Live in Edinburgh This Week – 21st September 2008
Having been neatly scolded for my snobbery after mocking neds last week, with no mention of their prejudice for threatening to chib me for sounding a bit posh and somewhat English, I am going to steer clear of sweeping generalisations this time around for fear of being stabbed by the weasels on one side and berated as I bleed to death by the tut-tutters on the other.
Wee Half China does make some very good points in that post actually, and whilst it is easy enough to point out that mocking neds for being shitey little bastards is no different to mocking posh yahs for being unspeakable cunts, or indeed the balsamic vinegar classes for being stomach-churningly pretentious, it must be noted that being stereotyped as an unspeakably posh twat never stopped anyone getting ahead in life, so point taken.
That doesn’t have much to do with this week’s exhibits at the Edinburgh live circus though, does it. Apart from perhaps noting the continuing status of indie as some sort of white, middle class, largely male musical ghetto. But, erm, sorry, I’ll try to stay on topic. This week for your quiversome musical pleasure I have found the following:
Wednesday 24th September 2008: Eliza Carthy at the Voodoo Rooms.
For someone who I’ve always associated with gentle folk, I must say that the picture of Eliza Carthy (above) is looking surprisingly babelicious. Listening to the stuff on her MySpace page it all becomes a little clearer – I simply had some slightly skewed pre-conceptions. She still seems loosely based in folk, but there’s a lot more going on there than that so it might be worth popping along here for some, er… glam-folk, can I call it?
Eliza Carthy – Two Tears
Thursday 25th September 2008: Morgan Orion & Withered Hand at the Collective Gallery.
Withered Hand are bloody marvellous. That is all you need to know. About Morgan Orion I know very little, although even a cursory MySpace listen will tell you that there’s something very worth investigating here. It’s basic low-fi singer-songwriter stuff, but the low-key balance between the rough and the smooth is judged nicely, making the sound rather intriguing, if you ask me.
Morgan Orion – Something to Sing Through
Thursday 25th September 2008: Small Town Boredom, Eagleowl & Paul Goodwin at the Wee Red Bar.
This is rather tragically the Gentle Invasion retirement party. It must be said that Bart has retired before, but I am assured that this time he really, really means it. Really means it. Honest. So head along to Henry’s Cellar Bar for an evening of very low key, gentle folk-pop and watch Bart try and persuade himself that he can go cold turkey. He can’t. I guarantee it.
Small Town Boredom – Apologies For Apathy
Thursday 25th Spetember 2008: Jesus H. Foxx & Be A Familiar play Limbo at the Voodoo Rooms.
It’s all very bounce pop this week at Limbo, so it should be great fun. I am not all that familiar with Be A Familiar, but Jesus H. Foxx have some great tunes at their disposal, so fire through for the £2 bottled beers and plenty of boppery.
Jesus H. Foxx – I’m Half the Man You Were
Saturday 27th September – Benbecula Records Showcase at the Voodoo Rooms.
Benbecula are a very well-respected record label in these parts about whom I know very little indeed. They tend to focus on electronica, often quite experimental. Given my general ignorance I think a showcase like this would be the perfect time to get a taster of what the label is really about.
As usual, it’s no good gigs for ages, and then four in one night. Frightened Rabbit are also playing on Thursday. You can book tickets here.
I think. I don’t really understand it.
Also, Amusement Parks on Fire on Friday at Cab Vol, with gasgiant and North Atlantic Oscillation.
And Thursday is definitely definitely the last Gentle Invasion ever.
Or if not ever, certainly till October.
The end of October, mind.
Surely the Balsamic Vinegar classes are no longer the Balsamic Vinegar classes since Lidl started selling it.
I suspect they might be the Ras El Hanout, Wakame or Dukkah classes now.
But it is so difficult to keep up!
You know why I bought the first Snow Patrol album? Partly because they were on the same label as Belle & Sebastian at the time: Jeepster; and partly because the album included a song titled ‘Get Balsamic Vinegar Quick, You Fool!’ which I thought was brilliant. It’s an erratic record, but not bad in bits. They weren’t always rubbish.
They clearly had such promise. how did they ever stray so far from the path?
What was the balsamic vinegar song about?
Other than, obviously, balsamic vinegar.
(I really like balsamic vinegar.. will have to cook something with it tonight.)
I don’t remember but I seem to recall a feeling of disappointment that it didn’t live up to its excellent title.
Ah, the seeds of their downfall were sown early.
So what shall I do with my balsamic vinegar this evening? Any suggestions?
This seems to be on the verge of crossing paths with Euan’s ‘I love bums’ post.
Yeah, I loved the first Snow Patrol album so much, I’m now ’songsforpolarbears’ most places on the net. I’m embarrassed about it now.
Hmm, why did they crawl so far up their own arses? Songs For Polar Bears is a good little indie debut.
I too bought stuff just because it was on Jeepster. And I’m glad I did. Salako were a fun find.
I had a rather nice deli sandwich on the weekend: parma ham, fresh figs, gorgonzola and balsamic vinegar.
Radioactive with pretension by the time I’d finished it.
liz green and ben wetherill at bar brel (in glasgow, sorry) on wednesday is well worth travelling through for.
Nic are you some sort of middle class snob, with your tasty sandwiches and everything? Shame on you.
Rob, so is Broken Records and Sparrow & the Workshop at King Tut’s tonight, but it’s hard enough trying to stay on top of Edinburgh gigs. If I threw in Glasgow as well it’s take me all day.
Through and through… I walked straight past a kebab joint and a chippy to get to that deli.
Ah, c’mon Mathew, you love a bit of meat to chew on and a rap across the knuckles. Keeps one in check does it not? Still friends?
Take down those shields…
Fuck! Is it Broken Records and Sparrow at King Tut’s tonight?..
I thought I’d missed that one last week.
There’s nothing more frustrating than thinking you’ve missed something so not bothering to check and then finding out you’ve missed it again when you hadn’t actually missed it in the first place.
Bollocks.
Wee Half China – I’m not sulking actually, I’m cogitating. You made some excellent points and I think I will post about it when I’ve had the chance to work out quite what I want to say. And work out how to not say it incredibly offensively as well.
Gav – I think you qualify as a true music nerd once you start buying things you know nothing about simply because they are on a little record label you’re keen on! I put that down as my turning point anyway.
Broken Records are on tomorrow night here in Glasgow – my new abode – however Be A Familiar are on at this Mill thing at the Oran Mor so I’m heading along to that. It’s been recommended to me so we’ll see. I’m attempting to embed myself in the Glasgow scene now.. probably a bit more tricky seeing as the place is somewhat larger. Frightened Rabbit at the Arches later this month should be a cracking homecoming/biggest headline show yet affair. Then there’s Wee See Lights on the 1st, again as part of this ‘Mill’ selection.
Looks like I might miss the ‘final’ Great Invasion.. cock.