Live in Edinburgh This Week – 24th February 2008
There’s some good stuff in the ‘Burgh this week, including a couple of highly recommended local folk acts that I have yet to catch live, so it might mean the domestic chores getting put on hold for another week. I’ve heard a fair bit recently about both My Kappa Roots and Withered Hand and they are both playing Henry’s Cellar Bar this week, the former on Monday 25th February and the latter next Sunday, 2nd March. I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it to either gig, which is more than a little frustrating, but I’ll try. There are, as Mrs. Toad has to keep reminding me, chores to be done.
Wednesday 27th February: Stephanie Dosen at the Ark.
What happened to her? I heard a fair bit about her about this time last year and since then, nada. God only knows why she’s playing the Ark, which is a shabby place indeed, but she’s easily their most high profile booking for ages.
Wednesday 27th February: Kid Harpoon at Cabaret Voltaire.
After the release of his Second EP a few weeks back, I am really looking forward to his slightly folky indie stuff, and apparently he’s terrific live too. I’m also looking forward to seeing local band The Kays Lavelle for the first time as well, in support.
Kid Harpoon – Flowers by the Shore
Thursday 28th February: Found & Down the Tiny Steps at Cabaret Voltaire.
Down the Tiny Steps are absolutely superb – they go from acoustic folkiness to shoegazey guitar to experimental electronica, often in the same track. They’re superb live too. I’d be here just to see the Tinies, but throw Found into the mix and there’s no chance I’m missing it – what a first class lineup.
Down the Tiny Steps – Aye Spy
Found – You’re Really Quite the Catch
Sunday 2nd March: The Futureheads at The Liquid Room.
Without really expecting it I’ve slowly turned into a really big fan of the Futureheads. The tracks from their new album have a rockier edge than the indie-pop they’ve tended to produce thus far, and they sound terrific. Oddly under-rated if you ask me.
The Futureheads – Broke Up the Time
As much as I am looking forward to supporting Kid Harpoon, I am gutted to miss out on Stephanie Dosen – saw her support Midlake and have heard glowing reviews about her recent album. Bella Union have a good catalogue usually so would love to get along to that. Yet – I need to see Kid Harpoon live. Oh and can I mention that We See Lights are also playing the Cab Vol show and from the sound of their tunes on myspace should be really enjoyable.
My Kappa Roots and Withered Hand are both excellent. Also Kartta – who are headlining the Withered Hnad show on Sunday are great. I don’t thin their recordings on myspace do them justice, as live they come on like a Scottish Broken Social Scene – bursting with energy and ideas.
I think the This Is Music night at Henry’s is also worth a mention – it’s Plaaydoh’s first Edinburgh gig, which I’ve been looking forward to for a while.
my kappa roots is well worth a listen, am not too sure about the other bands that night. incidently, you’ve taken a picture of emily’s house there.
Bart I am disappointed – have analysed your message and can find nothing remotely smutty. This is not like you.
Fucksake people.
If the Fuck Buttons or Holy Fuck come to town this feature is going to collapse under the weight of its own filth.
Lipsync for a Lullaby and Swiss Krissly are also playing with My Kappa Roots tonight.
Lipsync for a Lullaby are a cello-led post-rock outfit. Tonight is only their second gig. Their cellist used to be in Ara (formerly We Are Your Mum, which I always thought was a much better name). I like them – there’s a lot of ideas in there. The first gig suffered from bad sound, so will be interested to chek them out tonight. The potential is there for great things.
Don’t know much about Swiss Krissley, other than that I hate the name. Though from past experience, bad name doesnt necessarily mean bad band (though often enough it does serve as a warning. Hello urbnri.)
Also I should point out that the This is Music night I mentioned earlier is on Saturday at Henry’s, from 11pm. Also features Dirty Summer, who (along with Plaaydoh) feature on the new cry parrot sampler – which everyone should be encouraged to at least check out (and I’m not just saying that because my band is on it. Honest.):
http://www.winningspermparty.com/cryparrot
Bums.
I’ve just downloaded that actually. I’ve only heard of about half the bands on it too, which is excellent.
It’s mostly quite ‘rawk’, but not in a bad way.
There’s some really good stuff on there. And a lot of names that were new to me as well.
And any album that has Copy Haho and Household is all right by me.
Fucking Found are fucking ace I fucking think. Fucking what do fucking you think Toad?
Fuck off.
(Yes they are indeed excellent. But then, so are Down the Tiny Steps.)
Is My Kappa Roots a band of people who used to be neds?
(sorry)
If the cap fits, Tim…
spot on, daily growl. my kappa roots is one man(boy). a former ned from fife, rescued from the dark side of buckfast and tucked in trackies by folk music. and bloody great at what he does.
Wow! I’m so pleased that wild jibe is true. I want to hear them/him now! Ah, the redemptive power of folk. I hope he has songs about nights out on the Buckie and jellies (or was that just my Lanarkshire?)
why are we the only band in this segment who are not coloured green? i would like to be green
:O)
I saw Dosen supporting…I think it was Nanci Griffith (?) back last year and she was godawful! Sprawling songs with no point and no centre, dreadfully teenage lyrics and, most of all, there was just something terribly unlikeable about her! Not one I’d recommend.
Well I’ll be at Kid Harpoon anyway, so clearly I’ll survive