That's My Jam #51 - United Fruit - Ghost Inside Your Head

Taking further strides into anthem terrority United Fruit have unleashed a brand new track called Ghost Inside Your Head  ahead of their transatlantic jaunt to SXSW this month. 

Having reigned things back slightly with previous singles, a move which proved well served, Ghost Inside Your Head  drenches itself in a bath of reverb before battering the senses with a full on chorus assault.  It's the kind of track that would be insane in the sweat dripped walls of a basement, and equally at home blaring out 10ft high stacked speakers at a festival.

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 11th January 2015

2014 had so much incredible music that we can't quite cut the apron strings just yet, which is why on this first new Scottish Fiction show of 2015, we've plumped for playing a whole heap of our favourite tracks from last year.  A little late perhaps, but don't think of this as a definitive list (as I could easily fill another two hour show with great songs from last year) but as a selection of some of the music that floated our audible boat in 2014.  Tunes from Campfires In Winter, Prehistoric Friends, Monogram, Tuff Love, ULTRAS, Hector Bizerk and much much more are all nestled in this episode.

Vasa - Not A Cop
Conquering Animal Sound - The Next Day
Monogram - Romance
Foreignfox - Yoghurt
Skinny Dipper - Hospital Bed
Boygirlanimalcolour - JUPITER FIST
United Fruit - Open Your Eyes
The Phantom Band - The Wind That Cried The World
Book Group - Here Is Too Near
Campfires In Winter - We'll Exist
Stanley Odd - Son I Voted Yes
Hector Bizerk - A Pearl Paints A Thousand Pictures
Machines In Heaven - Feel Slow
Mogwai - Teenage Exorcists
Turtle - Lavender
Siobhan Wilson - Dear God
Gone Wishing - The Watchers
Behold, The Old Bear - Restless Day
Wozniak - Paper Hat
C Duncan - For
ULTRAS - This Is Where I Fall
Deathcats - Liquid Gold
Tuff Love - Slammer
Prehistoric Friends - Wisdom Tooth
Roxy Agogo - Crocodiles


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Scottish Fiction - 11 January 2015 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 13th October 2014

The Scottish Fiction Sessions continue as I welcomed Corrie from Pinact into the studio for a chat and some live music. Sounding excellent on the eve of the bands trip to New York, he treated us to three live tracks, including a Weezer cover.

The show is also jam packed with new music from We Were Promised Jetpacks, RM Hubbert, Stanley Odd, Conquering Animal Sound and more more more.

Medals - I Used To Be A Dancer
We Were Promised Jetpacks - I Keep It Composed
PAWS - Poor Old Christopher Robin (Live in Los Angeles @ The Satellite)
Tetra - Fossils
Pinact - Limbs - Live in Pulse 98.4 Studio
United Fruit - Open Your Eyes
Oxford Coast - Lone Wolf
Beard of Truth - Bad Kids
Pinact - Novembore - Live in Pulse 98.4 Studio
Teenage Fanclub - Everything Flows - As chosen by Corrie from Pinact
COVER LOVER - Finn LeMarinel - Lies
Adullboy - 21st Century Man
The Duke, Detroit - Accelerate
Prides - Out Of The Blue
VINYL PLAY - King Creosote - Ankle Shackles
Pinact - Butterfly (Weezer Cover) - Live in Pulse 98.4 Studio
Stanley Odd - Pastimes
Conquering Animal Sound - Puskas
The Pictish Trail - Long In The Tooth
Alansmithee - Checking Out
RM Hubbert feat. Alan Bissett - Song For Jenny
Bear Arms - Empty Vessel


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Twitter - twitter.com/scotfiction984
E-mail - scottishfiction@mail.com

Scottish Fiction - 13th October 2014 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

That's My Jam #40 - United Fruit - Open Your Eyes

Following up from the incredible How Long (Change You Into Something Better)  and offering the second taste of their as-yet-untitled second album, United Fruit have dropped the curtain on an incredible 3 minutes 50 seconds of rock.

Open Your Eyes  is an almost non-stop blitz of the post-hardcore sound that fans of the band will be familar with from first album Fault Lines  but with a polished and refined gleam, largely thanks to Bruce Rintol's production work.  Much like How Long...,  which was unveiled earlier this year, the band are continuing to hone their sound, not with large brush strokes, but tweaks and restraint, a move which surely shall see their appeal broaden without shedding their ethos or integrity.

This track, which will be released as a single on a limited 250 run of 7" vinyl on 27th October, sees singer Iskander Stewart roar over a hysteria of shredding guitar to "open your eyes, open your eyes to me".  It's advice well worth taking.  Open your eyes, and more importantly ears, to United Fruit.

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 14th May 2014

Would all passengers please note that this podcast is now ready for departure and to keep arms, legs and heads inside the at all times.  Your stops today include the outrageous alt-pop of United Fruit, the face melting garage rock of Poor Things, and the intriguing outdoor sounds of Dan Lyth and The Euphrates.  Keep an eye out the window as we go for all the best new sounds in Scottish music right now.  It's Scottish Fiction, your one stop shop for the best new Scottish music.

Prides - Messiah
Model Aeroplanes - Electricity
Adam Stafford - Sound of Fear Evaporating
Song Of Return - The First Stone
Ace City Racers - 21 Sea Sides
Hello Creepy Spider - I Don't Want To Die In A Fire
Poor Things - Master of Arts
Bastard Mountain - Swam Like Sharks
Dan Lyth and The Euphrates - Earth Broke It's Vow
The Amazing Snakeheads - Here It Comes Again
United Fruit - How Long (Change You Into Something Better)
Ex Wives - Hoors
andtheywilldeceiveus - Brave New World

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Scottish Fiction - 14th May 2014 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

United Fruit - How Long (Change Into Something Better)

Back with their latest material since 2011's well received Fault Lines, Glasgow four piece United Fruit unleashed this tasty little morsel on Monday (12th May 2014).  It's the first taste of their new material and first sound of forthcoming album, due later this year.

The track is called How Long (Change Into Something Better), and screams out of a band who have been tucked away developing their sound.  With sounds of Weezer in their heads, the band have tightened, cleaned up and brought melody to the front, replacing the scuzz and fuzz of previous album Fault Lines.

Whether this is representative of the full album remains to be seen, however given that the tracks has been on repeat since dropping into my inbox, I'd take that as a pretty good sign.  Catchy, simple, emotive.  Job done.

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 18th September 2013

Beards and smiles.  What a guy RM Hubbert is.  Despite growing in popularity, despite bagging the Scottish Album of the Year for last album Thirteen Lost & Found  and despite being just about to head out on tour in support of his new album Breaks & Bone,  Hubby still found time to come down to our wee community radio station and join me on the show.

Talking about his latest album Breaks & Bones  Hubby reveals where much of the inspiration came from, as well as the aftermath of his well deserved SAY Award win back in June.  Plus we spin three tracks hand picked by the man himself, and there's a sneak preview of some tracks from the album performed live in the studio.

This week's show also features the first of a trio of features about the Oxjam: We're Skint, They're Skinter festival, plus brand new music from Hector Bizerk, Blood Relatives and Honeyblood.


Honeyblood - Bud

Richard Dawson - Black Dog In The Sky - As chosen by RM Hubbert

RM Hubbert - Bolt - Live in Pulse 98.4 FM Studio

Adam Stafford - Cold Seas - As chosen by RM Hubbert

RM Hubbert - Dec 11 - Live in Pulse 98.4 FM Studio

Sebadoh - I Will - As chosen by RM Hubbert

RM Hubbert - Go Slowly - Live in Pulse 98.4 FM Studio

United Fruit - Nothing To Feel

FEATURE - Oxjam: We're Skint, They're Skinter

Blood Relatives - Fowl Mouth

Re-Mixing It Up - Belle & Sebastian - 'I'm A Cuckoo (Avalanches Remix)

Admiral Fallow - These Barren Years
The LaFontaines - All She Knows
Hector Bizerk - Columbus


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Scottish Fiction - 18th September 2013 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 15th May 2013

Kicking off another packed show this week was the charming Charlie and Charlotte of King Post Kitsch, who very kindly joined me in the studio.  And with the three tracks they chose to play during the session, they are welcome back any time!  There's nothing quite like an intimate acousitc session, and the three tracks the pair performed live in the studio were simply magnificent.  In between discovering them during the show, there's chat about an upcoming new album too.

I also continued down The SAY Award rabbit hole, with another five tracks taken from long listed albums.  The Aye Tune Friday Freebie track this week comes from Cuddly Shark, while it's a Fence Records extravaganza with the Re-Mixing It Up track.  All that and plenty of chat and tunes about this Saturday's Stag & Dagger festival in Glasgow.  Ta-ra.


David Bowie - Always Crashing In The Same Car - As chosen by King Post Kitsch

King Post Kitsch - Fante's Last Stand - Live in Pulse 98.4 FM Studio

Can - Vitamin C - As chosen by King Post Kitsch

King Post Kitsch - Blood And Glitter - Live in Pulse 98.4 FM Studio

King Post Kitsch - Walking On Eggshells - Live in Pulse 98.4 FM Studio

John Cale - Fear Is A Man's Best Friend - As chosen by King Post Kitsch

Rachel Sermanni - The Fog

Re-Mixing It Up - The Pictish Trail - Wait Until (Kate Canaveral Remix)

Duncan Chisholm - Big Archie
RM Hubbert feat. Aidan Moffat & Alex Kapranos - Car Song
Meursault - Flittin'
The Unwinding Hours - Wayward
Dam Mantle - Canterbury Pt. 1
Prides - Out Of The Blue

Aye Tunes Friday Freebie - Cuddly Shark - Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind

United Fruit - Taste I Can't Give Up
We Were Promised Jetpacks - It's Thunder And It's Lightning


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Scottish Fiction - 15th May 2013 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

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

Scottish Alternative Music Awards 2013

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.

Best Rock / Alternative

Nominees - Culann, Baby Strange, Duke, Fat Goth, Cleavers, M A D I S O N

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.



Best Hip Hop

Nominees - GASP, S-Type, WERD (SOS), Solareye, Team Kapowski, Young Fathers

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.



Best Live Act

Nominees - United Fruit, Vigo Thieves, Stanley, Meursault, Roadway, The OK Social Club

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.



Best Newcomer

Nominees - Honeyblood, The Holy Ghosts, Model Jet Pilot, Ded Rabbit, Miss Irenie Rose, Miss Lucid

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. 



Best Electronic

Nominees - Plum, Roman Nose, Fonik, Discopolis, Them & Us, CHVRCHES

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.




Best Acoustic

Nominees - Little Fire, Michael Cassidy, Cara Mitchell, William Douglas & The Wheel, Jemma Tweedie, Alex Hynes

Scottish Fiction Pick - Who, who and who?  Even if I had heard of any of the others it would still be Michael Cassidy.  Case closed.

Best Metal


Nominees - What The Blood Revealed, Prelude To The Hunt, Sectioned, Bear Arms, Trial & Error, Lords Of Bastard

Scottish Fiction Pick - Metal is not, nor never will be, a genre I dabble in much.  The best of the bunch in my opinion are Bear Arms.

Wickerman - Preview

Home of the burning 30ft wickerman, Wickerman Festival returns this Friday and Saturday (20th/21st July) for it's 11th year.  Over those 11 years it's became a firm favourite on the Scottish festival calendar, offering something that it's bigger rivals, RockNess and T In The Park, tend to overlook; the relaxed family experience.  It's all built upon an eclectic choice of music, spread over several stages located in the East Kirkcarswell Farm in Dundrennan.

The festival is easy to access for us central belt dwellers, only an hour off the M74, and it's wide choice of camping facilities mean even the slickest city dweller can camp out in style.  Choose from yurts, squrts, cloudhouses, tipis and the luxury camping field or brave it with the elements in the normal camp site.  Reports of rain should not be too concerning as organisers state the ground is in top notch condition at present.  And for those of you travelling with kidlets in tow, there is a fully fledged children's area to keep those hyperactive ankle biters entertained.

The festival culminates on Saturday night with the ritual and primal burning of the festival's namesake; the 30ft Wickerman.  But before that you can enjoy a plethora of music treats, including reggae, ska, punk, pop, indie, folk and everything in between.  Here's our pick of the weekend (you'll note there's a slight shift towards the brilliant Solus Tent!)


Friday 20th July

Bwani Junction - The Edinburgh quartet have been seizing 2012 as their own, making good on their SAY Award 2011 Longlisted album 'Fully Cocked'.  Their blend of indie/afro beats will coax a hip shake from even the most solemn crowd.  Catch them on the Summerisle Main Stage.

Dog Is Dead - This five piece indie band are popping up to Wickerman from Nottingham, and are now coming back stronger than ever after an initial wave of success in late 2010 - 2011 thanks to many festival performances and an airing on Skins.  Uplifting and joyful, think of a more jazzy Noah And The Whale.  Check them playing the Summerisle Main Stage.

Tragic O'Hara - Far from tragic, Tragic O'Hara is a one man wonder, bringing music, blues, folk and comedy all into the one set.  Expect some well spun yarns.  Tragic plays the Acoustic Village Main Stage.

Rachel Sermanni - One of Scotland's most glorious talents, a voice that captures your attention, and heartfelt lyrics beyond her years, Rachel Sermanni will be an absolute joy to behold playing the Acoustic Village Main Stage.  Recent tracks such as 'Eggshells' and 'Black Current' will be accompanied by tracks from the forthcoming debut album 'Under Mountains'.

Campfires In Winter - If stirring and layered post-rock melodies are your thing, then Campfires In Winter are a must.  Their recently posted '2012 Demos' are a sign of great things to come from these guys.  They'll be playing the goNORTH Festival Tour Tent.

Olympic Swimmers - Creators of one of 2012's finest albums' 'No Flags Will Fly', Olympic Swimmers boost the vocal prowess of Susan Smillie and orchestrated musical bliss to blow you away.  Head to the goNORTH Festival Tour Tent for their set.

Quickbeam - Had enough of guitars and keyboards?  Fancy some cello, double bass, viola and harmonium?  Quickbeam are your best bet then.  Together on stage, these musicians weave music as delicate as butterflies wings, and if you allow the soft waves of beauty to envelope you, you won't regret it.  Head over to the goNORTH Festival Tour Tent.

United Fruit - Loud?  Check.  Tight as fuck?  Check?  Blistering debut album?  Check.  United Fruit are an absolute MUST if you'll be at Wickerman.  Think of their music as a full on assault on all five senses, and a barrage of break-neck tunes with bark, bite and attitude.  They'll be rocking out the Solus Tent.

Holy Mountain - Three guys who make a hell of a lot of noise.  This is rock 'n' roll they way they made it back in the 70's.  They are well worth going to see in the Solus Tent.

Beerjacket - Alt/folk singer songwriter from Airdrie, Beerjacket is, IMO, Scotland's premium songwriting talent.  He's been riding an overdue wave of praise since the release of 'The White Feather Trail' last year, topped off by last night's headline show in King Tut's.  Do yourself a favour and make Beerjacket a must see set in the Solus Tent.


Saturday

Stanley Odd - One of Scotland's finest purveyor's of hip-hop, the Stanley Odd collective will bring fun, beats, hooks and killer rhymes all to your ears during their set on the goNORTH Festival Tour Tent.

Michael Cassidy - If Beerjackey is our favourite Scottish singer songwriter, then Michael Cassidy is close at his heels.  Having just been announced as the winner of the inagural Gerry Rafferty Songwriting Prize, Michael has shown just why he is head and shoulders above the competition.  Go see his live show for the unique banter and the crackin' tunes.  All happening at the goNORTH Festival Tour Tent.

Human Don't Be Angry - Malcolm Middleton under his real name, Human Don't Be Angry has yielded positive reviews and a whole raft of '80's inspired work.  Largely instrumental, the set will no doubt mirror a hugely rewarding debut album, full of electronic wonder and power pop riffs.  The full band performance will be in the Solus Tent.

The Machine Room - Making bewitching pop musings, The Machine Room are an Edinburgh five piece that you should go out your way to see this weekend.  Playing songs from their latest EP 'Love From A Distance', they'll be on stage in the Solus Tent.

Julia And The Doogans - Julia Doogan is a pop genius.  Backed by her band, rather egotistcally called The Doogans, of cello, piano and flue, Julia's voice and lyrics create some of the most introspective and heartbreaking music you'll have the good fortune to hear.  Catch the ladies playing in the Solus Tent.


Of course the above is just a handful of the bands playing this Friday and Saturday at The Wickerman Festival.  There are plenty more great bands and artists, and for the full line up, as well as all ticket and travel information, head over to the official website.

T In The Park - Preview

This year will be the first time in the last eight years that I will not be up in Balado for Scotland's largest and premier festival T In The Park.  It's due to lack of money, a poorer-than-it's-rivals line-up and boredom of the overcrowded festival scene.  That said however, there is still plenty of musical talent on show this weekend, and for those going here is Scottish Fiction must-see picks!*

* I don't know stages and stage times for most bands.  Sorry!

Friday

New Order

The choice of headliner has to be New Order.  They might be sans-Hooky, but with a back catalogue as diverse as theirs and hits such as 'Crystal', 'Blue Monday' and 'True Faith', it's the best way to close your Friday evening.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre

American psychedelic, folk, experimental group will be an interesting and entertaining performance.

Bwani Junction

Probably not quite as exciting as their gig played today on top of the Forth Rail Bridge, the boys will be bringing their Afro-Indie Rock to Balado.  Check them out and do a dance to 'Two Bridges'

Saturday

The Stone Roses 

A few things need to be made clear.  I don't think The Stone Roses are the greatest band ever.  I don't think their debut album is the greatest album ever.  And I know that Ian Brown can't sing.  But indulge yourself in two hours of nostalgia and sing along to tracks such as 'She Bangs The Drums' and 'Waterfall'.

We Were Promised Jetpacks

Fresh from a SAY Award nomination and playing Coachella earlier in the year, Jetpacks know how to put on a stormer of a live show.  If you've never seen the rising stars of Scottish indie before, rectify this on Saturday.

Django Django

Do you want to dance?  If they answer to that was yes, then you need to see Django Django at TITP.  Their self titled debut is one of 2012's best so far and their tight playing on stage always impresses.

Hector Bizerk

Fancy some Scottish hip hop?  That's right, Scottish hip hop.  Guaranteed to open your eyes to the talent that exists in this particular genre and entertain, Hector Bizerk are worth a visit in the BBC Introducing stage.

United Fruit

Last year they played the T-Break stage, this year they are on the BBC Introducing stage.  Noisy, frenzied, furious rock, United Fruit are not to be missed.


Randolph's Leap

Playing the T-Break stage, the folk pop of 8 piece Randolph's Leap will bring a smile to your afternoon, especially if it's raining!  We had lead singer Adam live on the show last week so you can listen back to the podcast for a taste of what to expect!


The Machine Room

If the Stone Roses are your final destination on Saturday, then The Machine Room should be one of your pit stops along the way.  Style and substance included.



Sunday

The Horrors

Eehh... I had to go down the lineup until the writing got really small for my first pick on Sunday.  Sorry folks it's gonna be a tough day music wise.  The Horrors will be good though so go see them.

Admiral Fallow

If the main stages disappoint, then head to the BBC Introducing stage, where Scottish indie-folk leaders Admiral Fallow will be showcasing material from their new album 'Tree Bursts In Snow'.  They were great at RockNess so expect a good performance.

Miaoux Miaoux

Another one of 2012's finest albums, Miaoux Miaoux's 'Light Of The North' is an electronic-poptastic journey and translates perfectly onto the live stage.  Expect Julian to be bounding from guitar to synth to keyboards like a Duracell bunny with purpose.  'Hey Sound!' is a particular live favourite.  I cannot emphasise this strongly enough... GO SEE MIAOUX MIAOUX!


Beerjacket

Another Scottish Fiction favourite, Peter Kelly, a.k.a. Beerjacket, is finally getting a bigger audience.  At times delicate, and at others playful, Beerjacket's set will be filled with tracks from his excellent 2011 album 'The White Feather Trail'.  Again, a must see.




Whatever you get up to this weekend in Balado, enjoy!