Another week, another dose of Scottish Fiction to serve up. Get some electronica with new tracks from Django Django and Babe, enjoy some folk and singer-songwriter fare with new ones from Lidh and Siobhan Wilson, and dip into more DIY alt-rock with Polarnecks and The Bellybuttons. And more. There's always more. Enjoy!
Last August we dabbled with an all vinyl podcast which went down pretty well. So naturally I thought it was time to dust off some records and do it again; but this time live in the studio for two hours! Which given that our wee radio studio is not set up to play vinyl at all was a fun challenge! So if you'll forgive the odd RPM mishap and some crackles, then dig into music from Errors, Jonnie Common, Withered Hand, Le Thug, Frightened Rabbit and more!
After a couple of years’ absence, Django Django have returned with First Light, a taster for their new album which is currently being finished off. What strikes you immediately about First Light is that it has a harder electronic sound than we're used to with Django Django, and that is no bad thing at all.
A pulsating electro bassline kicks the song off and it’s soon joined by superb, crisp synth sounds and an in-your-face drum machine that propels the song along wonderfully. The band's trademark vocals and harmonies soon arrive on the scene too, retaining their notable sound whilst adding an almost psychedelic feel, reminiscent of Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd.
As a point to how the band’s new album may sound, First Light is very encouraging and very exciting indeed.
- David McElroy
Django Django - First Light is out now via Becase Music and is available on 12" white label from local independent record shops or via download from all good online music retailers. The band are about to embark on a short tour, playing small shows at The Wardrobe in Leeds on 14 February and The Liquid Rooms in Edinburgh on 15 February.
We get into 2015 proper the same way we ended 2014; with excellent live music and all the best new music about. My session guest for this episode is artist and musician Sarah J Stanley, who played three wonderful tracks live in the Pulse 98.4 studio.
Back with their first new sounds since 2012's eponymous debut album, Django Django release First Light as the first new single from their forthcoming second album due out this spring.
The track retains a lot of the Django Django feel; Afrobeats, intersecting rhythms and synths; but it's all dialed down a notch. Whereas Default was a banger, this track is a slow jam. First Light woozes with pysch-pop and electronica influences; and the bands vocal harmonies float over the top effortlessly.
On last night's STV Scotland Tonight, a panel including Ministry of Sound DJ Rebecca Vasmant; a member of the awards judging panel; the musician Aidan Moffat who, along with Bill Wells, won last year's Scottish Album of the Year award for Everything's Getting Older; and the Daily Record showbiz journalist Bev Lyons, discussed the announcement of The SAY Award shortlist.
The override theme of the 8 minute slot was the exclusion of two artists, Calvin Harris and Emeli Sande, and the idea the The SAY Award is out of tune with popular taste, a theme it must be said was mainly pushed by panelist Bev Lyons and to some extent directed in that way by the production team and host Rona Dougall.
I question why the faux uproar has arising now and who it is actually coming from? It seems like an excuse for the media to focus on two acts they know rather than turn the spotlight onto ten lesser know acts. The judges were in a difficult place regarding these two albums. Inclusion leads to calls of selling out and pandering to commercial sales, exclusion leads to calls of musical snobbery and elitism, as so elegantly put by Bev Lyons. Rebecca Vasmant gave a very good explanation of what the judges were looking for to include an album in the shortlist, namely a record which acts as an album as a whole, for the tracks to work together as one score, and not a collection of singles. It is then on that basis, not sales, hit records, weeks in the top 10, fans, global success or any other criteria, which undoubtedly Harris and Sande have excelled in, that the awards shortlist must be based.
What I would say is that other than the judges it's unlikely that anyone has actually sat down and listened to all twenty long listed albums, therefore their judgement is at least in context of all the competition on a musical basis and in the scope of an 'album' rather than collection of hits, which both Sande and Harris' albums undoubtedly are.
Answering the question is The SAY Awards in tune with popular taste is such a complex beast it is almost impossible to answer. The easiest way to tackle it though is to point out that The SAY Awards recognises and rewards artists irrespective of popular taste and has never pretended to be a Scottish version of the Brits.
What I noticed from the STV programme is that Bev Lyons never once gave a credible reason as to why Calvin Harris or Emeli Sande should be on the list. She mentions their worldwide success, yet doesn't actually argue why the music is worthy or frame their albums in the context which Rebecca Vasmant had stated the judges were working. There's one point where she states, "it's a given" that one of the two albums would be included. Why? Justify yourself please? The fact you and millions others like it, doesn't automatically make it a better album that the ten that have been picked. To her credit Vasmant does state why the judges didn't include either album, namely they were a collection of hit singles rather than a fully produced well flowing body of work.
Aidan Moffat makes the exact same point I made on the blog last week, regarding the fact that Harris and Sande, and by extension their labels, didn't show any interest whatsoever in the award, and that given their large fanbase, they could have easily walked off with the public vote. You could argue in a way that The SAY Award organisers gave the public a vote to avoid accusations of industry snobbery, and that the two acts who would have undoubtedly scored best chose to snub that completely.
Lyons, tries to argue that smaller bands rally together to get votes, as to why Harris and Sande's albums didn't win the public vote, although she does later concede that they didn't garner the support they should have without admitting that was generally because they didn't appear to care. Let's put this into perspective here. The Twilight Sad have just under 13,500 followers on Twitter. Emeli Sande has approximately 900,000 and Calvin Harris has over 2.1 million. You do the math. The simple reason that Emeli Sande and Calvin Harris didn't win the public vote was because neither cared a jot to publicise their involvement.
Then comes the accusation of "elitism and inverse snobbery", which Lyons tried to assure us she doesn't want to accuse of happening, despite doing exactly that. Have a look at the judges. Tell me that there's not a diverse spectrum of tastes, experience, and culture in there.
"Should it not be changed to the Indie Music Album Of The Year?" quips Lyon. No it shouldn't. As Vasmant goes on to stress, again, it was based purely on the music. Within the shortlist there is folk, electronica, pop, dance, hip-hop, traditional, indie, and rock influences. The longlist again expands on that further. By making this comment, Lyons herself, is exposed as possessing the kind of 'inverse snobbery' she accuses the judges of holding, by classing anything not 'mainstream' as indie or 'weird'.
What annoyed me about this short programme, other than Lyon's air of entitlement and interruption of the other guests, was the fact that despite this being a celebration of 10 albums nominated for the title of Scottish Album of the Year for 2012, the focus rested on the people who needed it least. So let's put a full stop at the end of this topic, and finish this post with a track from each of the shortlisted album. A huge congratulations to each artist, and also to the ten artists who didn't make the shortlist, and I hope that the coming weeks brings increased attention, and sales, to their music.
You've read our Top 20 Albums of 2012 post haven't you? Well why not now listen to the latest podcast, which was an end of year special where I run through my favourite 20 albums released last year, playing a track from each. There's been some amount of special music released in 2012. The majority of it features on this show. Enjoy!
So a slightly belated BAMS 2012 announcement from ourselves, and I'm sure the majority of you who care will have seen the results on one of the other 41 blogs and music sites taking part. However we always like to show our support and for those who've maybe missed it, here is the Scottish BAMS 2012.
If you are unfamiliar with the BAMS, then let me elucidate the possibilities. The BAMS stands for Bloggers And Music Sites, and each representative submits their favourite five albums of the year. These results are then tallied, checked and collaborated in an intricate scoring system by head BAM Mr. Peenko to produce a final top 10 list. In
total there were had 41 different sites take part, which I guess just goes to
demonstrate just healthy the Scottish music scene is at the moment.
As I am sure you will want to know who took part, here's a list of the sites/persons who voted in this years BAMS :
Head BAM Lloyd caught up with Meursault frontman Neil Pennycook. Here's what he had to say:
"Congratulations Neil, you are this years' winners of the Scottish BAMS award, how do you feel?
I
feel like the chubby lad at school after being picked first for the
football team. I fear that any minute now I'm going to be told it's all a
joke and you're going to burn my shoes and flush my head down the
toilet.
It seems to have been a pretty exciting year for the band, what with European tours supporting Clap Your Hands Say Yeah to headlining the Queen's Hall back in July, aside from winning this years BAMS, what's been your personal highlight of 2012?
My
highlight is probably the QH gig. I've wanted to play that venue since I
was 18. Feels nice to have ticked that one off.
Last
years the BAMS was won by Aidan Moffat and Bill Wells, who later went
on to win the SAY Awards. Have you allowed yourself the thought that you
might potentially be in with a shout at next years SAY Awards?
What? I thought this was the SAY awards? You ARE still giving me £10000 though right? (whip round anyone? - Peenko)
I
noted that once again you've decided not to head over to Austin for
next years SXSW, is not something that interests you or are you just
keeping our friends on the other side of the pond waiting?
It's
not something that appeals to me to be honest. I get really tired of
the competitive aspect of playing music and do my best to avoid it. I've
no interest in travelling halfway round the world (at great expense) to
pedal my music to pissed up strangers in laminates . Playing in the
states is something that I'm keen to pursue but not that way.
How important do you feel that the support of music blogs has been to the band?
It's been hugely important for us. After all it was a blogger (song, by toad) who put out our first 3 records.
Seeing as we are on the subject of albums of the year, what have been your personal favourites of the last 12 months?
I've not sure if all of these came out this year but I'm going with them anyway...
Time to complete the Scottish Fiction 'Best Albums of 2012' countdown. With numbers 20 to 11 being unveiled earlier in the week, it's down to the business end of the chart. Rumour has it Scottish musicians have been crouched at their laptops in anticipation, as they vie amongst themselves for the coveted title of Scottish Fiction's Best Album of 2012.
Then again maybe not...
Some facts and figures about this years list. Seminal label Chemikal Underground account for a fifth of the albums on the list. There's two self released records (to the best of my knowledge). There's only two ladies (although some bands include the fairer sex) in the form of Jo Mango and Rachel Sermanni. Half of the list is début albums, including three albums which come from 'solo projects' or 'side projects' and there's two self titled efforts. There's one Englishman on the list (the horror!) and four, yes FOUR, albums released on the same day; 17th September.
So without further ado, here is numbers 10 to 1 in our countdown. Go forth and enjoy!
Released on Bandcamp at the end of October, and with a physical released on vinyl and tape lined up for January (see the next Scottish Fiction Presents: Aye Tunes vs, Peenko gig for more details on this!) this self titled album from The Yawns may turn out to be 2012's Happy Particles. Released with almost no fanfare, it's won it's way into the hearts of bloggers and muso commentaries alike with it's breezy, indie-twee appeal. Fans of Camera Obscura, Teenage Fanclub, et al. will thoroughly enjoy.
When album preview track 'Beetle In The Box' first surfaced back in January, then followed by lead single 'The Paper Trench' in April I was champing at the bit to hear the album. At the time I though it was slightly suffering from second album syndrome, but nearly six months later it's a solid offering from one of Scotland's best indie-folk bands. Tracks such as 'Guest Of The Government', 'Old Fools', 'Isn't This World Enough' and the above mentioned singles, cement 'Tree Bursts In Snow' as a worthy inclusion in this end of year list.
Back with their third album, three piece electronic rockers Errors made more strides in just how bloody good they sound. Again released via Mogwai's Rock Action Records label, 'Have Some Faith In Magic' dropped on 30th January and has been a mainstay in the Scottish Fiction record player ever since. There all sorts of electronic wizardry at work as Errors impress with shimmering shoegaze, blazing electro-pop, and exploring synths. 2012 was a great year for the band as they also released to much acclaim EP (or album I'm not sure!) 'New Relics'.
Cue gasps. The scandal! Yes Miaoux Miaoux, a.k.a Julian Corrie comes from Nottingham, however since having relocated to Glasgow in 2010, having spent time in the city earlier for a BBC placement, he's become a kind of sacred figure within the Glasgow music 'scene'. Energetic live shows across the city's venues (Corrie has the energy of a Energiser Bunny on speed, switching from guitar to synth to vocals whilst fiddling a gazillion buttons and switches in between), self released singles and a release with Gerry Loves Records, a host of remixes, all culminated with 'Light Of The North' being released via Chemikal Underground. This album is an absolute joy to listen to, there's so much creativity packed into these ten songs, the promise of more to come means Miaoux Miaoux is a name to watch out for.
Three albums in and the boys from Kilsyth change tact, dropping the 'wall of sound' for synths. No one can deny that The Twilight Sad require a little effort. They are
not, and much to their credit, a band who tag along with the latest
fad. For established fans, 'No One Can Ever Know' gives a slight tweak on their sound revelaing a new
facet of a rough piece of coal to examine. For new listeners, well
you've stumbled across their finest work to date. 'Another Bed', 'Sick', 'Kill It In The Morning', 'Dead City', all are glorious examples of how to make music.
That magic date 17th September again. I will never tire of saying how I became captivated by Rachel Sermanni the first time I heard her on stage in Edinburgh in support of Admiral Fallow. I will never tire of watching her gain in stature and confidence as a performer. I will never tire of proclaim the beauty of her voice and the subtle wit of her lyrics. And I will never tire of listening to her long awaited (but well worth the wait) début album 'Under Mountains'.
In 'Reject' Stanley Odd have an album which rivals the beats, rhymes
and hooks of anyone operating in the genre of hip-hop right now. And
further to that they are not afraid to mix in other genres too, and hold
up a truthful mirror in many respects. This album contains many
moments of brilliance for those willing to listen, including my favourite lyric of 2012, "putting an x in the box says you're watching back'. A wonderful introduction to the Scottish hip-hop community.
For those not already acquainted with RM Hubbert, his second album 'Thirteen Lost & Found' offers an
excellent opportunity to ease yourself into his work. Début LP 'First &
Last' won't be for everyone, but the very heart of this LP is still the raw beauty and emotion
that is conveyed by Hubbert's music. Given that all this stems from
Hubbert using music to deal with issues that have affected his life, it
reinforces the power of music to communicate. It also features one of my favourite tracks of 2012, 'Car Song'.
I said at the time when I reviewed the album on the blog, that it would be hard to top. And so it's proved, as Django Django and their Mercury nominated self titled début album takes the title of 'best of the rest'. Number two on our list for a behemoth of an album. Quirky, inventive, fun, jerky, influences from electronica, pop, Afro-beat, reggae, surf rock, and barrels more.
In the end it was a tough choice, but I've plumped for the stunning début from PAWS, which was released via Fat Cat Records on 8th October. There's so much to love about 'Cokefloat!'. From it's acid inspired album art (taken from a comic strip 'Cokefloat!' by Jess Penfold), to it's punk and garage rock influenced sound, to the real and raw emotion conveyed in almost every track. It's an album that packs a punch, as lead singer Philip doesn't hold back from taking about his mother's death, feelings of anger, abandonment, and loss. Musically it draws from a rich vein of punk and garage rock, delivering a frenzied stramash of guitars, distortion and drums. Wonderful stuff!
Fancy some new tunes from Queen Jane, King Post Kitsch and A Band Called Quinn? Then get your lugs wrapped around the latest Scottish Fiction podcast for this and plently of other alternative music. There's the Aye Tunes Friday Freebie track from Great Cop, our usual Re-Mixing It Up features, a track from Belle & Sebastian's 'If You're Feeling Sinister' which is our Classic Scottish Album, and there's three tracks from our Featured Artist, RM Hubbert.
The latest Podcast features some cracking new music from the likes of Father Sculptor, Jo Mango, Stanley Odd, Crusades and much more! We also have a AyeTunes Friday Freebies track from Edinburgh School For The Deaf. Our Featured Artist this week is Teenage Fanclub and we have three tracks from them. And our Classic Scottish Album is Franz Ferdinand's self titled debut..
On the last Scottish Fiction radio show we welcomed Graeme and Gill from The State Broadcasters into the studio for a live session. And what a delight that was! The duo were happy to chat about the band and their music, choose some tracks to play and also played some live songs. As well as this I also looked back at Doune The Rabbit Hole, and played some new music from Kill The Waves, The Pictish Trail and The Deadline Shakes. Enjoy!
Yes that is a picture of pot pourri I don't know why, I can't explain it, we'll just have to swiftly move on. Last Wednesday's show was 4th July. Happy 'Jeff-Goldblum-saved-the-world-with-an-Apple-Mac' Day to all! It also meant that we are now officially more than halfway into 2012, conveniently allowing me to use the occasion to recap on the best Scottish albums released this year so far. Which is exactly what we did on this very show. Enjoy!
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!
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