Scottish Fiction Radio Show - 30th July 2015

There's something pretty special about live music on radio.  It's the aspect of doing this whole Scottish Fiction hoo-la that I enjoy the most.  So it was such a delight to get back to hosting Scottish Fiction Sessions as I welcomed Dec '91 into the studio for a chat and live music.  We spoke about music, travelling, our upcoming Scottish Fiction Presents gig, as well as all sorts of other nonsense.

Making up the rest of the show, there's a new Playlist addition from Tongues, music from Yutani, Turtle, and Holy Esque, and stunning Re-Mixing It Up track from Outblinker via Machines In Heaven. 

Turtle - The Floor
Be Charlotte - Face
Mt. Doubt - Asunder
Dec '91 - I'll Try To Let You Know (Live in Pulse 98.4 Studio)
Shona Brown - All I Have
Akela - Past Sunrise
Dec '91 - Bad Man (Live in Pulse 98.4 Studio)
AROUND THE WORLD - Girlpool - Before The World Was Big
PLAYLIST - SEØUEL - Fear Party
PLAYLIST - CARBS - Life Drawing
PLAYLIST - Tongues - Religion
PLAYLIST - Womps - Live A Little Less
Rachel Sermanni - Everything Is OK
Dec '91 - Catherine (Live in Pulse 98.4 Studio)
Holy Esque - Strange
Damn Teeth - I.D.N.F.I.N.M.
RE-MIXING IT UP - Outblinker - Pink (Machines In Heaven Remix)
Yutani - Mt. Minakami


Subscribe/listen to the show via iTunes.

Connect with us and submit any submissions via:
Facebook - www.facebook.com/thisisscottishfiction
Twitter - twitter.com/scotfiction984 
E-mail - scottishfiction@mail.com

Scottish Fiction - 30th July 2015 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

Be part of the crowd

Crowd-funding has been around for a while.  Even the Statue of Liberty has crowd funding to thank for her platform on Liberty Island, built back in 1885 thanks to crowd-funding.  Over the past few years, and in increasing numbers since the world's biggest crowd-funding website Kickstarter allowed UK based projects to use its site in 2012, the number of musicians turning to their fans to fund their music has grown exponentially.

Of course music fans have always 'funded' artists music.  In the most overly simplistic model possible artists releasese album, fans by album, artists gets paid.  However as anyone who has ever released anything above a DIY demo tape will tell you, releasing an album costs money.  Money that you have no guarantee of ever getting back.  With record labels watching every penny going out, how do bands without any label backing avoid bankrupting themselves to put out their music?

Answer... Crowd-funding. 

For those not in the know, crowd-funding allows a group or individual to run a campaign to raise funds for a particular project.  That may be making a film, building a house, or releasing an album.  Donors can pledge a certain amount of money in return for certain benefits.  The end result being if the target is met, the project is funded.

What's important to realise however is that even at this stage (statistics show that over 50% of crowd-funding projects fail to reach their targets) is that musicians have not yet made any money.  What crowd-funding allows them to do is have a chance of making some money off the fruits of their labours, rather than going into hibernation to pay off the debts accrued from making the last record.

But what about fans?  How does it change the musical landscape for the people who buy the end products?  Think of it this way.  When you go into a record shop, you can choose any of the albums on the shelves.  The products are already there, the choice of which to buy is yours.  Crowd-funding allows you to choose which products to put on the shelves.

What is the potential in crowd-funding?  Where can it go from here?  Surely, as much as the traditional model of the music industry can be lambasted, the end goal for musicians is still to be 'signed' and paid by a label in advance to release their music.  With many labels pulling back in A&R and scouting, no longer taking chances on music that doesn't conform to market trends, and dropping artists after one or two 'below-expectations' releases, crowd-funding gives unsigned musicians the opportunity to put their wares out into the market and build a name for themselves. 

Whatever the future holds for the music industry, crowd-funding appears to be one of the few ways independent and unsigned artists can take the first steps into releasing albums, and you can pledge your bottom dollar, that as grass roots music fans, you'll be on the end of increasingly more crowd-funding campaigns.


Here's some current crowd-funding campaigns from Scottish musicians:

Rachel Sermanni - www.pledgemusic.com/projects/rachelsermanni

Pledge for a new EP Everything Changes.  Various goodies are available such as handwritten lyrics, signed vinyl and the opportunity for an acoustic house concert.  Pledging open until 27th January 2014

Meursault - www.kickstarter.com/projects/songbytoad/meursault-the-organ-grinders-monkey

Meursault are heading to the USA.  Namely for SXSW, however the band plan to do a full east coast tour and finally 'crack' America.  To help fund this they are releasing a new album The Organ Grinders Monkey with various ways for pledgers to contribute to the album, such as suggesting a cover, or a private gig.  Pledging open until 6th February 2014

Sefiros - www.kickstarter.com/projects/sefiros/sefiros-dither-new-album-release

Electronic producer Bryan Henderson has been making music for nearly 10 years under the moniker Sefiros.  This project is to fund his eight album, but would be the first to be released as a physical project.  The album is called Dither, and fans can receive signed CD's, special artwork and t-shirts.  Pledging open until 14th February 2014

How To Swim - www.pledgemusic.com/projects/howtoswim2013

With their second album Niagarama recorded and ready for release, How To Swim are looking for funding to put their album out professionally on vinyl, and to be able to properly promote the release.  There's some interesting pledges available including paying for the band to clean your house!  Pledging open until 10th February 2014

EP Review - Rachel Sermanni - The Boatshed Sessions

It’s really difficult not to fall in love with Rachel Sermanni.  The songstress from Strathspey is everything that is right with music.  It’s hard to fawn over an artist without being accused of being a ‘fangirl/boy’ but its also hard to care when the artist is making music like Rachel Sermanni.  The singer/songwriter has been releasing music since 2010 and in 2013; she has released her best music yet with EP The Boatshed Sessions.

For 11 minutes, the listener is transported into what seems like a forgotten, grungy Disney soundtrack, and that is meant in the best possible way.  The EP is simple, mostly driven by Sermanni and her guitar but there is the addition of a few other instruments that make this EP stand out from the crowd.  The record begins with Black Hole, a beautiful song brought to life by Sermanni’s trademark gravelly voice, striking strums on her strings and brass section that wouldn’t sound out of place on The Aristocat’s soundtrack.

Other tracks Two Birds and Maybe Not continue this sound but it is Dear Granvil that is the real stand out.  The song is almost an open letter to something that is missing in your life, be that a person or an object, and for anyone who has lost someone or something that means a lot it is hard not to relate to the feeling of loss and despair conveyed in the track.

The EP was recorded this summer in the Highlands and from listening, it easy to imagine that it would be best enjoyed in a log cabin, by the fire with a glass of the finest malt.  This is a beautiful record from Sermanni and it’s leaves a massive impression, even after the first listen.

- Stuart Thompson

Rachel Sermanni - The Boatshed Sessions is out now via Middle Of Nowhere Recordings and available to download via iTunes

Doune The Rabbit Hole - Review

Review by Bobby Motherwell

 
Friday

When asked if we would like to attend the annual Doune The Rabbit Hole festival for Scottish Fiction, both myself and Peter had no hesitation.  As someone who is not known for festival going – a one day visit to T in the Park during the Strathclyde Park years being my only foray – I was delighted to sacrifice my festival virginity for such an interesting line up.

And so it was that I set off on Friday morning to take in Friday afternoon’s festivities on my own, to be joined later in the day by my wife Arlene and son Louie, and on Saturday by Peter.  Having decided to pitch the tent in the family section in the hope that a more peaceful sleep would be assured, I set off to catch the first act of the day and settle into the cosy, laid back zone that this quirky festival creates.

With my programme in hand and a time slot allocated to each act – which I’m led to believe is a welcome structure new to DTRH – I grabbed my beer, fended off the wasps and sat down to take in Lori McTear.  Lori is a Glsgow singer songwriter who creates some fine melodies and crafted lyrics and was not in the least fazed by the dubious honour of opening the main Jabberwocky stage, even managing to engage the small afternoon audience in some lyrical participation.

Next on the main stage were Garden of Elks, a wonderful 3 piece from Glasgow who really stepped up the tempo with their brand of indie/pop and offset conflicting harmonies.  By this stage the sun began to make and appearance and I was settling into my new surroundings just fine.

In the Baino stage, The Skarsoles were pumping out their very own mix of ska and balloon modelling, yes you read that correctly, balloon modelling.  A talent which is not only unique, but one which went down well with one young chap who wielded a balloon sword for the duration of the gig.

Back to the Main Stage to catch We Are The Physics.  And very glad I was too that I did.  Announcing in advance that they would like to “apologise for the racket” and that they were “so sorry”, they then produced a magical pop set which reminded me of a Devo for the modern age.  Brilliant pop/punk mixed with great chat, energy and at times hilarious lyrics blended into songs which so gloriously de-constructed themselves, the band went on to announce that the Beatles were the third best band.  Then they burst into Goran Ivanisovitch. Lovely stuff!

During the course of the day, I managed to flit between stages trying to take in as much as I could and managed to catch some of No Island, Man Get Out and Haight Ashbury before settling myself down to catch the four big fish I had been waiting for: Rick Redbeard, Meursault, PAWS and Miaoux Miaoux.

Rick Redbeard, returning to DTRH this year but without the rest of The Phantom Band which he fronts as his day job, opened his set to an almost empty Baino stage.  The notes rang out from his guitar finger-picking around the grassy spaces and within seconds the tent had filled up.  Rick proceeded to enthral us with his beautifully crafted tunes and lyrics from his 2013 album No Selfish Heart – a stick on contender for album of the year.  With tunes like Old Blue and Any Way I Can, this was by far the best of the festival so far. Excellent stuff.

Meursault, in the meantime began their set at the Jabberwocky tent, so a quick shift across the field was required, stopping only to pick up a beer from the beer tent.  It has been some time since I last saw Meursault – a Jonnie Commons gig at the old Captains Rest when the Deskjob album was released - and much water has passed under the bridge as they say.  Now quite comfortably steeping up to the festival mark and out of the dank cellar venues, Meursault performed a stellar set with Lament for a Teenage Millionaire a stand out, received and responded to by the adoring audience.

PAWS. What can you say about a PAWS set?  It rocked and bucked and threatened to obliterate all that encroached upon it.  A fabulous riot of a sound which complimented the ensuing darkness outside.  With critical acclaim received around the release of their 2012 album Cokefloat, PAWS are undoubtedly a band on a mission and with the creativity and kick ass attitude to execute said mission with some aplomb.  A raucous set which was topped with a fabulous rendition of Meursault's William Henry Miller, PAWS are now a 'must see' on any gig list.  A quick chat with Phillip after the gig revealed that he was waiting for a lift from Rick Redbeard to head straight to the airport, Stuttgart the destination, for some gigs.  I’m sure it went well.

Miauox Miaoux closed the day on the main stage and by this time the excitement of the day and the far too close proximity of bar to stage, was taking its toll on me.  A more perfect end to a festival day you could not wish for.  Julian Corrie was in the company of a festival crowd who were ready to dance and sing their socks off.  And they did.  An utterly stunning set, culminating in the mesmeric Hey Sound, the crowd begged for more before the sound dispersed and the troglodyte retiral to the canvas cave beckoned.  It did for me.  Arlene, Louie and I headed to the tent.  My first festival day over, and another two to go.  It was going to be a long and wonderful weekend!


Saturday

As I said before, Peter joined me on Saturday.  Highlights of Saturday for me were Panda Su and John Knox Sex Club.  I was gutted to have missed Beerjacket, Washington Irving, and Shambles Miller.  Some due to conflicting time slots, some due to a simple inability due to indulgence.

Taking the stage on the Fruitstand tent early on Saturday, Hailey Beavis played a lovely set with an intriguing mix of melodies juxtaposed by lyrics which have a weighty harder edge.  An artist who has evolved into a talented singer songwriter, Norwich born but Edinburgh based, Hailey is going into the studio to record her first full length album which she hopes to have out around Christmas, one to look forward to and definitely an artist for the future.

What can be said about Colonel Mustard and the Dijon Five?  They just might be the perfect small festival Saturday night band!  This lot would not have been out of place on the main stage but only once all of the kids are safely tucked up in bed.  Their blend of crowd pleasing comedy lyrics with music played with genuine talent had the Baino tent audience bouncing and crowd surfing.  Songs like Ginger Girl and How Many Manys Are Too Many Manys, were belted out by their uber confident front man who, whilst wearing half a disco ball as a hat, had the revellers clasped firmly in his grip as he worked them up into a frenzy.  Ok they are never going to win the Mercury music prize but would I book them for a festival?  Absolutely!

One of the highlights of the weekend as already mentioned, were John Knox Sex Club who played a storming set in the Baino tent.  Their songs have beautiful folk music structures twisted to give them a contemporary edge that layers complex melodies driven hard by angst ridden lyrics.  This was the first time I had seen them and I was blown away!  Their singer is the perfect front man who fires out his lyrics with feeling and paints pictures of anger and bitterness whilst engaging the crowd and giving out hugs. I urge to check out their album Raise Ravens and lose yourself in folky perfection.


Sunday

Given a mid afternoon main stage slot on Sunday, Jo Mango played a beautifully compelling set which highlighted her wonderful voice and perfectly crafted songs. The Doune The Rabbit Hole setting was perfect for Jo who treated an adoring crowd to tracks from her recent Murmarations album with The Black Sun, a personal highlight.  If anything her set could only be improved by moving it into the more serene and atmospheric marquee of the Baino tent where her voice would have carried wonderfully!

Up and coming songbird Soibhan Wilson was showcased in the Fruitstand and Takeover tent on early Sunday evening.  Although perhaps not yet a house hold name it is surely only a matter of time before more punters are flocking to watch her shows.  Cutting a diminutive figure alone on stage with her electric guitar Siobhan‘s breathy voice complemented her songs which have undertones of jazz and country and western with All Dressed Up highlighting this perfectly.  Unperturbed by a short power cut Siobhan picked up her acoustic guitar and walked amongst an attentive audience treating them to a fantastic rendition of Bet Orton’s If I’d Never Seen The Sunshine.  A lovely moment from a lovely singer.

There is not a lot that can be said about Rachel Sermanni that hasn’t been said already.  This folk stalwart from Carrbridge in the Highlands is flying high at the moment on the back of her debut album Under Mountains, and her non-stop touring schedule.  Her strangely situated set in the Fruitstand and Takeover tent (surely a main stage act!) was the highlight of my festival and well worth waiting until Sunday night for.  A hugely engaging talent she conversed with the audience and was happy to play tracks requested of her (she played Eggshells for me!)  Lyrically her songs are a joy and her voice is beautiful.

And with that my weekend was done.  Doune The Rabbit Hole was my first weekend festival, needless to say, it has been my best.  And I will go back! 

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 5th June 2013

 

It's warm, it's sunny, Scotland don't quite suck as much as football as they did two days ago, and there's a whole heap of music packed into the latest episode of Scottish Fiction.  Oh and there's loads of tadpoles too, but that's completely unrelated to anything else.

Contained in this two hours is a Re-Mixing It Up track from Giant Fang and Prides, a Cover Lover track from Rachel Sermanni, new music from Lovers Turn To Monsters, Birdhead, Quickbeam, Galleries, Primal Scream and many more.  There's also a short documentary looking at the future of record shops.  Enjoy!


Primal Scream - Invisible City
Capitals - Sinking Ships
Book Group - BOP
eagleowl - eagleowl vs. woodpigeon

Cover Lover - Rachel Sermanni - Ae Fond Kiss

Lloyd James Fay - From The Eyewall
Frightened Rabbit & Manchester Orchestra - Architect
Sparrow And The Workshop - Valley Of Death
Birdhead - Time Lag Accumulator
Safe Houses - Phyrrhic

Tweet-a-track - Le Thug - Swam - As chosen by @dodpod24

Sean Armstrong - Midnight

Documentary - Broken Records: Have Record Stores Had Their Day?

Lovers Turn To Monsters - Skeletor
Quickbeam - Mountains
Scarlet Shift - Clouds
Human Pyramids - Relapse

Re-Mixing It Up - Giant Fang - Aqualung (Prides Remix)

How To Swim - Midnight Steak

Galleries - Great Comets (of 1910)

Halfrican - Guillotine

Subscribe/listen to the podcast via iTunes.

Scottish Fiction - 5th June 2013 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 15th May 2013

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

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


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

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

Can - Vitamin C - As chosen by King Post Kitsch

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

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

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

Rachel Sermanni - The Fog

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

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

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

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


Subscribe/listen to the podcast via iTunes.

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

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 23rd January 2013

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!

You can check out the full 40 tracks on our YouTube playlist.

Remember to vote for your top 15 tracks (and your own choice) in our poll!


Frightened Rabbit - The Modern Leper
Aztec Camera - We Could Send Letters
Lulu - The Man Who Sold The World
Rachel Sermanni - Waltz
Justin Currie - If I Ever Loved You
Bert Jansch - Angie
Danny Wilson - Aberdeen
Rod Stewart & The Faces - Bring It On Home To Me / You Send Me
Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat - The Greatest Story Ever Told
Admiral Fallow - Dead Against Smoking
Amplifico - The Comedy Stops Here
The Phantom Band - Folk Song Oblivion
Idlewild - In Remote Part (Scottish Fiction)
Proclaimers - Letter From America
Belle & Sebastian - The Boy With The Arab Strap
Biffy Clyro - Many Of Horror

Subscribe/listen to the podcast via iTunes.

Scottish Fiction - 23rd January 2013 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 26th December 2012

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!


French Wives - Younger
Cancel The Astronauts - Making Dynamite
Lightships - Sweetness In Her Spark
Olympic Swimmers - Knots
Gav Prentice - How Are You Sleeping?
The Unwinding Hours - Wayward
Meursault - Lament For A Teenage Millionaire
Jo Mango - The Black Sun
The State Broadcasters - The Only Way Home
Human Don't Be Angry - The Missing Plutonium
The Yawns - Summer's Wasted
Admiral Fallow - The Paper Trench
Errors - Earthscore
Miaoux Miaoux - Hey Sound!
The Twilight Sad - Alphabet
Rachel Sermanni - The Fog
Stanley Odd - Antiheroics
RM Hubbert feat. Aidan Moffat & Alex Kapranos - Car Song
Django Django - Default
PAWS - Sore Tummy

Subscribe/listen to the podcast via iTunes.

Scottish Fiction - 26th December 2012 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

Best Albums Of 2012 - 10 - 1

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!

10. The Yawns - The Yawns

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.

(Buy the album here)


9. Admiral Fallow - Tree Bursts In Snow

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.

(Buy the album here)

8. Errors - Have Some Faith In Magic

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'.

(Buy the album here)

7. Miaoux Miaoux - Light Of The North

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.

(Buy the album here)

6. The Twilight Sad - No One Can Ever Know

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.

(Buy the album here)

5. Rachel Sermanni - Under Mountains

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'.

(Buy the album here)

4. Stanley Odd - Reject

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.

(Buy the album here)



3.RM Hubbert - Thirteen Lost & Found

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'.

(Buy the album here)

2. Django Django - Django Django

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. 

(Buy the album here)

1. PAWS - Cokefloat!

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! 

(Buy the album here)

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 7th November 2012

The latest Scottish Fiction podcast, which aired on Pulse Community Radio on 7th November 2012, features an orgy of great new Scottish music.  There's a first play of a track from Queen Jane's new EP, Trapped In Kansas, Magic Daddy and CHVRCHES.  Boo-yah!

On top of that our Featured Artist is cult heroes The Vaselines, there's a track from Kid Canaveral's debut album 'Shouting At Wildlife' which features as our Classic Scottish Album.  Our Re-Mixing It Up track is a smoking Discopolis remix of 'The Fog' by Rachel Sermanni and our Aye Tunes Friday Freebie track comes from The Douglas Firs.  Enjoy!


PAWS - Bird Inside Birdcage, Ribcage Inside Bird
Loch Awe - I Will Drift Into 10,000 Streams
Jamie Flett - Just Goes To Show
Queen Jane - Romance

Rachel Sermanni - The Fog (Discopolis Remix) - Re-Mixing It Up

Gareth Dickson - Adrenalin
Jo Mango - The Moth And The Moon
Admiral Fallow - Isn't This World Enough??

ILCMF (The Douglas Firs) - statues - Aye Tunes Friday Freebie

Michael Cassidy - Guy Fawkes
Randolph's Leap - Hermit
Trapped In Kansas - Only Child
St Deluxe - Evil Dead

Kid Canaveral - And Another Thing!! - Shouting At Wildlife - Classic Scottish Album

The Mirror Trap - Future Lionheart
Black Balloons - Rascal
Verse Metrics - Burn Twice As Bright
Magic Daddy - Space Rays

Featured Artist
The Vaselines - Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam
The Vaselines - Teenage Superstars
The Vaselines - Son Of A Gun

Young Philadelphia - Not Even God Knows What You're Doing
CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share

Scottish Fiction - 7th November 2012 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

Gig Review - Rachel Sermanni @ The Arches

Deary me, haven't done one of these for a while.  Not that I've been avoiding gigs, simply avoiding reviewing them.  Yet on Friday I made the decision to forgo the Wales vs. Scotland game (a wise choice in hindsight) and plod done to The Arches for a smorgasbord of singer-songwriter talent.

Opening support act Michael Cassidy, is no stranger to the Scottish Fiction blog and we even had him playing for us before.  Things are really shaping up for the Gerry Rafferty Song-writing Prize winner, with his single Battleships dropping on 22nd October, and a début album 'My Electric Heart' is forthcoming in the new year.  I've already had the pleasure of seeing Michael play arguably his biggest Scottish date supporting Frightened Rabbit at UWS Union, but for tonight's set he's back to a solo set.  I must admit, I much prefer a stripped back solo performance (although some songs did gain a certain oompf with the backing of the band), and was glad to see Michael on top form tonight.  A booming friendly voice echoed across the empty floor, but after the intro to second track 'Everybody's Scared' began, the crowd edged forward and closer to the stage.  Like candy from a baby, it's hard to resist the mesmerising draw of the song.  Michael's legendary on stage banter was present and correct, and helped create a warm and friendly atmosphere whilst he played familiar tracks such as 'Dancing At The Devil's Door', the above mentioned 'Battleships' and the track that won him the Gerry Rafferty accolade 'The Men Who Stood Beside Me In The War' a mellow and introspective song.  There's also room for a new track, 'No One Else's Mine', which sounds a little more alt-country influenced.  Closing off his set, is foot stomper '15 Years', which if you fancy a bargain you can find for free on our very first Scottish Fiction EP right here.  And you should also pick up his self titled EP as well.

Who ever booked the support for this gig deserved a firm pat on the back, as following Michael Cassidy is the charming and extremely talented Beerjacket.  Last album 'The White Feather Trail' still remains a favourite from 2011, and he's been teasing us with mentions of new material on Facebook and Twitter.  'Eggshells', the Beerjacket song not Rachel Sermanni's track, showcases exactly why so many have made the effort to be here early.  There's a nice contrast between Beerjacket's voice and earlier support act Michael Cassidy's, with Beerjacket having softer vocals.  After next track 'The Bar That Never Closes', it becomes apparent that many of Beerjacket's students (he's an English teacher by day) have made the journey down tonight, as he jokes with the crowd about marking papers.  Much of the material on show tonight comes from the above mentioned album, yet there's room for new song 'Antlers', which after a much delayed start Beerjacket invites us to rate.  It's an excellent song, showing musical progression and also the same wordsmanship that has served Beerjacket well.  9/10.  Closing the set are crowd favourite 'Cave', which draws cheers and ukele driven 'Poor Captain Of The Soul'.  Head over to Beerjacket's Bandcamp page and pick up a copy of latest album 'The White Feather Trail'.

I've said before on many occasions just how talented I think Rachel Sermanni is, and don't want to spend too much treading over the same water.  All I will say is that Friday night for me was an affirmation of that opinion, and a truly, truly wonderful performance.

Beginning with 'Ever Since The Chocolate', Rachel stood solo, back lit by a single light, the atmosphere silent whilst her gentle voice pierced through.  Last time I saw Rachel was with the backing of her band, yet sans the backing of strings and percussion her voice is the sole focus of the crowds attention.  'Breathe Easy' is simply stunning as 'Waltz'.  The success of her 'Black Currents' EP and now début album 'Under Mountains', both of which were being eagerly snapped up by new fans from the merch stall, provided a cushion of confidence as Rachel conversed with the crowd and also opened up about the origins of several songs in the set.  We found out that 'Sleep' is a rather bitter song, whilst 'Marshmallow Unicorn' was named such by a drunken Irishman.

The set consisted almost exclusively of tracks from the 'Under Mountains' album, with the sole intruder being 'The Burger Van Song' a jaunty, more upbeat number about the perils of working in the burger van.  As the trains rumble overhead, and the moving lights pierce the silence, I find myself in awe at the spell which Rachel seems to have cast over the receptive crowd, each face intently looking, each set of ears hooked on the bewitching range of Rachel's vocals.  The whole experience was quite other worldly.

Rachel closed her set and the evening in rather fine style, with a trio of the eerie sounding 'The Fog', 'Song To A Fox' sang completely acoustic and recent single 'Eggshells' rounding off a wonderful evening spent in the company of some of Scotland's finest.

Grab yourself a copy of Rachel Sermanni's début album 'Under Mountains' here and enjoy 'Waltz' below.

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 10th October 2012

That cuddly gentleman above is Boris The Bear.  The guy holding him was our latest guest on Scottish Fiction, Ewan Grant a.k.a. Algernon Doll.  Ewan joined us for a chat about his music, his lyrics and songwriting, and his forthcoming vinyl release of 'Camomile'.  He also treated us to three live tracks, and song top notch song selections.

As well as that we also had the Aye Tunes Friday Freebie track which this week came from Trapped Mice, our Featured Artist was The Beta Band, and we had new music from PAWS, Fat Goth and Bellow Below.  Listen again and join the fun!


We Are The Physics - Napoleon Loves Josephine
Bellow Below - Southern Opal
Rachel Sermanni - Waltz

Featured Artist
The Beta Band - The Beta Band Rap
The Beta Band - Assessment

Campfires In Winter - Outside
Toy Machene - Momentum
Fat Goth - Debbie's Dirty Harry
The Spook School - Here We Go
PAWS - Catherine 1956

Aye Tunes Friday Freebie - Trapped Mice - Mona Lisa

The State Broadcasts - Takeshi (Live in Pulse FM Studio)

The Twilight Sad - The Room - As chosen by Algernon Doll

Algernon Doll - Son Of A Gun, Brother To None (Live in Pulse FM Studio)

Kaddish - The Great Apart

Algernon Doll - Feather To A Fall (Live in Pulse FM Studio)

Arab Strab - I Would've Liked Me A Lot Last Night

Algernon Doll - Cut-throat Kid (Live in Pulse FM Studio)

Scottish Fiction - 10th October 2012 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 19th September 2012

On this show we were joined by Lloyd Meredith and Halina Rifai of Glasgow DIY label Olive Grove Records.  Lloyd and Halina were in good spirits and chatted about the label, their ethos, their rooster and Scottish music in general.  They picked some new exclusive tracks to play as well!

In the second half of the show we had music from the likes of Stanley Odd, Cancel The Astronauts, Rachel Sermanni and French Wives.  As always, check out the full playlist below and listen to the show again!


Jo Mango - Evermore - Chosen by Halina
Randolph's Leap - Weatherman - Chosen by Lloyd
Finn LeMarinel - Wrung - Chosen by Halina
Herman Dune - I Wish That I Could See You Soon - Chosen by Lloyd
Pensioner - Massive Ferguson - Chosen by Halina
The State Broadcasters - Tresspassers - Chosen by Lloyd

Stanley Odd - Marriage Counselling
Rachel Sermanni - Sea, Oh See
French Wives - Halloween
Cancel The Astronauts - Catch You If I Can
The Leg - Eagle To Saturn
Young Philadelphia - Federales
The Tide Inside - Melt Me
Olympic Swimmers - Where It Snows (Miaoux Miaoux Remix)
Bellow Below - Prins Olav
Katerwaul - February - Aye Tunes Friday Freebie

Scottish Fiction - 17th September 2012 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

We're Only Here For The Banter - Rachel Sermanni

It's no secret that I am a big fan of Rachel Sermanni.  Since first hearing her support Admiral Fallow back in 2010 as a timid songstress, I've been encapsulated by her voice and songs.  Last year I tipped her as an act to watch out for in 2012, and her debut EP 'Black Currents' which was released earlier this year did nothing to sway me from the opinion that she will become a bigger artist this year.  With an album, 'Under Mountains',  being released in the second half of 2012, we posed Rachel our usual questions.  Have a read below.

Hello, how are you?

Fine. Thank you.

It's the question everyone hates, but could you tell us a little bit about your music and your influences?

It is a difficult question to answer.  My music won't necessarily reflect my influences... but hey-ho.   I was brought up in the highlands of Scotland so partook in the feis (traditional music residentials) and joined a ceilidh trailing band in my senior school years.  I began writing and performing my stuff in secondary school but, when it comes to influences, I can only remember trying to keep up with whatever was cool on the radio.  I had musical friends who were always stretching their ears and listening to people who I didn't get moved by until much later on.  The boys in my class always encouraged me to listen to people like Bright Eyes, Sufjan Stevens and King Creosote.  I once tried to sit through a whole Bjork song.  But I couldn't.  I was inspired by their independent thinking but wasn't ready for their music, perhaps.  Only after leaving school did I find a resonance with these goodies and many more.  I wasn't moved by much other than the stuff you can move to... ken.  After school I was dropped into a big musical mixing pot and discovered a liking for all things a little darker.  I read more.  I would now state I get as much for my writing from words and poets and writers as music and musicians.  I keep discovering more people to be inspired by and more to be scared and challenged by.  I have a lot to learn.

What's your song writing process like?

I used to write late into the night in the safety of my bedroom; songs developed quickly.  Nowadays, nights are spent singing in places other than my bedroom, entertaining people.  I have to keep my imagination and fingers playing and I have to retain that sense of security wherever I go.  I carry many notebooks, sketchbooks, novels, stories and poetry books in my bag.  Musical ideas are becoming tricky to manifest.  Even when you're in a hotel room on your own, you're still aware the walls are thin and someone might be trying to sleep.  I think the process boils down to accumulating words and images, chords and structures and then developing an idea that feels like something truthful and present in me.  Then you have to find a space to finish it all off.  It takes time.

What could we expect to see from a live show?

I sing and play the guitar.  If it's quiet then you're in for more of a treat as I think I work better in those environments... although I do like a challenge.  You can expect me to say a couple ambiguous things that I didn't mean to offend by, and you can expect some silence in between songs as I like silences and settling into them.

If it were all to end tomorrow, what would you say has been your greatest achievement?

I am very proud of how things have gone.  I am very much in love with the friends I have met through all that has been.  One of my most favourite things was one of the first ever recordings that I did which was with my newly found friends in a bothy in a forest.  We called the unofficial EP 'The Bothy Sessions' and it renewed me in many ways.  It was all completely live, everything was imperfect and spontaneous and the night roared on with bagpipes and whisky and charcoal on faces and sunrise when the recording apparatus was finally switched off.  I have been so pleased with all the releases.  They have been a wonderful way to mark the progress.

What have you got planned for the second half of 2012?

This is the year of the debut album, 'Under Mountains'.  It will be released after the summer and will entail a large tour of both the UK and Europe.  I'll be touring solo for a good amount of it but sometimes will be joined by my good friends (I prefer to call them sisters) Laura Wilkie, Siobhan and Louise Bichan on the fiddles and Jennifer Austin on the piano.  It will be mad.  I am very excited.

At Scottish Fiction we focus on new Scottish music, how do you as an artist view the Scottish music 'community'?

It is thriving and seems to get larger and more colourful with each year.  Everyone knows everyone.  Everyone helps everyone.  We are very well supported in many ways.  Got some great festivals, got a lot of focus from blogs like Scottish Fiction that keep us present online.  I feel a sense of pride when I read of fellow Scots when we're looking through festival booklets.

What other Scottish artists would you recommend to the Scottish Fiction readers?

Admiral Fallow, Miss Irenie Rose, Eugene Twist, Red Kites, Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher.

Thanks for speaking with us, would you care to share a joke with us?

Pressure. ... No I can't think of one!


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