Song, by Toad

Greetings my Summery flock of Toads, how are we all doing this fine morning?  Or afternoon of course, depending on where you might be located.

I was advised once by Johnny Pictish not to put on gigs during July or August because getting people out to them was a near-impossibility.  I don’t know if this is just Edinburgh or if it applies universally, but certainly the promoters of this fair city seem to have taken it heart because there is really is sweet Fanny Adams happening in the next couple of weeks on the live circuit.

Maybe people are gearing up for the Festival.  It wouldn’t surprise me because after last year’s programme being thinner than a model’s forearms this year’s August schedule is shaping up to be extremely good indeed.  We’ve got Retreat back (only for a day this time, unfortunately) and Trampoline’s Festival lineups are looking really rather excellent too.

It has to be said, as well, and despite my general tendency to bash corporate enterprise and side shamelessly with the DIY, the ramshackle and the home-grown, that the lineup for this year’s Edge Festival is also looking rather good.  After scrapping the generally excellent T on the Fringe, they seemed to have some pretty significant teething problems with the rebranded (but essentially identical, as far as I could tell) product last year, but there are some terrific bands booked for this year, so August promises to be utterly exhausting, but in a very good way indeed.

So what is there actually going on this week?  Well here’s about the best that I could find, but please have a scan through the comments because if I’ve missed anything then someone’s bound to point out the error of my ways.

Wednesday 22nd July 2009: Be a Familar & Tango in the Attic at the Electric Circus.

I have to confess that I am not entirely convinced by Be a Familiar, but they seem to be generating a good vibe about the place and picking up quite a lot of interest.  A pleasant evening of somewhat twee guitar-pop beckons.

Friday 24th July 2009: Found (well, Ziggy and Kev) & Dead Boy Robotics at Sneaky Pete’s.

After playing a stripped down set at the Toad Night on Saturday Found are at it again, this time performing with just Ziggy and Kev, and if Saturday is anything to go by it should be brilliant.  Dead Boy Robotics new stuff is apparently a bit less techno than previous, and apparently this is a good thing, so it should be very interesting to see what they’re up to.
Found – Turnstile

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Sunday 26th July 2009: The Shipping Forecast Garden Party at the Peartree with Ross Clark, Mitchell Museum, Little Pebble and Randan Discotheque.

A pleasant afternoon spent in a pub beer garden with lots of great music – if I weren’t going to be at Wickerman this weekend I’d be at this thing without a second thought because it looks brilliant – say a little prayer for good weather.  There’s a good mix of pop and acoustic and Little Pebble is one of the most underrated performers in Edinburgh if you ask me.
Mitchell Museum – Exciting But Drunk

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It’s funny, during the recent rise and rise of Sparrow & the Workshop I have started to wonder slightly, why them?  That’s not supposed to be a criticism of the band, because I think they’re brilliant, but there are a lot of good bands around these parts at the moment, and Sparrow’s current upward trajectory is probably the steepest.  Consequently, I had begun to wonder what it was about them in particular which seemed to capture the imagination of pretty much everyone.

Well on Friday I got my answer.  The circumstances were not the easiest, exactly: Sneaky Pete’s was like a bloody sauna, and recent sound complaints meant that the band had to make a few last minute adjustments and rearrange their set quite considerably.

Having been preceded by Randan Discotheque, a band who have never really captured my imagination I must confess, Sparrow & the Worlshop opened with a new song which was frankly bloody gorgeous.  A lot of bands seem to be able to generate an intial flurry of good material, but I always find it telling when they start writing after that initial burst, because a lot can’t manage it.  A band whose new material is consistently this good are clearly onto something.

The more acoustic setup – with three acoustic guitars, a single snare drum and cymbal, and a stomp-box instead of a bass drum – worked really well.  They even managed to add to their percussion by taping a tiny mic to Nick’s guitar and asking him to flick the end of it to fill out the higher end, which took some spotting, but was a really nice piece of improvisation.

In terms of the music, I think I even preferred some of the songs played this way.  Nick is clearly chanelling the spirit of the late Johnny Cash at the moment, and the sound he is making with his guitar is amazing.  With the quieter set the vocals could become a little less combative, allowing Jill’s voice to lose some of its fierceness and simply be lovely for an evening.  When all three were playing guitar there was a rich, confidently quiet aura to the performance which was really quite special.

I’ve seen Sparrow play with aggression in the past, and it’s a great sight to see.  This time, however, they were playing to a very appreciative crowd, and one they know quite well, and the more relaxed, low key approach this engendered brought a warm, generous spirit to the set and made this month’s This is Music one of the best gigs I have been to all year.  Truly brilliant.

Sparrow & the Workshop – The Gun

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MySpace | More mp3s | Buy their EP and single from Norman Records

Baaaaaaaaaaart HELP!  Are there really only two gigs worthy of a mention on in Edinburgh this week?  Surely not.  Where’s someone with some actual knowledge when you need them?

Mrs. Toad has left town this morning, heading for Australia.  She’ll be away for a fortnight this time, which is the longest we will have been apart since I moved up from London so you can expect me to become downright cranky by the end of next week.

In fact, if last week’s prolonged sulk is anything to go by, you can probably just expect me to be cranky in general, actually.  Nah, I’m over that though, I’ve pulled myself together now so there will be no more messing around, promise.

Tuesday 7th July 2009: Meursault at the Bowery. Gig Cancelled, Apparently.

Does it sound a bit stupid to say that I am friends with Ruth and Jane at the Bowery, and Song, by Toad Records is Meursault’s label and yet I know nothing about this whatsoever?  I suppose it does really.  While Meursault are sticking more closely to Pissing on Bonfires/Kissing With Tongues when they’re on the road, in Edinburgh they’ve started to introduce more and more songs into their set from their (apparently very loud) second album.  This record should be out early next year, and should contain songs like Crank Resolutions and Sleet, which anyone who’s been to a recent show should recognise.

Friday 10th July 2009: Sparrow & the Workshop & Randan Discotheque play This is Music at Sneaky Pete’s.

Unless Sneaky Pete’s get a lot of internal re-jigging done in a very short space of time, this is pretty likely to be an acoustic night.  This does not please the organisers, who will be rather taxed to put on a club night where the music is nice and quiet, but actually I would rather like to hear Sparrow & the Workshop play an acoustic set, so I’m rather looking forward to it.  Apparently, I will be doing some DJing, so you might want to take advantage of the gaps between bands to nip out for a cigarette or go to the toilet for ages or something like that.
Sparrow & the Workshop – My Crime (Toad Session)

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Funnily enough, the most interesting music events this week are being held as part of the film festival.

Not funny “ha ha”, though.

Happy Monday.

Wednesday 24th June 2009: All Tomorrow’s Parties documentary at the Picture House

This is something rather special. It’s described as a” unique 360 degree music event”. Firstly, the film sounds incredible. It’s compiled from footage contributed by both fans and artists at the festival, shot on super 8, digital and mobile phone, as well as footage from Vincent Moon (the Take-Away shows) tieing it all together. (See the rather brilliant Clockwork Orange-inspired trailer here.) It will be screened in the Picture House, followed by a live performance from the ’secret headliners’. I’ll get in trouble if I say who that is, but, um… it’s someone really good. And really good live, too. Yes. On top of all that, the venue will be completely redecorated to resemble a Butlin’s theme park, and there will be smaller, intimate performances in different rooms and parts of the venue from Scottish acts. (Full details are still a bit sketchy, but I know that both the Second Hand Marching Band and Scrim have already confirmed). To be frank, it sounds mental. But it also sounds absolutely amazing, and a complete one-off. It’s £18.50 for the film and live music event, and £12.50 for just the live music. (The film is screening in the Filmhouse the next day too, without the whole live music shebang).
The Second Hand Marching Band – We Walk In The Room

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Thursday 25th June 2009 – Leith Tape Club, with youtakethebiggerhalf, Corn Capri meets Little Pebble, Team Turnip and McBrandy at Iso Bar

On this bill I only really recognise Little Pebble and Team Turnip, but the Tape Club is always a rather fun, intimate affair.
Little Pebble – Hold That Thought

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Thursday 25th 2009 – The Gillyflowers at the Mill (Cabaret Voltaire)

I’ve not seen the Gillyflowers live as yet, but have heard a lot of good things, and I really like the stuff on their myspace.
The Gillyflowers – Country Boy

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Friday 26th June 2009 – Playing with the Past, with eagleowl, FOUND and Meursault at the Pleasance

This is another rather special event – a screening of a series of short films lifted from the Scottish Screen Archive, with eagleowl, FOUND and Meursault providing live soundtracks. Very exciting. I hope Meursault are doing ‘Highlander’.
FOUND – You’re Really Quite The Catch

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Friday 26th June 2009 – Adam Stafford and Michael John McCarthy at the Himalaya Cafe

Adam Stafford, of Y’all Is Fantasy Island infamy, will be playing songs from Rescue Weekend (which rarely get an airing with the full band sets) as well as new material, and Michael John McCarthy will be performing tracks from the excellent Outside World Strategies, which Euan gave a glowing review of last week.
Radio Trees (Michael John McCarthy) – Little Islands

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Sunday 28th June 2009 – The Shipping Forecast Garden Party, with FOUND, Randan Discotheque, Rozi Plain at the Pear Tree
Those nice gents form the Stormy Seas are putting on a lovely little Sunday afternoon show in the Pear Tree beer garden. A fine, and rather ecletic, line-up with one still to be confirmed (though it’ll probably be Meursault, won’t it?). I saw Rozi Plain for the first time at Homegame earlier this year and was very impressed, so looking forward to her set in particular. I can’t really think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. And it’s free. Gods be praised.

My liver is grateful for the small mercy which is the relatively empty Edinburgh gig calendar this week.  Last week was rough.  The Song, by Toad party was a heavy one, and then Broken Records the next day was just total carnage, so an easy week of video editing and IKEA furniture assembly will be most welcome.

Meursault are embarking on a mini tour of the North of England this weekend as well.  I started trying to book them a tour myself, and soon realised that it would need far more time and experience than I myself actually had.  So I stopped, consolidated what we had, and decided that it was far more important to get them a booking agent instead, so the job could be done properly.

Still, if you happen to live in those parts, then you can catch the boys live at the Mad Ferret in Preston on Friday 15th, at the Head of Steam in Newcastle on Sunday 17th and The Library in Leeds on Tuesday 19th May.  There’s a couple of other dates too – The Slaughtered Lamb in London on the 25th May, and Fuel Cafe in Withington, Manchester on 2nd June.   Jolly.  Fucking.  Good.

Monday 11th May, 2009: The Balky Mule, Over the Wall & Art Fag at the Bowery.

I veer somewhat on The Balky Mule – they have undoubtedly got some excellent songs, but occasionally I find my attention wandering a lot.  Perhaps the music can be a tad dry and chalky for me at times, but for the most part their slightly eccentric blend of acoustic and electronic is really quite fascinating.  Over the Wall are just exuberant pop fun, and Art Fag will be beepeing and howling their way through only their second Edinburgh set ever.
The Balky Mule – Wireless

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Monday 11th May, 2009: Devon Sproule at the Voodoo Rooms.

She might be a tad country for you – at times she is a tad country for me – but Devon Sproule’s music can be dusty and gorgeous in its own quiet way, so this could well be worth investigating.
Devon Sproule – Eloise & Alex

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Saturday 16th May, 2009: Randan Discotheque, The Stormy Seas & White Heath play Trampoline at the Wee Red Bar.

I haven’t actually seen a full live set by White Heath yet, but they tend to build from vaguely Balkan folk beginnings to a full-blown indie pomp carnival over the course of a song.  This will also be a first opportunity for me to see the Stormy Seas in full voice, so I’ll be looking forward to what I will pigeonhole as Scottish folk rock until I have seen them and have a better idea what I’m talking about.
White Heath – When the Watchmen Leave Their Stations

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Bugger me it’s a busy week in gigs this week, starting this very evening, which is annoying in a sense as I’d rather hoped to have a relaxing week.  Fat chance, it seems.  Sorry for the lack of chat, but there’s a fuck of a lot to list here and I have to get this done before the end of my lunch break.  Consequently these previews are going to be the shortest I’ve ever written.  It might seem slightly insulting to the bands involved, but huge apologies if it is, but I am really, really rushed this morning.

Monday 23rd March 2009: The Ghost Bees at the Bowery as part of the Place Project.

Very delicate and, yes, ghostly female indie-folk from the Maritimes in Canada – Nova Scotia I think.
Ghost Bees – Vampires of the West Coast

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Monday 23rd March 2009: Joe Gideon & the Shark, Paul Vickers & the Leg & Enfant Bastard at Cabaret Voltaire.

Lots of growly guitars.
Joe Gideon & the Shark – Civilisation

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Wednesday 25th March 2009: Schwervon, Withered Hand & Come in Tokyo at the Bowery.

Schwervon are part of the New York anti-folk stuff I do believe, albeit rather more punky that you might expect from a tag like that.
Schwervon – Pretty Slow

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Thursday 26th March 2009: Leith Tape Club upstairs at the Isobar, with Rob St. John, Jennifer Concannon, Randan Discotheque & Ottersgear.

A really friendly DIY night down in Leith.  Highly recommended.

Friday 27th March 2009: Tentracks and Oxjam at the Bowery, with Punch & the Apostles, Jesus H. Foxx, The Byrons & the Black Diamond Express.

The new Jesus H. Foxx stuff sounds really good, I’ve never seen the sheer carnival mentalism that is Punch & the Apostles, the Byrons make a good fucking racket and so, in a different style, do the Black Diamond Express.
The Byrons – Good Man

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Friday 27th March 2009: Oxjam presents Vashti Bunyan & Lucky Jim at the Roxy Art House (i.e.: upstairs at the Bowery).

Lucky Jim is rather lovely, in the singer-songwriter style and Vashti Bunyan took one of the biggest hiatuses in music history between her first and second albums of folk prettiness.
Lucky Jim – You’re Lovely To Me

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Saturday 28th March 2009: Broken Records at the Bedlam Theatre.

Should be quite an interesting show, this, because it’s a small venue and apparently the usual mayhem will be tempered somewhat in favour of something more tailored to the environment – should be good.
Broken Records – Wolves (Toad Session)

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Saturday 28th March 2009: The Phantom Band at Cabaret Voltaire (more Oxjammery).

I’m not so keen on the Phantom Band but I know a lot of you are, so I thought this was worth pointing out as well.
The Phantom Band – The Howling

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Well it’s August, it’s the much-vaunted Edinburgh Festival and there’s… well, frankly, fuck all on as far as I can tell. Honestly, if it wasn’t for the Retreat Festival I would be officially christening this the Shittest August in History in terms of Edinburgh gigs.

The tail end of last week, with Eagleowl, Broken Records, Johnny Flynn, Sparrow & the Workshop and Noah & the Whale, was pretty much the pinnacle of the Festival calendar as far as I can tell, and my stinking hangover is largely the result of enjoying it all just a little bit too much.

So what is there for you all to enjoy this week? Not much until late in the week actually, which is enormously good news for my liver, and also pretty good for the video editing and Toad Sessions I have to get done.

Wednesday 20th August 2008: Ziggy Campbell & Little Pebble play the Retreat Festival at the Scottish Scullery.
Both of these lads are probably better know as the front men for their respective band, Found and Come In Tokyo, so I actually have little idea what to expect from their solo shows. I’ve been meaning to see Ziggy in particular for some time now, so I am rather looking forward to Wednesday.
Little Pebble – Nae Luck (Jonnie Common Remix)

Thursday 21st August 2008: Popup, Kartta & Tie For Jack at the Voodoo Rooms.
Popup are pure indie pop, and their first couple of songs were really rather good. They have a new album out on Art Goes Pop (excellent label) pretty soon, and I haven’t seen them for nearly a year, so this will be a great chance to have a listen to the new stuff, before I get stuck into the album.
Popup – A Year in a Comprehensive

Friday 22nd August 2008: Club Welto at the Voodoo Rooms, featuring Meursault, Randan Discotheque and various others.
This is a really interesting looking night actually, billed as a combination of music and spoken word. I always like it when promoters try and go beyond just slapping on some bands and getting people pished, so this kind of thing looks really promising. The bands themselves are really good, so if the rest of it is at the same level, then it should be a great night.
Randan Discotheque – I’d Like to be Alone

Saturday 23rd August 2008: My Kappa Roots & Royal Edinburgh Music play the Retreat Festival at the Scottish Scullery.
I find myself thinking that My Kappa Roots have been out of the loop for a little while, but maybe that’s just my perception. He has a new album out and about though, which indicates activity. Anyhow, this is the first time I am going to see him, despite that fact that I’ve been hearing about the guy for over a year. More fool me, I think.
My Kappa Roots – A Golden Age

Sunday 24th August 2008: Meursault & John Edgell play the Retreat Festival at the Scottish Scullery.
We should all know how brilliant Meursault combination of swirling electronics and percussive uke is by now, but I can’t even find a MySpace page for that Edgell character – mmm, intriguing!
Meursault – A Few Kind Words

I am away, so this is a phantom post which I VERY KINDLY wrote before leaving, just to make sure you all remain up to date during my absence.  Wouldn’t want you needlessly wasting your money on shit gigs now, would we.

I may not be there in person, but fucked if I’m having you degenerate lot misbehave in my absence.  There are good gigs out there and if I catch any of you wasting your money on aural effluvium like Newton Faulkner then there will be serious repercussions.  Or Kate fucking Nash.  Unspeakable.

Here is what you are permitted to spend your musical sheckles on.

Monday 4th August 2008: Rob St.John & Emily Scott play The Retreat Festival at the Scottish Scullery.
I swear if anyone has asthma they might just drown out the music at this particular gig, both Rob and Emily are so hushed.  It will be beautiful music though, so I really recommend this.  Rob is warming up to a new release shortly, which really is excellent news.
Rob St. John – Tipping In

Wednesday 6th August 2008: The Pictish Trail & HMS Ginafore play The Retreat Festival at the Scottish Scullery.
Jenny Ginafore is one of the intentionally undiscovered gems of the Fence Collective.  From what I know (not much, I just confess) she’s just not up for pushing her music any farther than it intends to trickle along of its own accord.  Her music is beautiful on its own, Johnny Pictish’s recent album is brilliant, and this should be a great gig.
HMS Ginafore – You Built a City Inside of Me

Thursday 7th August 2008: Shout Out Louds at Cabaret Voltaire.
As Swedish eighties indie revivalists go, this lot are easily as good as it gets.  Their Cure/Smiths infused indie pop is pure joy and I am gutted that I’ll be away for this one.  If you can go, GO!
Shout Out Louds – Tonight I Have to Leave It

Friday 8th August 2008: Randan Discotheque & The Wee Rogue play The Retreat Festival at the Scottish Scullery.
Craig, who is Randan Disotheque, writes classically Scottish songs: slightly wry, slightly morose and witty enough to be enjoyable.  The Wee Rogue, whom I have only ever seen once, on his Edinburgh debut, writes the most remarkably fragile songs you’ll hear in a while.
Randan Discotheque – The Prince Must Go to Iraq

Saturday 9th August 2008: Nouvelle Vague at the Liquid Room.
As much as arch cover versions are really starting to get on my tits, Nouvelle Vague don’t make a bad fist of this particular sub-genre.  Their loungey versions of indie classics are rather enjoyable, and why not spaff fifteen quid on an evening’s entertainment.  They’re playing the previous night too, supported by Rachel Unthank & the Winterset.
Nouvelle Vague – Human Fly

I bumped into Bart of Eagleowl and Kays Lavelle fame the other day. We were both hanging out in one of the achingly cool vintage vinyl record stores where you tend to find hip cats like us…

Okay, it was Tesco’s… but anyway, I promised I’d post a reminder about the fabulous Retreat festival Bart’s involved in that’s coming up this week.

The Retreat festival has everything going for it: All the shows take place over a series of nights throughout August, and in one centrally-located venue; St. John’s Church hall on the corner of Princes’ Street and Lothian Road (The one in the photo). The festival is charging a bargain flat-rate entry fee of just £3 for each show, doors are at 8pm each night, and an irresistable array of local talent will be on display. It would be plain daft to miss out.

Monday 4th August
Rob St. John, Emily Scott

Wednesday 6th August
The Pictish Trail, Button Series, HMS Ginafore

Friday 8th August
Randan Discotheque, The Wee Rogue

Monday 11th August
Wounded Knee, Jess Bryant

Friday 15th August
Withered Hand, Jo Foster

Saturday 16th August
Eagleowl EP launch featuring Allo, Darlin’

Wednesday 20th August
Ziggy Campbell, Little Pebble

Saturday 23rd August
My Kappa Roots, Royal Edinburgh Music

Sunday 24th August
Mersault, John Egdell

Another week, another entirely biased list of the best gigs in town.  I’m spending a few days out of the country at the end of the week, so I will leave you in the hands of Campfires & Battlefields, potentially assisted by Mrs. Toad, but that rather depends.

I won’t be going to any gigs at all this week, but rather than leave you with an empty page, here’s a quick run down of some bits and bobs.

Monday 2nd June 2008: Johnny Foreigner at Cabaret Voltaire.
The frenzied buzz surrounding this band baffles me somewhat.  I’ve never really heard anything all that special in the recordings that I’ve heard, but when they played last they were lauded to within an inch of their lives by my pal Billy, so I am a bit gutted on missing them yet again and not being able to decide for myself.  At the very least this should be attended though, because with all this smoke there must be a flame in there somewhere.
Johnny Foreigner – Our Bipolar Friends

Wednesday 4th June 2008: The Wee Rogue & Randan Discotheque & Gand-eye at the Wee Red Bar.
I remember seeing the Wee Rogue (then just Jamie if I remember) playing his first solo gig in Edinburgh.  He seemed so shy and played so slowly that there were times you wondered if it had all become too much for him and he’s just given up.  Oddly enough though, I remember being pretty impressed with his songs, so I’d like to see him again.  I won’t be in the country for this one, but you should go if you get the chance.
The Wee Rogue – Into the Mist

And amazingly, that appears to be about it for this week.  Looks like I picked a good week to go away.