Scottish Fiction Submissions - 3rd June 2012

You've not done one of these for a while, I hear you say.  This is true, and whilst my inbox has been bulging with submissions I've been both busy and lazy.  So I owe an apology to you for not passing on these fine pieces of music, and also to the artists who've sent me stuff.  There's lots more still sitting in my inbox, but for the time being here's a short and sweet post about a few of my favourites. 

(Some are relatively old news now, but still deserve a mention 'cause they are that good!)

Satellite Dub - 'Velikovsky Said'

This bad boy came out on 17th April (yes that's how far behind I am) and is a behemoth of electronica and dance music.  With the spirit of Kraftwerk in his sails Craig, a.k.a. Satellite Dub, set off on an intergalactic stellar trip.  Mind that bit in the the song 'I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor' that says, "just banging tunes and DJ sets"?  This is that, but better.  Get it on a 'pay-what-you-want' basis or buy a CD with download for £4.


Lost Ghosts - 'Summer Nothing'

A new band from Glasgow, so new in fact that I can't find any information on them other than that Daniel Young of Where We Lay Our Heads is involved, and that there's four of them.  I'm actually a fool for sitting on this track for so long and doing nothing about it.  Consider myself well and truly scolded.  This is really good.  A little rough albeit, but good.  With the female vocals they sound a little bit like my favourite band ever (ok not EVER, but I still like them) The Spook School but heavier.  Terrible description I know.  Just listen eh.  And you can download this song plus another, 'Seven', for free on their Soundcloud.  Braw!



The Machine Room - 'Love From A Distance'

Crikey!  You though April was ages ago, try March when this brilliant EP came out.  Further proof that my head is up my arse in terms of keeping up to date with new music (not good advertising for the blog).  Anyhow now that I've devoted full attention to this, you should too.  It's a four track EP from the Edinburgh band.  They describe it as 'bewitching pop music' and that pretty much does it for me. (They also do a really good cover of Bronski Beat's 'Small Town Boy' which you can hear here.)


Wolves Of Winter - 'The Thaw'

Finally a track which I haven't completely neglected!  The lads from Wolves Of Winter featured on our February EP with their brilliant track 'The Art Of Temptation'.  The follow up isn't half bad either, with it's other-worldly feel and dark beauty.  I played the track on our radio show recently which shows that not everything passes me by idly.  'The Thaw' is available as a free download so you've no excuses.


Plastic Animals - 'Automaton'

Slightly more up to date now as this EP by Edinburgh's Plastic Animals was released yesterday.  'Automaton' is the band's first new material since their 'A Dark Spring' EP, and it's well and truly worth the wait.  It's probably deserving of a bigger spot on the blog, and it may well get that if I can squeeze in some time amidst all the cucumber sandwiches and sub-servitude during the jubilee.  For now though, I can tell you that this is good stuff.  Available as a 'pay-what-you-want' download, you should give them some cash because it's worth it.  'Yellowcraig' itself is an atmospheric post-rock inspired doozy.


Olympic Swimmers - 'No Flags Will Fly'

This is another submission which is definitely worthy of more attention, as it is the debut album from one of Scotland's most talented unsigned group Olympic Swimmers.  I first saw them supporting Admiral Fallow some time ago in The Arches, and they've taken their time to produce a stunning debut album, full of melody, landscaped guitars, and shimmering strings.  This one is released on Monday 4th June, but you can pre-order it now from the link above.  Here's the track 'Where It Snows' to convince you why you should buy the album.



The Seven Deadly Sins - 'Misery Lake'

Another Edinburgh band, this time it's the biblical named The Seven Deadly Sins.  Despite being sinful, they are actually rather good, even if what they do is nothing new (I always wonder why that's a criticism).  Unless of course they sold their souls to the devil, Robert Johnson style, in which case everything makes sense.  Rambling?  Me?  Musically, their EP is pretty strong, slightly darker indie rock.  Below is a video for the EP track 'Yesterday' and you can buy the full 'Misery Lake' EP from the link above.

North American War - 'Ivory And'/'Geraniums'

And to end this rather long (yet fully awesome) post of recent submissions, something that you can buy on 7" vinyl.  North American War are a Glasgwegian based four piece making some rather good alternative pop/rock music.  This double A-Side is a prelude to their forthcoming album, which I'm told is dropping in August this year, and showcases two different sides to their sound.  'Ivory And' goes down the loud '80's new-wave path that lots of people are treading currently, and 'Geraniums' is a softer approach.  The 7" is available on a limited 250 run and can be found on the above link for £5, as can a download only copy for £2.


Aaaaaaand that's your lot for today.  I promise the next Scottish Fiction Submissions post won't be too far off, mainly because there is plenty more excellent music lurking in the depth of my inbox.  Toodles.

Scottish Fiction Submissions - 20th April

It's Record Store Day tomorrow and I did plan to do a round up of what's going on in and around venues.  However other people have beat me to it, and it's easier to link you to those instead.  Lazy?  Yes, but why worry.

The Pop Cop         Ayetunes

I'm also going to plug a link for you lovely looking people, which is where you can now pick up tickets for our very first Scottish Fiction Presents gig which is on Sunday 17th June featuring Michael Cassidy, The Spook School, Queen Jane and Saint Death.  Tickets can be bought here and it would make me very happy to see you there.

Anyway, back to business. 

Dougie Greig - 'Black Water Son'

I first heard of Dougie when I went to see Julia And The Doogans recently.  No sooner had I popped my clogs off from that and in popped a track from Dougie's soon to be released album (the above picture is from his EP 'Beginnings' currently available on iTunes).  With his perfectly timed use of a loop pedal Dougie creates layers of sound that you wouldn't know was just one man.  That's probably the biggest hook about the music, is that it is through intricate use of a loop pedal that it's created.  I enjoyed listening to 'Black Water Son' but it's not recreating the wheel.  Pleasant singer songwriter material here.



Louise Quinn & Kid Loco - 'Oh Jackie'

When I heard this song up close and live I thought it was a good 'un.  Out now all polished up and pretty and with Kid Loco on board also.  The title track is full of sass and spunk and other such things, and the EP itself is well worth a listen.  'Exactly Like You' has a nice old time jazz feel to it, which I believe is because it's a cover of a 1930's track, and there's also a Bill Wells remix included too, which is nice.



Madison - 'Armbands'

Madison are fronted by singer Russell Ferguson, previously of The Celestians, and while the name/line up may have changed there's a pretty similar sound going on.  Russell's voice is pretty distinctive, in the same vein as Twin Atlantic and the recently deceased Dykeenies.  It's alternative rock, edging more towards the pop side of the spectrum.  Kinda grows on you a little bit.  Give it a listen or two.  There's a b-side two 'Like Glue' which is free to download.



The Leg - 'Bake Yourself Silly'

You can all thank me for this free single from The Leg who release their album 'An Eagle To Saturn' on Song, By Toad Records on 30th April.  No sooner had I pre-ordered the album did this free single drop into my inbox.  It's all the eccentric things that The Leg do well, and if you don't like it I suspect you can fuck off.




That's yer lot tonight, might re-jig the days of our regular features due to my shifts at work changing so there'll be more Scottish Fiction Submissions at some point next week.  In the meantime don't forget to buy lots of (probably) expensive black plastic that you can cherish, love, and hawk on eBay when you need some quick dosh and Wonga won't give you any more cash.

Scottish Fiction Submissions - 13th April

Before giving the low down on the tracks which hit my inbox this week, it's time for a gratuitous plug!

With a teensy bit over two months to go before the very first, and quite possibly the very last, Scottish Fiction Presents Gig we don't want you to forget to clear your diary, cancel all appointments, wash your hair the night before and just generally be free on Sunday 17th June from 8pm for a night of musical exploits from Michael Cassidy, The Spook School, Queen Jane and Saint Death.  Hope to see you there!

boletes - FLAWS

This actually dropped in last week, but I rather strangely forgot about it.  We played the track 'Creature' on Monday's show, which is a fantastic acoustic jam which conjures up images of the Radiohead video for 'There There'.  The album itself is a wonderful tapestry of folk, acoustic, ambient and experimental music, which upon repeat listens reveals more and more.  Check out our favourite track, 'The Pigeon In The Murder' and follow the link to get the full album.



Mickey 9's - Mickey 999

Another one which has nestled in the inbox longer than it should have.  Glasgow band Mickey 9's have followed up on the success of their last EP 'A Thing To Try And Dance To' by releasing this single entitled 'Mickey 999'.  It's funky, got a beat and coaxes a hip sway or two.  Check out the alarmingly true but funny video below.

Thula Borah - Live Secretly

Another late one (last one I promise) but the reason for this is that it took me a while to get my head round.  I'm glad I stuck with it though, because Glasgow four-piece Thula Borah have put together a solid EP in the shape of 'Live Secretly'.  With three songs over the 8 minute mark, it's almost too obvious to point to the post-rock Mogwai influence, yet that's not all that defines the sound with grunge and shoe-gaze influences present in equal measures.  'Murder' is my personal highlight, a woozy slow burning gem of a track.



Elephant Gun - Home 

Elephant Gun are a three piece from Edinburgh, who I hope don't condone the shooting of gentle giants with big ears, however they have got a nifty sound about them.  Acoustic folk with a Eastern European twist, some of their earlier demo's have the ring of a Romanian woman playing the accordion, but recent demo 'Home' is extremely catchy.  Fans of ukuleles will enjoy.



Father Sculptor - Ember / Blue

Father Sculptor are a little bit of an enigma.  Other than their location, Glasgow, I don't know much about them, other than they absolutely astound me with the solemn beauty that is 'Ember'.  If Morrisey was dead, then they'd be channelling his spirit in amongst the mature distorted sound created with jangly guitars and soaring keys.  Second track 'Blue' reminds me a lot of The Twilight Sad, in turn marinated in Joy Division's squeezed juices, there's the exciting and imminent promise of something really special brewing here.  Get on board now with the single released via the above links on Monday 16th April.



Collar Up - The Fear Of Love

Edinburgh dream-pop trio Collar Up return with their new single out on 23rd April called 'The Fear Of Love'.  It's more upbeat that previous outing 'Short Term Memories', yet all the ingredients that tickled us last time are there, the warmth in the vocals, the power behind the piano and complimentary ambient guitar.  A song about, "the constant and exhausting chase for a euphoria which turns out to be temporary".



Stanley - Animals With Amazing Disguises

Lets end with an album eh?  'Animals With Amazing Disguises' is the debut album from Aberdeen based five-piece Stanley.  There's a whole heap of creativity on this record as previous singles 'Sandwiches & Tea' and 'Monkeys & Friends' illustrated.  Here's a sneak peek at track one from the LP out on Monday 16th April.