Scottish Fiction Podcast - 16th February 2015

Dunfermline band Foreignfox enjoyed a fantastic 2014 with their EP We Float Like Sinking Ships remaining a constantly played listen throughout the year, led by their outstanding track Yoghurt.  Ahead of releasing their new single Frostbite  three of the band joined us in the studio for three live tracks and chat about their plans for 2015. 

We also have some Valentine's Day love courtesy of Secret Motorbikes from the Fuzzkill Records Under The Covers  release as our Cover Love track; a Re-Mixing It Up track from Machines In Heaven re-mixing Turtle; plus new music from Sacred Paws, Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat, The Shithawks and more.

Sacred Paws - San Diego
Le Thug - Outer Hebridean
A Band Called Quinn - And Ever Again
Slowlight - Crossfire
Chris Devotion & The Expectation - When The Girl Goes To Town
Foreignfox - Frostbite - Live in Pulse 98.4 Studio
Ded Rabbit - Better On The Day
Red Kites - Salt Walter
Cold Years - Shackled
Gents - Farmer's Wife
The Shithawks - Yo Welcome
COVER LOVER - Secret Motorbikes - Alison
Dec '91 - Catherine
Foreignfox - Yoghurt - Live in Pulse 98.4 Studio
Pronto Mama - Remission
Seas, Starry - Faint Praise
Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat - This Dark Desire
Hustin Bunnets - Kafka on the Shore
Foreignfox - We Float Like Sinking Ships - Live in Pulse 98.4 Studio
RE-MIXING IT UP - Turtle - Lavender (Machines In Heaven Remix)
Best Girl Athlete - He's Calling Me Over
Featherwest - Viking Ship
Miasma - Goldberg


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Scottish Fiction - 16th February 2015 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

The Good Pack Glasgow Edition

Christmas eh?  Seems like at this time of year there's a clutter of artists doing covers of Christmas classics, or putting out their own festive tinged numbers (both of which we heartly endorse here at Scottish Fiction).  In a kind-of Charlie Brown moment though, six Scottish artists have banded together with The Good Pack to remind us all what this time of year should be about.

My home city of Glasgow has a great music heritage, but sadly suffers from intense poverty in some areas, and the rise in foodbank use and numbers is a symptom of this.  The Good Pack is an organisation that bundles up 'packs' of music and offers them out at a fair price with proceeds going to a chosen charity.  The Glasgow Edition sees six artists make their albums/EPs available for a minimum of $6 (approximately £3.81) with 40% of proceeds going to Glasgow Northwest and Southeast Foodbanks to support Glasgow's hungry over Christmas.

The albums/EPs are:

Three Blind Wolves - Sing Hallelujah For The Old Machine
Algernon Doll - Omphalic
Pronto Mama - Niche Market
Poor Things - Poor Things
Carson Wells - Wonder Kid
BAD LUCK - Between Dog & Wolf

If you don't own these collections already then you're in for some great music with your donation.  Even if you already own all or some of the albums/EPs, hopefully worthy cause will prompt you to pick them up again.

Head along to The Good Pack website to donate and download.

EP Review - Pronto Mama - Niche Market

Pronto Mama are a relaxed and cheerful band who play incredibly lively music.  Their sound is an energetic and tasty ballade that will put you in a good mood and fill your heart with the innocence you lost a while ago.

Goose Step, the first song of Niche Market, sets the tone of the EP.  It has good rhythm, a melodic and joyful character, with a pop aftertaste that does not prevent the band from bringing out a certain rock side.

Remission is the soft touch of this EP, a colourful and hearty melody, which, thanks to the sounds of trombone and trumpet, wraps 4 minutes of intense and passionate music.  With this song, Pronto Mama warms the heart and will definitely be your love at first listen.

Rubber holds a groovy and indie-rock tune which creates the perfect anthem.  Well thought out and brilliantly put together, the instrumental and the voices constitute a powerful combination.

Surrogate Mama and You're Only Human testify of the capacity of Pronto Mama to be present on all fronts.  More energetic and punchier, they are both a mix of indie, rock, alternative and folk music.

Polyrhythmic is the strength of this six piece collective, who are in complete harmony with their instruments.

- Alexandra Andréoli

Pronto Mama - Niche Market is out now on Instinctive Racoon Records and is available on download and CD format here.

The band play what is set to be their last Glasgow headline show at the Old Hairdressers on Friday 7th November 2014.  Get tickets here.

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 1st September 2014

I got snapped at Doune The Rabbit Hole putting my fine slimline athletic build to good use.  Full of grace and poise I'm sure you'll agree!  Included in this week's show is some chat about the festival along with a blinding reminder of how good Errors are.  We also get our fill of new Scottish music with the returns of We Were Promised Jetpacks, The Twilight Sad and Pronto Mama. 

Pronto Mama - Goose Steps
Night Noise Team - Days
Bronto Skylift - Bird Catcher/Eater
Now Wakes The Sea - Scottish Blood Reversal
The Twilight Sad - There's A Girl In The Corner
Errors - Pleasure Palaces
The Cormorant - Caffeine Shakes (And Other Tales of Sleep Deprivation)
Foreignfox - Quiet At Home
Dear Lara - Bookclub
Turning Plates - Falling Lives
We Were Promised Jetpacks - Night Terror


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Scottish Fiction - 1st September 2014 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

T in the Park - Day 3

As much as I was glad to have a warm cosy bed to sleep in each night, the two hours drive each way was causing some major sleep deprivation!  Mind you, judging by the weary state of some of the T20 punters, sleep was the last thing happening back at the camp site after Saturday night.

Sticking to the same script as Friday and Saturday, I headed on down to the T-Break stage for some tasty new Scottish music.

Poor Things were the first flavour on offer today, smearing some sun-kissed alternative rock all over the eager crowd gathered in the T-Break stage.  'Summer Clutch' has the kind of kick ass drum beat that spurs the crowd into action, drummer Gavin channelling all the anticipation of a gig like this into turbulently smashing cymbal and snare crashes.  The band showcase some new tracks in amongst their recent 'Hurricane Poor Things' EP, eagerly teasing people to lose those early afternoon inhibitions and throw some shapes.  Penultimate track 'Festival' could be more aptly named, raising the ghosts of influences Teenage Fanclub, Pavement and Grandaddy and giving them fresh shake.  As often with these T-Break slots, it's over too soon, recent free single 'Morgan' closing the set, a melodic pop-rock tune played by three guys with the biggest smiles on their faces ever.

After a quick catch up with Poor Things backstage, I managed to catch the tail end of the set from Arches, who had a pretty big pre-festival buzz about them.  Providing that buzzes do convert to people in tents, the band played a strong pop-rock set to an bulging T-Break tent.  Powerful tunes, which you could see one day filling a larger stage than this.

"We're the only band on the T-Break stage with a brass section.  That'll draw 'em in!" quipped the Pronto Mama lads when I caught up with them before going on.  It's true enough, and for those who've seen the six piece before you'll know it's far from some gimmick to make themselves 'different', the trumpet and trombone parts weaved into their upbeat and exuberant tracks effortlessly.  After a rip-roaring start of tightly knitted melodies, things were cooled down a notch with the laid back 'Safety Net' off their most recent EP 'Lickety Split'.  It's a momentary lull as the band frantically launch into the bombastic 'Fruit Loop' where Ciaran and Michael fight for the most powerful vocals.  A new (untitled) song towards the end of the set sounded promising, however it's 'Still Swimming' which proves the real highlight, as the crowd unanimously were feeding off the infectious energy of the band, whooping and cheering as the delicate keyboard intro unravels into a sickeningly catchy chorus and swirling declarations of love.

"It was about a year ago today that we played our first gig as CHVRCHES" admits lead singer Lauren Mayberry.  That's worth remembering given just how much promotion and hype surround the three piece.  Yet there's no airs of graces about them, as Lauren jokes it's nice to be back playing a crowd that understands their Glaswegian patter.  Starting things at full blast, 'Lies' dominates the tent instantly drawing the crowd into their clutches as well as mopping in passers by.  Gripped by bassy hooks and polished electronic melodies there's no letting up as we've drenched in trippy feel good electronica such as current single 'Gun'.  'Recover', where Lauren's vocals echo in the shimmery mists of smoke and final track 'The Mother We Share' showcase the pop-polished side of CHVRCHES.  Keeping alive the hype, which on this showing is well deserved, the band play tracks from their forthcoming début album including one where Martin Doherty grabs lead vocals, exploding with a powerful performance culminating in the crowd pleasing yelp of "T in the f*cking Park!", which earned him £100 as Lauren and Ian bet he wouldn't do it!  For many of the crowd, this may have been the first live experience of the hottest tipped Scottish band at the moment, and with a date now announced at Glasgow's O2 ABC on 10th October, I'm betting it won't be the last.

If you like loud and experimental music and you weren't at the T-Break stage for Vasa, then you simply weren't doing it right.  With influences taken from prog-rock and post-rock the band, who play entirely instrumental tracks were a brave choice for T-Break organisers, especially latter in the day paired against the heavy hitters on the bigger stages.  Thankfully though there's an eager enough crowd assembled to enjoy the full on assault that ensues.  The second track in revels in a tidy little loop, as drummer Alex crashes on top with intent.  Each track takes time to showcase each members musicianship, with bassist John, beasting bass lines front and centre.  Each track ran pretty smoothly into the next, as the sound ebbed and flowed, some slightly more shoe-gaze moments and mellowed out math-rock allowing the band to layer and build up towards crushing crescendos.  As I stood watching, while the over enthusiastic smoke machine shielded the view of the band, it was painstakingly clear that Vasa are a band whose music can stand shoulder to shoulder with their peers and idols.

Thanks to T-Break's 30 minute slots, I was able to dash over to the King Tut's Tent and catch the opening part of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's set.  With a backdrop of massive Y's and a flame licking light show, Karen O, wearing what looks like a Burger King crown, dominated proceedings.  The band kicked things off with 'Sacrilege' and powered straight on into the brilliant 'Gold Lion'.  Time however dictated it was time to return to the T-Break stage...

For it was here that Dennistoun (as guitarist Graham occasionally reminded people) band Machines In Heaven were gearing up for the headline slot on the T-Break stage.  Despite the prestige that may come with having 'T-Break headliners' on the CV, it is a difficult slot to fill especially against the popular crowd pleasers of The Killers (boke) and David Guetta (double boke), the sound of the former of which bled into the tent a bit.  However once in their stride, the band nailed a set full of whizzes, bleeps, whirrs and insatiable synth rhythms all feed through a techno filter.  Speaking to them earlier in the day, we chatted about how good previous night headliners Kraftwerk and My Bloody Valentine had been, and it's poetic justice perhaps that these two bands were playing, as the influence of both is evident.  As the smoky haze removed the human instrument players from view, multi-layered synth-pop caressed and delighted the tent.  As much as I loved their heavenly mechanistic grooves, the real highlight of their set (and perhaps the T-Break stage in generally) was when a random punter turned and asked who the band on stage were.  Replying 'Machines in Heaven', he replied, "they are the best band I've seen all weekend".  THAT is what T-Break is there for.

T-Break Lineup 2013

Cue industry bitching, sniping, and moaning, side by side with actual anticipation to what is generally the best stage at T In The Park.  Yes folks it's the T-Break stage!

The 16 acts playing across the stage on Saturday and Sunday at this year's 20th T In The Park have been announced.  Further details regarding day splits and times will be announced in due time, right now, let's just salivate at the prospect of some good music on the T bill.

My tuppence worth... Machines In Heaven and Poor Things are two of the most exciting bands about, Vasa, and Honeyblood will rip your ears and hearts open with wonderful noise, Hector Bizerck are making some of Scotland's finest hip-hop beats and Michael Cassidy and Fake Major are not to be missed for some brilliantly crafted indie with folk leanings.

THE LINE-UP

Arches
Blindfolds
DARC
Fake Major
Hector Bizerk
Honeyblood
Machines In Heaven
Michael Cassidy
Poor Things
Pronto Mama
Seams
Sunshine Social
The Merrylees
The Velveteen Saints
Vasa
Waiting For Go

Doune The Rabbit Hole - Preview

Not too long ago we welcomed Jamie Murray, festival director of Doune The Rabbit Hole on to the Scottish Fiction radio show to convince us all why we should head on down to the Carron Valley Forest for the festivals third year.  And he did a fairly sterling job of it, so much so we'd recommend having a listen back to the show right here.

I'll be lucky enough to be at the festival next weekend (DTRH runs from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th) with my wife and kids; editors note DTRH has got plenty for sproglets so if you're looking for a wee family weekend away this would be perfect and under 12's are FREE!  The line up is packed full of talent, as well as plenty of artists I'm sure I'll discover and come away loving.  Check out the full line up right here.  In the meantime here's the Scottish Fiction pick of the bunch:



Friday 24th August

As Mrs Scottish Fiction is working until 3pm on Friday it'll be a swift pick up and dash to beat the motorway traffic to get to the DTRH site.  Hopefully we make it there in time to catch Behold, The Old Bear, who are of course lead by Mitchell Museum drummer Raindeer MacFarlane.  We are just waiting patiently for them to release some more material, although maybe the return of MM has delayed this slightly.  Whatever the reason, be sure to catch them performing on the Jabberwocky stage.  On the Baino stage Pumajaw will be plying their brand of electronica with songs from 2011's 'Demon Meow Meow' album at the front.  It's the main Jabberwocky stage however where my main attentions shall be and yours should to.  First up is SAY Award winning duo Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat.  Having seen the bearded gents three times now, I can vouch for the incredible live performance they, and their band, put on.  I'm extremely looking forward to seeing if they can recreate that intimate and cosy feeling on an open stage at a festival.  Following on from Wells & Moffat are Glasgow's finest and eclectic 6 piece,The Phantom Band.  Again I've seen them live recently at the Stag & Dagger festival and you can expect them to pull out some stonking tunes such as 'Mr Natural' and 'Halfhound'.  Last up is JD Twitch, one half of the famous Optimo, who will be taking the party on through to the late night. 

Saturday 25th August

Kicking things off nice and early on the Baino stage are Battery Face who no doubt will melt some faces with tracks from their album 'Addams Family Values'.  Later on the same stage is Neu! Reekie! w/Teen Canteen.  I'm not quite sure what the set up here will be, but hopefully it involves Teen Canteen playing some the wonderful dream-pop that is up on their SoundCloud page.  Blank Canvas are playing the Fruit Stand stage later in the day and are well worth visiting for some alternative indie rock.  The main Jabberwocky stage gets interesting when Withered Hand takes to it, equipped with a full band.  Expect to hear recent track 'Heart Heart' performed in all it's glory, plus inspired indie gems from his brilliant 'Good News' LP.  Fence supremo Kenny 'King Creosote' Anderson follows on from Withered Hand, in a bill of folk singer/songwriter indulgence.  With a fantastic back catalogue to pick from, plus Mercury nominated 'Diamond Mine', you can be sure that King Creosote will be a chilled out way to spend your Saturday night.  Elsewhere on Saturday Holy Mountain will be shredding it up on the Baino stage, and over on the Inspire stage you can find Sparrow & The Workshop followed by We Came From Wolves.  If you fancy some DJ action then pop yer noggin' into Vibes:  Below The Well where the Pin-Up DJ's will be spinning tracks.


Sunday 26th August

How's the hangover doing?  Need some melodic female led indie-folk to settle that bouncing headache?  Lucky for you Olympic Swimmers will be on the Jabberwocky stage fresh from the well deserved success of their debut album 'No Flags Will Fly'.  After them are The Second Hand Marching Band who, depending on how many of them turn up, number 22 musicians, all helping to create brilliant and reconstructed folk music.  Over on the Tenement TV stage are Edinburgh band Kid Canaveral.  As well as playing tracks from their cracking album 'Shouting At Wildlife', we can always hope that Kenny sticks around for a guest appearance, given the two artist penchant for working together.  Back to the Jabberwocky stage and you'll find Three Blind Wolves, who if my short glimpse of seeing them at Oran Mor recently is anything to go by, will rock the stage.  Sunday night for me though is owned by the next two acts, both who play the Baino stage.  Firstly Malcolm Middleton brings his Human Don't Be Angry alter-ego and album to the party.  Expect '80's influenced melodies and electronic beats. Then later is Miaoux Miaoux, a.k.a. Glasgow based Londoner Julian Corrie.  This man's music enthrals and encapsulates me, with his pulsating beats, rhythmic hooks and dreamy vocals.  Make a point of catching him if you can.  Elsewhere Pronto Mama are playing the Tenement TV stage, which is worth checking out if they don't clash with Miaoux Miaoux.


For full information about the Doune The Rabbit Hole festival, head on over to their website.  The festival takes place at Duncarron Fort, Carron Valley Forest, Kilsyth from Friday 24th August to Sunday 25th August.  Tickets are still available, priced £98 for weekend camping.  See you there!

Gig Review - King Tut's Summer Nights - Pronto Mama, The Little Kicks, Dead Sea Souls & Brazil Exists

King Tut's Summer Nights kicked off on Thursday 12th July with a line up of Brazil Exists, Dead Sea Souls, The Little Kicks and Pronto Mama, with a pre-show DJ set from Weaver of Detour Scotland.

Chilling downstairs in the Tut's bar with a burger and pint was made much more enjoyable listening to the tunes being played by Detour's very own Weaver.  CHURCHES' 'Lies' got the feet tapping, and of course, the band play as part of Detour's CIRCA club nights during the Edinburgh festival.

Anyway I digress.  First up on the Tut's stage were Stirling five piece Brazil Exists.  I've been plugging these guys a fair bit recently, and it all stems from this show.  "Hello, we are Brazil Exists", lead singer Andy McAllister rather nervously proclaimed.  Their sound is at times rather Frabbit-esque, which is no great surprise given that Andy from the Selkirk band produced their recent EP.  'Echoes' in particular, a track about the cold Scottish winter, had the indie stylings of Frightened Rabbit circa 'Sing The Greys', whilst still maintaining that something a little bit different.  That je nais se qua comes from Michael Reade's trumpet, which helps build the sound of the band.  Unlike, the populous country from which the band draw their name, Tut's was, at this stage, slightly empty.  Which is a shame, because the upbeat Maccabees influenced sound was a cry to dance.  This was the band's Tut's debut, but which the strength of their new material we doubt it'll be their last.

Next on the bill were Bathgate band Dead Sea Souls.  These guys are no strangers to Tut's and indeed are probably at a level slightly bigger than tonight's billing.  However, they showed why they have built up such a strong and loyal fanbase with their brit-pop indie rock sound.  Coming after the soft indie of Brazil Exists, Dead Sea Souls are a different kind of band, and the confidence in their own ability showed in in singer Gary Burns stage presence, not to mention his impressive mutton chops!  The band have their new album 'We Were Always Electric' out on August 12th via Big Rock Candy Records, and their set was filled with tracks from it.

Following them were The Little Kicks, all the way from Aberdeen.  With their electro-indie they managed to tease the crowd forward a little bit, and enticed some swaying of hips with the pounding electro beat of 'Loosen Up', a remix of which by Discopolis features on a recent remix EP.  The band also played a new anti-war song, which had a sort of spaghetti western intro and a funktastic bass line.  Lead singer Steven explained that the band had not played Tut's in a while, and that their sound has grown stronger since the last time.  Certainly the band were very tight and musically assured, with a well honed electro-indie sound, akin to the likes of Discopolis or Delphic.  Closing with 'Call Of Youth' which is available to download for free from the band's website, Steven reminded us of the next Little Kicks gig in these parts which takes place at Flat 0/1 on the 15th September.

And so we come to the headliners, Pronto Mama.  The unfortunate thing from this review's point of view is that sadly I couldn't stay for them, having to get Mrs Scottish Fiction home for a 5:30 alarm call the next morning.  I was disappointed, but needless to say I know what's good for me.  I am told however, by none other than Scottish Fiction favourite Michael Cassidy, that the band were on top form, and that the live performance of 'Still Swimming' from the most recent EP 'Lickety Split' was spin tingling.