KTSN12: Beerjacket

Beerjacket will be joined by friends to perform his latest album in its entirety
(Photo by Lisa-Marie Ferla)

The horribly clichéd term "singer/songwriter" is thrown around all too frequently these days, with every man, woman and child picking up a guitar in hope of becoming the next Bob Dylan, Regina Spektor or, God forbid, Ed Sheeran. Truth be told, there are very few who have the combined musical ability and lyrical dexterity to truly capture the attention, never mind the hearts, of an audience. Then there's Beerjacket.

With seven releases in the past eight years, one man alt-folk troubadour Peter Kelly is no newcomer to the Scottish circuit. Despite an impressive back catalogue of home-recorded material which has saw him share the stage with (and consequently win over) the likes of Feist, The Guillemots, The National and Ron Sexmith, it was his decision to take a step away from his long time lo-fi, DIY approach and finally take a step in to the studio with producer Stuart MacLeod on latest album The White Feather Trail that helped the music of Beerjacket reach a wider audience, resulting in widespread critical acclaim - and it's this latest offering that will be the focus of tomorrow night's headline King Tut's show, his second of this year.

The usually lonesome figure of Peter Kelly will this time be joined by the lovely Julia Doogan on vocals and the aforementioned Stuart MacLeod on various instruments ranging from the mandolin to baritone guitar, to perform The White Feather Trail in its entirety for the first time ever before treating his audience to a selection of favourites both old and new.

When I am asked what Scottish bands or artists I would recommend (and I am asked this question on a near daily basis) Beerjacket, without hesitation, is always my first response. Never have I came across a more impassioned, hard working and truly inspiring musician and human being and after the success of his recent venture in to the world of professional recording, I can confidently say this is only the beginning for one of Scotland, dare I say it Britain's, finest talents.

Support on the night comes from the stunning Glasgow based, atmospheric six-piece Quickbeam and husky, Oban lad Mike Nisbet whilst Scotland's favourite music blogger The Pop Cop will be selecting tracks for your aural delectation in the downstairs bar from 7pm.

KTSN12: Hector Bizerk + Madhat McGore

Louie and Audrey of Hector Bizerk headline the second night of KTSN12

There once was a time when the Scottish accent was frowned upon if it wasn't being performed by two spectacle wearing twin brothers, but with the rise of Biffy Clyro, and more recently Twin Atlantic, the thick Scottish brogue has well and truly found its voice - and guitar driven music isn't the only genre to benefit from the acceptance of foreign ears. You might not realise it but Scottish hip-hop is alive and kicking and tonight's bill firmly cements that fact.

Headlining the second night of King Tut's Summer Nights are Glaswegian two-piece Hector Bizerk. With just a mic and a drum kit, such a minimal set up not only displays the true genius of Louie's lyrics but allows the band to challenge themselves musically, something which they've proved more than capable of achieving. Fresh from their slot on the BBC Introducing Stage at T in the Park last Saturday (which I previewed here and which you can watch here), this dynamic duo are sure to impress even the most cynical of Scottish music fans when they take to the legendary King Tut's stage tonight.




Supporting is an Edinburgh MC who has been tearing up stages the length and breadth of the country with his sharp lyrics and heavy beats. Madhat McGore is no stranger to the Scottish hip-hop scene, having been writing and producing for the past 12 years, and his knack for rhymes and quick beats has helped put Scottish rap on the map. With the backing of MTV, Radio 1 and even the Daily Record, Madhat's unique blend of dubstep, grime and hip-hop reaffirms his status as one of Scotland's leading MCs.




Rounding off this fine exhibition of Scottish hip-hop is one of Glasgow's best kept secrets in the form of Gasp as well as haunting female vocals with exquisite beats from a personal favourite of mine, Becci Wallace & BilL Breaks. If that wasn't enough to whet your appetite, the girls behind the notoriously awesome MILK Glasgow nights, Aileen and Hannah, will be playing a whole host of tunes from 7pm in the downstairs bar to keep you entertained.

King Tut's Summer Nights 2012

After the success of the previous two years, King Tut's Summer Nights returns bigger and better than ever with another two weeks of some of the best new musical talent Scotland has to offer.

With over 60 up and coming bands and artists appearing at Scotland's most loved music venue over fifteen nights, there's enough diversity to cater for every taste. If that wasn't enough to make you spend a little of your hard earned cash, there will be DJ sets from bloggers and various people involved with supporting Scottish music before the doors to each gig open. So whilst you are enjoying one of Tut's special Summer Nights' offers such as Tacos or an Enchilada plus a bottle of beer or a margarita for £4.50 or a bargain £8 for two, you can also enjoy an array of handpicked tracks from the likes of the Pop Cop, Favourite Son, the MILK girls, Glasgow PodcART and the Detour boys to gear you up for the night ahead. I'll even be spinning some tunes before Midnight Lion so feel free to hurl abuse at me whilst I force some Destiny's Child down your lugs. Each night will also feature a secret midnight guest after the headline act has finished performing so stick around; you never know who you might come across. 

Tickets for each night are available in person from King Tut's Wah Wah Hut but I'd rather you clicked the "Tickets" link below after each listed night where you will find cheap tickets, directly from the artists themselves. DJ Sets will begin at 7pm in the bar and all gigs are over 18s unless otherwise stated. To listen to a selection of the selected artists via a King Tut's Summer Night's playlist on Spotify, click here.

#KTSN12

• Thu 12th July - PRONTO MAMA + Brazil Exists + The Little Kicks + Lost City Soul  + DJ Set from Ally & Weaver (Detour Scotland)
• Fri 13th July - HECTOR BIZERK + Madhat McGore + Becci Wallace & BilL Breaks + DJ Set from Aileen & Hannah (MILK Glasgow) (Tickets)
• Sat 14th July - JOHN WEAN + The NK Jays + Seed + Minor Delilah + DJ Set from Susan Ford (Music-News) (SOLD OUT)
• Sun 15th July - XAVIA + Lost in Audio + Atlas : Empire + Seams + DJ Set from Wull Swales (Define Pop) **Over 14s (Tickets)
• Mon 16th July - DANIEL DOCHERTY + Craig Fagan + Chloe Latimer + Anna Shields + DJ Set from Lisa-Marie Ferla (Last Years Girl) **Over 14s (Tickets)
• Tue 17th July - BEERJACKET & FRIENDS PLAY "THE WHITE FEATHER TRAIL" & SOME FAVOURITES + Quickbeam + Mike Nisbet + DJ Set from Jason (Pop Cop) (Tickets)
• Wed 18th July - BROWN BEAR & THE BANDITS + The Sea Kings + Aaron Wright + Lovers Turn To Monsters + DJ Set from Martin Knox (The Banter Magazine) (Tickets)
• Thu 19th July - MIDNIGHT LION + Galleries + Aames + DJ Set from Wesley Shearer (Scottish Scribbler) (Tickets)
• Fri 20th July - HOLY ESQUE + Queen Jane + The Mirror Trap + The 10:04s + DJ Set from Craig Devoy (Fish In A Sub) (Tickets)
• Sat 21st July - JACK BUTLER + Selective Service + Mickey 9's + Kobi + DJ Set from Elaine Liddle (Radar Scotsman) (Tickets)
• Sun 22nd July - THE RECOVERY! + Hunt / Gather + Fat Janitor + No Island + DJ Set from William Ritchie (Rokbun) (Tickets)
• Mon 23nd July - THE UNWINDING HOURS + Olympic Swimmers + Dead Electric + DJ Set from Halina & Kirstin (Glasgow PodcART) (Tickets)
• Tue 24th July - FIRES ATTRACT + Scarlet Shift + The Darien Venture + Crusades + DJ Set from Chris Hay (Favourite Son) **Over 14s (Tickets)
• Wed 25th July - RANDOLPH'S LEAP + Jonny Jack + Blue Sky Archives + Bronagh Monahan + DJ Set from Matthew Young (Song By Toad) (Tickets)
• Thu 26th July - DARC + The Mouse That Ate The Cat + Johnny and the Giros + TeKlo + DJ Set from Iain Dawson (Rave Child) (Tickets)

Gig review: RM Hubbert (and friends) @ Stereo, Glasgow (27/01/12)

Alex Kapranos and Aidan Moffat join RM Hubbert on stage at Stereo

First & Last was RM Hubbert’s debut album, and I’m glad the title only rang half true. I hailed that album as my favourite of 2010 and barely a month in to 2012, Hubby’s latest is already a strong contender for my album of this year with his brand new release, Thirteen Lost & Found.

Tonight was always set to be a special show. Not only because it was the album launch but because it might just have been, well and truly, the first and last live performance of the album in (almost) its entirety. As the gig title suggests, Hubby wasn’t to be alone in this celebration of fine talent, of which was in abundance. Instead, he showcased a whole new side to his music accompanied by various musicians ranging from the wonderful Emma Pollock and Alasdair Roberts to the ever-impressive and utterly captivating Aidan Moffat and producer of the album, Alex Kapranos.

From the outset, RM Hubbert captivated the audience with his trademark fingerpicking as he was joined by Marion Kenny on the Chinese harp and Hanna Tuulikki who gave a beautifully ethereal vocal performance reminiscent of Joanna Newsom. Another highlight was the performance of Gus Am Bris An Latha (which I’ve just discovered translates from Gaelic as Until the day breaks and is a common inscription on gravestones) with John Ferguson on banjo wonderfully complimenting Hubby’s intricate guitar picking. Despite all the collaborations on the album, there was still room for a few solo efforts from the man himself with For Joe being a particular highlight as I, and much of the rest of the sold-out audience, looked on in awe, eyes transfixed on the hands of a master at work. The finale before the rousing encore was definitely a special moment that I’ll treasure for a long time to come. This time joining RM Hubbert was Aidan Moffat who grasped the microphone and told us all a story with a haunting melody in the only way he knows how, performed to the backing of Alex Kapranos on melodica and RM Hubbert’s melodic guitar picking. If the reception after that was enough to take the roof off and shock the punters in the upstairs cafe, the following before, during and after the encore was enough to shake the whole foundations of the building to the ground.

To some, dealing with such depressing topics and depicting it in what may be deemed as melancholic music may be utterly depressing. Like he said, “It usually takes until you’ve died before I dedicate a song to you”. But to me, creating such extraordinary and awe-inspiring music during a time of deep, dark depression not only signifies hope in a world full of misery but shows the remarkable strength that some people possess in the face of adversity. And to me, along with RM Hubbert’s music, that is truly phenomenal.

RM Hubbert's website can be found here and you can buy a copy of the album in various formats here.

This review was originally posted here on the 28th January.

Cardboard Ships - Campfires In Winter

North Lanarkshire trio Campfires in Winter are set to release their debut EP, Cardboard Ships, and it's certainly worth the wait. For two years the band have been piecing together and perfecting their sound and their hard work has definitely paid off.

I hate to use such lazy comparisons but it's hard not to compare this band to The Twilight Sad. Both share a love for powerful vocals, combining heavy emotions with rousing choruses and blazing guitars and both do it exceptionally well. Even when listening to the title track, you would be forgiven for thinking someone had leaked a rare TS song.

However, comparisons aside, Campfires in Winter are more than capable of standing on their own two feet as the rest of their epic EP shows. The word epic may be over used nowadays but for a three track EP at almost twenty minutes long, epic seems to be the most appropriate word. As an introduction to a band, I would usually expect the EP to be short and snappy, a teaser if you like of what a band is capable of. Yet, despite two of the three tracks exceeding seven minutes in duration, this EP never loses my attention. It's a risky move but they might just have got away with it.

To celebrate the release of the EP the band will be embarking on a mini 'Flat Tour', seeing the guys play intimate acoustic sets in people's living rooms. The tour kicks off on the 26th of July to coincide with the release of Cardboard Ships and will end with an appearance at the Pin Ups Festival on Friday 30th July at The Flying Duck. The dates and locations are as follows:

Mon 26th - Halina's flat
Tue 27th - Steven and Jenny's flat
Wed 28th - Sean's flat
Thu 29th - Lloyd's back garden
Fri 30th - Pin Up Festival @ The Flying Duck

For more information contact Lloyd Meredith (who has now turned his hand to band management) at peenkoblog@gmail.com


Cardboard Ships is avilable as a free download from 26th July or at gigs in the form of 50 hand-made, limited edition CDs.

You can find Campfires in Winter on Myspace, Facebook, Twitter and Bandcamp.

Gig: Aye Tunes Vs Peenko II

After the success of the first collaboration, two of Scotland's finest bloggers have teamed up once again to bring you another night of fine music. Tomorrow night, The 13th Note will play host to Aye Tunes Vs Peenko II and what a night it's going to be.





On the bill are an incredibly young, Glasgwegian four piece by the name of Little Yellow Ukuleles. The Yooks have been kicking up a storm over the past year, gigging the length and breadth of the country as well as being Introduced by 6Music's Tom Robinson. I'm not the biggest fan of Little Yellow Ukuleles but they are a much loved and well supported band who I'm sure will more than entertain the crowd at the 13th Note tomorrow night.





Also taking to the stage will be my personal favourites, Randolph's Leap. These guys make cheery, alt-folk nonsense with the odd Scottish ballad thrown in for good measure. Humourous lyrics, infectious melodies and lots of fun, their set (just like their songs) is sure to raise a smile.





Last but not least are We're Only Afraid of NYC. I only recently discovered this band and gradually fell in love with their dark, loud/quiet, melodic rock. They are an exciting band with massive potential and it's easy to see why both Jim and Lloyd rate them so highly.


Tickets are a steal at only £5 but make sure you get down early as it's sure to be a busy night.

mitchell museum

What with taking a break from blogging and catching up on a backlog of emails, I've yet to find time to declare my love for Mitchell Museum - and what better time to do so than now.

Mitchell Museum are a breath of fresh air in the Scottish music scene, combining the oddities of The Flaming Lips and Animal Collective with spirited harmonies to create wonderfully wacky power-pop anthems. Don't let the comparison to the Lips put you off though, what Wayne Coyne and co have been lacking in the past few years, Mitchell Museum duly deliver in abundance. Regularly crossing the border between genius and downright madness, the only way to experience their music is to let it take you on a weird and wonderful journey. I guarantee it won't disappoint.

Since I've been playing catch up in the world of music blogging, this provides me with the perfect opportunity to whore out some free MM downloads and tie it in with their debut album release.

Mitchell Museum released their debut single Warning Bells early last month and to celebrate the release the band gave (and are still giving) away not one, not two but six free downloads. These unoffical B-sides are a selection of remixes of the band's debut single by We Were Promised Jetpacks and Coach-a-Cola to name but a few. You can purchase the debut single at iTunes or Amazon as well as downloading the free Warning Bells Remixes from Bandcamp. Whilst on Bandcamp, why not download We Lost 1st Prize, a collection of older recordings, B-sides and demos, for free? Cannae complain about that.

Yesterday saw the release of the much anticipated debut album, The Peters Port Memorial Service. A lack of pennies means I've yet to get my hands on a copy but I'll stick my neck out and say, I'll be surprised if it isn't a strong contender for my album of the year. Already picking up numerous favourable reviews, this release is set to propel Mitchell Museum into the limelight where they belong.

The band will be playing an instore gig at Glasgow FOPP (Union Street) tomorrow afternoon before their "Semi-secret album launch party" later that night. For more information on the launch party email mitchellmuseum@gmail.com and you might be lucky enough to recieve a 'secret free entry passcode'.

2010 is definitely the year of Mitchell Museum.

The Peters Port Memorial Service is available now from iTunes, Amazon and all good record shops.



As well as their official site, you can also find the band on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.

Exhibition - We Sink Ships: Elements

For those of you who aren't familiar with the wonderful work of We Sink Ships, it's a collaboration between Heidi Kuisma, a Finnish born, Glasgow-based photographer and Neil Milton, a Warsaw based Scottish musician, photographer and record label owner who I featured in an Exposure article a while back on his musical project beneath us, the waves. As well as creating stunning online photo exhibitions they also present We Sink Ships Radio, a series of weekly music podcasts hosted on Radio Magnetic. All round, an incredibly talented pair.

Last night, I received an email from Heidi regarding an event she is organising as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival 2010. The event will feature a screening of We Sink Ships' short film, Elements and those attending will be treated to music from eagleowl and Conquering Animal Sound, two of my personal favourites. Heidi has summed the event up far better than I ever could so I'll let her explain the rest:

"We Sink Ships is delighted to announce the screening of “We Sink Ships: Elements” short film at Wee Red Bar on 31 July as part of Edinburgh Art Festival 2010, Scotland’s largest annual festival of visual art.

The screening will be accompanied by music from beautiful, atmospheric lo-fi folk ensemble eagleowl and Conquering Animal Sound whose unusual song structures and melodic beats and loops create awe-inspiring sounds.

The doors are at 7pm and entry costs £5.

'We Sink Ships: Elements' contains material from cross-disciplined body of work split across five separate exhibitions. Each exhibition is themed around one of the classical medieval elements and contains images created by layering photographs to create surreal, abstract and sometimes ethereal interpretations of the chosen element, a poem written by Rhys Baker from Wild Dogs in Winter and a piece of music written by Neil Milton.

The film is made by Sleepysoul, a Scottish independent filmmaker, using Elements materials together with his own and archive footage creating an evocative film with classical elements and technology at its core."

I'll be doing my best to make it through to Edinburgh at the end of July and I hope you will too. For more on all the artists featured and other information, just follow the links in the above text.

Tickets are priced at £5 and you can buy them here.

You can also find We Sink Ships on Twitter, Myspace, Facebook and Wordpress as well as their podcast on Radio Magnetic.

You can view Heidi's photography on Flickr as well as follow Heidi on Twitter where I'm sure she'll be more than happy to respond to any questions about the event.

As well as a Facebook page, Sleepysoul also has Twitter.