MUSIC NEWS Scotland

October 2012/Week 1

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2012 SCOTS RAD MUSIC AWARDS : page 12 MU launch 'Live Music Kit' for Venues - p3 : Verden Demo Project - p4 : Sonica - p6 : Amy Jade - p10

Music Online Seminar How’s the Future Looking?

As the music industry continues its journey away from traditional delivery methods such as CD and vinyl and becomes increasingly dependent on online business models, what does this mean for the independent record label, the distributor, the retailer and, of course the creators of the music – the songwriters and artists?

Everyone has a horror story about wholesale piracy, and millions of streams earning less that a thousandth of a penny, so what’s the real story about music online?

The Scottish Music Industry Association in conjunction with the PRS for Music‘s Scottish office are holding a seminar from 6pm to 8pm on Monday 15 October at the Scottish Music Centre, Candleriggs, Glasgow, to update anyone working in the Scottish music industry who wants to understand more about the everevolving way music is delivered and consumed. The seminar will be led by Nick Edwards, PRS for Music’s Online Manager.

Nick will give an update on developments in the digital sphere, and demystify the challenges and opportunities presented by downloading and streaming sites as well as answering all your questions.

Nick Edwards from PRS for Music will lead the seminar www.prsformusic.com

Entry is free, however spaces are limited, and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis – to register use the link below: http://bit.ly/SZzwaP

www.smia.org.uk

weblinks: www.scottishmusiccentre.com

www.facebook.com/scottishmusiccentre www.twitter.com/scottishmusic www.hittheroad.org.uk

weblink: www.themu.org

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

The first deadline to showcase @ SXSW 2013 is this Friday 5 October. After this date entry costs rise before the final deadline of 7 November details: http://bit.ly/PuxbUv Sonicbids is the exclusive online submission platform of the 2013 SXSW Music Festival. To apply, visit Sonicbids and submit your EPK™ here: http://bit.ly/T01ska

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www.ticketweb.co.uk

www.glasgowamericana.com

weblink: www.glasgowamericana.com tickets: www.ticketweb.co.uk

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music news scotland

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MU launch 'Live Music Kit' The MU has launched a ‘Live Music Kit’ containing practical and creative advice for venues.

John Smith, MU General Secretary: “Research undertaken by PRS for Music has shown, live music can be hugely beneficial for pubs - pubs without featured music being three times more likely to close than pubs with featured music. Small venues are, after all, the places where most musicians start their careers and so promoting opportunities for live performance in small venues protects the career progression of musicians in the UK. We also believe that live music performance is an essential aspect of culture in the UK and that it should be promoted in its own right."

The kit outlines explains how live music programme can enhance a business by creating a higher profile, a more vibrant atmosphere and, ultimately, an increase in clientele and revenue. It also features a range of resources, including performance contracts, health and safety issues, promotional advice and useful contacts.

A SELECTION OF OUR GIGS ....

3 October (Greens) Red Sky July 4 October (Lathones) Lizanne Knott

a

4 October (Greens) Steve Forbert 5 October (Greens) Monterey Festival Celebration 6 October (Greens) Trevor Burton 8 October (Greens) Catfish Keith 9 October (Greens) Jefferson Starship 11 October (Greens) ReGenesis

The Live Music Kit is available for download here as a PDF here: http://bit.ly/O4d183 or can be read as a digital publication here: http:// ly/SCQDj4

12 October (Greens) Terry Reid bit.

FULL GIG DETAILS ON WEBSITE

You can contact the MU in Scotland at:1 Woodside Terrace, Glasgow G3 7UY T: 0141 341 2960 E: glasgow@theMU.org

www.theMU.org

PRS for MUSIC : SCAM WARNING PRS for Music have been made aware of a potential scam targeting businesses in Scotland. Businesses have received a visit from individuals claiming to be working for PRS for Music. The individuals are wearing fake ID badges and using fake PRS for Music receipts that carry a copy of the PRS for Music Logo. They are asking for payment of a licence and stating that there is a fine if a licence is not taken out.

If anyone would like to confirm the identity of the Music Licensing Manager visiting them they are advised to contact PRS for Music customer services on 0845 309 3090. If you believe you have been a victim of such a scam, please contact PRS for Music on the same number, you should also contact your local police station. www.prsformusic.com

ADVERTISE IN OUR 3 WEEKLY DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS

Click on site below for more details on all Mundell Music gigs www.mundellmusic.com

MUSIC NEWS Scotland - GIGguide - FESTIVALS! For details email Fiona: fiona.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

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Verden Demo Project 2012 Megan D : Mothertone : Kama Sutra : Holly Wilson : The Southpaws : Nic Tate and the Sharks Verden Studios are delighted to announce the young bands and musicians taking part in the Verden Demo Project 2012. Supported by Creative Scotland’s CashBack for Creativity programme, which re-invests the monies seized from criminals back into cultural activities for young people across Scotland, the programme is supported by the Scottish Governments CashBack for Communities Initiative.

The successful applicants benefiting from the project this year are:

and cello. Their influences include KT Tunstall, King Blues and Tom Waits. www.soundcloud.com/izzyflower David McDonald, Youth Arts Manager at Creative Scotland, said; “It’s brilliant to see such a diverse range of young musical talent that will benefit from working with Verden Studios. In this Year of Creative Scotland CashBack for Creativity has enabled eighteen recording studios across the country to open their doors to young musicians, giving them access to professional standard recording facilities. Creating professional demos will provide our young musicians with an opportunity to build on their passion for music, learn about the music industry and who knows may be even take their careers to the next level.”

Megan D

The project is aimed at helping emerging young bands to record their first A very gifted sixteen year old singer/songwriter with a talent for writing demo and to present themselves professionally to the music industry. All insightful poetic lyrics. Inspired by the likes of John Mayer and Bob Dylan. musical styles will be considered. We are searching for bands or solo artists who have a positive attitude, determination, commitment and Mothertone great tunes but are lacking a demo with which to promote themselves.

A four piece low slung heavy metal/rock group with a more melodic Applicants must all be under the age of 25 and be based in Edinburgh or approach to vocal performance than is usually found in this genre.

East Lothian.

Influences include Black Sabbath, Fu Manchu, T Rex and The Melvins. www.facebook.com/mothertoneband Gavin Fort, Studio Manager at Verden Studios, said; ‘we were delighted with the number of applications this year thanks to the added exposure of the project via our partners Red Dog, Drum Central and Out of Hand. As always the selection process was difficult but we are excited to be working with a group of young musicians representing such a variety of styles and genres.’

The six acts are currently receiving funded rehearsal time and tutoring in song writing, arrangement and performance. Once they are well rehearsed, they will record their music with the accomplished in-house team at Verden Studios. Each act will spend three days laying down their tracks and a further two days mixing. The acts will then work with a designer to produce a CD. A consultation with Edinburgh promotion company, New Found Sound will help them draw up a tailor made plan to get gigs and start building a fan base. They will learn about getting radio play, securing festival slots and attracting a label. The grand finale of the project will be a showcase concert in an Edinburgh city venue featuring all the participants of the project and promoting the recordings.

The project is kindly supported by Red Dog Music, Drum Central, Out of Hand Ltd, B L Developments, Cocoa Creative Consultants, The Phillip Hills Partnership, Promodiscs.co.uk and the Rotary Club of Portobello.

Verden Studios is Edinburgh’s premier rehearsal and recording facility and offers equipment rental and repair services.

Mothertone

Kama Sutra A rock trio who refuse to conform to the norm, influenced by the likes of Queens of The Stone Age, White Stripes and the Deftones. www.soundcloud.com/karma_sutra

Holly Wilson Holly is a singer/songwriter proud of her Scottish heritage and not afraid to make use of her accent. She is a big fan of acts such as Frightened Rabbit, Eddi Reader and Amy Macdonald. www.facebook.com/hhollywilson

The Southpaws Are a trio who like to explore the harmonies through their own blend of blues, funk and rock. www.facebook.com/TheSouthpaws

Nic Tate and the Sharks Are an all-female all-singing harmonious 3-piece featuring guitars, drums

Creative Scotland is the national development agency for the arts, screen and creative industries. Our vision is that Scotland will be recognised as one of the world’s most creative nations – one that attracts, develops and retains talent, where the arts and the creative industries are supported and celebrated and their economic contribution fully captured; a nation where the arts and creativity play a central part in the lives, education and well-being of our population.www.creativescotland.com The creative strand of the CashBack for Communities programme received £2.25 million investment from the Scottish Government over three years. Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative is also providing £280,000 towards the Creative Identities Independent Music Making Strand. The CashBack for Communities funding uses money confiscated from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act to fund a series of diversionary activities for young people aged ten to 25 across Scotland.

This is delivered via a series of CashBack partners and a grants programme administered by YouthLink Scotland.

www.verdenstudios.co.uk

MUSICIANS' UNION EVENTS IN SCOTLAND Events and meetings for all MU members. You can contact the MU in Scotland at: 1 Woodside Terrace, Glasgow G3 7UY T: 0141 341 2960 E: glasgow@theMU.org www.theMU.org

October 6 - Glasgow

THE BIG DEBATE: Access All Areas?

Barriers to the Music Industry.

Sat 6th Oct, 2pm Venue: Scottish Trade Unions Congress, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow

The MU has arranged an interesting debate: Is the music industry in Scotland a fair playing field? If not, what can we do to fix it? Does being a woman, having a disability, having little access to cash, our race or being part of the LGBT community affect our chances of success on and off the stage?

If you would like to attend the We hope to announce the 3 debate or put a question forward to day songwriting course the panel please email again in November 2012. glasgow@theMU.org or phone 0141 341 2960 If you would like to note your interest in attending please email us at glasgow@theMU.org Please November note: Priority will be given to those who have not attended previously.

SONGWRITING :

3 DAY COURSE

www.theMU.org

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

music news scotland

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http://www.thehenrygirls.com/wordpress/

www.lamphousemusic.co.uk info@lamphousemusic.co.uk www.facebook.com/lamphousemusic https://twitter.com/lamphousemusic

weblink: www.lamphousemusic.co.uk facebook: www.facebook.com/lamphousemusic

2012 Scottish Tour Dates October 9: The Old Library, Kilbarchan / October 10: Douglas Robertson’s Studio, Edinburgh / October 11: Avant Garde, King Street, Glasgow / October 12: Torphichen Inn, Torphichen, West Lothian / October 13: Heart of Hawick, Scottish Borders / October 14: Glencairn Memorial Institute, Moniaive weblinks: www.thehenrygirls.com ticket details: http://flic.kr/p/deVq9c

www.rycavanaugh.com

www.birnamcd.com

www.birnamcd.com

weblink: www.birnamcd.com facebook: www.facebook.com/BirnamCD

www.selkirksessions.co.uk www.selkirksessions.com

weblinks:

www.selkirksessions.co.uk www.selkirksessions.com

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

mns picks WHAT’S

HOT THIS MONTH!

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Surprise sonic encounter for the Scottish Music Centre The Scottish Music Centre are delighted to announce their support for and involvement with Sonica, an innovative new programme of events dedicated to world class sonic arts, presenting emerging British talent alongside exceptional international artists in collaboration with renowned co-producers and venues.

STANLEY ODD

Sonica 2012 – produced by Cryptic – presents countless opportunities for the Scottish Music Centre, most notably through selection as host venue for the month-long Scottish première of Kathy Hinde’s unique interdisciplinary installation, Piano Migrations. This breathtaking project transforms the interior of a recycled piano into a kinetic sound sculpture, whereby dozens of small birds landing on telegraph lines appear to flutter and settle on the instrument’s strings, which resonate with every twitch. Nature appears to control machine as both elements unite to create a delicate and ever-changing musical score for both visitors and passers by to enjoy. www.stanleyodd.com

THE OPEN DAY ROTATION

Stanley Odd suffuse live instrumentation with samples and loops. Equally potent in the live environment Stanley Odd have been touring throughout the UK since 2010.

They suffuse live instrumentation with samples and loops.

www.facebook.com/opendayrotation

THULA BORAH

The 2nd solo album by former Astrid frontman Willie Campbell under the name The Open Day Rotation. This album saw Willie assembling a lush 15-piece band as a vehicle for his masterful pop songwriting-ten great tracks

"Somehow completely alive, and you could relax in its company for hours" : Venue Magazine.

www.facebook.com/thulaborah 4-piece Thula Borah's sound fuses post and alternative rock with ambient and acoustic textures, the band shy away from pigeon holing themselves citing an eclectic array of of influences and this is their ep Live Secretly

SESSION A9

This event is accompanied by Music Box Migrations, an artist-led workshop that explores the idea of using a picture as a musical score. Images of birds, their migration patterns and maps are printed directly onto strips of card, which, when hole-punched are wound through a music box, triggering notes to create a pleasing melody dependent on the locations selected.

www.facebook.com/sessiona9 Session A9 are one of the best live bands in the country with members who have played key roles in Capercaillie, The Peatbog Fairies, The Boys of the Lough, Fiddlers' Bid, Blazin' Fiddles, The Treacherous Orchestra and Iron Horse

THINK YOUR NEW RELEASE IS GOOD ENOUGH TO APPEAR HERE? To be considered for our Top 4 spot send your new album/ep/single to: MNS Top 4, MUSIC NEWS Scotland Romar House, Birgham, Berwickshire. TD12 4NF

Additionally, the Scottish Music Centre worked with Cryptic to feature no less than four composers through Sonica’s Public Engagement Programme. Tim Cooper’s Dora technology will be housed in Tramway throughout and is used to translate audience feedback into music, Peter Gregson’s The Listening Machine, an automated system that generates a continuous piece of music based on the activity of 500 Twitter users is highlighted, lectures on The Skoog designed for special needs music and music therapy are inspired by Oliver Searle’s Technophonia and, audiences can enjoy their own personal sonic experience anywhere in the city through Marc Yeats’ GPS triggered, free smartphone app, SATSYPMPH LLP. Piano Migrations runs from 18th October – 22nd November and is open to all visiting the Scottish Music Centre between 11am and 6pm. Music Box Migrations takes place on 20th October between 10am and 1pm at the Scottish Music Centre. Both events are free with no advanced booking required.

Cathie Boyd, Artistic Director of Cryptic said: I’m thrilled that we have been able to develop the Sonica brand as a way to further sonic art both nationally and internationally. Cryptic has a proven track record of producing music to be looked at, not just listened to Sonica will lead the way in changing preconceptions about the art form, and give audiences in Scotland and beyond a rare opportunity to experience the best in new international sonic performance.

http://sonic-a.co.uk/2012/ www.scottishmusiccentre.com

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

www.scotmusicawards.co.uk www.facebook.com/ScottishNewMusicAwards

web: www.scotmusicawards.co.uk

facebook: www.facebook.com/ScottishNewMusicAwards

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the mns collection ….

THE HENRY GIRLS SET FOR SCOTTISH MINI TOUR - with Massachusetts singer-songwriter Ry Cavanaugh

The Henry Girls are fast becoming one of the most talked about folk/roots acts to come out of Ireland in the last decade, and within a few years have developed a growing international profile from touring in Europe, North America and further afield. In October, they make a rare appearance in Scotland, fresh for their latest visit to USA. Hailing from the picturesque village of Malin, County Donegal, the three sisters blend classic Traditional Irish trad with a hint of Americana, and a nod to bluegrass.

The girls are renowned for their fine close harmonies and musical arrangements, and have been likened to many other harmonising siblings such as The McGarrigle Sisters, The Andrews Sisters and The Everly Brothers.

They have been playing and writing together for more than a decade and Karen, Lorna and Joleen now have four albums to their credit. Their most recent, last year’s ‘December Moon’, was produced by Calum Malcolm (Blue Nile, Heidi Talbot) and has been the release that has won them most attention.

The trio of multi-instrumentalists (harp, guitar, fiddle, accordion, guitar, piano and ukulele all make an appearance) collaborated with Virginian hot shots The Fox Hunt and toured with them on both sides of the Atlantic. They shared the stage at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Festival and continue to write together.

On this visit to Scotland, they will be joined on stage by Cambridge, Massachusetts singersongwriter, Ry Cavanaugh, with whom they have also toured before. He is well-known as the man behind the legendary Session Americana project and has had his songs covered by others, the latest (Lighthouse) being recorded by Mary Black on her new album.

Karen told MUSIC NEWS Scotland: “There is an extended community in Scotland with links to Donegal, particularly in Glasgow, where it is safe to say that everyone back home has a cousin! We always love coming to Scotland but this will be our first real tour. We are so pleased to be on the road with Ry. He is much better-known in America, he where he has a big following and really this is a huge bonus, and more like a two-for-the-price-of one event.

He is amazing!”

“Live” video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj3NAM_1ig8

View all the MNS digital publications from links at www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

SCOTTISH GIG DATES: Tues Oct 9: The Old Library, Kilbarchan (01505 706070) Wed Oct 10: Douglas Robertson’s Studio, Edinburgh (http://house-concerts-42.posterous. com/) Thurs Oct 11: Avant Garde, King Street, Glasgow (0141 204 5151) Fri Oct 12: Torphichen Inn, Torphichen, West Lothian (01506 652826) Sat Oct 13: Heart of Hawick (01450 360688) Sun Oct 14: Glencairn Memorial Institute, Moniaive (01848 200099) For ticket details go to: http://flic.kr/p/deVq9c

www.thehenrygirls.com www.rycavanaugh.com

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www.facebook.com/wave.north

www.tickets-scotland.com

www.caithnesshorizons.co.uk

www.facebook.com/wewerepromisedjetpacks www.facebook.com/fathersonband

www.facebook.com/wearealloutsiders

www.thespree.co.uk

www.ukprosurf.com https://twitter.com/Wave_North www.facebook.com/wave.north

weblink: www.thespree.co.uk tickets: www.tickets-scotland.com

www.guitarguitar.co.uk

festival: www.facebook.com/wave.north venue: www.caithnesshorizons.co.uk

www.guitarguitar.co.uk

tickets: www.guitarguitar.co.uk artists: www.simonmcbride.net

www.albertleeandhogansheroes.com

www.guitarguitar.co.uk

www.facebook.com/mike.keneally

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Amy Jade - "Welcome to my musical journey" Amy Jade is a talented young singer/songwriter from Ayrshire who has just begun to perform live and put her original tracks on YouTube. A very talented young lady the MUSIC NEWS Scotland team were very impressed when we first heard her - and certainly wanted to let our readers have access to this aspiring talent. But Amy has had a challenging journey to reach this point in her young life. She tells this story below in her own words in the hope that others in a similar situation can find inspiration to be strong and use whatever talents they have to rise above problems and build a new life.

Amy's story ...............................................................

"As a child, I never liked school. I was very much a free spirit and the thought of sitting confined at a desk for so long bored me to tears, I would be constantly daydreaming all day long. "Daydreamer" was a word you could find written more than once on my report cards.

I was always overweight. I remember even in my younger days in school turning my jacket the other way on my seat so other children couldn't see that the size of my jacket was 2 sizes bigger than theirs. My weight soon became a target for bullying and I found myself hating school more than I had when I first started.

The bullying continued throughout my primary years and each year, my parents noticed I was getting more and more reserved and of course I was getting more self conscious of my appearance and weight as time went on. My parents had numerous meetings with teachers and headteachers in hope they could stop the bullying but nothing was ever resolved. My parents then had to resort to taking me out of the school all together and moved me to a little country school with less than 30 pupils. I stayed there for 2 years and the same thing happened again and I was forced to move back to my old school for my last year before the academy. By the time I had started secondary school, school was more than a chore for me. It was like hell. I would wake up and try to fake illness so that I wouldn't have to be picked on, so I wouldn't be sitting at a desk all day waiting for the bell to ring so I could get called names. When the bullying became physical, my parents decided that enough was enough and decided to take me out of school altogether and home educate me. It was like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders within a week of home education.

I always had such a passion for music but because of the situation I was in, I never had the strength nor frame of mind to pursue it. I was so busy trying to cope with day-to-day life, my passion for music was masked. Home Education allowed me to be myself and more importantly find myself. My confidence had taken such a massive blow and it took a long, long time before I could even do simple things like go to the shops without fearing people would laugh at me.

Soon after starting being Home Educated, I picked up my mum's acoustic guitar and started to play around with simple chords. When I played guitar, it almost felt like I was in a different world, all the pain I had gone through was gone and it was the most amazing feeling in the world. I continued to teach myself different chords, placing my fingers on different strings, if it sounded good it was a chord! I made most of them up and named them accordingly. I listened to songs on the radio and within a day I had learned the lyrics, made up my own chords and was playing it with confidence in my room. I had managed to gather enough confidence to pick up the guitar and start singing, now all I had to work on was my confidence in front of people. I was so shy even performing in front of my family, and made them sit in another room with their back to the door as I played. It was only recently that I decided I wasn't going to allow my lack of confidence to continue overpowering me. Maturity allowed me to see that by doing this the bullies were still winning. After much persuasion by family and friends, I decided to take a huge step and open up a Facebook page and post my videos on youtube. I've posted my story on my page in the hope that others who were going through a similar experience would feel like that they weren't alone. I never want anyone to feel sorry for me or pity me in any way, I share my story in hope that I can inspire others and show people that life does go on after bullying. I never expected more than my family and distant friends/relatives to 'Like' my page, but after my first couple of videos, I was getting people liking my page from as far away as the USA, Germany, Australia and Italy. Within 2/3 months I reached over 600 likes, 590 more than I ever thought I would ever get! All these compliments baffled me and the amount of support I received was mind blowing. My page and the people on it continue to go from strength to strength although I still struggle with confidence in both singing and appearance but then again, so do most 18-year-old girls.

There are so many "role models" out there for children. Growing up, I looked up to a lot of singers and actresses that happened to be thin. I always wanted to be like them. I wanted to be on a stage, people singing my song back to me. I always thought to have that, I needed to loose weight, and look like them. I needed to change who I was in order to do what I loved. I want to show people that you don't have to look a "certain way" to do what you love doing. I know how hard it was growing up being what society considers as 'different' and being continually targeted for it. I'm not sure if I would have felt more confident if there was a role model that was accepted for being (society's idea of) 'different' for me to look up to - telling me it was okay not to be like everyone else. I aspire to be that person. I truly don't care what colour your skin is, what colour your hair is, if you're big, small, tall, short. I genuinely accept everyone for who they are, and if I can show people that through my music, and show people that they don't have to fit a certain mould to follow their dream, then that would mean the world to me. If I could even help one person by letting them see that bullying does get better and that you do come out the other side, then part of my purpose is complete."

Amy truly hopes her story can be an inspiration to others affected by bullying and give you the strength to move on - MUSIC NEWS Scotland thinks that she's not just a wonderful musician but a great example of the fantastic teenagers out there, that never seem to get the recognition they deserve amongst today's doom and gloom in the national press.

www.facebook.com/amyjademusic www.twitter.com/justamyjade www.youtube.com/amyjademusic

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www.facebook.com/CurvedAir

www.mundellmusic.com www.ticketweb.co.uk

www.facebook.com/LittleEyeOfficial

weblink: www.facebook.com/CurvedAir promoter : www.mundellmusic.com

www.littleeyeband.com

web: www.littleeyeband.com facebook: www.facebook.com/LittleEyeOfficial

DEBUT ALBUM OUT NOW!

www.themusicelevator.com

web: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Loveboat-Big-Band/106456048169 pledge: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/loveboat-songsintheseaoflife

weblink: www.themusicelevator.com

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

https://twitter.com/Iamlittleye

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NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 10TH ANNUAL MG ALBA SCOTS TRAD MUSIC AWARDS Nominations are now open for the 10th annual MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards at www. scottishcultureonline.com and organisers, Hands Up for Trad, are calling out for music fans to have their say and cast their vote now.

Winning a Scots Trad Music Award is the biggest accolade in the traditional music scene and for the last decade the awards have showcased, celebrated and awarded the very best in Scottish Traditional Music. This year’s glittering ceremony will take place on Saturday 8 December at the Ben Nevis Centre in Fort William. The evening will hosted by Julie Fowlis, Mary Ann Kennedy and Tony Kearney and will see performances by a host of traditional talent including Treacherous Orchestra, Karine Polwart, Inveraray and District Pipe Band and Gordon Duncan Experience.

The prestigious event celebrates the achievements of Scotland’s musicians and events across 19 categories, with 16 of these categories voted for by the public online - including Album of the Year, Composer of the Year, Event of the Year, Gaelic Singer of the Year and Up and Coming

Artist of the Year.

Nominations are now open at www. scottishcultureonline. com and close on Tuesday 16 October, with the full shortlist being announced on Tuesday 30 October.

Event founder and promoter Simon Thoumire says: “I cannot believe we have reached our 10th year! We’ve celebrated some of the best traditional events, musicians and industry insiders, both past and present.

We’re working to make this our best event yet and will have some surprises up our sleeve as well as continuing to recognise the best traditional talent from the last year”.

Music fans can secure a place at the event now by buying tickets from 01397 700 707 or by logging onto www.neviscentre.co.uk.

https://twitter.com/ScotsTradAwards www.scottishcultureonline.com

THE FRONT ROOM’S FIRST EVENT SOLD OUT! The first in a series of three live acoustic music events, The Front Room, has proved an incredible success. The sell out crowd at Haddington’s Caroline Gilmour John Gray Centre on Friday 28 September enjoyed original music from accomplished musicians Blueflint and Caroline Gilmour, with support from local youth act Nic Tate and the Sharks.

The venue was given a make-over to create an atmospheric ambience the foyer decorated with vintage pieces setting the mood for gig-goers as they arrived, with the bar and function room beyond full of artwork, entitled The Cardboard Collective, by artist Vic Macrae – cardboard art of furniture pieces stored in East Lothian Museum’s collections. www. vicmacrae.co.uk Nic Tate and the Sharks were the first to impress, the three girls entertained with guitar, cello and cajon and amazing harmonies. Caroline Gilmour was next to the stage performing songs from her album and recently release EP ‘What Georgina Said’ Caroline’s voice was incredible and enthralled the audience with her soaring rock ballads and entertained with stories of her recent mini UK tour, of which the John Gray was the last gig. Caroline said about The Front Room,

Blue Flint

“Playing at The Front Room was the perfect end to my mini UK tour - a fantastic venue, very well organised and a sell-out crowd!

Lamp House Music have done themselves proud and long may this event continue.” www. woosh.tv

Finally, Blueflint took to the stage, the five piece were enthusiastically welcomed by the sell-out crowd and gave a lively performance, that had the audience in high spirits with each song closed to a room full of cheering and an encore request fulfilled much to the delight of Blueflint Their new single ‘Take Your Shoes Off’ was particularly well received and it was clear to see why The Proclaimers have chosen them as their support on their UK Tour, Deborar Arnott’s and Clare Neilson’s vocals perfectly compliment each other and beautifully combined with banjos, ukelele, double bass, drums and fiddle the band effortlessly carry listeners through the musical journey of each song. www.blueflint.org.uk

Nic Tate and the Sharks

The feedback from those attending the event was immensely positive, there was a real buzz in the air with compliments to Lamp House Music and John Gray Centre staff from members of the audience, the partners in the project, and from the musicians themselves. Silver Storic, a North Berwick resident said of the night, “It has to be said what a fantastic evening we had on Friday at the launch night of The Front Room. Great music, crowd, venue and fabulous decor.

Congratulations to all involved, it's wonderful to see your devoted commitment to encouraging music in the community. Inspiring stuff. Well done. Next date is in the diary!”

The next Front Room is on Friday 26th October 2012. Tickets cost £8 and are available in advance from the John Gray Centre (01620 820695), Lamp House Music (01620 825630) with any remaining tickets available on the door. On the night – doors open, with a bar, at the John Gray Centre at 7.00pm with the first band on stage at 7.30pm. The evening of live acoustic music is headlined by Edinburgh based singer songwriter Paul Gilbody who has performed all over Scotland, Australia and London, absorbing wide-ranging influences to create his own unique sound.

Having worked with many other talented musicians, appearing on albums by artists such as Andi Neate and KT Tuntstall, he has recently released his debut EP Eponymoose in his own right. (September 2011) http:// www.paulgilbody.com Support comes from popular local band Fallen Stone who recently played at Trad on the Tyne.

www.lamphousemusic.co.uk

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

"Thank you for your support in 2012"

For news about goNORTH 2013 follow us on facebook & twitter

www.facebook.com/gonorthinverness https://twitter.com/gonorth2012

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music news scotland

what's new? .....

Braxton : A new band is stirring in Edinburgh They have wandered on a musical journey, taking their roots from the infamous Motown recording trio Holland/Dozier/Holland. They have now arrived at a destination that is their debut EP, Golliwog Revolution. The band’s sound and image remains true to the Motown era, but they have now complimented that with some filthy guitars and pulsating synth sounds.

The setting for this debut EP is in the mind of a newly born Golliwog. An animalistic but charismatic wee character, who will try to win you over via the EP and the music video.

Be prepared to watch and listen as the journey between Braxton and the Golliwog unravels, starting with the EP launch (available on 4 track cd and download) in Edinburgh's Voodoo Rooms on Friday 26 October at 8.30pm.

www.facebook.com/braxtonband www.youtube.com/TheBraxtonBand

ANNA SWEENEY - Oh Gosh Darnit MUSIC NEWS Scotland is delighted to bring to our readers the voice of 18 year old Ayrshire singer/songwriter Anna Sweeney who has just released her debut EP along with her backing band.

As an iTunes review by 'drewsy1984' says: "A perfect group of songs. Fun, heartfelt and catchy. "Not Anymore" sticks in your head for ages and "Time" is just painfully beautiful.

Gorgeous vocal melodies that remind me of the Cranberries. Can't wait to hear more from Anna in the future."

You can watch Anna on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/theannasweeney and then buy Oh Gosh Darnit now on itunes from here: http://bit.ly/SxBCCT Anna has several Scottish gigs coming up, firstly tonight (3 Oct) in Glasgow's Pivo Pivo, then on the 19th in Burns Tavern, Irvine supporting Mechanical Smile; 7 November at Cafe Drummond, Aberdeen and the 13th at Bloc in Glasgow And losts of ways below to listen to Anna and keep in touch with her music, which MNS highly recommends! www.soundcloud.com/annasweeney www.youtube.com/theannasweeney

www.facebook.com/annasweeneymusic www.twitter.com/ASweeneyMusic

BORDERS MUSIC PROMOTER WORKING TO BRING THE SEER TO SCOTLAND

"It makes them almost Scottish!" : Jim Gellatly

Rock band The Seer make big noises in their homeland of Germany and now Borders promoter and radio presenter, Fiona Elcoat who runs Flying Pixie Promotions and Music Management, is working closely with the band to build a UK audience and bring them over to Scotland. Fiona was granted the UK exclusive on the release of the single "Gone Forever" from their new album "Wide Eyed Walker" and a couple of weeks later, she presented the album exclusively in its entirety on her radio show, Big Boots & Celtic Roots on Berwickshire community station Generate Radio. The album which is the seventh studio album from the The Seer, is causing a stir wherever it is played and they say their influences are Runrig and Big Country among others - given the band took its name from a Big Country album, as top Scottish DJ, Jim Gellatly puts it: "It makes them almost Scottish!"

Jim Gellatly and Aaron Phillips have both given the band airplay on their respective shows on Amazing Radio and so has Campbell Cameron of Oban FM. Word is spreading and from their roots in Augsburg, Germany, the band are now looking forward to playing in the UK for the first time since 1997 when they played the Mean Fiddler in London.

They have supported ex Marillion frontman Fish on tour (a good seventeen years ago!) and when the time comes to revisit the UK - "The Motherland Of Rock" as they put it, it will hopefully be as headliners of their own tour.

During Fiona's "Seer Special" the band gave a live interview by Skype and treated listeners to an exclusive acoustic version of "Sirens" from the new album. The band have now joined the roster at Flying Pixie Promotions to further expand their UK audience. Keep up to date with their latest news at www.facebook.com/TheSeerUK

www.theseer.de

www.facebook.com/TheSeeruk

www.flyingpixiepromotions.co.uk

email your story for 'what's new?' to musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

new releases

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music news scotland

Scotland's latest releases …….

ANNA SWEENEY

www.facebook.com/deadseasouls

Oh Gosh Darnit - debut ep - out now

JOCKS JUKE JOINT

18 year old Ayrshire singer/songwriter Anna Sweeney who has just released her debut EP along with her backing band. As an iTunes review by 'drewsy1984' says: "A perfect group of songs. Fun, heartfelt and catchy. "Not Anymore" sticks in your head for ages and "Time" is just painfully beautiful.Gorgeous vocal melodies that remind me of the Cranberries. Can't wait to hear more from Anna in the future."

Contemporary Blues from Scotland Vol 1 – album – out now

www.facebook.com/annasweeneymusic

BRAXTON Golliwog Revolution - ep - released 26 October

Jock’s Juke Joint is a collection of contemporary original Scottish Blues, While Scotland has in the past has produced numerous great blues artists, from Frankie Miller and Tam White to Blues N Trouble and the Nimmo Brothers, there has never been a compilation of Scottish blues artists.

With signs of a new resurgence of the blues in Scotland, it was felt this should be rectified in order to give an opportunity to showcase the best Scottish blues acts playing original material. Initial plans to compile one single CD have been replaced with at least two volumes planned. Volume 1 will be available to buy from the weekend of 22nd September

www.facebook.com/JocksJukeJoint They have wandered on a musical journey, taking their roots from the infamous Motown recording trio Holland/Dozier/Holland. They have now arrived at a destination that is their debut EP, Golliwog Revolution. The band’s sound and image remains true to the Motown era, but they have now complimented that with some filthy guitars and pulsating synth Light in the Darkest Corners - debut album - release 15 October sounds. The setting for this debut EP is in the mind of a newly born Golliwog. An animalistic but charismatic wee character, who will try to win Light in the Darkest Corners is the soaring debut album of Lorraine you over via the EP and the music video.

McCauley & The Borderlands - the band that Karine Polwart recently tipped to be the breakthrough act of 2012. Lorraine has a powerful voice www.facebook.com/braxtonband of rare beauty and wide emotional range, and this album reveals her unique and impassioned talent for songwriting.

LORRAINE McCAULEY & THE BORDERLANDS

KESER

www.facebook.com/mattacousticatom

Audeamus – album – out now

CALUM STEWART & LAUREN MacCOLL

Keser are from Edinburgh and Glasgow and fuse an experimental, unique guitar style with synthesised beats resulting in a progressive form of guitar-based electronica. Signed to UK indie label Alex Tronic Records they have released two albums to date, Esoteric Escape and Robo_Ghost.

Wooden Flute and Fiddle - album - release 22 October The albums were both recorded at Alex Tronic Records studio with label manager and producer Paul Croan, who also releases music as artist Alex Renowned individually for their intimate and emotive solo performances, Tronic. Their live set up involves electric guitar, bass, keyboards, drum this is the first duo album from Calum Stewart and Lauren MacColl - two machines, effects, samplers and a laptop. young musicians at the top of their game. Steeped in the traditions of the easterly coast of the north of Scotland, their native and Moray and Black www.keser.co.uk Isle areas. Their shared influences encompass Gaelic vocal music, traditional music from home and from mtheir talented contemporaries.

LINDA BANDELIER, DAVID CAMPBELL & FRIENDS Ae Fond Kiss – album – out now

www.laurenmaccoll.co.uk www.calum-stewart.com

MINIATURE DINOSAURS

Celebrating their 21st year of delighting audiences across Scotland and Turn It On - ep - release 22 October around the world with this tale of Burns. Linda Bandelier and David Campbell are now joined by musicians Katie Harrigan, Mairi Campbell and The 4 track ep features the band's acclaimed summer single 'Lemonade', Hamish Moore to serve up this rich feast for ear, imagination and heart. together with new tracks. Earlier this year Miniature Dinosaurs were nominated as 'Best Live Act' at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards and www.birnamcdshop.com now they are about to take their acclaimed live show around the UK in October with Scottish gigs beginning on 18 October in Dundee

DEAD SEA SOULS

We Were Always Electric - debut album – released 5 November

www.facebook.com/miniaturedinosaurs

MAEVE MACKINNON

“We Were Always Electric” takes Dead Sea Souls up to the next level on the circuit, with their fun melodies, energy, and hooks. Gary Burns says Once Upon An Olive Branch - album - 1 October “The album is a real mix of material for us. Some songs have existed in one form or another for a number of years and others were written weeks Since the award winning success of her 2007 debut album Don't Sing before going into the studio”. The album is a real mix of upbeat dance, Love Songs Maeve has proved herself as one of the most distinctly gifted Indie and alternative music. artists on today's UK folk scene. Singing in Gaelic, Scots and English, with

LOVEBOAT Songs in the Sea of Life-album Sumptuously celebrating the golden age of shipboard romance, while forging full steam ahead into the future Scotland's swing sensation invite you on board their ultimate luxury musical cruise for the Loveboat experience! Featuring 16 first class musicians from the likes of: Orkestra del Sol, Mr McFall's Chamber and Hidden Orchestra www.facebook.com/Hotstuffeyecandy

CAROLINE GILMOUR What Georgina Said - ep Caroline Gilmour is a singer and songwriter based in Edinburgh, Scotland. A worthy addition to the canon of fine Scottish singer/ songwriters, the EP is set to catapult Caroline Gilmour to a wider audience. She has just signed her first music licence deal with MCM Songs USA.

www.facebook.com/CarolineGilmourMusic

DO YOU HAVE A NEW RELEASE? If you’d like your new release to be included in the MUSIC NEWS Scotland ‘New Release’ column and be in with a chance of being picked for the MNS Top 4 spot then send your cd to: New Releases, MUSIC NEWS Scotland Romar, Birgham, Berwickshire. TD12 4NF

music news scotland

page 25

Scotland's latest releases …….

THE OPEN DAY ROTATION

a repertoire spanning traditional, contemporary and now original material Maeve communicates every song with her bewitchingly honeyed, husky Toxic Good Toxic Bad - album - released yet vibrantly earthy voice.

www.facebook.com/pages/Maeve-Mackinnon/208435172505841 This is the second solo album by former Astrid frontman Willie Campbell under the name The Open Day Rotation. This album saw Willie assembling a lush 15-piece band as a vehicle for his masterful pop songwriting - no mean feat when he lives in the relatively isolated Isle of Nickel & Nylon - debut ep - release 10 September Lewis. Ten tracks of effortlessly catchy pop with substance to spare.

MATT ATOM

Matt's a Glasgow based indie-folk singer and his 2012 debut release captures an honest and nostalgic mix of personal narrative and comfortable storytelling. He began writing and recording as a solo artist recently using the project to amalgamate his passion for acoustic music. www.facebook.com/mattacousticatom

SESSION A9 Session A9 - album - 8 October

www.facebook.com/opendayrotation

GUTTERGODZ Go For Broke - album - released Guttergodz started in 2008 as a cover band but they quickly realsied something good had come together and playing around Aberdeen they moulded their playing style and welded themselves together as a band.

The lineups changed a bit since day one but they have stuck to the power three piece combination that suits their raw heavy rock sound.

Over the last 10 years Session A9 have earned their reputation as one of the best live bands in the country with members who have played key www.facebook.com/guttergodz roles in Capercaillie, The Peatbog Fairies, The Boys of the Lough, Fiddlers' Bid, Blazin' Fiddles, The Treacherous Orchestra and Iron Horse. Not bad for a band that formed through informal music sessions up and down Live Secretly - ep - released infamous A9, culminating in their first ever tour in 2001. This is there much awaited new album.

Glasgow four-piece Thula Borah have launched their eagerly awaited new ep Live Secretly. This comes two years after the release of their highly www.sessiona9.com acclaimed debut album 'Mind River Matter' which earned the band air play across such diverse platforms as Radio 1, Channel 4's Planet of Sound to Radio 4's Today programme! Their sound fuses post and Cille Bhride - album - released alternative rock with ambient and acoustic textures - the band shy away from pigeon holing themselves citing an eclectic array of of influences.

This 14 track album released on Kathleen's own label K.MAC Recordings showcases her unique vocal style with excellent accompaniments. Her www.facebook.com/thulaborah debut album was awared Scotland on Sunday's 'Best Folk Album' in 2006 and she was asked by Ridley Scott to record vocals for Robin Hood in 2010 - he said "Kathleen has a very natural, powerful voice".

Go For Broke - album - 17 September http://kathleenmacinnes.com/ From heavy dub bass lines to bowed harmonics and milk-frother trills Mary Macmaster and Donald Hay are taking the harp into uncharted territory. Add to this Mary's beautifully pure vocal and Donald's Reject - album - 17 September atmospheric percussion and sampled sounds and the result is a truely unique fresh take on Scotland's musical landscape.

Scottish hip-hop band Stanley Odd are pleased to announce that their second album Reject will be released as a digital download and cd. www.facebook.com/pages/MacmasterHay/158111410893459 Stanley Odd suffuse live instrumentation with samples and loops. Equally potent in the live enviroment Stanley Odd have been touring throughout the UK since 2010.

Colour of Dreams - album - 15 September www.stanleyodd.com Iain has toured extensively and worked with Runrig, The Waterboys, Capercaillie, John Martyn, The Mekons, Wolfstone, Dick Gaughan, Townes Van Zandt, Jackie Leven, Tom Russell, Martin Stephenson and many The Invisible Hand - album - 15 October others. He retired from the road in the early 90s, but in 2010 the pull of music saw him do his first concert in a decade. Iain was then preparing to Glasgow-based Gav Prentice (also of euphoric pop duo Over the Wall) put together gigs which would have raised his musical profile again. Then makes songs on his own that are angry and/or sad. This is his debut solo disaster struck! Iain suffered a double brain haemorrhage! Thankfully album - a sparse yet angry politically charged take on the landscape of though, after a five month recovery period, Iain came through the post-industrial Britain. Gav recently toured supporting We Were Promised experience unscathed. Since then Iain has been writing and recording his Jetpacks and has had airplay from BBC Introducing's Ally McCrae. new album.

THULA BORAH

KATHLEEN MACINNES

MACMASTER/HAY

STANLEY ODD

IAIN MACDONALD

GAV PRENTICE

www.facebook.com/gavprentice

www.imac-music.co.uk

HOTSTUFF EYECANDY

PETER NARDINI

I Love You - debut single

Hug - album

After growing tired of the same old rock/punk band sound and set up Hotstuff embarked on a voyage of nonsence and self discovery. It didnt take long for them to realise that noises can be very fun, very dark and very VERY provocative! "Hotstuff & the Eyecandy sound like The Beautiful South on crack!

Peter Nardini is a singular talent and one of Scotland's better kept secrets. An artist, singer/ songwriter and wordsmith of Cooper Clarke calibre, with an eye and ear for detail. This is a man who can paint stories and sing pictures. His songs are romantic, incisive, emphatic, witty, and beautifully observed - delivered in his west coast accent.

www.facebook.com/Hotstuffeyecandy

www.peternardini.com

DO YOU HAVE A NEW RELEASE? If you’d like your new release to be included in the MUSIC NEWS Scotland ‘New Release’ column and be in with a chance of being picked for the MNS Top 4 spot then send your cd to: New Releases, MUSIC NEWS Scotland Romar, Birgham, Berwickshire. TD12 4NF

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music news scotland

Scotland's latest releases …….

ROCKBURN

The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc - debut album - released

Better Man - single - 17 September

The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc includes Shetland's Kevin Anderson who also plays with Boys of the Lough, Fiddlers Bid and Session A9 - along with Rockburn come from Bellshill and have been writing and performing rock Norway's Olav Luksengard Mjelva and Sweden's Anders Hall - they are n roll for the last 7 years. With a foundation of booming, bluesy beats and regarded as three of the finest young fiddlers currently working in the punchy, rhythmic bass playing combined with monstrous guitar riffs and international folk scene. Their three nations have the finest fiddle great raspy vocals the band are able to continually write hard hitting traditions in the world with documented links going back hundreds of catchy songs. The band performs live throughout the UK and are working years. TNFB are now seeking to present these traditions in a new and on new material for a follow-up to their album Red Dress. exciting way, but remaining faithful to the roots of each tradition. www.reverbnation.com/rockburn

www.thenordicfiddlersbloc.com

Spiorad - 2012 remaster

SCOTT MURRAY

TALITHA MACKENZIE

Evenin's FA' - debut album Talitha MacKenzie's re-release of her internationally acclaimed album Spiorad (Spirit) on her label SONAS was prompted by an invitation to sing Evenin's Fa' is the debut solo album from accomplished Scottish singer/ 'Fionnaghuala' at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Now the opening songwriter Scott Murray. As fans and followers of Scottish folk music will track, it is followed by music from Scotland, Bulgaria, Serbia and Brittany. know, Scott has sung with the group Sangsters for over 20 years performing from Girvan to Bavaria. Evenin's Fa' contains 13 songs, all www.talithamackenzie.com written by the man himself. There's humour, there's pathos, and there's a story behind each song. There are three old texts given a tune, there's one old air given words and a new waltz by Jenny Gardner with words put to it by Scott.

You - debut single - release 24 September

ANY COLOUR BLACK

www.scottmurraysongs.co.uk The electro-rock duo from Glasgow comprising Louise Mather and Andy Bell release their debut single YOU, plus Bluestone and Loverush mixes via Black Sugar Music. It’s a vibrant, dark slice of electric rock that pins you against the wall and gives you a full electro rock hairdryer treatment. Dark Wood - ep - release 27 August

ABAGAIL GREY

www.anycolourblack.com

THE TRADE Do You Want It - debut single - release 7 September Taken from their debut album Lie in the Dark which was recorded at Chem19 Studios by Jamie Savage. Described by Jim Gellatly: "as meaty as a high quality bridie" they have sold out the Doghouse and are currently on their Lifelines Tour around Scotland, followed by English dates. The album was released in 2011 but the guys have been biding their time to release any singles from it until they felt the 'time was right for guitar music to hit back!' www.the-trade.co.uk

THE NORDIC FIDDLERS BLOC

Uniting the intensly personal with the wholly universal, Dark Wood is the latest release from Scotland's Abagail Grey, the creative alter ego of Highland singer-songwriter, pianist and fiddler Claire Campbell. Claire has once again teamed up with long-time colaborators Chris Geddes (Belle & Sebastian) and Tony Doogan (Snow Patrol, Teenage Fanclub) to record Dark wood, an achingly poignant yet magically affirmative mini-suite of songs in memory of Claire's aunt who died of leukaemia in 2010. www.abagailgrey.com

HOLLY DRUMMOND Cloud Nine - ep - release 6 August Holly Drummond is an 18 Year Old Singer/Songwriter from Edinburgh.

Formerly known as 'Smoothiesforme'. She has a passion for music and has been writing and recording her own songs since 2009, taking inspiration from a variety of styles and genres. She's previously made it

STEPHEN HARRISON

DAVE ARCARI Nobody's Fool - album

Today Tomorrow - album

NOBODY’S FOOL is the fourth CD album from Scottish alt.blues artist Dave Arcari released on Dixiefrog Records. The thirteen track album features Arcari accompanying his hard-hitting vocals on banjo and acoustic guitar alongside the more familiar sound of his trademark National steel-bodied resonator guitars.

Stephen solo album comprises of ten songs written and until the last year or so his music was based around the electric guitar but recently he has been writing and performing solo with acoustic guitars. His song writing seeks strong melodies and personal lyrics delivered with clarity and that are arrived at in harmony with the music.

www.davearcari.com

SHARON KING and the Reckless Angels Nothing = Everything - album R2 **** 'This gem of an album... is one of those increasingly rare records that presents as a musical arc, with a cohesive beginning, middle and end and a sense of ambition to tell stories that stick in the imagination. King pulls you into her world and it's a lovely place to be.' Rachel Divine www.sharonkingmusic.co.uk

www.stephenharrisonmusic.com

ANY COLOR BLACK Sex & Love - album Any Color Black are an electro rock duo from Glasgow, consisting of Louise and Andy. Their ‘house-rock’ sound developed from their shared distorted musical vision that combines throbbing electro bass drums and frenetic guitars. www.facebook.com/anycolorblack

DO YOU HAVE A NEW RELEASE? If you’d like your new release to be included in the MUSIC NEWS Scotland ‘New Release’ column and be in with a chance of being picked for the MNS Top 4 spot then send your cd to: New Releases, MUSIC NEWS Scotland Romar, Birgham, Berwickshire. TD12 4NF

music news scotland

page 27

Scotland's latest releases ……. to the finals of the Forth One To Watch Awards, and in 2011 she won the Burnsong Under-25 Singer/Songwriter competition. www.hollydrummond.com

MINIATURE DINOSAURS Turn It On - ep - release 13 August

Between Those Lines - single Eilidh Hadden is a Perthshire based singer/songwriter who has been creating her own music from a very young age. Following in her dad's footsteps (Martin Hadden from Silly Wizard) she is aiming to forge a career in music and with the release of her debut 3-track single the future already looks bright. Eilidh's thoughtful honest lyrics are coupled with highly catchy melodies and indie pop hooks to create a unique mix of dark folk rock with an electronic edge.

Lemonade is the first single to be taken from the forthcoming 'Turn It On' EP by Stirling's Miniature Dinosaurs and their first release since signing www.facebook.com/pages/Eilidh-Hadden/273700849338937 for UK label Integrity Records. With airplay on BBC Radio 1 three months before their first gig, these four young Scots have generated a swell of interest in their home territory. UK-wide live dates and support slots with Fenech-Soler, Young the Giant, Twin Atlantic and Johnny Foreigner have Flesh and Blood - album - release 27 August helped build a steady following.

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Sandi Thom's fourth studio www.miniaturedinosaurs.co.uk album Flesh and Blood is produced by the Black Crowes’ Rich Robinson, COLIN ADAMS Colin Adams presents his first solo and features a rare duet with Buffy Sainte-Marie. The album was recorded at 16 Tons studio, Nashville, Tennessee. The album radiates the raunchy album, Life & Lessons To Be blues rock bravado of the opening track Help Me, followed by the countryLearned. The album features ten Ice Cream - ep - release 28 July flavoured Leadbelly classic In The Pines. tracks collected from songs written by Colin during his time A band of brothers playing an eclectic mix indie and sax funk” may www.sandithom.com withof The Rolling River Band.

It at first conjure up an image of a jazz hands modern day version of The continues in the same style with a Osmonds but the 4 boys from Ded Rabbit couldn’t be of further from it. modern fusion folk, rock, Originally from Yorkshire, it was a move to the Highlands of Scotland country and blues but Colin hasthat made these boys pick up their instruments and a better roots way to turned tofind his Scottish forbeat his Shire and City - album their boredom. solo work with vocals displaying a Aberdeenshire's Gordon Duthie is not all that he seems. On the face of it distinctly Scottish accent www.dedrabbit.co.uk he seems like an ordinary 25 year old man in love with football, comedy compared to his early releases. films and of course his long term partner Siobhan. However, despite all of The album features Paul this Duthie has been undertaking a music project and this has culminated http://www.colinwadams.com/ in the release of his debut album All These Years - single www.gordonduthie.com ‘All These Years’ is another slice of dark, ethereal pop from Edinburgh duo Kier Maculloch and Angus Carbarns. Intricate rhythmical devices and atmospheric synths provide a solid foundation on which to lay a vocal delivered with heartfelt conviction that soars in the mid-section.

Punk B-Side - single However the b- side to this release, Ode to an End, shows a different edge to the band as the high production values, big synths and tight Signed to Glasgow label Big Rock Candy Records, Bathgate's Dead Sea beats are left out in favour of the bare bones of this raw and captivating Souls launched their debut single at King Tuts. Their album We Were piece of music.

Always Electric will follow in August to coincide with a string of tour dates.

Dead Sea Souls have drawn comparisons with Two Door Cinema Club, www.capitalsmusic.com The Proclaimers, Jamiroquai and The Fratellis.

SANDI THOM

DED RABBIT

GORDON DUTHIE

CAPITALS

DEAD SEA SOULS

EILIDH HADDEN

www.deadseasouls.com

SILLY WIZARD Live Again - album Live Again from legendary Scottish folk band Silly Wizard was recorded ‘live’ in Massachussetts during their 1983 tour. The concert went on to be widely regarded as their definitive performance as the band stormed through a set full of favourites.

The original master tapes have now been recovered and have been digitally re-mastered. www.sillywizard.co.uk

SKERRYVORE World of Chance - album Skerryvore’s fourth album, ‘World of Chances,’ available from 25th June, draws heavily on the band’s extensive touring experience, as well as the many and varied influences that have driven how their music has evolved. At times uplifting, at times reflective, the result is a brighter, breezier, feelgood sound, yet one that is still unmistakably Skerryvore. www.skerryvore.com

TOM FAIRNIE Banishment / As Eden Lay in Darkness Tom's a contemporary singer songwriter and poet from Edinburgh, performing fmost recently as Tom Fairnie & The Snakes. These two CDs have been almost four years in the making. Tom: "I really am very proud of them and I would hope that you would all enjoy listening to them." www.tomfairnie.com

LITTLE DOSES Rock Riot Soul - album Little Doses were formed by Snow Patrol's Mark McClelland after leaving the band. They've been building a reputation for ferocious live shows and now release their debut album. Written by McClelland, and drawing heavily from the musical styles and influences of all members. www.littledoses.com

DO YOU HAVE A NEW RELEASE? If you’d like your new release to be included in the MUSIC NEWS Scotland ‘New Release’ column and be in with a chance of being picked for the MNS Top 4 spot then send your cd to: New Releases, MUSIC NEWS Scotland Romar, Birgham, Berwickshire. TD12 4NF

Festivals! the weekly Scottish music festival supplement from MUSIC NEWS Scotland

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Blas 2012 Grand Finale at Eden Court’s Empire Theatre - see page 11 www.blas-festival.com

INSIDE: Wickerman 2013 : Loopallu Fringe : Tiree Festival Award : Fringe Americana : Perthshire Amber : The Spree : Blas : Sound : plus 3 pages of festival listings

www.gonorth.biz

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS our quick festivals guide, for more details go to www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com 5-7 October

OCTOBER

The money your event raises really will improve people's lives. You will The 13th Festival will take place on help communities in Africa, Asia and the Pacific work with WaterAid on the 5th,6th and 7th of October Kaleidoscope Festival safe water, sanitation and hygiene 2012.

The Festival normally consists October projects that not only improve of 5 concerts, 3 latenight Festival St Andrews people’s health but benefit their clubs and workshops on the Saturday and Sunday mornings, we education and livelihoods also.

Kaleidoscope won't be happening in also have a fabulous trade show 2012. We had a great first year in www.bignationalceilidh.co.uk running throughout the Festival. so many ways but there are too The first 100 weekend tickets sold many signs this year telling us not will be entered into a prize draw to go ahead. There's a few other and the lucky winner will receive a Blazin’ in Beauly things in the pipeline which we'll fabulous Patrick James Eggle 15-19 October keep you all informed of but for Guitar, have a look at Patricks’ web now....get your dancing shoes on, site www.eggle.co.uk .Weekend Join Blazin’ Fiddles and friends for a festival season has begun! ticket price £130. musical extravaganza in a week of classes, sessions, concerts and craic www.kaleidoscopefestival.co.uk www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. This year we are delighted to announce that we have Fest 'n' Furious Shetland Accordion and guest fiddle tutors Adman 1-3 October Sutherland of Session A9 and Gillian Fiddle Festival Dundee Frame, formally with Back of the 11-15 October Moon and currently tours with The cutting edge of folk puts The festival consists of concerts and Findlay Napier and the Bar Room fiddling on a pedestal of coolness, Mountaineers. dances throughout Shetland on at Dundee's Fest ‘n’ Furious folk Thursday and Friday evening, a festival. With bands as their main grand dance in Lerwick on Saturday www.blazininbeauly.com focus, this festival takes tradition evening and a final concert on and heritage and presents them in a Sunday afternoon. The festival contemporary and interesting way.

Glasgay! presents the best in traditional Big name acts dominate the 15 October - 3 November music from Shetland, Scotland, evening entertainment, whilst a Ireland and Scandinavia. The folky-mix of smaller events like Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Club Glasgay! is Scotland's annual ceilidhs, workshops, talks and promotes the best in tradional celebration of queer culture, the masterclasses fill up the Shetland music, holding events programme. throughout the year, as well as the annual Shetland Accordion & Fiddle www.festnfurious.co.uk Festival (SAFF)

Glasgow Americana Festival 3-7 October Glasgow's annual celebration of Americana brings musicians from as far afield as Texas and Canada to perform roots music from blues to rockabilly. This year’s Glasgow Americana takes place from 3rd to 7th October, and features Jason & The Scorchers, Steve Forbert, Sam Baker, Eliza Gilkyson, plus more tbc www.glasgowamericana.com

Selkirk Sessions 5-7 October Scottish Borders 2012 is the seventh year of the Selkirk Sessions Traditional Music Festival. Selkirk Sessions welcomes all musicians who enjoy playing folk (traditional or modern), contemporary and bluegrass music and anyone who just likes listening to good stuff. Sessions galore in pubs and bars. Saturday Workshops & Competitions Campsite at the Haugh with free mini bus transport to and from the Sessions. Hotels and B&Bs in town. www.selkirksessions.com

Ullapool Guitar Festival

festival was founded in 1993.The Glasgay festival presents a professional programme of top acts and new artists from around the world with events spanning comedy, music, film, theatre, visual art, performance art, literature, club nights, education events, community arts projects. www.glasgay.co.uk

St Andrew’s Voices 18-21 October St Andrews Voices is a new vocal festival that will take place annually in October, beginning next year.

Located in the beautiful and world famous university town of St Andrews, the festival will play host to an eclectic range of top quality performers of a wide variety of musical genres – from Baroque to 1930s-style cabaret; opera to contemporary folk. With such an array of styles, presented in a mix of formal and more relaxed venues, the festival aims to attract audiences young and old, and seeks to encourage people to explore – and enjoy – types of vocal music they may not previously have considered. If you would like to find out more about St Andrews Voices

www.shetlandaccordionandfiddle.com

The Royal National Mod 12-20 October Dunoon The Royal National Mod will take place in Dunoon in 2012. The Feis events will take place in local hotels, public houses and local central venues with the final details of this still to be worked out with the local proprietors. An Comunn Gàidhealach is one of the oldest and most respected Gaelic organisations. Founded in Oban in 1891, it has long been a leading light in the teaching, learning and use of the Gaelic language and the study and cultivation of Gaelic literature, history, music and art. www.dunoonmod2012.org/

Big National Ceilidh 13 October Worldwide The Big National Ceilidh is a worldwide ceilidh or barn dance.

The 2012 event will take place on Saturday 13 October. This unique event will unite the world in support of WaterAid as thousands of people across the globe dance to raise funds and awareness to make a difference to the lives of those living without safe water and sanitation.

www.selkirksessions.co.uk www.selkirksessions.com

weblinks:

www.selkirksessions.co.uk www.selkirksessions.com

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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS our quick festivals guide, for more details go to www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com and be kept up to date with all the latest developments, please email standrewsvoices@gmail.com

20 October - 18 November strategies and is part of the Year of www.haddowfest.com Creative Scotland.

Venues in North East

North East Scotland's festival of new Twitter: @StAndrewsVoices music, is driven by the passion to make new music more accessible to audiences of all ages and Biggar Little Festival backgrounds. It embraces a 18-28 October network of local organisations to produce a varied programme of A family-friendly festival in the events exploring new music. The historic market town of Biggar - a festival brings together a large small town at large! Join us to range of different genres of music to celebrate music, dance, arts and appeal to a wide variety of tastes crafts, literature, and drama. Biggar and encourage people to discover will be filled with an eclectic new sounds and widen their musical programme of workshops, horizons. exhibitions, children's events, performances, a craft and food fair, www.sound-scotland.co.uk and festival clubs. Discover what brought well-known performers such as Ian Rankin, Kevin Bridges, The Spree Old Blind Dogs, Fred McCauley and Paisley Alexander McCall Smith to the 25-28 October festival in previous years. Take your pick from more than 50 events ‘The Spree’ was born from a desire spread across 10 days in October. to build on Paisley’s successful bid Many events are free! So start to host the Royal Mòd in 2013 and planning your visit to the Biggar with the intention of creating a Little Festival now! cultural legacy invigorating the town beyond that particular event. The www.biggar-little-festival.com Spree is a flagship festival and forms part of a wider plan that links with Renfrewshire Council's events Sound and Creative Renfrewshire

www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/thespree

NOVEMBER

Wave Festival Thurso 25-28 October

Denholm Folk Music Festival 1-4 November Denholm, Scottish Borders

‘We Were Promised Jetpacks’ headline the festivals largest gig on the Friday to date at Skinandis Nightclub. Joining them are another up and coming Scottish act ‘Fatherson’ a three piece band from Kilmarnock and local boys ‘Running With Scissors’. On Saturday The Hazey Janes and We Are All Outsiders play. www.facebook.com/wave.north

Shetland Peerie Willie Guitar Festival 26-28 October The Shetland Peerie Willie Guitar Festival is a celebration of guitar with concerts and educational events. Known locally as the ‘Peerie Willie’ Guitar Festival, the event is dedicated to the memory of the late William Johnson, a highly regarded guitarist who pioneered the jazz influenced accompaniment style, prevalent in traditional Shetland music. www.shetland-music.com

www.tickets-scotland.com

www.thespree.co.uk

www.denholmfolkfest.co.uk

Carrying Stream Festival 7-14 November Edinburgh The annual autumn music festival

by The Edinburgh Folk Club who meet every Wednesday at 8pm in the Pleasance Cabaret Bar www.edinburghfolkclub.co.uk

House Folk Scottish Music Festival 8-10 November Kinlochard

Perthshire Amber The Dougie MacLean Festival 26 October - 4 November

Now in its 5th year the House Folk Music Festival brings you three nights of Scottish music performed by top artists in highly unusual and intimate venues. The concerts take Internationally acclaimed Singerplace every year in autumn in the songwriter and Composer Dougie village of Kinlochard situated in the MacLean fulfilled his dream with the Trossachs. creation of The Perthshire Amber Festival, a festival that lights up the www.scottishmusicfestival.co.uk Autumn across some of Scotland's more beautiful countryside. The Perthshire Amber Festival includes Carlisle Blues & Rock concert performances in an Festival inspiring range of venues...from 9-11 November concert hall, town halls and village halls to castles, cathedral and even an Iron Age crannog! It gives locals The highly acclaimed Carlisle Blues & Rock Festival celebrated five and visitors the opportunity to explore Perthshire with a focus, and incredibly exciting and successful years with a weekend event last for enthusiasts for Dougie MacLean's music to experience the November which many regarded as the best UK blues festival in 2011. place where he lives and gain a As the new year unfolds exciting deeper understanding of the meaning of and inspiration for some new plans are shaping up for the Carlisle event, not just for this year of his songs and instrumental but for the next one and beyond. compositions.

More significantly, for the immediate future, the Carlisle Blues www.perthshireamber.com & Rock Festival is set to embrace a new "BLUES BOOM" and raise the Haddow Fest bar yet again....

Edinburgh 28 October weblink: www.thespree.co.uk tickets: www.tickets-scotland.com

Folk fused with rock and country gives the 9th Denholm Folk Music Festival an added twist. This folk fusion festival in the Scottish countryside is a relative newcomer, slowly building a reputation in the local area. It's a small and cozy affair not far across the Scottish border which has always managed to attract quality headline acts to compliment the workshops and open mic sessions.

Haddowfest is back for one day only.Big announcement coming soon!

http://carlislebluesfestival.com/

Sonica Glasgow

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14-18 November

DECEMBER

the UK, ensures that the city is buzzing with music! The festival is a Celtic Connections major event in the folk and world Sonica is Cryptic’s new event 17 January - 3 February music calendar. Each year it dedicated to world-class sonic arts Edinburgh's Hogmanay and music. Sonica will add to the Around 1500 artists, 300 events, 18 welcomes visitors from around the 31 December globe to the festival, where already vibrant music scene days, 14 venues, 1 brilliant international artists perform highlighted by Glasgow’s UNESCO festival - 2013 line up Four fabulous days and nights of alongside the very best Scottish City of Music, presenting work by amazing events kick off the world's announcement and tickets on sale established international artists, dates coming soon! Glasgow comes talent. greatest New Year party. With the providing a UK platform for further traditional torchlit procession, street alive each January as Celtic www.celticconnections.com performances of exceptional and Connections, one of the world’s performers, fireworks, concerts, rarely seen work and, showcasing largest winter music festivals and ceilidh, the big Hogmanay party the best emerging local and the premiere Celtic music festival in itself and a New Year's Day run to international talent. Sonica takes blow the cobwebs away place across Glasgow’s most Edinburgh's buzzing. Come along prestigious venues, with Tramway and experience the magic for as the focal point, along with events yourself. taking place at the CCA, Scotland www.facebook.com/wave.north Street Museum, Scottish Music www.caithnesshorizons.co.uk www.edinburghshogmanay.org Centre, The Glue Factory, The Whiskey Bond and The Hub.

Stirling Hogmanay 31 December

www.sonic-a.co.uk

The Hot Hogmanay 500 tickets are Fiddle 2012 for Stirling's Hogmanay Concert at 16-18 November Stirling Castle's Esplanade. It's the Edinburgh big outdoor concert with headline bands, huge crowds, countdown to The Scots Fiddle Festival seeks to midnight and one of the very best sustain and promote Scottish fiddle fireworks displays in the country. tradition and idioms, by providing a Tickets go on general sale for the platform for performance, Hogmanay concert on Wed 5th education, and participation. A September - priced at £25 / £12.50 weekend of concerts, recitals, (15yrs and under). But the HOT 500 workshops, talks and exhibitions is are on sale from 10am from 22 held on an annual basis highlighting August until midnight on 31 August regional Scottish fiddle styles and (or earlier if the 500 tickets are intercultural connections. sold) www.scotsfiddlefestival.com

St Andrews Festival 23 November - 2 December The 2012 Festival will start on Friday 23 November with the opening night of the Byre’s production of McPherson’s Rant in the Festival Marquee on the lawn in front of Madras College. www.standrewsfestival.co.uk

www.facebook.com/wewerepromisedjetpacks www.facebook.com/fathersonband

www.facebook.com/wearealloutsiders

www.facebook.com/StirlingsHogmanay

Inverness Hogmanay 31 December Red Hot Fling - Scotland's Biggest FREE Hogmanay Party brings the 2012 Inverness Festivals programme to a close. Full details can be found on their website later in the year. www.invernessfestivals.com

2013 JANUARY

www.ukprosurf.com https://twitter.com/Wave_North www.facebook.com/wave.north

festival: www.facebook.com/wave.north venue: www.caithnesshorizons.co.uk

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