Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years! After another extended break over August, it's back to business here on Scottish Fiction with an almighty alignment of the best new music from Scotland and outstanding guests.
In session and playing some brand new tracks is Steven Milne from Aberdeen four piece The Little Kicks, and also joining me on the show is the esteemed Nicola Meighan who helps me review six hot new jams on the Scottish Fiction Roundtable. It's all popping off.
It's our final day taking over Scottish Fiction. A big thank you to Neil for putting up with us and for asking us in the first place. For our last post, before the blog can finally resume normal service, Nye has written about starting testosterone treatment. We're super excited for Nye and super excited for the future. We hope you're super excited too!
Lots of love,
The Spook School
xxx
One Big Spooky Family
Hello,
I'm not going to lie and say that it's always been my dream
to be in a band. That wouldn't be true. Being in a band was never even
plausible enough to be a dream when I was a teenager. That was for sexy magical
demi-gods like Marc Bolan and David Bowie. Not for anyone like me. But hey,
here I am. And over the years this has become my dream. Being in The Spook
School is genuinely the best part of my life. The thing that I'm most proud of.
The place where I feel that I can put all of my energy and emotions into the
care of these three other brilliant people and we can create songs that maybe
might just mean something.
It's not always been my dream to be transgender either. Got
to admit, when I figured out that it explained all the feelings that had been
milling around for years and years (sometimes surfacing through songs), I
wasn't too happy about it. And when The Spook School started up, and I
initially seemed to be 'the singer', I was terrified that this fantastic new
thing in my life was dependent on me keeping as I was. Keeping me tied to a
voice, an identity that I couldn't connect with. But that's the wrong way to
look at it. If I wasn't transgender, I would never have written 80% of the
songs I have (even my strange obsession with Buster Keaton has a lot to do with
being trans, but that's a story for another day). And they're my contribution to
the band. They are what I bring to the whole affair. And they're what I'm proud
of.
If I wasn't trans, if I was able to recognise myself as the
binary gender that was assigned to me at birth, I'd never have heard a crowd of
lovely, brilliant people yelling 'I am bigger than a hexadecimal' back at me at
the top of their lungs. If I wasn't trans, I might have been in a band, it
might even have been called The Spook School, but it wouldn't have been the
same. I wouldn't be the same. I have no idea if I'd even like the person that I
would have been had I been born a cis male (FYI: cis = not trans).
So yeah, I suppose this is a long winded way of saying that
I started testosterone a week ago. It’s my long-winded way of saying that I’m a
bit worried about losing my voice, but more excited about being recognised as
myself. This is a long winded way of saying that I love this band, and I think
that I'll only continue to be more proud of what we manage to accomplish.
I’m super excited about what the next months, and years,
have in store for me, and optimistic in a way I’ve never really been before. I
have dreams of listening to our next album and going “Hey, that’s me!” rather
than “Who’s that girl singing all my lyrics?” - and that will be the happiest
day. Also, dreams about the day when I can cover all the Lou Reed songs.
Because obviously that’s the most important thing.
It’s Day 5 of The Spook School Takeover and it’s time to
learn a little bit more about how some bands we like in Scotland decided to
name themselves. It is important to note that Scotland’s only Independent-Muso-Historiographer-In-Chief
Niall McCamley can only tell the truth. We certainly trust him and you should
too.
Withered Hand: The musical project of the man previously
known as Dannnnnnnnn Willllllson. After trying and failing to buy a name badge
that would fit over a single breast Dannnnnnn hired a management consultancy
company who brainstormed a number of names. The winning title, Withered Hand,
came about when the company’s stenographer lost a hand after being forced to
write out Dannnnnnnnnn Willllllllson too many times. His personal name was also
changed by deed poll to protect stenographers everywhere to Dan Willson. Many
people in the stenographer community still maintain this name is still too long
but Dan has decided to cease using their services and instead uses his memory
to remember things now.
Why is my name so looooong!!?!?
Honeyblood: After developing a taste for sweet nectar
straight from the plant this Scottish duo sought to eliminate any competition.
As such they actually devour bees that encroach on their turf. They have
actually eaten so many bees rumour has it that their blood has turned into
honey. Known to the local police as Stina ‘Sting Ya and Eat Ya’ Blood and Shona
‘Honey I Blew Up a Colony of Bee’s’ Blood it appears their reign of honey
related terror will be never ending.
The Honeyblood Mausoleum
Randolph’s Leap: The band’s name was originally the title of
a concept album. It was to be about a little known Scottish triple jumper
called Randolph MacLeod and his tragic final jump at the Olympic Qualifiers where
he managed to come joint last with Eric the Eel. The level of tragedy was
increased however when it was realised that Eric the Eel was in fact an eel and
not the heartwarming amateur swimming athlete of the same name. Randolf then
jumped on the eel leading to the International Olympic Community to decree the
day Eel Day, the colloquial equivalent in Leith is The Day of Randolph’s Leap
Where He Killed That Poor Eel. What a dick.
Adam Ross
Kid Canaveral: Their first choice name was actually Jodie’s
Kidd’s Carnival but this idea was scuppered when discovered it had already been
taken by a show on ITV2 +1. It was never actually broadcast on ITV2, just
ITV2+1 in order to give the impression that they had a full and varied schedule
but in doing so made the +1 element redundant and a lie. In the end the name
they went for came from the band’s secret desire to send a baby goat into
space. They still harbour this dream and every year petition NASA to open their
programme to goats. They also throw goats in the air after they drink too much
Buckfast.
The Kid Canaveral Dream
Tuff Love: They were originally called Ruff Love in homage
to their love of dogs. There is in fact bootleg footage of the band trying to
enter Johnny ‘Pictish Trail, Mr Lost Map’ Lynch’s beard into Scottish Crufts.
The video shows the trio being thwarted in the final round when Mr Lynch’s
beard shat itself in front of the judges. If you watch the video below you will see the King of the Lost Map Empire's beard complete lose itself. Poooooooooo.
Belle and Sebastian: Their first name was the ultra cool Belle
and the Sebastians, inspired by the famous Scottish love story about a crate of
Jamaican lobsters and a French door ringer. Unfortunately focus groups didn’t
like the lobster heavy references and Stuart Murdoch was forced to plump for a
French book instead.
Stuart Murdoch
The Pastels: Originally The Fruit Pastels but they were
quickly sued. They tried a lot of names including Opal Fruits, Starburst,
Pastel Parcel, Pastel/Future Heaven (PAST HELL FUTURE HEAVEN hahahahaha!). They
are now happily called The Pastels and unhappily mocked by fruit flavoured sweets
bearing their old names.
The Pastel's first ever publicity shot
Glasvegas: They worship a glass sculpture of Johnny Vegas.
That is all.
It's Day 4 of this travesty of a takeover from us, The Spook School. Neil is beginning to struggle in the basement, he's currently composing emails to S Club 8 to invite them in for an acoustic session. Last night I heard him shout, "they're the new Frightened Rabbit!" The world has long wondered...who is that jumping with a guitar over there? The answer, of course, is Adam 'The Body' Toddy. He has travelled the world (as far as Leith say the legends) leaping, apparently aimlessly, whilst throttling an electronic guitar instrument. He has found himself often used as a political football (it's slightly bigger than a regulation football so it shows up better at photo-shoots). David 'Just call me Dave' Cameron once remarked 'Jumping is for losers'. The Liberal Democrats asked him to replace Nick 'I Promise I'll Jump, No Wait, I Can't Jump' Clegg. And the Labour Party offered him an owl. We caught up with him at you, the Internet's, behest. We grabbed him, tied him to a chair and said, 'stop jumping for five seconds and let us ask you some questions' and 'can you cook us some vegan curry?' and ''what do you mean you can't cook tied to a chair?' How tall are you?Round about the same height as the average Argentinian female.
He went and jumped his shoes right off!
How tall are you when you jump?Round about the same height as the average Argentinian male.
Adam jumping at the bright lights.
How many times have you jumped in your career?Six-hundred and sixty five. On my next jump the devil will be summoned and I will harness the power of all evil.
Adam jumping in what appears to be a cinema
Do you remember your first jump?No. That's a silly question. Nobody remembers their first jump.
From Adam's first jump. You can tell it was a long time ago because it's black and white.
What do your jumps stand for politically?My jumps don't stand. They jump. They jump for the release of Pussy Riot (I know that's already happened but they just can't stop).
F**k you gravity!!!
What do your jumps stand for musically?Shambollic non-musicianship.
I've jumped my guitar into my face!
What do your jumps stand for economically?100% tax for the super-wealthy and anyone who has ever thought "Oh, that David Cameron has a pretty face." Even just for one nano-second. Tax them all.
Perfection. Simply perfection.
Is it true you can't hold a guitar if you are seated?Yes. I'm allergic.
Adam practicing his jumping face
What does the future hold for our dear, dear Adam? Is it yet more jumping? A medical diagnosis of jumpaphilia? A prime-time Channel 5 Special called "The Guitarist Who Jump-Started A Revolution...And Then His Face Exploded!!!"? We can only pray... and think rationally, scientifically and logically. Is there a moral to Adam's story I hear you ask? Not really, no. But if I had to come up with one I would say the moral was, 'use jumpers for goalposts, use jump leads for dead car batteries and never watch 22 Jump Street. It's not really about jumping and it's adverts are misleading.' Adam 'The Body' Toddy was talking exclusively to hard-hitting journalist and drummer (HAHAHAHAHA I wish I could make sweet, sweet love to the clever person who came up with that!) Niall 'Hot Knees' McCamley. They are currently planning to visit local schools to highlight the pros and cons of jumping in public. Their talk is called "The Boy Who Jumped At The Sun And Got Mild Sunburn As A Result. An Entertaining Audio-Visual Warning About Jumping in Public".
Niall has a wee band crush on Makthaverskan from Sweden. In his efforts to seduce his Swedish muses he has written them a delightfully forward love letter. We all hope Niall finally finds true love this time. How could they possibly resist?
Dear Maja, Irma, Andreas, Gustav and Hugo,
Låt oss gifta!
My name is Niall. And I want to marry you. All of you. My flat only has one bedroom but I feel when you move in with me it will be a great way to get to know each other. We can all sleep on my foldout sofa bed. We could be a giant cutlery drawer except only containing spoons! I know Sweden can get very cold so I have already installed a snow machine in my bed to make sure you don’t get homesick. You may, however, simply get sick as it’s very difficult to sleep in snow without getting a cold. I also have a garden which is great for frolicking in where we could sit and chat and then when we're bored of talking we could also drink lots of Schnapps and just gaze into each other's eyes.
When I heard you had a song called ANTABUS I, of course, had visions of a traditional Swedish pop song about public transport for ants. And in my head forever it will be about those strong, strong insects of love. I dream about them when I’m ASLEEP. When you sleep is it me your dreaming of? Or at the very least having nightmares about? If you were to refuse my offer of marriage I would feel like I was SLOWLY SINKING. With me it’s never too much to ask for SOMETHING MORE. I don’t where you guys are tonight but I’d love you to move into my flat. You will always OUTSHINE me, you can always talk to me when your heart is broken. We could go percussion crazy and live in DRÖMLAND. Feel free to show me NO MERCY [as a brief serious aside, ‘Fuck you for fucking me when I was 17’. What lyrics!!!]. I’ll travel any DISTANCE or at least get public transport to a reasonably close airport to pick you up and move you into my cosy den of debauchery. Sorry if I’ve been too VOLGA.
We could grab Fika on the weekend. Talk about how dreamy Henrik Larsson is. You could teach me naughty Swedish words and I could put the immersion on so we could shower together keeping us all both clean and dirty at the same time. I could teach you how to juggle and you could teach me how to love.
på fullt allvar att du är alla fantastiska och jag älskar er alla,
Lots of love,
Niall
xxx
Look at what you're missing Makthaverskan!
Tomorrow we have an interview with The Spook School's very own high jump champion Adam 'The Body' Toddy. Unmissable for fans of leaping and pouncing!
Baltimore will always hold the romance of night swimming.
Not the romance conveyed by Michael Stipes, oh no, this is the more realistic
romance of hangovers and hypothermia. Holding on to the romance that is the
seductively illicit feel of slipping silently (very loudly in hindsight, but we
had been drinking to be fair) through a fence to sneak into an outdoor pool,
the feel of icy cold water ripping away the groggy veil of ‘Natty Bo’s’ induced
inebriation to reveal a nude sobriety in the early hours. Memories of Adam walking
barefoot through a debris strewn side street before being impaled on some
American splintered sliver. Knowing as Adam limped towards JFK airport that he
would always have a little piece of America with him (unless he visited a free
medical professional on the NHS).
Official Natty Bo Spokesman
There are some many special and absurd memories of our
American dalliance. A brief highlight reel would have to include sharing Korean
food and karaoke with the legends that are Expert Alterations. Rocking out in a
straight edge venue in Pittsburgh. Standing next to the Rocky statue in
Philadelphia whilst a man in a hat claimed he was Sylvester Stallone (he was
just a man in a hat!). Niall being offered free knee surgery for his ‘hot knee’
in New York. Singing along to Taylor Swift in the van. Eating vegan Philly
Cheese Steak. Playing an awesome show that seemed to be run by a very confident
11 year-old in Philly. International van quizzes between Heathers and the
Spooks. Being trounced at foosball (a lot). Attempting to complete drunken
jigsaws in Burlington. Stage invasions and minor stage destruction at New York
Popfest. The complete absurdity that someone was letting The Spooks do any of
this in America.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
What is a ruta-bagel? I’m so glad you asked! On arriving in
America we swiftly learned that it was a world that is both similar yet
different to our own. The humble and beautiful turnip was not labelled as such.
In America they had the ‘rutabaga’. Yes, I agree with you dear reader, it is a
deliciously silly name and much fun to pronounce. The classic American nursery
rhyme ‘who left a rutabaga in my Winnebago?’ was a classic staple for the road
trip. In another coincidence we noticed the immense popularity of the Bagel in
American culture (what we call in Europe a savoury donut). It seemed only right
that these two icons of Americana would come together to create something Uncle
Sam could truly be proud of. Step 1: Pick your turnip. Step 2: Drill a hole through
the middle. Step 3: Claim to be the inventor of the ‘Ruta-Bagel’. Fourth step,
bask in the adoration of the public and wait for Wal-Mart to buy your idea.
Soooo expensive!
What can we expect tomorrow I hear you cry?!?!?! Well, how
about a love letter from Niall to one of our new favourite bands. They are from
Sweden and they make us cry with joy.
This is the voice of The Spook School! Scottish Fiction you
are our prisoner for the next week!
We always have an incredibly soft spot in our hearts for
Neil and the blog. We even played one of our very first shows for him in
Glasgow!
Looking like the children we truly are.
That’s why it’s all the more awkward that we tied him
up in our Spooky HQ with nothing to do except re-watch Smash Hits interviews
with S Club Juniors.
For the next week we will be doing what we want on the blog.
Expect narcissism, self-portraits, self-interviews, selfies, self-flagellation,
self-discovery and, most likely, self-destruction.
Let’s start as we mean to continue. DOGGING.
We have recently returned from playing some shows in the
United States of that there America.
New York Stage Invasion [Photo by SoundBitesNYC]
As with
any foreign excursion there is always the risk of miscommunication. For us this
happened in Burlington, Vermont. As Niall, our slightly debauched drummer,
asked the audience if they wanted to go dogging with him in the ‘parking lot’
after the show (a perfectly reasonable request I'm sure you'll agree) he got a strange response.
"What’s dogging?"
"Yeah, what’s dogging? It sounds fun!"
After realising dogging is not a ‘thing’ in America he
attempted to laugh off their questions and continue with the show. However,
when the next song ended he was again asked for more information about this fun
sounding ‘dogging’ phenomenon.
We will spare you Niall’s incredibly graphic explanation but
suffice to say it is a rare sight to see so many smiling American smiling faces
slowly morph into visages of disgust. In the aftermath a lone hand in the crowd
is raised and moves forward to ask a question.
"And you’re telling us everyone in the UK goes dogging?"
There is now an American city out there who have an
unshakable belief that after a hard day at work we all park up at Arthur's Seat for a good auld Scottish dogging session. Oh what wonderful cultural ambassadors we are!
Tune in tomorrow for to learn about the invention of the
Ruta-bagel, how we were offered free knee surgery, and trying to look sexy night swimming in
Baltimore.
Also there will be less references to dogging...sorry.
Artist representation of the reaction post-learning about DOGGING
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
Why hello! It's day five of what critics are now calling the greatest and most bold takeover of a website in recent history. I'm Shambles Miller, and today I present you with both a celebration and a competition. The year is nearly over and pundits are in agreement that 2013 has been the year of the selfie. It's become acceptable to post photos of yourself online as long as you use that ubiquitous word. 'Selfie' has entered the dictionary. Barack Obama just took one at a funeral (sort of). The future is as bright and full of wonder as it is dark and terrifying to behold.
It's also a bit debonair. Hello. Here at Scottish Fiction, I've brought together a collection of selfies from a number of Scottish bands and artists for your visual delectation. You're quite right though, well remembered: this is also a competition. I did say that. The winner will be chosen in secret by a guest judge and revealed tomorrow. But for now, I present your competitors...
Well there you have it folks! Who are you rooting for? Which selfie is your favourite? Is this all just a pointless charade? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to come back tomorrow to find who the winner is, and to see what I have in store for the last day of my Scottish Fiction Takeover!
