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: Keanu Leaves - Where We Lay Our Heads

Glasgow's Where We Lay Our Heads return with a new single this week. 

'Keanu Leaves' is a rousing folk-rock tune that will have your toe-tapping for its entire four minute and forty seven second running time. 

The track is beautifully layered, with a perfect balance of sounds making it one of the better produced songs to be released this year. 

The single showcases all this band have to offer and leaves you wanting more so we can only hope that they've got more coming soon.

The band launch the single at Broadcast in Glasgow this Tuesday (2nd April), with support from Shambles Miller and Brave Young Red for a mere £5, and advance tickets get a free download of the single. Details can be found at the Facebook event.

'Keanu Leaves' will be released 1st April through Common Records.

Music Worth Noting

On the day that Scottish music loses One Up Records in Aberdeen, it seems right as any to make note of artists from across the board that have caught my own ears recently.

Woodenbox (previously Woodenbox With a Fistful of Fivers, quite the memorable mouthful), recently announced a signing to Olive Grove Records and a forthcoming LP. With the announcement came the teaser track Race To The Flood, 3 minutes of glorious Americana with the Scottish flavour. The rousing track bodes well for the new album.



Ayrshire-based Brave Young Red will release their debut EP, Roots, in March with a launch gig on the 28th of February at the 13th Note to celebrate. Their bandcamp is currently offering Brown Boots for free download and the 6-minute folk toe-tapper showcases a lot of what the band have to offer.




Melodic guitars and warm keys combine on VsVs' debut single November Snow, due for release February 18th, to make for a very full sounding and promising track from the Glasgow band.



Having studied in Stirling, I am always happy to hear new music from the area and End of Neil's acoustic rock should go far beyond the little city. Save My Soul showcases both the lyrical and anthemic sides that could take End of Neil to great things this year and beyond.



And on the video front PAWS released a video for Sore Tummy in the last week, featuring multiple fish-eye views, a Gerry Loves Record t-shirt and lots of autumnal leaves. A feast for the eyes and the ears.