Ah, Tartan Shortbread, that most wonderful of sardonic Scottish put-downs.
For those unfamiliar with the term, this is the offhand dismissal used to describe the sort of mawkish, clichéd tourist tat which masquerades as Scottish heritage and culture for those with woefully little imagination. Alternatively, I suppose you could say that Tartan Shortbread is a blanket term for Scottish heritage as a sort of motorway service station take on national identity.
Anyhow, given I work very much at the coalface of the DIY music world in Scotland, I find that I have been oddly unsupportive of a large number of Scottish bands who have emerged in the last couple of years to considerable enthusiasm from the Scottish music press, both professional and amateur.
For some reason, the recent bands who have shown some likelihood of cracking an audience wider than the relatively narrow confines of the five million or so people in Scotland itself just haven’t appealed to me, with a few notable exceptions. However, sitting down to assemble the playlist for this week I noticed that there were something like seven of the ten songs which happened to be by Scottish bands. Oh, I thought to myself, I appear to be Scottish again. How nice.
01. Django Django – Default (00.17)
02. Andrew Bird – Eyeoneye (08.41)
03. Lower Dens – Brains (12.47)
04. Randolph’s Leap – Bile (26.17)
05. Clean George IV – XP Avenue (32.51)
06. Dumb Instrument – Reverse the Hearse (35.57)
07. The Occasional Flickers – When the Sky Looks so Grey (41.11)
08. R.M. Hubbert – Sunbeam Melt the Hour (with Marion Kenny & Hanna Tuulikki) (50.20)
09. The Twilight Sad – Don’t Move (55.49)
10. Brown Brogues – Anyone But You (62.04)
Alright, I know that by the end of January you are supposed to stop using terms like ‘new year’ but I reckoned it was about time for an update on these matters, and that seemed the most appropriate way of phrasing it.
So, with a flurry of album launches coming up in the late Spring/early Summer, we have a small but exciting fistful of gigs to tide us over until then, which I will list below. Apart from the aforementioned launches, which we’ll generally try and do somewhere a bit strange, I am looking at putting on as many of my events as possible at Henry’s this year.
This is for numerous reasons, but chief amongst them Nora and Claire have been there at every gig and have been a real pleasure to deal with. When you’re a relatively rookie promoter, having sound engineers and venue managers who just take care of shit in the calmest possible way makes a huge difference, leaving you to panic about attendance at your leisure. Also, I just kinda like the place. It’s scruffy, sure, but in many ways it’s a classic dive bar – it’s where gigs should be taking place.
Anyhow, our first gig is in a few weeks and it will be Armellodie Records’ Chris Devotion and the Expectations but umm… well, I’ll write down a handy list for you because, maybe even more than it loves kittens, the internet just loves lists doesn’t it. And as per usual, all tickets will be available from Brown Paper Tickets, and from Avalanche Records down on the Grassmarket.
Chris Devotion and the Expectations have a new album out on the brilliant Armellodie Records, and will be playing some dates to support the release. Their smart, slight stylised indie pop should work well with My Tiny Robots, who are also rather stylish indie poppers, albeit in a rather different way.
Er, ramshackle and idiosyncratic – is that the best way to describe this lineup? I think it might be. Zed Penguin have a new EP and a new full band lineup, and Brown Brogues a new single on the way, so this should be perfect timing. All these bands make a bit of a racket, and none of them seem entirely right in the head, which er, well, should probably make for a brilliant night I reckon.
Louis Barabbas were absolutely mental and absolutely brilliant when they last played Edinburgh, in the middle of last year. They’ll be joined on the bill by Lee Patterson, who I first happened across at this year’s Antihoot in the Summer, and hopefully Skeleton Bob. Actually, for all they said ‘yeah, awesome’ when I asked them to play, I have yet to get proper confirmation from Skeleton Bob actually, so I’d better get on top of that, now that I think about. Also, please note that this gig is at the Third Door, not Henry’s.
This will be a pop night, sort of. All the bands take their pop and make it weird, be it by fuzz or by skewed eccentricity. So Many Wizards are over touring from the States, and LeThug are a really promising new Glasgow band I wrote about on Song, by Toad recently, and if you haven’t already checked out their stuff then you should.
Two Leeds bands accidentally ended up on the same bill here, so I hope they get on. Dolfinz are favourites of ours already, as you know, and they are touring with Slowcoaches, so you can expect some fine, garagey racket from those two. Post War Glamour Girls are just a tad more restrained and stylish I think
It’s no secret that a lot of my favourite bands this year have come from Manchester. And coincidentally enough, four of them seem to have come up with new releases pretty much simultaneously, so given how rarely I mention single releases on this blog I thought that made for pretty much the ideal opportunity to compile some sort of Toad vs Manchester Funtimes Omnibus.
Now, if any of you ungrateful cunts had bothered to come along to the Electric Circus on the last weekend in August you would have seen awesome performances by two of these bands, and you would know why I am so excited by them. But you didn’t, did you. Twats. I am almost too embarrassed to invite them back now, but I will try if you promise to turn up this time, because you really should see them.
First, up there at the top of the page, we have Ghost Outfit, whose debut single is now out on Salford’s brilliant Sways Records. The deluxe edition includes all the amazing things in the picture below:
Also on Sways are the excellent Louche FC. We also happened to have them booked to come up to play Edinburgh last year, but work commitments prevented that happening unfortunately, which is something I would like to put right this year, if at all possible.
They have their second single out around now, which can be pre-ordered from here. If you want a listen the video is below, as well as a Soundcloud embed of Hands, which they are giving away as a free download.
Next up we have the fantastic Brown Brogues, who have a new single out on a Swedish label called Kenrock Records. For obvious reasons I can’t give you any free downloads here, but the band are streaming the single on their Bandcamp page, and it is available to purchase here. For those unfamiliar with their sound, it’s a bit like Oscar the Grouch singing rock ‘n’ roll songs from inside his dustbin, whilst a wind-up monkey plays drums on the lid. And it’s awesome.
And finally, after all these singles, a whole album at last, and this time from Former Bullies. The band make dreamy, lo-fi pop music, have a penchant for DIY but nevertheless excellent videos. The album is going to be available in relatively limited numbers, and can be purchased either direct from the label or from Soft Power Vinyl, who are a highly-curated online record shop based, I believe, in Livingstone of all places. Their shop is very much worth exploring. They don’t seem to stock much, but what they have is absolutely excellent. And if you want to hear more Former Bullies stuff, their Bandcamp page is here, and has all sorts.
So there you go. So many embeds and pictures and bits and pieces, the whole post is a bit of a mess isn’t it? Sorry about that. Still, there’s enough good stuff there to keep you busy for a few hours.
Sometimes things are lo-fi because people like to use old equipment, sometimes because they just prefer the sound, and sometimes because, as seems to be the case here, the whole business was thrown together quickly as a bit of a lark.
This is whatever you’d a call a combination of supergroup, side project, imaginary band and a bit of good-natured fucking around. Ben and Mark from Brown Brogues join Luke from Sex Beet and Jerry Tropicano for a what turned out to be a weekend of writing and recording, and this is what came out of it: an EP of improvised vocals and rough garage rock riffs. Splendid.
Its provenance suggests it’s not something to be taken too seriously but, second song Trendy apart, this is actually a bloody good listen. The whole EP is downloadable for free from Bandcamp, so you can try it for yourself.
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It’s the Gigpocalypse! Gigmageddon! A gigantic week-long party of musical funz! The final kick in the balls your exhausted, fading liver can’t quite handle before it gives up the ghost and implodes altogether.
After a pretty lacklustre musical showing thus far, the Edinburgh Festival finally earns its spurs this week with what can only be described as the inevitable descent of total and utter carnage.
Lach’s one-man show is back on (after illness) at Cabaret Voltaire, free every night this week at 8:45pm, and of course the Antihoot will be on every night this week except Tuesday from midnight to 3am in the Gilded Balloon.
Then there’s also the next two Toad at the Circus gigs, firstly an acoustic strummer affair, and then on Friday a thumping racket. I will be DJing at these gigs, but don’t let that put you off, they might still be quite fun.
As well as conventional gigs, Avalanche Records have a full list of really rather excellent in-stores this week too, featuring the likes of Emily Scott and Edinburgh School for the Deaf – full details here. Oh, and of course the week finally stumbles to an alcoholic close with the return of the fantabulous Retreat Festival. It will be awesome, and my liver will be begging for mercy long before the end.
This will be a carnival of electro loveliness. I know less about Mr. Schnauss, but Jonnie’s album is pretty damn close to being the best Scottish album of the year, for my money.
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It’ll be an all-acoustic affair for our third Toad at the Circus gig. Apart from Meursault’s Neil Pennycook performing solo, we have the amazing Benjamin Shaw coming up from London and the equally excellent John Egdell from Newcastle.
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This is a bit straightforward isn’t it. Sebadoh are lo-fi indie rock legends (to paint with the broadest of brushes) and they are playing in Edinburgh. I think this might be sold out though, so there might be little point listing it but umm… it’s Sebadoh, y’know.
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Something of an Edinburgh all-stars gig this one. If you aren’t from here and want to know why those of us in Edinburgh have been so excited by our homegrown music scene recently, then this and Retreat are the ones to show you.
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Willy Mason has sort of slipped off the critical radar since the pop smash (relatively speaking of course) of Oxygen back in about 2005 or so. I saw him live back in London before moving up here actually, and it was absolutely brilliant.
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Let’s see the babbling hen sluts talk over this. Fuck you, motherfuckers, tonight is going to be loud! Brown Brogues are a clattering racket and according to The Pigeon Post Ghost Outfit are the best live band in Manchester at the moment.
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As the Antihoot has been taking place this year Lach and myself have been selecting, with the help of the audience, the favourite act of each night and we’re inviting them all back this weekend, where we’ll be recording the performances to release as The Best of the Antihoot on Song, by Toad Records. It’ll also be a fantastic way to have a big fuck off party to celebrate the end of an awesome run at this year’s Festival which has, of course, seen me make my stand-up comedy debut. But the less said about that the better.
Continuing the excellence of their Festival booking, Sneaky Pete’s have three excellent new Edinburgh bands on on Saturday. I’ll be at Retreat, but if it happens to sell out then this looks like an excellent alternative.
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There are a couple of events which define my musical calendar. Most Fence events would pretty much be included in there, and the other would be Retreat. The best bands in Edinburgh, fucking lovely people and the nicest atmosphere at any music even I’ve been to in the city. Bart Owl is a hero. A sarcastic, ginger hero.
I don’t really need to add anything to the following, do I? Apart from a big thanks to the Electric Circus for suggesting I put these nights on, thanks to all the bands for agreeing to play and umm… well, I hope to fuck you all turn up, eh!
The highlight of today was undoubtedly the Muzzle of BeesBackyard BBQ, which took something of a walk to find, but was nevertheless a very, very pleasant and absolutely wonderfully relaxing way to spend the day. Then we had a shitload of seafood, got completely smashed and watched a lot of loud music! WIN!
I really am running out of stupid names for these fucking things. I’m sure I’m going to end up just numbering them in future, but for now you’re going to have to put up with the bloody silly names I’m afraid.
In my effort to squeeze eleven songs into an hour I actually don’t ramble very much on this one, only to find out that the podcast ends up being much less than the usual hour and a bit, for a change. Do I really talk so fucking much the rest of the time?
Anyhow, this is a fucking ace podcast of new music. I don’t generally pay too much attention to how cool (or otherwise) these things might be, but I reckon any haircut merchants out there might rather enjoy this one. For the rest of you, those without Haircuts with a capital haitch, well, just get on as best you can. Let’s face it, if I love it all, it can’t really be all that cutting edge, can it.
01. FOUND – Machine Age Dancing (00.25)
02. Girls Names – Seánce on a Wet Afternoon (07.00)
03. Sonny & the Sandwitches – A. Grassley – Throw My Ashes From This Pier When I Die (12.19)
04. The Honorable Worm – Wouldn’t Mind Dying (14.46)
05. Li’l Daggers – Ya Tu Sabe (22.54)
06. The Louche FC – Back Bedroom Casualty (29.27)
07. Milk Maid – Such Fun (33.24)
08. Brown Brogues – Treet U Beta (35.56)
09. The Honey Pies – Hair of the Dog (41.07)
10. Zed Penguin – This Town (46.49)
11. Manners – Knives (56.44)
Ruth and I are back on Fresh Air Radio once more this evening, live from 8pm for an hour and a half.
Ruth now has her own blog as well, so for those of you who tire of my wittering and crave a little bit more eclecticism in your world, then go and have a gander at Find Me in the Archives.
This week I have some songs from my Manchester post this week, and will be scarpering immediately afterwards to try and catch what I can of the FOUND album launch at the Voodoo Rooms. Factorycraft is out on Chemikal Underground right about now.
As per usual, the playlist will be updated live below as we go along, and the comments will be open for your heckling and chattering and general talking of pish. So feel free to chip in.
1. Devotchka – All the Sand in All the Sea
2. Golden Ghost – Plain Sight
3. Emit Bloch – Dorothy (a bit of the old version)
4. Emit Bloch – Dorothy (and the whole new versions)
5. Thao & Mirah – Eleven (feat. Tuneyards)
6. Powerdove – Sickly City
7. Moldy Peaches – Anyone Else But You
8. Roger Manning – Pearly Blues
9. Girls – The Oh-so-protective One
10. Brown Brogues – I Just Don’t Know
11. The Louche FC – Back Bedroom Casualty
12. Dum Dum Girls – He Gets Me High
13. Psychedelic Horseshit – Unseen Voids
14. Active Child – When Your Love is Safe
15. The Red River – Apple Valley
16. Husband – Feelings
I may sound like I work for the BBC, but if anyone asks me, I do tend to tell them that I am not really all that English. My mum was born and raised in Moss Side though, which is one of the scummier parts of Manchester, and I lived in the city myself for a year apiece at the ages of seventeen and twenty-four, so if I am actually from anywhere in England in any meaningful sense, then it is probably Manchester.
I’ve always harboured a sort of simmering resentment for the place though, in that unfair way you do when your life is shit for all sorts of reasons and it ends up rather unreasonable reflecting on where you are living at the time. I’ve been through this all before on the Manchester Podcast, but I’ll rehash it here quickly, just to explain myself a little.
The first time around was my first year of university. Compared to everyone around me in Vienna and Singapore, where I was raised, I was really quite English. I liked English and American music, I supported Manchester United and I visited England quite regularly to see my family in Manchester. When I actually moved to England for the first time, however, I found it didn’t really work like that, that I wasn’t very English at all, and promptly endured a year of pretty severe culture shock.
The second time around I had been distracted for a year after graduation by accidentally becoming a restaurant manager, had been offered a design internship in Milan, only for that to fall through and for me to find myself stranded in Manchester again, flat broke, working in a pub and having a very hard time of getting the job for which my degree had allegedly prepared me. This led to a few too many conversation which went roughly like this:
“What do you do for a job then?” [I look around myself in a confused manner, as if the fact that I am standing behind a bar, pouring drinks and then demanding money in exchange for those drinks should make the answer to that question somewhat obvious.] “I’m a barman.” “No, I mean as a real job.” “I am a bar man.” “But surely you’re far too well-spoken and intelligent to be just a barman!” “Well, you’d think.”
It was shit, but I did listen to some fine music while I was there. Here are a couple of songs, one from the first spell and one from the second:
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Anyhow, after my shite experiences living there have tainted my memories of Manchester for the last seventeen years, things have slowly started to change. A few years ago I discovered Red Deer Club and Humble Soul, two of my favourite independent record labels in the UK. Why, I am not sure, but for the last year or two I have just been bumping into one cool Manchester music enterprise after another, and suddenly I find my negative associations with the place starting to evaporate.
Firstly, I came across Cloud Sounds, now my favourite podcast, and the blogs Folly of Youth, A New Band a Day and Pigeon Post. As well as being good in their own right, all of these lovely people have been incredibly supportive of what we’re up to here as well.
Secondly, Ruth from Fat Northerner kindly invited me to take part in two Unconvention events, one in Macclesfield, where my dear friend Tom Smith is from, and one in Salford, where United and stabbings are from. Around the same time I went to last year’s In the City as well, so I ended up spending a fair bit of time in Manchester last year and honestly, I had a blast.
So with my good relationship with the city almost entirely restored, I now also seem to be finding all sorts of interesting music stuff happening there too, and have ordered a pile of vinyl from small labels in Manchester recently.
The above picture is the vinyl starter pack from Sways Records, which just dropped through my letterbox this morning, and I can’t wait to get stuck into it tonight. I bought this for the debut single by The Louche FC, which can be heard below. I first heard these guys on a Cloud Sounds podcast, and am trying to get them up to Edinburgh for a live show sometime soon.
I’ve also just received Suffering Jukebox singles from Milk Maid and Manchester’s current A&R darlings Brown Brogues, and have been playing them loads recently. Brown Brogues are playing SXSW this year, and because they make a right old racket I might actually be able to persuade Mrs. Toad to go and see them.
Also, Static Caravan sent me through a whole pile of awesome 7″ aural pleasure recently as well – help yourself here. I found them by searching out the debut single by The Maladies of Bellafontaine, and ended up with a pile of other records as well.
And finally, Debt Records is the home to the likes of Red Tides (whose lead singer – I think – is absolutely lovely – I accidentally bumped into her upstairs at Fuel Cafe in Withington, while she was doing some embroidery or something, if I remember – this whole thing has been bit random) and Louis Barabbas & the Bedlam Six who are, of course, playing this week’s Ides of Toad gig at Henry’s. Debt Records’ ethos is to embrace live performance, focussing on good gigs in interesting places, as a way of reacting to an environment where in order to become popular recorded music is becoming more and more boring.
So apart from all these interesting projects which I have happened across in the last year or so, what I’ve found really interesting has been the self-image of Manchester’s music scene. A certain friend of mind has dismissed it as being ‘full of fucking sneering hipsters’, and given the city itself reminds me heavily of Glasgow, I think I always thought of Manchester as fashionable hipster haven.
But when I told one of my friends there that Edinburgh is good to work in because all the ambitious fashion whores tend to fuck off to Glasgow sharpish, which makes it hard to make progress here, but at least tends to mean that the people who remain are interesting and stubborn and not focussed on celebrity or stardom, their response was ‘Oh right, a bit like Manchester is with London then?’
And I suppose I’d never thought of it that way before. I’d always thought of Manchester as somewhere cool, somewhere to kind of envy, as a lot of other Edinburgh people think of Glasgow I suppose. I do forget that no matter how much you achieve, especially in something as status-orientated as the music industry, there is always someone more successful to cast envious glances towards. So next time we Edinburghers whinge about Glasgow, maybe we should just stop whining and be grateful we aren’t as isolated as Aberdeen.
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Ah, Tartan Shortbread, that most wonderful of sardonic Scottish put-downs.
