each time they perform. It should never be understated just how in sync Richard Ferguson and David 'Jarv' McGinty are. The vocals gleefully intertwine, each man knowing exactly how to complement the other. With a set packed with their usual crowd pleasers such as 'Little Researcher', 'Love in the Mundane' and closer 'Fiction' it's another festival under their belt, and another fantastic performance for the band.
Garden Of Elks transport the crowd back to the early '90's. Not via a DeLoran or Tardis, but through the power of their grungy alt-rock rhythms they prove the power of the Seattle underground scene still holds sway. Lead singer Niall yelps "fun, fun, fun, fun" in a fusion of the Pixies and The Beach Boys, whilst hunched behind the drum kit dodging the low hanging tent canvas, Kirsten lashes rhythmically with raw punk power. 'This Morning We Were Astronauts' with it's angular guitars and dark vocals proves a popular highlight.
When Vic Galloway says a band are his favourite rock band on the planet you take notice. Fat Goth are that band. Vic isn't the only to sit up and take notice, rawk journo types Kerrang are feeling the Fat Goth love, as are the many faces gathered. With scrumptious basslines, growling guitar hooks, and killer drum beats, the band shred through tracks off their 'Stud' album, including 'Creepy Lounge', the intentful 'Debbie's Dirty Harry' and final song 'Surf's Down' which is greeted with an emphatic moshpit.
Glasgow five piece The Yawns are another Scottish Fiction gig alumni on show at Wickerman, proving that we share great taste. The band are led by Sean Armstrong, who throughout the set ambles about on stage nonchalantly. Luckily their appeal is not their stage presence or stage banter, but their sun kissed surf pop, which on a day like today is the perfect tonic. 'Summer's Wasted' kicks the set off, and that breezy alt-pop vibe continues throughout.
When I started this blog I said I wouldn't write negative reviews. Afterall, what's the point of writing about something you didn't enjoy. So on that note I can confirm that The Enemy and Amy McDonald played on the Summerisle Stage.
One thing to be thankful for is that the repelling power of Amy McDonald on the main stage may have pushed people into the smaller tents for a musical discovery. On the benefiting end of that effect are Prides, Glasgow's next big electro-pop band. The band have rocketed their way through, pretty much on the strength of set closer 'Out Of The Blue', so far their only track to hit the internet, but they are far from a one tune band. Neither are they comprised of one sound either. While it's true there's a flavour of '80's synth-pop running through, the band know when to hit the dizzy heights and when to pull things back and display a knack for heart-on-sleeve writing. I'm not yet familiar with track names yet, but 'Let It Go(?)' is sheer baby making music, such is the funky soulful vibe. Despite trepidation about filling a 45 minute headline slot, Prides masterfully and energetically make that time fly by. One of the highlights of the weekend, and having brought the Scottish Fiction / campsite neighbourhood watch along with me, we all leave the tent ready to silent disco the night away.
Behold! It's Behold The Old Bear live in session for Scottish Fiction. Or at least one third of the band. Raindeer MacFarlane, lead man of BTOB and all-round animal lover, joined me in the studio for a couple of live tracks. We also chatted about the band's sound and progression, the differences between BTOB and Mitchell Museum, and the merits or otherwise of crowd funding.
Ahead of last weekend's jaunt to Wickerman, I also spoke to Chay Woodman, curator of the Solus Tent at the festival. And there's new music from the likes of Le Thug, Friends In America, So Many Animal Calls and more!
Voting has opened for the 2013 Scottish Alternative Music Awards, henceforth known as the SAMA's. The public vote will remain open for the next ten days, giving you all the chance to shape how the awards are dished out.
Once you've voted, then you can pick up tickets for the awards show here
which is being held at The Garage on Sauchiehall Street on Friday 8th
March. Hosting the event again is Billy Kirkwood, with live acts still
to be announced.
Perhaps, like me, you're not the biggest fan of public votes. Afterall, what do the public know? Well fear not, because I'm here to tell you who to vote for guide you through the murky fields of indecision.
Scottish Fiction Pick - It can only be Fat Goth. Their outstanding second album 'Stud' dropped earlier this month, and none of the other nominees can touch them in terms of the finished article. If Fat Goth don't pick up this one, I'm throwing a strop.
Scottish Fiction Pick - Strange to me that Solareye is nominated ahead of his collective Stanley Odd. However even by himself Solareye still nudges it over Young Fathers as my pick.
Scottish Fiction Pick - I imagine, and indeed have been informed, that Meursault are tremendous live. Ashamedly though, I've never seen Neil Pennycock's men live, and have to back United Fruit for this one. Seen them twice live. Both time they destroyed it.
Scottish Fiction Pick - Honeyblood. By virtue of the fact that they are Honeyblood. This is also a poor selection of bands to choose from. Vote Honeyblood.
Scottish Fiction Pick - What the fuck does it matter, it'll clearly be CHVRCHES that win. They are currently unstoppable, and with damn good reason to. Actually this is the category with the most talent in it, and will CHVRCHES will run away with it, each of the other acts could pick up a lot of points too. Bit like the SPL really.
