Returning with his first new material since the immense Imaginary Walls Collapse album, released two years back via Song, By Toad Records, Adam Stafford's new track Atheist Money hits all the right spots.
Hiccuping guitars create the jagged texture, beneath smooth landscaped melodies which are utterly sublime, which intelligent and gentle vocals complete the package. Never one to shirk expanding beyond the norm, Stafford doesn't overload the track with loops or samples, but continues to defy the limits of what one man can do with music.
This track is a precursor to a new album, penciled in for an October release, called Taser Revalations, and it will be out on 1st May. Welcome back Adam Stafford!
It's been a few weeks since the last Scottish Fiction show but we're
back this week with a fresh two hour batch of delicious music. Off the
heels of Record Store Day there's a fresh out the wrapper Vinyl Play
track. We play all four tracks from our new Almost Scottish Fiction EP,
plus there's all the best new music from Scotland including Miaoux
Miaoux, FFS, Kill The Waves, Lovers Turn To Monsters, and Adam Stafford.
Enjoy!
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.
The
polls are closed, all the votes are counted and the winner of the 2013 Scottish
BAMS (Bloggers and Music Sites) can now be revealed. Voted for by 40 writers from 29 different blogs and music sites. your top 10 albums for 2013 looks a little like this...
1. CHVRCHES - The Bones Of What You Believe (Virgin) 2. Frightened Rabbit - Pedestrian Verse (Atlantic) 3. Adam Stafford - Imaginary Walls Collapse (Sony, By Toad) 4. Rick Redbeard - No Selfish Heart (Chemikal Underground) 5. Boards Of Canada - Tomorrow's Harvest (Warp) 6. The Pastels - Slow Summits (Domino) 7. The National - Trouble Will Find Me (4AD) 8. Steve Mason - Monkey Minds In The Devil's Time (Domino) 9. Kid Canaveral - Now That You Are A Dancer (Fence) 10. Fuck Buttons - Slow Focus (ATP Recordings)
Congratulations to Lauren, Iain and Doc for scooping the now legendary BAMS Buckfast trophy (intact with Buckfast Tonic Wine for celebration purposes!). Also tip of the hat to Adam Stafford and Song, By Toad for the highest placed 'indie' release.
Head BAMS Mike (Manic Pop Thrills), Lloyd (Peenko) and Stuart (Is This Music?) managed to track the band down to Australia to get a
few words:
Congratulations , you are this years' winners of the Scottish BAMS award, how does it feel?
Thanks,
guys. We are not normally ones for prizes / shiny things, but it's dead
nice to know the bloggers enjoyed the record. You can all get a blast
of the buckie.
2013 seems to have been a pretty exciting year for the band, what's been your personal highlights of the year?
It
was a busy year for us but we were really lucky to get the amount of
support we did from people, and to play as many different gigs in as
many different places as we did. Supporting Depeche Mode and releasing
the record were probably the pinnacles. When you'd finished recording the album, how did it match up to your expectations? Since
we self-record and self-produce everything, we didn't sign off on
anything until we were 100% happy with it, so I guess that means the
album meets our expectations completely. How important do you feel that the support of music blogs has been to the band?
Without
blogs and social networks, it is really unlikely that people would have
heard of our band so quickly, and that is definitely one of the reasons
we have been able to play so many different shows so early on in our
career. Thanks, bloggers - see you for Album Two.
Each BAM is asked to nominate their 10 favourite albums from 2013. The lists are then compiled and ranked to produce the final top 10. For a looksie at who Scottish Fiction nominated, check out our Top 20 Scottish Albums of 2013 post. You might notice some similarity... We
at BAMS HQ like to think that the BAMS is to the Scottish Album of the Year Award as the Golden Globes is to the Oscars. A casual glance at
this year's Top 10 is enough to indicate that the creativity of the
Scottish music scene will ensure that the SAY judges have a tough time
in picking a final winner this year. But few will bet against
CHVRCHES repeating the success of Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat who won
first the BAMS in 2011 then the inaugural SAY Award. Will history repeat itself? Only time will tell... BAMS 2013 Facts
Starting 2014 by celebrating the best live tracks from our guests of 2013 seems like a good way to go about the first live show of the year doesn't it? After hearing back just how good these session tracks were, I think the only conclusion is yes it bloody was! Tracks including some exclusive new tracks played ONLY to the Scottish Fiction audience. There's also the announcement of our first live guest of 2014 plus an exclusive first radio play of a track from their new album. Back of the net!
Rick Redbeard – Any Way I Can (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Dave Hughes – She Dreams Of Toronto (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Panda Su – Bee Song (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Siobhan Wilson – All Dressed Up (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Lenzie Moss – Kelvin British Summertime (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
King Post Kitsch – Fante’s Last Stand (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Wounded Knee – Muckle Sang (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Reverieme – Sorry Or Something (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Lidh – Peace Now (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Adam Stafford – Please (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Fake Major – We’re The Same (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Algernon Doll – Venus (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Behold The Old Bear – Blessings Or Bruises / Home Space (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Beerjacket – Antlers
Kevin Harper – Kingdom Of Wires (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Esperi – Little Shirts (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
RM Hubbert – Bolt (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Lovers Turn To Monsters – LA Gear (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Julia Doogan – Whirlpool (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Blue Rose Code – Acquainted With The Night / Silent Drums (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Blood Relatives – Bone Idle (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Gone Wishing – The Confidant (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
TeenCanteen - Friends (Live in Pulse 98.4 studio)
Mogwai - Batcat
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
A tad late with getting this upload, but better late than never. Here's the videos from out latest session guest Adam Stafford, who joined me in the Pulse 98.4 studios on Wednesday 26th June. As always, thanks to Ross and Calum for recording and editing the videos. All three tracks below come from Stafford's new album 'Imaginary Walls Collapse' out on 15th July via Song By Toad Records. You can hear the full session and interview here should you wish.
Below is videos for session tracks, 'Vanishing Tanks',
'Carshulton Girls' and the glorious 'Please'. Enjoy, and check out
YouTube page for all session videos.
Despite being held a week before the West End Festivalactually finished,
this end of festivities event at the stunning Oran Mor took place
Sunday 23rd June with a truly stellar line up in place. It was also
buzzing with a veritable 'who's who' of Glasgow music type people.
Which is no bad thing. I'll make a point now of saying due to the quality of the line up in the Auditorium, I didn't venture down to the Venue at all. By all accounts the line up there, including Pronto Mama, Fatherson and Washington Irving amongst others, was mighty fine too.
Busting on stage with a rousing opening number of 'Twelve Thousand Drops', Campfires In Winter drew a very sizeable crowd, for a band with only one (or two?) official releases to their name. That one member of the crowd came all the way from Germany, makes it even more impressive! And it certainly wouldn't have been a wasted trip either, as the foursome trade on anthemic post-rock knitted with three part vocal melodies illustrated by mid-set track 'See Us There, Both'. Recent single 'White Lights' pulses through with an intro worthy of any We Were Promised Jetpacks song, and new track, taken from a forthcoming September EP, is all about Boab's gruff vocals and a epic crescendo laden outro. Closing track 'Morgi Tempo' explains why CiW were such a perfect choice for opening the stage. With a slight twist on the lyrics, take three parts Twilight Sad, two parts Neutral Milk Hotel, and you're not far off starting point. And then with a, "fuck me, that's loud" they depart.
"Satan. Satan" moans Adam Stafford. The crowd gathered are clearly bewitched, which can only lead me to believe that that many loop pedals hold hypnotic powers. Despite the high ceilings in the Auditorium leading to some sound leakage, it's a pretty swell performance from Stafford and his 21st century one man band. 'Vanishing Tanks', 'Please' and 'Carshulton Girls' all come from his forthcoming album, 'Titwanks I've Known And Loved' 'Imaginary Walls Collapse', illustrating that there really isn't anyone out there who is quite like this. There's a severe amount of audible skull fuckery going on, with madness ensuing as Stafford bounces about on, and off, stage. 'Please' in particular is a truly stunning performance, fusing parts of soul, funk and indie together. Job done.
Next up it's time for some electro wizardry in the form of Chemikal Underground alumni Conquering Animal Sound.
Having missed the first fifteen minutes or so (a man's gotta eat crepes
sometimes), I returned into the Auditorium to otherworldly mystical
sounds. CAS sound sparse and chilled, but with the pulsing heart of a
computer. Watching James Scott tweak and tune, as Anneke Kampman prowls
the stage, delivering vocals with an almost hip-hop style, it's hard
not to be impressed. Again, there's the slight issue of sound being
lost to the vast ceilings, but with the dreamy loops of tracks such as
'The Future Does Not Require' and 'Ultimate Heat Death Of The Universe'
nobody really seems to care too much.
By the time SAY Award short listed Meursault take the stage, the venue is packed out, the fading evening light, let's the stage lights illuminate the band, creating an altogether wonderful atmosphere ripe with anticipation. Opener 'Thumb' ambles in, warmly hugging those gathered for the occasion as Neil Pennycock croons repeatedly "we will not be weakened any more." 'Flittin' closely follows, as the band get into full swing, dripping with raw passion and earning each and every plaudit that comes their way. 'Dull Spark' is anything but dull, tearing into every nook of this beautiful building, and filling it with Pennycock's extraordinary voice. The energy doesn't let up through the set, and as Pennycock spits "ha, fucking, ha" during 'Settling', hairs on necks everywhere stand to attention. There's no finer way to throw down the gauntlet to The Twilight Sad, than storming off stage, amidst a buzz of Neil Young-esque feedback.
I'm sure I wasn't alone in being slightly disappointed that the evenings head-liners were playing a stripped back set, rather than the full on audacious wall of sound set. And I'm equally sure that I wasn't the only one wallowing in a slight sense of guilt once I realised what a fucking stupid worry that had been. Opening with 'That Summer At Home I Had Become The Invisible Boy' and blistering through hits both old, such as 'I Became A Prostitute' and new from their SAY short listed album, the Sad have this Glasgow crowd singing from their song sheet. There's a tender moment as James Graham, recalls the bands progress over the ten years they've been about, and plays a very special acoustic rendition of 'Cold Days From The Birdhouse'. In this setting, on this night, and with this set, The Sad's songs breathe, inspire and delight.
Having had the pleasure of hearing an advance copy of 'Imaginary Walls Collapse', I was thrilled to be able to welcome it's creator Adam Stafford into the Pulse 98.4 studios. We chatted about the forthcoming LP, which is being released via Song By Toad Records on 15th July, as well as discussing Adam's distinctive and encapsulating sound and stage presence. On top of that, as you would expect from our session guest, there's three live songs from Adam.
Elsewhere, there's a return of regular features 'Re-Mixing It Up' and 'Cover Lover', with a track from Song Of Return and Cairn String Quartet respectively. And keeping us in tune with the freshest Scottish music there's tracks from Profisee, Lovers Turn To Monsters, The Amazing Snakeheads and more.
On Wednesday 26th June the live guest on the Scottish Fiction radio show will be one of the finest Scottish musicians and one of my favourite artists of past couple of years, Adam Stafford. He's on the cusp of releasing a new album on the Song By Toad Records label in July this year, and preceding that is the first single 'Please' which is out now.
Effortless combining elements of soul and Motown into laid back rock, it's so gloriously pleasing it beggars belief at how easy it seems. The little inflections in Stafford's strained refrains of 'please' relay passion and the soul coated guitar solo towards the end of the track just kills me.
Another week, another dose of new Scottish music... Scottish Fiction style. Might actually try come up with a dance for that and become a YouTube sensation. Or not. Anyway, back to the music, and this week you'll hear some stunning tracks from Discopolis, Hector Bizerk, Finn LeMarinel, Sparrow And The Workshop and more. Aye Tunes Friday Freebie returns after a few weeks away, and Cover Lover, Re-Mixing It Up and Tweet-a-track all pop up too.
Week two of looking at The SAY Award Long List means another five albums, with a track from each. This week it's the turn of Emeli Sande - 'Our Version Of Events', Errors - 'Have Some Faith In Magic', Paul Buchanan - 'Mid Air', Django Django - 'Django Django' and Human Don't Be Angry - 'Human Don't Be Angry'.
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
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!
(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
