Song, by Toad

So August is almost upon us. Traditionally –  or at least for as long as I’ve been living here – most bands and promoters in Edinburgh tend to just take the month off and make way for the festival. It’s a bit of a monolith. Every available venue (and most non-venue) space is booked up months in advance, and with so much happening every single day in August, it becomes rather difficult for smaller operations putting on shows. Of course there are exceptions – a lot of the bigger clubs just keep on trucking, and nights like Acoustic Edinburgh embrace the Fringe and put on shows as part of the official line-up.

This year, though – more so than any I can remember – seems to be bucking that trend. There’s a lot of activity going on outside of the festival – and lots of local bands and promoters putting on shows regardless. Which is great to see – another indication of the strength and confidence of the city’s musical community at the moment. I thought I’d give a run down of what’s caught my eye – as with so much on, it’s entirely possible for an amazing show to slip by un-noticed.

The Edge

Firstly, the musical leg of the Fringe – the Edge – has some really great shows this year. The Mum show may have been moved to Glasgow, but we still have David Byrne, Woodpigeon, Andrew Bird, Frightened Rabbit, Malcolm Middleton, and Jeffrey Lewis. And judging by the website, the festival seems to have just absorbed all the shows at Sneaky Pete’s – including Sleeping States (who I can’t recommend highly enough), Monotonix, Sparrow and the Workshop, the usual This is Music night and the mysteriously titled ‘Songs By Toad night’. It’s also great to see some Edinburgh bands forming part of the Edge line-up – with Broken Records at the Queens Hall, a double header from Unicorn Kid and Young Fathers at Cab Vol, and support slots from Meursault (at Frightened Rabbit), the Kays Lavelle (the Lost Brothers) and Withered Hand (Jeffrey Lewis). It’s something that I’ve felt was lacking in previous line-ups, and it’s a step in the right direction.

www.theedgefestival.com

Retreat!

Then, of course, there’s the ‘other’ festival. Retreat! is an all day event at the Bristo Hall on Sunday the 16th. 15 acts (Meursault, Withered Hand, Rob St. John, Tissø Lake, the Leg…), and DJs till 3am. Free entry. I can’t think of a better line-up. But then again, I did help pick it.

www.myspace.com/edinburghretreat

Trampoline

Trampoline are also putting on four shows over first two weekends, and really great line-ups including Adam Stafford (Y’all Is Fantasy Island), Jonnie Common (Down The Tiny Steps), Animal Magic Tricks, Conquering Animal Sound, Golden Ghost and Woodenbox.

www.myspace.com/trampolineuk

Bang Bang Club

Normally at the Speakeasy in Cabaret Voltaire, the Bang Bang Club is hosting a series of shows upstairs in the Teviot Hall. Highlights include Clinic, the Pineapple Chunks, Paul Vickers and the Leg, and a series of soundtrack events from Steven Severin.

www.myspace.com/bangbangclubedinburgh

Playing With The Past

There’s also an exclusive second screening of the Playing with the Past event from this year’s film festival on 22^nd August, with eagleowl, FOUND and Meursault performing live soundtracks to old Scottish films. Tickets are available now from the Filmhouse website or box office.

www.myspace.com/playingwiththepast

Cybraphon

FOUND – not willing to give up their ‘hardest working band in Edinburgh’ tag to Meursault just yet – also have a residency at InSpace (a gallery space – part of the new University building) with their Cybraphon project, including a live band performance on the 13^th (which is free but ticketed). It seems to be some kind of automated musical cupboard, containing a series of musical instruments, which reacts to online activity about the project in real time. Or something. For a more coherent explanation, try the Cybraphon site:

www.cybraphon.com

Leith Tape Club

Okay, strictly speaking not an Edinburgh show – but a nice trip out of the city is normally always welcome around the third week in August. Leith Tape Club at the Iso Bar continues in August on the 20^th, with a rather special all-star line-up including the Kays Lavelle and Meursault (solo, I think).

Leith Tape Club

National Portrait Gallery

There’s also a series of rather exclusive shows at the National Portrait Gallery, whilst the gallery is closed for a refurbishment. These include Rob St. John and Emily Scott on 8^th August, X-LionTamer on 21^st August, St Jude’s Infirmary and Zoey Van Goey on 22^nd August, and Withered Hand and Meursault on 29^th August.

National Portrait Gallery

Electric Circus

There’s been some great gigs in Electric Circus since it opened earlier this year, and they don’t seem to be losing any momentum in August, with shows from FOUND, Dent May, White Heath and Rob St. John (1st), Jesus H. Foxx (11th), The Phantom Band (19th), and Trembling Bells and Ben Reynolds (25th), amongst others.

Electric Circus

The Golden Hour

A blend of poetry, music and live visuals at the Forest Cafe on 19th August, with performances from Billy Liar and Withered Hand.

The Golden Hour

Shipping Forecast Garden Party

And I think there’s another shipping forecast garden party scheduled for 30^th August, with Come On Gang!

No details yet, but I’m sure Dave will keep us posted.

It is all pretty exciting. Please spam the comments with anything I’ve missed, as I’m sure there’s loads, and if any more are announced or come to light over the course of the month, it’ll no doubt make it’s way into the weekly listings.

Sleeping States – September, Maybe

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Woodpigeon – In Praise of the West Midlothian Bus Service

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Zoey Van Goey – City Is Exploding

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If you want to criticise Eagleowl it is relatively easy to do so – in fact it just requires one word: dirge. When I first saw them the flirted relatively frequently with this particular failing, although I don’t really think they ever quite succumbed to it.

Over the last year or so I think I can safely say that pretty much every performance has been a steady improvement on the last. Each time the morose strings seemed more frequently punctuated with lush harmonies, and each time the mood of the set fluctuated and flickered just that little bit more.

This particular evening was the night of their EP launch, which I’ll review in a day or so once I’ve got to know it a little better, and it was like watching a butterfly emerge from a coccoon. They were confident, absolutely in their stride, and even a little jolly at times. Their music is showing a lot more variation of pace these days, and this seems to have brought the disparate elements of their sound alive, bringing in the various components only when they are really needed to make an impact, rather than their previous omnipresence.

Bart’s growling, sulky guitar has its lighter moments (still not many of course, that would be just plain wrong), the bow on the double bass takes a rest from time to time, the uke brings a little cheekiness, and this all works beautifully well. Rob St. John made a guest appearance on harmonium here and there as well, which added to the depth of the sound. There’s even an appearance by some scratchy electronic textures on Motherfucker, which made me laugh out loud until the loveliness of the song promptly shut me up again.

The sound was gorgeous as well, and I don’t know how much was down to the high, vaulted church hall and how much down to Damon, the sound guy, but there was a richness and a warmth to Eagleowl that I haven’t heard at shittier places like The Ark. For my money, this was the best performance I’ve seen by a band who are steadily improving, and really look to be capable of producing some gorgeous music over the next couple of years. Exciting times indeed.

Eagleowl – Motherfucker

Eagleowl on MySpace

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

Well, we’ll be back by the end of this week, back into a maelstrom of gigs.  What the fuck am I going to do on Saturday?  Go to see Johnny Flynn at Cabaret Voltaire?  Sparrow & the Workshop at the Liquid Room?  Or Eagleowl at the Scottish Scullery.  I am going to be spread thinner than the veneer of desperately forced joy on a vegetarian’s malnourished visage.  I think I may even be doing a show for Fresh Air Radio that day, but I have no idea what about, as yet.

So, what’s happening on the busiest week of my annual gig calendar?  Take a deep breath and… here we go:

Friday 15th August 2008: Noah & the Whale at Cabaret Voltaire.
Pretty much the pinnacle of the dismal Edge Festival’s woeful efforts this month sees them bringing folk popsters (more pop than folk these days, but not to their detriment) Noah & the Whale to Edinburgh.  I really like the band, and I am going to go.  Splendid.
Noah & the Whale – Beating

Friday 15th August 2008: Withered Hand plays the Retreat Festival at the Scottish Scullery.
Withered Hand are one of the best bands in the city at the moment, mixing acerbic wit with caustic self-loathing and futile optimism.  If anyone embodies Scottish songwriting as I see it then it is Dan, and his band is worth making a considerable trip to see.  Brilliant.
Withered Hand – Religious Songs

Saturday 16th August 2008: Johnny Flynn & the Sussex Wit at Cabaret Voltaire.
This lad is pure gold.  Never mind the public school education, the excessively literate bent and the thespian background, there is a wonderful charisma to their live performance and the charm exuded by both the band and the music is wonderful.  I may well not make it, but I wish I could.
Johnny Flynn & the Sussex Wit – Tickle Me Pink

Saturday 16th August 2008: Sparrow & the Workshop at the Liquid Room.
They may be supporting Y’All is Fantasy Island, but the reason I will be at this gig will be to get my first sight of one of the most exciting recent arrivals on the Scottish music scene of late, who are due to record a Toad Session the following day.
Sparrow & the Workshop – Devil Song

Saturday 16th August 2008: Eagleowl play their single launch at the Scottish Scullery.
Eagleowl wish, at least a little, that they were Low.  Or so they have said, apparently.  Between Clarissa’s wonderful arse* doleful double bass, Malcolm’s funereal violin and Bart’s grumbling guitar they aren’t far off, but there is a knack for melody there that picks each song a special place of its own and steers well clear of that sulky indie-folk cliche to which they would otherwise be prone.  It will be a small release, but one of the best of the year, I guarantee it.
Eagleowl – Blanket

Sunday 17th August 2008: Isosceles at Cabaret Voltaire.
Isosceles are very good.  They are pop, their lyrics are shallow at best, but their tunes are superb and the music they make is sheer good-time, hugely danceable indie-pop.
Isosceles – Kitch Bitch

Sunday 17th August 2008: Broken Records at the Liquid Room.
Edinburgh’s most successful recent export come home for a bit to pack out the Liqud Room (again) and presumably publicise their new single, Slow Parade, out on the 11th August on Fandango.  This will be an absolute fucking corker.
Broken Records – If the News Makes You Sad, Don’t Watch It (Toad Session)

*Sorry Jake.  And Mrs. Toad.  S’true though.

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