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.

REVIEW: Now That You Are A Dancer - Kid Canaveral

The self-released 'Shouting at Wildlife' was 2010's much acclaimed indie-pop debut album from Fife's Kid Canaveral and now they're back with their sophomore album, 'Now That You Are A Dancer', on Fence Records. 

Not only have the band dodged the dreaded sophomore slump, they've successfully defeated the big boss and achieved victory by producing an album that's stronger and bolder than their debut. 

The 10-track player showcases the songwriting talent of David MacGregor and proves he is one of the best lyricists Scotland currently has to offer. Album closers 'So Sad, So Young' and 'A Compromise' are of particular note for exhibiting the strength in the songwriting that this band have to offer.

There's also a lot to be said for the fact that one of the album's standout tracks is a contribution from fellow band member Kate Lazda, 'Skeletons', which is darker than most KC! tracks and stylistically departed from what we expect from them but still very fitting within their model. If you need proof that KC! are much more than just indie-pop singles then this track will set you straight.

'Now That You Are A Dancer' features the indie-pop goodness we have come to expect from Kid Canaveral in spades whilst also displaying the growth in the band since their self-released debut. It may only be March but we have one of our contenders for Album of the Year.

You can purchase 'Now That You Are A Dancer' via Fence Records on CD and LP. It was released on March 4th 2013.

REVIEW: A Kite, A Key and A Storm - The Darien Venture

Almost 2 years since the release of the 'Indications' EP, The Darien Venture are back and stronger than before.

'A Kite, A Key and A Storm' is a 7-track player which showcases the catchy hooks and lyrical talent that this band have to offer. It's an EP from a maturing band and contains some of their best work to date.

Opener 'Bones' is anthemic, with the infectious guitars that The Darien Venture are known for as well as the masterful balancing of the vocal melodies from Dave Martin, Kyle Shields and Liam Rutherford.

'Ho! Criminal Face' is one more to add to the pile of tracks The Darien Venture have produced with massively catchy hooks and big guitars.

The EP strongest from the middle onwards where we get the best master and mix of the hit single '1.21 Gigawatts', with the perfect balance of the guitars and catchy lyrics. This is song is math-rock at its best and the mix on 'A Kite, A Key and A Storm' is the best that it has sounded.

'Catapult' is a song for anyone in their 20s, it builds from an opening showcasing Dave Martin's strong vocal and lyrics to a big chorus where the vocal melodies of his bandmates are once again utilised and Jonny Beveridge's drumming holds the entire track together.

'Thinks/Thoks' is another one full of catchy hooks and has some more standout drumming from Beveridge.

'Tonight Matthew' is the lyrically strong track on the EP and its coupled with infectious guitars and a perfect marrying of vocals. The final third of the song is an epic build bringing together everything that makes this band great - the strong bassline, big guitars and drums with the catchy lyrical hooks.

'Clock' is the darkest Darien Venture track to date and proves the lyrical talent of this band better than anything else. The big guitars take a backdrop which allows the vocals and lyrics to shine through stronger than on any other track on the EP, and in the band's previous work.

The Darien Venture have grown over the recent years but they are still a band who can provide catchy math-rock songs, they've always had the lyrical talent but it is on show more on 'A Kite, A Key and A Storm' than previous efforts. I believe this band are not only one of Glasgow and Scotland's best but one of the best bands in Britain right now and they deserve to be much bigger than they are.

'A Kite, A Key and A Storm' was released March 9th via Overlook Records and can be purchased via Bandcamp.

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.

Retail vs Digital: Physical music in a new age

This blog is to primarily focus on Scottish music, and I will make special mention of Scottish independent record stores here, but this is a UK-wide story and it's well worth talking about.

Today, HMV has gone into administration, putting 4,000 jobs at risk and the strong possibility that the UK will be left without a high street record store. HMV is responsible for 38% of all physical music sales (via The Guardian) and there are towns and cities where HMV is the only place for people to buy physical CDs and records, and to lose that it really will mark a change in the sales of physical music in this country. 

The market has been changing drastically in recent years, there's been a massive boost in digital sales and streaming. Applications like Spotify, which it is well documented does not provide artists with a decent payback for all their plays, and digital downloads via sites like Amazon and Bandcamp have all expanded and changed the way we buy and listen to music. HMV was stubborn to these changes and did price itself out of the market, I am guilty of browsing CDs in their stores then going online to purchase purely because it is cheaper to do so. 

It is also important to mention the dominance of HMV, coupled with the boost in digital sales, has meant for independent record stores. One Up Records in Aberdeen has followed Avalanche Records in Edinburgh by announcing its closure at the end of the month. Avalanche has turned to online sales and are still hosting in-stores but the store itself is gone. These stores have felt the strain and are having to succumb to the new market. We, as music fans, should support and celebrate these stores whilst they are here. You'll still be able to find yourself an independent or two in Glasgow (Love Music and Mono), and there's Groucho's in Dundee. Don't just go on Record Store Day, go more often and get your physical fix from them than from a major. Perhaps if HMV disappears the towns with independents left might see a little boost in sales. We can but hope. 

I also want to mention the fact that bands use sites like Bandcamp and Big Cartel to sell their physical CDs to fans directly. The physical format is still important and bands are still using it, despite the digital age. Chances are if you want a CD from an unsigned band you'll find it by going directly to them at shows or their website. The independent labels continue to support the physical format as well as most releases can be found in the physical format (limited run or not). It is through these people that the format should continue to thrive in the new age. As long as it's available to the fans and fans know where to purchase it then we should definitely have less to worry about. It is not a forgotten format, people who love music also want physical music and they'll find it wherever it's being sold.

It is the major labels and their continuance with the physical format that is most affected by the possible closure of HMV. They may react by cutting out the middle man or they may react by completely changing the formats they sell music by. It is hard to tell at this point. But HMV dipping into administration will have an impact on physical sales and as a music fan I will definitely be watching how the industry reacts at all levels. We are in a new digital age but the physical format remains important, long may it continue.

Round-Up: My picks of what's going on

So I've been running a blog for nearly a week now. Figure it's time I try rounding up some things worth checking out from that first week, whilst I try to come up with some other things you might like on here.

You might find the following worthwhile:

King Tut's New Years Revolution will round up this week with performances from bands such as Black International, Haight Ashbury and Fatherson (not all in the same gig, there's plenty more too).

Kid Canaveral announced details of their forthcoming second LP, Now That You're a Dancer, due March 4th on Fence Records. Their Glasgow album launch at The Glad Café on Friday 1st March has sold out but they've added a second date, the following night, so get tickets to that!

Chvrches are doing their first UK tour, including a March 2nd stop at The Arches, and tickets went on sale today. You can get them via Ticketmaster.

If you have access to any of Frightened Rabbit's previous albums then you can access shiny bonus content from Pedestrian Verse here, including the chance to hear The Oil Slick and watch a making of the album video. Pedestrian Verse is released February 4th.

Randolph's Leap appeared on Marc Riley's BBC6 Music show and it's now available on iPlayer to listen again. They will also be performing instore at Avalanche Records on January 20th.

Bear Arms are headlining Nice'N'Sleazy's on February 9th. Support from The King Hats and True Acardian. Tickets only £5 here.

Avalanche Records are preparing a few special instores for the coming year, and to keep abreast of their announcements you should follow their Twitter.

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There's lots happening in Scottish music and that's just what caught my attention. I'm sure there's much more to come and I'll do my best to keep up with it. 2013 is off to a solid start and here's to it continuing strongly!

5 Visual Feasts from 2012

As an aspiring filmmaker myself, and someone who was always been interested in the visual medium and the stories you can tell, I have a special affinity for music videos. It's a unique format and there's always the chance to make a real impression with the right video.

The five videos I am going to mention here are the ones that connected with me the most last year and have stuck with me. This could be because of their emotional impact or because of a particularly memorable character or just pure visual pleasure.

In chronological release order, here's the videos:

Admiral Fallow - The Paper Trench



It's hard to forget The Tree Man and his journey around Glasgow, he certainly made his impression. Of the three videos Fallow released last year this definitely is my favourite because of the beauty of the journey of The Tree Man. 

Frightened Rabbit - State Hospital



I don't want to make this blog about these guys but State Hospital's music video had a very strong emotional impact on me. I have cried watching this video and I'm not afraid to admit it. Hand Held Cine Club have told such a strong story here and there's an immediate connection with the main character, you want her to fight, and to fight for her. 

Meursault - Dull Spark



Sometimes the strongest feature can be minimalism. This video is proof you don't need much to make something beautiful with an impact. Less is definitely more.

Second Shelter - Chasing Cars 



This one is definitely the most filmic of the lot, seems to have a lot of influence from Drive and a Gosling-esque lead. It's another less is more effort too, purely set around night driving scenes. 

So Many Animal Calls - She Was Speaking From The Bottom Of The Sea



Proof that not only do SMAC rock, but they can tell a story too. Good old Scottish bleakness coupled with a big track here. 

I'm ready for my eyes to be as pleased as my ears this year.