EP REVIEW: Half Jacks - Half Jacks

Released near-on 2 years ago, the Half Jack's self-titled debut EP is probably the oldest release I've reviewed for this blog. They are currently recording new material, but this EP is a good starting point.

Punk cabaret may be a niche genre, but in a city with as wide music offerings as Glasgow, there's definitely got to be a crowd for this. I must admit that my interest was piqued by punk cabaret immediately.

The 5-track EP draws from wide influences, but has its own unique sound. The third track 'Reasons for The Unexplained' is a particular highlight, with the layering of strong lyrics, guitars and keys. Finding the right balance in these layers can be difficult but for a young band Half Jacks do this particularly well. 

Running just over 16 minutes this EP has definite replay-ability, featuring infectious guitars and great vocal work. It is definitely worth checking out.

You can listen to the EP via soundcloud and buy it for £3 on bandcamp.

GIG REVIEW: Brown Bear & The Bandit vs Miniature Dinosaurs at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut 26/04/2013

St. Vincent Street in Glasgow was home to an epic battle on Friday evening as DF concerts hosted the second date of the Brown Bear & The Bandits vs. Miniature Dinosaurs co-headline tour. 

Opening tonight's battle proceedings are Miniature Dinosaurs, and this is my first time seeing the band. In fact, it's taken me about 5 years to do so having seen Barry Maclean and Alban Dickson and a few friends perform as a one-off band 'Beautiful Tear Smiles' supporting Frightened Rabbit in early 2008 and even employed Barry's help for a university project about music. Major apologies to the band for it taking me so long, really. Glad I finally got round to it though. Miniature Dinosaurs provide Tut's with a strong set of indie pop goodness that gets the crowd bopping from the get go, and gets stronger as their set goes on. A good sign for the band is that their new song from their upcoming debut album goes down brilliantly on the evening, and is my highlight and their strongest track. It also has to be the first time I've been to a gig and been treated to a Richard O'Brien (of The Crystal Maze fame) impression, which was quite brilliant. The Dinosaurs indie-pop may not have lyrical genius of other Scots bands but they have a talent for getting a crowd bopping making them a popular live band with a chance to grow stronger.

 

Having the bar set for them, Brown Bear & the Bandits take to the stage and promptly get the crowd going with their fresh indie folk rock. The band have managed to pack out the main floor and every song is welcomed with loud cheers from the crowd, it's clear to see this band have got themselves a growing audience. The night features lots of infectious guitars and some good old jams, including 'Celtic Jam' which goes down a right treat and gets the best reaction of the night. The Bandits are also in the process of recording a first album, treating us to a few new tracks that will be on it including the heavier track 'Obsession', which is a definite highlight of mine. New single 'Olive Tree' takes on a new life live and gets a brilliant reaction from the full room. This band are going from strength to strength and their fresh sounding indie is certain to take them places. 

For my money, Brown Bear & The Bandits took this leg of the battle but it's definitely a fun one to watch. 

GIG REVIEW: Withered Hand at The Glad Cafe 25/04/2013

The dark yet cosy confines of The Glad Cafe in Shawlands was home to a special gig on Thursday evening, the return of Withered Hand with lots of new songs. The beautiful venue was well suited to the music and performers on the evening. 

Getting things going on the night was Marie Collins and her band who brought their folk-pop infusion to the brighten up the darkened cosy confines. Marie is a younger performer who was mentored by Dan of Withered Hand through The Fruit Tree Foundation and it's easy for all to see why she was chosen for this honour, as her songs are thoughtful and have an honesty to them. At only 18, there is a bright future ahead of Marie Collins and with the help from Dan, and the Scottish music community, she should grow into an accomplished singer-songwriter.

Next to take the stage was De Selby, who got my attention immediately as I spotted some brass and I am easily weakened by some good brass. They did not let me down. With a strong emphasis on the music, we are presented with beautiful instrumentals that tell well woven stories, and there's also poetry to put to their own music that makes a strong impact on the listener. Their music talent and strengths with melodies are clear for all to see and leave the stage having warmed the audience up nicely for the headliner.

At just after half past nine, Dan Wilson and Pam Berry are welcomed to the stage with the venue now packed and eager for the performance. There are lyric sheets and pieces of paper everywhere and we soon learn this is because we will be getting to hear lots of new material in its early forms, as Withered Hand will be recording a new album in Glasgow in June. The new songs are grown out of everything from touring and planes to 'New Gods', which Dan is terrified to play but was particularly brilliant. We also get treated to Dan's current favourite song, another new one called 'Horseshoe' and it's just beautiful. The new material has all the lyrical genius you expect from Withered Hand tunes, and it's still hard to believe a few years that we all had to fight via the social networks to get Dan to SXSW. Tonight is also the first time the new Withered Hand band have performed together and there's many a joke about how it will get slicker as the evening goes on, and it actually does. By the time 'Heart Heart' makes its appearance in the middle of the set, the band are hitting all the right notes and the crowd are in the palm of their hands. And a personal highlight for me was finally seeing 'Religious Songs' with the full band in tow, as it's my favourite WH track and suitably beautiful in the live full band form. 

Dan Wilson is one of the most honest and lovely musicians on the circuit and it was great to be able to witness his new material in early forms in such a lovely setting and on such a beautiful evening. This event was a brilliant way to spend a spring Thursday evening and has certainly been a highlight on my gig calendar.

EP REVIEW: Antipathy - GUMS!

Describing themselves as a tenuous super group with members from Orphans, Collar Up and The Plimptons (RIP), GUMS! return with a new free EP this month. 

The 6-track 'Antipathy' is loud and proud, and features many catchy hooks that could win over even the harshest critic. 

The EP showcases the band's ability to delicately balance the vocals, and put each of their vocal talents to right uses. All three vocalists are given a chance to shine and each song is backed with infectious guitars that will have the listener bopping along. 

'New Year' has particularly catchy hooks and is the early highlight of the EP. 'Function Suite' has a slow build before 30 seconds in, it becomes loud and proud and a big anthem. 'Luckless Days' gives the lone female vocal a chance to shine, with lyrics that we can all connect with. The finale 'Dancing in Your Room' leads to doing just that, making it the standout indie pop track on the EP. 

You can get 'Antipathy' for free now on bandcamp.

GIG REVIEW: Luke Sital-Singh at The Art School, 21/04/2013

Any rules I may have set when I started this blog are perhaps more like guidelines (if you get that reference, we'll be good friends) . Therefore since this gig took place in Scotland and featured a Scottish artist on the billing, it will get to feature. 

The underground Art School venue was home to a wonderful showcase of talent on Sunday night. They may have just been three guys wailing with guitars (not my words!) but they have a strong grasp of their craft and lots to offer. 

First to take the stage was young Sam Fender from Newcastle. For an 18-year old he already has amazing talent, and whilst still quite raw he's able to stun an audience with his performance. He's already got the on-stage banter of a well-toured musician which got the crowd on his side early on and his songs about love, life and politics are woven with lyrical genius and show that in the right hands a simple acoustic guitar can be a hugely versatile instrument. This kid is one to watch, he's definitely got something special.

Photo by Fiona McKinlay

Having to follow up young Sam would be a hard task for most but Michael Cassidy takes it all in stride. One of the most talked about upcoming Scottish singer-songwriters I was very excited to see Michael for the first time and he did not disappoint, giving a performance that shows his strong lyrical talent, as well as getting the crowd on side with in-between song banter. In a crowded field of folk musicians in Scotland these days, Michael manages to standout and make an impact with his emphasis on melody and incredible lyrical talent. He puts on a wonderful live show and will certainly be playing bigger shows himself soon.

All the way from London, tonight's show was headlined by Luke Sital-Singh. I hadn't heard of Luke prior to this show but I will happily count myself as one of his fans from here on out. His performance is powerful as he presents heartfelt songs that immediately make a connection with the audience. With songs from everything to his parents and whale love songs, we witness a full range of his abilities and the strong lyrical talent he has. Joking that he's brought a calorie counter on tour to show his parents that being a musician is really tough job are amongst the highlights of the night on the banter side, and here's hoping the Glasgow show did allow him to final break the 3000-a day calories burned target he'd set himself. Luke is on a upward trajectory and I am glad I was able to catch him in such an intimate setting because bigger shows are definitely in his future. 

I went to this gig on a whim after hearing some chatter via the social networks and I am so very glad that I did as I was able to three performers who are well on their way to being the 'Next Big Thing'. Getting to spend your Sunday night being awed by the musical talents of such lovely guys as these three was definitely a great choice in the end.

Photo by Fiona McKinlay.

LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT: GoNorth Festival

Inverness is home to GoNorth Festival this June. The annual Creative Industries Festival features a broad range of music, screen, publishing, fashion and interactive content. Each year the event brings a wide programme of panels, workshops, film screenings, training opportunities, Q&A sessions, keynote interviews and live music showcases to the North of Scotland.

Now in its 13th year, today the music showcase lineup was announced. “We are delighted with the quality and range of acts invited to showcase at this year’s goNORTH,” said director for Music Shaun Arnold. “The A&R process to establish our 2013 list proved particularly challenging as we received a record number of high quality submissions. As goNORTH continues to develop, each year the music element becomes increasingly competitive. We would like to offer a huge thank you to all the acts that applied to play this year and look forward to delivering our most ambitious showcase programme to date.”

2013 SCOTTISH SHOWCASE LIST:
ALARM BELLS
ALGERNON DOLL
ARCHES
ATLAS:EMPIRE
BE LIKE PABLO
BEAR ARMS
BEHOLD THE OLD BEAR
BIRDHEAD
BLACK INTERNATIONAL
BOOK GROUP
CALL TO MIND
CAMPFIRES IN WINTER
CARNIVORES
CASUAL SEX
CLEAVERS
DAVEY HORNE
DONALD MACDONALD & THE ISLANDS
DUNCAN OVERMEER
DYLAN TIERNEY
EUGENE TWIST
FAKE MAJOR
FAT GOTH
FLUTES
FOREST FIRES
FRIENDS IN AMERICA
GALOSHINS
GARDEN OF ELKS
HECTOR BIZERK
HOMEWORK
JEMMA TWEEDIE
JO MANGO
KOBI
LIDH
LIONEL
LITTLE FIRE
MIKE NISBET
MINIATURE DINOSAURS
PINACT
PLASTIC ANIMALS
POOR THINGS
PRONTO MAMA
RED RONSON
ROMAN NOSE
SAINT MAX AND THE FANATICS
SHAMBLES MILLER
SO MANY ANIMAL CALLS
THE BOY WHO TRAPPED THE SUN
THE BROKEN RAVENS
THE DEADLINE SHAKES
THE IMAGINEERS
THE LAFONTAINES
THE MOUSE THAT ATE THE CAT
THE OK SOCIAL CLUB
THE OXIDES
THE RECOVERY
THE SEA ATLAS
THE VELVETEEN SAINTS
THE YAWNS
VASQUEZ
WILLIE CAMPBELL
WOODENBOX

GIG REVIEW: Amy Duncan at Stereo 20/04/2013

There are few better ways to end your Record Store Day than at a gig and Stereo was home to the Glasgow album launch of singer-songwriter Amy Duncan on Saturday evening for an acoustic affair. 

Taking the stage just after 9pm and joined by Fiona Rutherford on harp and Lawrie MacMillan on bass, Amy Duncan begins a set that will bring the crowd to a complete stop where you could hear a pin drop and shows a talent that has a full range and power. 

The set starts off slow, with songs performed in a way that whilst showing the promise of the act display a little need for nurturing to take full advantage of the talent on stage. By the third song of the set, the title track from her new album Cycles of Life, things take a turn for the better as the songs begin to come alive, through the layering of the music and the strong vocal talents of Duncan. The set goes from strength to strength, with a highlight being 'Song to Myself', also from the new album and choosing to end on a newer song with a completely solo performance is a very bold choice, that proves to go down very well. 

There are many choices on a Saturday night in Glasgow but those who chose to come to Stereo were greeted with a beautiful performance by Amy Duncan. The live performance showed off her incredible vocal talent, as well the ability to craft songs with great structure and melodies and left you wanting more by the end. 

You can buy 'Cycles of Life' now on Linn Records, including in Studio Master Format that my fellow blogger The Pop Cop covered recently.

Record Store Day 2013

Limited releases, live performances and the love of music saw the people of Glasgow come out on en masse to support Record Store Day on Saturday. 

I started early and was queueing at Monorail Music by 8am, where the line was suitably long and ever-increasing as we neared opening time. I heard from a friend as they joined the line 15 minutes or so later that the line at LoveMusic was already 150 deep and both stores would have queues throughout the day as music lovers looked to score their vinyl.

Mono kept all updated with the releases that they had sold out of via Twitter and blackboard in store, very useful for those in line or thinking of joining. I was lucky enough to pick up all three Frightened Rabbit related releases that came out on the day, whilst friends picked up Biffy Clyro, Chvrches and more. The staff at the stores deserve all the respect and praise for providing impeccable service and keeping cool heads on such a crazy day.

Having battered my wallet with the vinyl purchases in the morning I spent my afternoon in the very cozy confines of LoveMusic watching a few performances. When I arrived just after half 2 there was still a queue for buying RSD releases, as well as a packed out store watching the opening act Young Aviators. I couldn't hear or see enough to provide you a review but they were certainly popular.

Hoping to get myself in the store for a few performances I was aiming to catch afterwards meant that I got to witness the performance of Viking Galaxy. I must admit that I was completely unaware of what I was about to see and hear but was pleasantly surprised and awed by their rock 'n' roll theatre. This was definitely more a performance as opposed to a live set and the crowd was eating it up. If you're looking for keytar solos and some heavy, happy power metal then you should certainly give these guys a listen. I, for one, am glad I arrived early and the sets were running late because I didn't know I needed viking power metal in my life until that day.

Following the theatre of the Vikings was 2/5ths of bloggers favourites French Wives, who spent a good deal of set joking about how they used to be relevant. Happily they did note that they have been recording a new album and we were treated to some new tracks so we'll be seeing much more of them again soon. And they ended their set on their hit single, Halloween, which is 5 and a half minutes of perfect indie pop for everyone. I look forward to their return to the scene.

Having already played Dundee and Edinburgh on the day Fake Major packed out LoveMusic as the hype around them continues to build. Having already given their debut EP 'Have Plenty of Fun' a glowing review, I was very excited to see them live and they did not disappoint. My press pack with the EP notes how the truest form of the band is somewhere in between on record and live and I can see why as the live performance is something quite special in itself, and the music comes to life around the delicate blending of the dual vocals. We were also treated some non-EP tracks that showed great depth and excited me for their future. The band's debut EP is now available in all good record stores and I'd suggest you purchase it, as well as making sure you see them in live format to experience all they have to offer.

The cozy confines of LoveMusic got considerably cosier as Woodenbox took to the 'stage' bringing an infusion of Americana to an already warm day. With their new album available for the day only in store, the band performed a set that gave us all a tease of what to expect, which from the sounds of it will be a beautifully layered piece with melodical quirks and intricacies. An always energetic live band they got the already-rowdy crowd going and made an impact on the day.

I didn't stick around for the later performances of Three Blind Wolves, Washington Irving and Glasvegas but going by the quality of the day I don't doubt they were brilliant and that the store was ever anything but full.

Remember music fans, whilst Record Store Day is always fun and exciting and special, your local independent record store days are there on all other days too so please continue to support them throughout the year and keep the music alive.

UPCOMING EVENTS/PREVIEW - Brew at the Bog 2013

Returning for its second year, Brew at the Bog festival will bring new music and new beer to Bogbain Farm in Inverness on Saturday 4th May. The festival showcases the best in homegrown Scottish talent combined with craft beer from the controversial brewery in an award-winning setting. 

This year's lineup has many notable bands/performers worth checking out. Here are my picks:

Shambles Miller - You won't find many other acts who can offer the same brilliant witty reparté and folk-pop tunes like Shambles does. It'll no doubt be one of the most memorable performances of the festival.

Michael Cassidy - Another solo performer Paisley's Michael Cassidy is a singer-songerwriter who offers dreamy tunes that will make your hairs stand on end. Having received great praise in the last year, he's certainly one to watch.



Trapped in Kansas - One of my favourite Glasgow bands for many years, Trapped in Kansas are a math-pop band whose sounds can make a special impact on the listener. The lyrical and sonic talent of this band suggests they should be much bigger than they are.



Fake Major - Hot off the release of their debut EP Fake Major will be gracing Bogbain Farm with their stunning arrangements and live show. They're anything but another indie-folk band and will not be a hidden gem for long.



Olympic Swimmers - Another longtime favourite of mine, their folk-filled power pop is taking Glasgow indie to new levels. They have a supreme talent for writing intense, powerful music that stays with the listener.


The full lineup is as follows:
Olympic Swimmers, Three Blind Wolves, Randolph’s Leap, Discopolis, Homework, Found, Miaoux Miaoux, United Fruit, Chris Devotion & The Expectations, The Little Kicks, Cherri Fosphate, The Stagger Rats, Fatherson, Kitty the Lion, Fake Major, Trapped in Kansas, The Whiskys, This Silent Forest, The Winter Tradition, James MacKenzie, JP Jones, Michael Cassidy, Donald MacDonald and the Islands, Adam Holmes and the Embers, Seznec Brothers, Sion Russell Jones, Jonathan Powell, Davey Horne, Tomos Lewis, Sienna, Bronagh & the Boys, Poor Things, Seven Summits, Shambles Millers, Verse Metrics, Ashley & the Cosmonauts, Sharfla.

Tickets are £30 (with camping)/£20 (without camping) and are currently available online as well as at BrewDog bars.

Full details are at brewatthebog.com.

REVIEW: Sick, Sad World - Polar Bears in Purgatory

Having spent a few years in an indie bubble, I've been open to so much more in the past year that has allowed me to discover such things as Scottish pop-punk! Yes, you read that right. 

My teenage years were full of pop-punk and ska but I haven't touched the genres properly since those days, but thanks to Ayr's Polar Bears in Purgatory I can be sure that I will be going out in search of more of what's on offer.

The Polar Bears debut album is 17 tracks, featuring a lot of short and sweet tracks but they still do a great job making an impact and there's enough catchy hooks in there to keep you coming back for more. Surprisingly though, it's the longer tracks such as 'Supernova', 'Titanium Heart' and 'Square Peg/Round Hole' that are the stronger material on the release.

If there was ever an album for beer and friends and the summer (if we get one), then this might just be it. Certainly an album you can drink to, with all the pop-punk glory of your teens when you couldn't actually do that (or maybe I just missed that part). 

You can buy Sick, Sad World for a mere £5 on bandcamp and if you get the chance, check these guys out gigging near you as it's a damn good show.

R.I.P The Darien Venture - My Retrospective

"All good things must come to an end". It's a saying you hear a lot and there are times in your life when you must deal with great losses. As a music fan, you have to always be prepared to lose great bands as nothing lasts forever and music is an ever-changing thing. However there are times when you get a real shock and must deal with an unexpected end to one of your favourite bands. That happened for me this week. 

The Darien Venture have been one of my favourites since I stumbled on their music in late 2008, and first saw them live in early 2009. I still remember the day I found their Myspace (through friends and fellow Ayr band Trapped in Kansas) and was immediately taken by them as they had a song about my favourite movie, Back to the Future. '1.21 Gigawatts' is to this day a go-to song for me when I need to cheer up and has always been a live highlight, it features the catchy hooks that TDV do best. It is also my current ringtone. The song is that good, and I discovered it and the band through good old Myspace. Remember those days?

I could name a good few performances of Darien's that rate highly on top gigs lists, from that first time I saw in Captain's Rest in March 2009 right through to the recent EP launch, with Glasgow Podcart's 2009 Christmas party and Rocktoberfest 2010 right in the middle. Their live shows were always energetic and you could count on the crowd to be right damn rowdy by the time their set would come a close. They never quite had the on-stage banter of other bands but there's definitely memorable moments there too, who else talks about falafel on stage?

Scottish bands have been remarkably kind to me over the years and that includes the TDV boys. Only the second time I saw the band I already received a free t-shirt, just for putting a few videos on YouTube. I still have that t-shirt and you can still watch those videos. They'd always thank me for coming and tease me about the future, as well as just have a good laugh. It's always brilliant when you learn that a band you love are just as brilliant human beings as they are musicians. Liam, Kyle, Jonny and Dave are lovely fellas, as well as very talented. 

This band have been one of Glasgow's best hidden gems throughout my entire time knowing them, I've always believed they deserved bigger and better and their recent EP release 'A Kite, A Key and A Storm' (which was my first review on this blog) could definitely have offered them that. I certainly believe that EP was the best thing they've produced and I was eagerly excited for what was to follow it. Unfortunately this is no longer to be, the band is no more. I will always have their music to go back to, as well as countless memories from their shows over the years. The end has completely caught me by surprise, and it wasn't really an end you'd like for some of your favourites but these guys are tough and they are talented and I definitely believe they'll have something else for me to get my teeth into soon. But The Darien Venture will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Thanks for the memories and the music.

UPCOMING EVENTS/PREVIEW - Record Store Day 2013 in Glasgow

Always an important day on a music fan's calendar, Record Store Day 2013 is upon us. This Saturday will see the release of many limited edition records, cassettes and CDs from bands from all over the world, including some special Scottish releases. Watch out for Frightened Rabbit and Lau's collaboration 'Norland Wind' on 7", The Twilight Sad Vs Aidan Moffat & Bill Wells on a split 7",  and Fake Major's debut EP 'Have Plenty of Fun' amongst others.

At Love Music on Dundas Street, you'll be able to catch performances from Glasvegas, Woodenbox, French Wives, Three Blind Wolves, Washington Irving, Fake Major, Viking Galaxy and Young Aviators.

At Monorail Music/Mono Cafe Bar, you'll get sets from Vic Godard & The Sexual Objects, World Peace and Ela Orleans as well as homebaking and DJs throughout the day.

Oxfam Music Glasgow on Byres Road plays host to a TYCI Record Store Day Special that will see Jo Mango, Siobhan Wilson and Kitty the Lion perform, as well as spoken word from Kristin Innes.

Be sure to get down and support your local record store.

EP REVIEW: Bring Us Together - Mono Six

One of the many great bands on the A Quiet Night In - mini festival takeover that proved such a success earlier this month, Mono Six opened proceedings at the ABC2 and closed the after-party at Flat 0/1. Unfortunately I missed both performances but have since gotten hold of their debut EP, which is well worth a mention.

Based out of Falkirk, Mono Six are a loud and proud indie rock band who I suspect you will be hearing more of in the not too distant future. Their debut EP 'Bring Us Together' is a 6-track player with which the band make their mark. 

The EP features catchy hooks (particularly in 'We Were Electric' and 'God in Exile'), big guitars and a distinct style, that whilst it has clear influences from rock contemporaries, makes the band stand out in a crowded field. There's an energetic opener in 'Waiting to Fall' that makes an immediate impact on the listener and the two-part finale 'Records and Stories' is a slow builder in Part I displaying a different side of the band, whilst part II picks the pace right back up and closes the EP strongly.

This EP seems to have dropped fairly quietly in the latter part of last year and it's available via iTunes for under a fiver. I highly doubt this band's next release will be so under the radar, definitely ones to watch.

LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT AND PREVIEW - Doune at the Rabbit Hole 2013

Back for its fourth year, Doune at the Rabbit Hole today announced its new location and full lineup to whet the appetites of festival goers everywhere.

Hoping to bring a psychedelic summer to Stirlingshire with a musical line up headlined by cult Liverpool band Clinic, Scottish folk-rock troubadour Alasdair Roberts & Friends and 60s psych heroes July. Glasgow indie legends The Pastels and punk-pop trio PAWS are also on the bill.

Also joining the festival at the new location of Cardross Estate, Port of Mentieth are Orkestra Del Sol who headline an extended Thursday evening bill with Machines In Heaven and Honey & The Herbs.

Friday sees headliner Alasdair Roberts & Friends on the main stage, along with The John Langan Band, Meursault and Haight Ashbury. The intimate Fruitstand stage welcomes Rick Redbeard, Steve Adey and Stanley Brinks and the Baino tent is headlined by PAWS as well as featuring Gallon Drunk, Arbouretum, Galoshins and The Cosmic Dead. A guest stage will be curated by Ten Tracks and features bands including Buriers.

Saturday’s main stage bill features Clinic, The Pastels, The Monochrome Set, Washington Irving and Panda Su among others. The Fruitstand line up includes Robyn Hitchcock, Rozi Plain and The Wellgreen. The Baino welcomes Zun Zun Egui, Bomskare and Stealing Sheep. A guest stage will be

curated by Edinburgh’s poetry and music fusion collective Neu Reekie and will feature among others The Sexual Objects and Teen Canteen.

Sunday’s headliner is 60s psych-rock legends July, the main stage also welcomes The Horndog Brass Band, Hidden Masters and Randolph’s Leap among others. The Fruitstand has Rachel Sermanni, The Banana Sessions, Jo Mango and Siobhan Wilson, while The Baino’s line up includes Z’s, Bo Ningen and Three Dimensional Tanx.

The popular Inspire Stage will run all weekend as well as the Low End Dance Stage – with guests including Rebecca Vasmant and The Line Of Best Fit DJs. Expect a cinema tent, art trail and lots of workshops suitable for the whole family.

“We’re thrilled with our new location,” said Jamie Murray, festival director. “Cardross Estate is on the boundary of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park. It’s a beautiful site which has experience of hosting outdoor events meaning we can make the production better than ever, suffice to say it's a lovely flat, oak and beech-filled pasture!”

Doune The Rabbit Hole is a small-scale festival where music, art, spoken word performances, workshops and activities for a family audience are the focus.

Tickets for the festival, which takes place August 22-25 2013 are available now from Brown Paper Tickets via Dounetherabbithole.co.uk. Full adult weekend camping tickets cost £78, children under 12 go free and day tickets are available, (see http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/305937 for full

details).

REVIEW - Have Plenty of Fun - Fake Major

From the ashes of Endor (the Glasgow band, not the Star Wars planet), rises Fake Major and their debut EP. Made up of David McGinty and Richard Ferguson, this latest project launched in early February and has been steadily making waves in the Scottish scene. 'Have Plenty of Fun' is a 4-track player that is surely going to see them rise further.

The opening track is 'Little Researcher', which was released as the band launched and came with a brilliant music video (you can watch below). This track works as an excellent first taster of this new project and it's certainly pleasing but it's not the best that this EP has to offer.

The strongest songs on EP are the two middle tracks, 'Fiction' and 'Cotton and Ink', both of which are lyrically stunning and have the beautifully arranged, and mastered, layers of sound to match. They may be indie pop tunes but they pack a punch and it is these tracks specifically that I believe are give the best impression of what we can come to expect from Fake Major in the future. 'Cotton and Ink' is one of the best tracks I've heard this year so far, the lyrics shine through as the music becomes much more of a backdrop but as the track builds to its close, we are treated to layers of beautifully sonic guitars, pianos, drums and a violin and lyrics you'll be singing back in no time.

The closer 'Love in the Mundane' has some of my favourite lyrics on the EP and could certainly be a hit indie pop single. It is a toe-tapping folk tune but with the elements that maje Fake Major stand out, making it much more than just another song from another Glasgow indie-folk band. It is anything but mundane.

'Have Plenty of Fun' is a masterful debut EP, showing lots of promise and already establishes Fake Major as a band to watch out for. With this release they are not likely to stay a hidden gem for long.

'Have Plenty of Fun' will be released by Comets and Cartwheels, physically on April 20th and digitally on May 1st.

Fake Major will be playing in-stores in Dundee (Groucho's), Edinburgh (Avalanche) and Glasgow (Love Music) on April 20th to celebrate the EP's release. And they will be performing as a full band, with members from We Were Promised Jetpacks, Bear Arms and other Glasgow bands joining the duo, at the Comets and Cartwheels showcase on May 31st at Govanhill Swimming Baths for Quickbeam's album launch.

Fake Major - Little Researcher from Comets And Cartwheels on Vimeo.

GIG PREVIEW: Haddowfest Presents...Meursault and friends

After the critical and popular success of their third album 'Something for the Weakened' last year, Meursault make a return with a special gig in Edinburgh.

Haddowfest, the single day music festival in Edinburgh, is branching out in the monthly club night market and providing the capital with a new night of great music. The inaugural 'Haddowfest Presents....' gig is on April 26th at The Liquid Room. 

The night will be hosted by Radio 1's Ally McCrae, with Meursault taking the headline slot. The support acts were hand picked by Neil Pennycook and co., and will be Withered Hand (performing solo) and Lomond Campbell & River of Slime (of Edinburgh's Found). Certainly a night with some of Scotland's best.

Tickets are a mere £10 (plus booking fee) via Ticketweb and Tickets Scotland. 

'Haddowfest Presents' will continue to showcase some of Scotland's best upcoming talents and special guests in the coming months and if you're in the capital then it looks well worth checking out. 

GIG REVIEW - A Quiet Night In mini take-over festival at The Art School

Building on the success of other multiple venue events (such as the excellent Stag & Dagger), A Quiet Night In - mini take-over festival took place on Saturday and showcased some of the best alternate acts that Scotland has to offer. It also did so in venues all within a 5 minute walk of my flat, so that gets my vote.

As a lazy blogger, and person in general, and having weighed up the line-up I chose to stick my night out at The Art School. I walk past this place every day but it was my first time checking it out, nice and cosy confines. 

First up were Aberdeen's The Little Kicks, who played to a mostly quiet room but their indie pop tunes were well received by those in attendance. The two songs they played from their forthcoming album, due out later this year, were particularly promising. Ending on a little bit of self-promotion, they go out on a high note with 'Call of Youth', which is available for free via Bandcamp.

Next up The Art School was treated to an alternate rock show from Glasgow's Campfires in Winter.  With an adoring crowd filling out the room, the band put on a rousing show and bring the previously very quiet room to life. New single 'White Lights' goes down a particular treat and we can be sure there's a lot more to come from these guys in the future. 

It was then the turn of Edinburgh's Capitals, not to be confused with the hockey team of the same name. With some alcohol having flowed and the band providing the right pulsing beats, The Art School was for a short time turned into a dance floor and there were many happy people during this set. Bringing a more electronic flavour to the evening Capitals provide a strong view of the genre and leave the room with brilliant aurora of goodness as they depart.

Topping off the evening were Song of Return, a Glasgow band who have been on the rise and rise in the past year. The packed out room is treated to an extremely polished show from a band with dark and intense sounds, the sky is clearly not the limit for them. With something going at every level, from unsettling vocals to the quiet build-ups of bass and drums all put on an electronic backdrop and it's got a particularly powerful effect in live performance. They definitely left their mark on Glasgow last night.

Even though, I only attended one venue having heard from bands and punters who went around the others it's clear that A Quiet Night In - mini festival take-over was a brilliant success and I look forward to more in the future.

GIG REVIEW - Where We Lay Our Heads single launch, Brave Young Red & Shambles Miller at Broadcast 02/04/2013

The dark yet cosy confines of Broadcast was host to another launch night on Tuesday evening when the stage was graced by Where We Lay Our Heads to release new single 'Keanu Leaves' in style. 

The bar was set in the banter, and music, stakes as the night opened with Shambles Miller, who quickly got the crowd on side with his witty remarks and folk-pop tunes. It's hard to dislike a guy who carries only one t-shirt to sell at his gigs and has song entitled 'Chris Brown is a cunt (and Mike has some issues)'. Even when he messed up during his single 'Confessions', he saved it and the crowd went along with him. Few Glasgow acts can offer such witty reparte along with their live show and, for this reason, I'll certainly be attending more Shambles shows in the future.

Taking up the task of following Shambles and warming up the crowd for the headliners were Ayr's Brave Young Red. Fresh off their own EP release within the last month the majority of their setlist is made up of songs from 'Roots', the highlight of the set being when they slow things down for 'Footprints', which made this blogger thankful that they were sans an acoustic guitar for the set allowing them to dip into this track. The banter may not quite have reached Shambles' levels but there is certainly promise in this band, and I'd be fine if the acoustic guitar missed a few more gigs if we got performances like that of 'Footprints'.

The room has filled up and the crowd are settled in as our headliners take the stage just before half ten. Playing a balanced set of new and old, Where We Lay Our Heads bring in spring (finally!) with their folk-pop infused songs and keep Broadcast bopping through the full set. New single and the reason we were all there, 'Keanu Leaves' anchors the set and is the definitie highlight, whilst the new tracks played prove that there is much more to come from this band.  They may not be as good at the talking thing in between songs as their support acts but they can certainly claim to be an accomplished live act whose talent and promise is going to take them places.

REVIEW: Backyard Skulls EP - Frightened Rabbit

2013 may finally be The Year of the Rabbit. Following on from their career-high top ten (#9) fourth album, the FRabbits released the 'Backyard Skulls EP' earlier this week. 

The EP is made of up of 'Backyard Skulls', the second single from the acclaimed 'Pedestrian Verse', as well as alternate versions of previous single 'The Woodpile' and 'Holy', a live recording of 'Acts of Man' from the Barrowlands sellout gig in February and the pre-order exclusive and forthcoming Record Store Day release 'Norland Wind', which sees them team up with Lau.

The alternate versions of the album tracks give them a whole new breath of life and it could be argued that the alternate 'Holy' is better than the album version itself. The song is pulled right back to its bare bones and thusly has an even more powerful effect than its original incarnation. 

The live recording of 'Acts of Man' is a perfect teaser for any forthcoming performances and showcases the blistering live show they have perfected throughout years on the road. It's also a brilliant keepsake for anyone who was lucky enough to attend the Barrowlands show and witness this band at the top of their game.

The true gem of the EP is Norland Wind. A collaboration with friends Lau, this track has all the layers and majesty of a true Scottish anthem. It's unlikely you've heard anything like it this year and you probably won't for the rest of the year. It might just be one of the best songs Frightened Rabbit have produced in their nearly 10 years of existence, toweringly beautiful.

The 'Backyard Skulls EP' is a digital-only UK release and is available via iTunes for only £1.99. 'Norland Wind' will be released on Record Store Day, April 20th, on one-sided etched 7" and is limited to only 500 copies. Go support your local record store and Frightened Rabbit by picking one up.