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!
The Usher Hall in Edinburgh has played host to many a crowd. The rows of seats and grand decor are used to the shuffle of anticipation and the pangs of excitement. Perhaps though, it has never quite experienced the sea of belief and hope swept through on Sunday evening.
A Night For Scotland featured an array of Scottish musicians, drawn from across genres and eras. There's not many occasions when one finds Amy MacDonald sharing a bill with post-rock titans Mogwai, yet there's a sense that tonight music and political celebration are intertwined.
What follows therefore is not so much social commentary and not so much live music review, but an acceptance that this evening was both of these things and none of these things all at the same time.
Having been around the political game a while, Eddi Reader is no stranger to a well placed slogan. "I love all the No voters too. I love them so much I want to give them a country" she gushes amidst a well chosen set of new song Named We Are Everything, the sentimental Wild Mountain Thyme and the optimistic Perfect.
First half compére Ricky Ross, a man who has to be admired for airing his politics in public despite his weekly slot on BBC Radio Scotland, joined forces with his wife Lorraine McIntosh for a short set as McIntosh Ross, before perhaps the most overtly political band, in terms of their music, is introduced on stage.
Hip-hop arguably overtook folk music as the musical vehicle for protest some decades ago, and Edinburgh's Stanley Odd
have continued the tradition in the finest of manners. Front man Dave
Hook, a.k.a. MC Solareye, explains that their three song set represents
his, and the bands, journey to a Yes vote. Anti-heroics kicks
off, armed with the astute observation that "putting an X in the box
says you're watching back", whilst a round of "Bed tax! Fuck that!"
gathers pace during second track Chase Yirsel. It's the emotional charged ode to Hook's one year old son Son I Voted Yes
which gets the biggest reception of the night on a political basis,
striking right to the heart of why many in the crowd are here tonight.
It's also the one song I felt which drew together this Bombay mix of an
audience musically too, the hipster youth, the elder statesmen and
women, and as Fred Durst would say the rockers and hip-hoppers.
Following Stanley Odd were Mogwai, famously a band of few words, a least in a live sense. Clad in a 'peace sign' t-shirt, front man Stuart Braithwaite keeps his political observations to a minimum, claiming people are hear to listen to music not people talking. For me as a Mogwai fan that was true. For the few older people covering their ears during Mogwai Fear Satan and shitting themselves at the reprise, perhaps it was not quite the music they expected! The band are every bit as ear splitting, bombastic and powerful as expected, the noise of their set perhaps a well placed metaphor for the noise being made by grassroots Yes Scotland campaigners.
After a short interval, we're in the hands of actress, comedian, and prominent Yes campaigner Elaine C. Smith, fresh down the road from Stirling and a BBC Referendum Debate. Having played her part in a fair share of pantos over the years, she knows how to score points with the audience, and expectantly gains boos by mentioning the 'baddies' Douglas Alexander and Ruth Davidson. The next act Amy MacDonald, returns things to an acoustic level, playing through a small set including her hit This Is The Life and a freshly penned song about optimism and change.
What was the purpose of the evening you may ask? There may well have been a few undecided voters, perhaps even the odd No voter there purely for the musical delights on offer, but by and large this was a partisan crowd, their minds already focused and made up. The true purpose of the evening I believe was a celebration, of all that has been achieved so far, and of all that can still be gained. That feeling was evident as Glasgow's Franz Ferdinand took residency of the stage. The band embody the phrase 'shut up and play the hits', running through tracks like Take Me Out, Michael, Do You Want To and Dark of the Matinee in a blitzkrieg flurry of angular guitars and punchy drums. It shouldn't be lost on the crowd that three of Franz Ferdinand are native born Englishmen, who have called Glasgow home for some time. Taken with the multi-lingual and ethnic crowd drawn from all walks of life, this should show that this evening was not a misty eyed tartan draped love affair, but in fact a celebration of culture from wherever it hails.
With one last rousing interval speech from Elaine C. Smith, it's time for our evenings headliners, Frightened Rabbit, to bring things to a close. The band speak of their pride at being here, and their hope of what can be achieved before launching into another hit packed set, firing out Living In Colour, The Modern Leper and Swim Until You Can't See Land to a receptive crowd. Lead singer Scott Hutchison notes that on occasions like this, songs can take on different meanings before playing Old Old Fashioned with the line, "back to how things used to be" illustrating his point well. Scottish Winds although less well known, is an apt addition to a passionate set, and while Frabbit don't quite have the same mainstream appeal and hip-shaking riffs that Franz Ferdinand do, they manage to close the evening with a heart swelling version of The Loneliness & The Scream culminating in a mass singalong which even Elaine C Smith can't resist.
Perhaps I'm being picky, but my only quibble with the evening would be the name. 'A Night For Scotland' is all well and good, but this night was for Yes Scotland. There should be absolutely no suggestion that the music on show is not for those of a different political persuasion, or that those who do vote No are not part of the future that will involve us all. Inclusivity is what we need, especially that this juncture, and while all should respect the will of artists to make political statements should they wish, music must always transcend and be something that all can enjoy.
There were two notable events in Edinburgh this weekend. Both involved mass crowds and both involved music. Up to 15,000 Orangemen marched past Holyrood displaying in their words, the 'passionate' case for the union. 3,000 people gathered at the Usher Hall to celebrate in a different manner, for a different cause, and a different future. I'm not equating one with the other, and most certainly would not suggest that Yes voters are progressive indie music loving liberals, whilst No voters are steeped in Protestant tradition. The only observation I wish to make is that all too often music is the forebearer of real social change. Look to any major political or social change over the last 100 years, and you'll find songs by Woody Guthrie, or Bob Dylan, or Public Enemy, or The Specials, or Billy Bragg. Notably missing from the songbooks of history are the songs supporting the status quo.
- Neil Wilson
A Night For Scotland can be streamed again via Kiltr.
For more information on why Scottish Fiction supports a Yes vote read here.
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
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
This
year's epic Pedestrian Verse put Frightened Rabbit back on track to the highs of their seminal The Midnight Organ Fight album and saw the band release an
outstanding set of songs which managed to both stay true to the Frightened
Rabbit sound and get national airplay at the same time.Lead track from this latest EP, The Woodpile, is the
best example of this.
The song has an almost Neu! or Krautrock feel in
it’s guitar and drums but builds to a huge and, I’m happy to say it, pop chorus
which is just fantastic. It’s a real highlight of the album for me and it’s
great to see it get a stand alone release on this new EP. As well as The Woodpile we
also get three new tracks in Default Blues, Radio Silence and Candlelit all of
which are well worth getting. Even if you already own the album, it's worth grabbing this EP.
Default Blues brings to mind
Setting Sun by The Chemical Brothers, albeit a slower version without the beats
and crucially Noel Gallagher. Radio Silence could easily be a lost REM track
from the Fables of the Reconstruction era which is very much no bad thing and
Candlelit is simply a lovely song.
- David McElroy
Frightened Rabbit - The Woodpile EP is now via Atlantic Records. You can download the EP here.
I'm baaaaaaack! Did you miss me? Didn't think so. A HUGE thanks to Chris Murray for covering things whilst I was away. There was really only one way to get back into the swing of things and that was to dive in with another live guest.
Kevin Harper, former front-man of Little Eskimos, released his brilliant album Kingdom Of Wires in March this year, and it was our delight to have him join me in the Pulse 98.4 studio. During the session we find out the real origins of Kevin Harper, and discuss the wealth of musical talent that exists in Scotland. We also cram in new music from Lidh, Blood Relatives, Campfires In Winter and much more!
Time for more music videos up in yo grill. Here's some of the
best cinematic viewings of the past few weeks, plus a rather special
dollop of bearded men raving...
Let's start with recent live guestsCampfires In Winter, who not only released their new single
'White Lights' today, but also put out an accompanying video too.
More new releases today, this time Fence Record's inde darlings Kid Canaveral,
who by all accounts stormed The Glad Cafe last Friday and Saturday for
their album launch. Being launched was 'Now That You Are A Dancer', and
here's a video to accompany opening track 'The Wrench'.
Perhaps you saw Three Blind Wolves
at last year's West End Festival closing party at Oran Mor? Did you
stumble across a giant lego man? Watch the video for the band's latest
single 'In Here Somewhere' and try and spot yourself.
This video's a wee bit older, but given how good 'Pedestrian Verse' is we haven't posted enough Frightened Rabbit on the blog. This is the video for recent single 'Backyard Skulls'.
Wasn't everyone sad when Dananananakroyd split up? Still intent on having fun, from the ashes of their demise rose Alarm Bells. Made up of former members, this is their latest video for track 'Speeding Ticket'.
This track found a home on the playlist for last week's show, and it's out today! This is the lead single from Homework's début album '13 Towers' and it's called 'It's All Over'.
This track found a home on the playlist for last week's show, and it's out today! This is the lead single from Homework's début album '13 Towers' and it's called 'It's All Over'.
Let's end as we began, with another Campfires In Winter video. Can't embed this one, so just follow the link for what is their finest music video to date.
Three jams this time round for two reasons. A) I haven't done this wee feature in a while. B) This weekend sees three great Scottish bands at three different points in their careers playing live in Glasgow.
First up is Frightened Rabbit, who technically were playing last night but this is a generous Glasgow weekend and everyone knows that starts on a Thursday night down the Barra's! The band have taken to the road in promotion of fourth album 'The Pedestrian Verse', their first released on major label Atlantic. Reaching #9 in the UK album charts and having sessions on Radio 1. Frabbit are no longer the Scottish indie music underdogs. If you were at the Barrowland's gig last night, hope it was a magical night. Here's their latest single, 'Backyard Skulls'.
Second album's can be tricky. Everyone knows that. But having heard 'Now You Are A Dancer' earlier today, fans of Kid Canaveral need have no fear. The band have nailed it. They're in Glasgow tonight and tomorrow for two sold out nights at the cracking Southside venue The Glad Cafe to launch it. Out on Fence Records on Monday 4th March, this sophomore release shows the Kid's have grown up and will be hot on the heels of Frightened Rabbit in gaining indie stardom. Check out 'The Wrench' to whet your appetite.
Maxi Jazz once sang, "This is my church, this is where I heal my hurt". For those lucky enough to have bagged tickets for Saturday night's show at The Arches, that phrase will ring true as CHVRCHES make the legendary Glasgow venue the place to be. This is a band who need no introduction, yet remain only on the first tentative steps. All the signs are there to say CHVRCHES will be filling the musical worshipping role for sometime.
After our birthday celebrations over the last two weeks, The Greatest Scottish Playlist, it was back to business on Scottish Fiction and settling into our new slot of 9pm to 11pm every Wednesday on Pulse 98.4 FM. One of the best problems to have when making up the playlist each week for the show is having too much music to play. It cements the fact that there's a constant stream of great music coming out of Scotland! So in this show I've crammed as much in as possible, including new music from Frightened Rabbit, Biffy Clyro, Conquering Animal Sound, Sparrow And The Workshop, Washington Irving and much much more. There's also our 'Aye Tunes Friday Freebie' track, a 'Re-Mixing It Up' track from The Twilight Sad, and a Franz Ferdinand cover of David Bowie takes our 'Cover Lover' slot.
May we present 'The Greatest Scottish Playlist' as chosen by us, and fine tuned by you. Following on from our show on 23rd January as part of Scottish Fiction's 2nd birthday show, it was time to announce the 16 tracks chosen by public poll. Once again I was joined by my panel of Raymond Weir, Bobby Motherwell and Carolynne McKendry, and our earnest judges were armed with a veto, meaning at any point they could chop one of the tracks and replace it with a track of their own choosing. Cruel? Yes. Entertaining? YES So join us as we played out the 15 tracks you voted for in our poll, plus the public's choice track, and discuss the finer merits of each inclusion.
Last night on Pulse 98.4 FM
we celebrated our second birthday on air! As it was a special occasion
we had a rather special show, where along with the help of our
panelists, Raymond Weir, Carolynne McKendry and Bobby Motherwell, we
attempted to compile 'The Greatest Scottish Playlist'.
We each chose ten tracks that we thought deserved a place, and debated the finer details of our choices. The whole list is unveiled and there's music from the likes of Frightened Rabbit, Belle & Sebastian, Biffy Clyro, The Phantom Band, Amplifico and more!
This podcast is our second one focusing on a round-up of all the was good and righteous in 2012. Rather than look at albums, which we did on the last podcast, here we play out some of our favourite singles and EP's released last year. There's music from The Spook School, Fat Goth, Michael Cassidy, So Many Animal Calls, Randolph's Leap and so much more! Check it out and remind yourself of some of the great music released last year.
