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.