Introducing Radhika

 

Photo by Future Pilot Art

INTRODUCING - Radhika

Signed to David Barker's Glass Modern label, Radhika is singer-songwriter Radhika Meera Dade who is joined by various guests to create warm and gorgeous melodic dream pop, citing The Pastels, Cocteau Twins and Strawberry Switchblade as inspiration

Starry Eyes is Radhika's first release on Glass Modern, ahead of forthcoming debut album CINE POP. Gerry Love (vocals, acoustic guitar/piano) and Mitch Mitchell (backing vocals) guest on the single, which originally came out as a super rare transparent green flexi-disc. It's will be released on all the usual streaming and download sites on Friday 9th January. You can check it on Bandcamp below and watch the video further down this blog.

https://glassmodern.bandcamp.com/album/starry-eyes

Sushil K Dade is a staple feature on bass and electronics, with other guests/members to date including Eric MacDonald, Stu Kidd and Jack Wilson. The variety of guests helps to keep things fresh.

Radhika's song Future Me on her Bandcamp is gorgeous dreamy indie pop, I hear a tinge of Belle & Sebastian (especially in the outro) in addition to her aforementioned influences. Starry Eyes (video below) is swirling, swoony and sublime. 

Radhika has a number of live dates coming up, including a residency night at Paisley Arts Centre and London and Manchester shows with support from Gerry Love and Wor_kspace (Finlay MacDonald) sandwiched in between.

• 30th January - Paisley Arts Centre, with Primevals and DJ Chris Geddes
• 14th February - The Betsey Trotwood, London
• 15th February - The Peer Hat, Manchester
• 27th February - Paisley Arts Centre, with Debbie Googe (My Bloody Valentine)

I love what I have heard of Radhika, so sent off a few questions to learn more.

Bandcamp  Instagram

1. When did you start playing music? Can you remember writing your first song? Was there a moment when you thought - I want to start recording now? 

The earliest memory I have of playing music was in the summer of 2015. My parents had bought me a baby pink acoustic guitar at aged 10 and I was completely infatuated with it and started getting guitar lessons in 2016. My first song Golden Stars was written on Christmas Eve in 2015 and I remember feeling such joy and thinking, I would love to do more of this and write forever.

2. What inspires your songwriting? Do you think of melodies/lyrics? Or do they come when you have the music? 

My take on songwriting fluctuates quite often! Recently when writing new material, I have created the melodies first and as I get comfortable with the chord progressions I will gradually think of lyrics. However, writing lyrics does take me time! It varies from days to weeks. When it comes to inspiration, I am inspired by experiences of not only myself but also writing from the perspective of other people.

3. You come from a very musical family, do you have an early musical memory you could share? As a father myself, it must be incredibly special for your Dad ( Future Pilot AKA/Sushil K Dade ) to not only be encouraging you, but to be playing with you. How does it feel for you? Has (or how much has) his musical style and taste influenced you? 

An early musical memory I have is singing songs standing on top of an Asda shopping basket ( as my stage ) at my childminder’s house with a plastic Disney microphone that played Under The Sea from the film The Little Mermaid on repeat. I was pretending I was performing in front of a large crowd... that memory will always be dear to me. Playing with my dad is the most beautiful thing to me, it is an ongoing experience I will truly never take for granted. I owe majority of my music taste to my dad. Growing up alongside hundreds of vinyl from my dad’s record collection has been inspiring my music taste ever since I entered this world.

4. What kind of music are you listening to at present? Have any bands/artists in particular influenced you? 

Working at a record store in Glasgow allows for me to explore current bands as well as musicians of the past. It is so special to have so much music at my finger tips. With my upcoming debut album coming out next year, I was particularly inspired by sunshine pop music from the 60s. However all summer I was listening to The Left Banke, Astrud Gilberto, The Beach Boys, Roger Nichols And The Small Circle Of Friends and lots of Teenage Fanclub. With the changing of seasons I am now listening to more shoegaze and dreamy music, having just seen one of my favourite bands live ( My Bloody Valentine ) I have been falling in love with their whole discography all over again.

5. When you think of Glasgow and music, what comes to mind? 

When I think of Glasgow, I think of all my favourite musicians. All of my favourites are from Glasgow and the surrounding areas ( The Pastels, The Shop Assistants, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Cocteau Twins.) I feel like the luckiest soul to have been brought up in Glasgow and feel absorbed within the Scottish music scene. I think Glasgow is in a beautiful place creatively right now and there are so many young bands flourishing. There really is no place I would rather be .

6. You're heading to Manchester and London in February with an excellent triple line up of Wor_kspace and Gerry Love. And you've signed to the lovely Dave Barker's Glass Modern Records. What do you have coming up in terms of gigs, recording and releasing? (that you can tell us about) 

The diary for 2026 is looking to be a busy one ! Our next gig is at Paisley Arts Centre on the 30th of January playing with the iconic garage rockers The Primevals alongside Chris Geddes ( Belle and Sebastian ) where he will be spinning psychedelic tunes all night long. 

On February 27th I will be playing with my band and will be sharing a stage with one of my all time heroes, Debbie Googe, of My Bloody Valentine at Paisley Arts Centre. This is a dream come true and I am already getting so excited at the thought of it, as we also have a special collaboration planned on the night!

 My debut album Cinepop will be released in May and I truly can’t wait for the world to hear it. It was an honour having some of my personal heroes featuring on some of the tracks: Mitch Mitchell ( The Pastels ) Gerard Love ( Ex Teenage Fanclub , Lightships ) and Tracyanne Campbell ( Camera Obscura). 

Expect 33 and a third minutes of cinematic dream pop with swirling harmoniums and ethereal drones. Many albums are too long these days so we wanted to create an album that you could enjoy in one sitting without any interruptions. Music deserves our full attention and we felt 33 minutes and a third was the perfect length.

Association

 

Cover version of the month #113
Teenage Fanclub cover International Airport

Teenage Fanclub have recorded and released some incredible cover versions over the years. Ranging from their limited edition 7-inch of The Ballad Of John & Yoko back in 1990, through to their glorious take on The Go-Betweens Easy Come, Easy Go as the b-side to the I'm In Love single, taking in the likes of The Byrds, Madonna, Neil Young, Yo La Tengo and Sebadoh en route.

Just over 20-years ago, the Fannies released a split 7-inch with their friends International Airport, recording a cover version of their song Association for a Domino Records single. 

International Airport are Tom Crossley's band. Tom is an extremely talented multi-instrumentalist, currently a member of The Pastels and Gerard Love and the Magic Influence. Tom's talent, ear for sound and taste come pouring out of his music. Having seen him up close with Gerry quite a bit over the last couple of years, he really has the magic touch (influence) and brings so much to anything he is involved with.

Crossley is someone who recognises and understands the beauty of the xylophone and you can hear that throughout Association, which is an exceptionally loose, melodic and playful song. (Regardless of what version you listen to - see below) The song is musically layered with love and care. I love when it drops to almost nothing, guitars kind of hang lightly over percussion and then it all comes back in with the vocal refrain; Won't you tell it to me doctor

NOTE - I think this is the lyric, it's what I have been singing all these years!

International Airport recorded three versions;

• Association - what I presume to be the original. A laid back, stoned, kind of psych folk jam, beautifully raw version which appears on their 2004 album Reunion Of Island Goose. This version really highlights the tumbling and flowing vocal melody. I just listened to the whole album again while driving about in the Glasgow sunshine, it's a glorious messy delight.
• Association! Channel Mash - The lead version on the 4-track EP with Teenage Fanclub from the same year. It sounds like Teenage Fanclub and The Pastels might have been involved. I'm pretty sure I can heart Mitch's voice at times, also Norman's.
• Association! Int Air Source - The 4th track on the EP. More akin to the album version.

Teenage Fanclub clearly loved the song and recorded their own version. It's an absolute gem, full of sunshine shimmer, glorious guitars and happy harmonies. An instrumental version is also on the EP.

Tom seems pretty busy with Gerry and there are signs of long overdue activity from The Pastels, so I'm unsure if he'll record and release anything with International Airport again or not. Regardless, he brings creativity and a cool dreamy vibe to everything he is involved with - Tom is a genuinely supreme musician.

The International Airport original of Association, their Channel Mash version and Teenage Fanclub's cover are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE

Previous covers of the month blogs

1. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' 

2. Going Back To My Roots

3. Nirvana play The Vaselines

4. Slip Inside This House

5. Top 10 covers by Teenage Fanclub

6. Only Love Can Break Your Heart

7. Time For Livin' 

8. Sound and Vision 

9. All Along The Watchtower

10. I Am The Walrus 

11. Guiding Star

12. You’ll Never Walk Alone

13. Hurt

14. This Guy's In Love With You

15. I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine

16. California Soul

18. Wonder wall 

19. Dancing In The Dark

20. Always On My Mind

21. Ceremony

22. Heroes

23. Different Drum

24. Wild Horses

25. Respect

26. Mr Tambourine Man

27. I Heard It Through The Grapevine

28. Superstar

29. Twist and Shout

30. Purple Rain

31. Baker Street

32. Not Fade Away

33. Stop Your Sobbing

34. I Don't Want To Grow Up

35. Serious Drugs

36. Dancing With Myself

37. How Does It Feel To Feel?

38. Love Buzz

39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash

41. Discoland

42. Varshons 2 by The Lemonheads

43. The Langley Schools Music Project
44. Witchi Tai To
45. Our Lips Are Sealed
46. Sunshine Of Your Love
47. Here Comes The Sun
48. I Think We're Alone Now
49. Don't Let Me Down 
50. It's Oh So Quiet
51. Alcoholiday 
52. Summer Holiday
53. Who Do You Think You Are?
54. Head On
55. Nothing Compares 2 U

56. Hey Jude

57. Seven Days Too Long

58. L.O.V.E Love

59. Into Your Arms

60. Heart Of Glass

61. Take Me To The River

62. We Can Work It Out 

63. Talking In My Sleep

64. Lola

65. Lost In Music

66. My Little Red Book

67. Isn't It A Pity

68. Walk On By

69. Walk Away Renee

70. Tainted Love

71. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

72. Listen The Snow Is Falling

73. Mrs Robinson

74. He's Gonna Step On You Again

75. In My Life

76. Caravan Of Love

77. The Only Way Is Up

78. Dancin' Round & Round

79. With A Little Help From My Friends

80. Killing Me Softly

81. Ain't No Mountain High Enough

82. Drop

83. Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay

84. Sympathy For The Devil

85. I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor

86. Love Will Tear Us Apart

87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire

88. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

89. Love The One You're With

90. Cum On Feel The Noize

91. Addicted To Love

92. Valerie

93. Ride On Time

94. Let's Dance

95. It Must Be Love

96. I Fought The Law

97. For What It's Worth

98. Do Your Thing

99. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

100. Don't Leave Me This Way

101. Shout!

102. God Only Knows

103. The Last Time

104. Bridge Over Troubled Water

105. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart

106. Louie Louie

107. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

108-110. I'm A Loser, Yesterday and Beware of Darkness 

111. So You Say You Lost Your Baby

112. Kelly Watch The Stars

Sparky's Dream

Trust me #95
Sparky's Dream by Teenage Fanclub

Teenage Fanclub released the pure sunshine bubblegum power-pop rush of Sparky's Dream 30-years ago, in May 1995. Perfect timing ahead of what was a lovely, warm and hazy summer. I wonder how many times I've listened to the song, how many times I've sung along at concerts, or while playing air guitar in in front of the mirror! 

Sparky's Dream was the lead single from the Fanclub's Grand Prix album. Penned and sung by bassist Gerard Love, the song bursts with a vibrant energy from the playful opening riff to the closing chord. 

Gerry sounds like he is head over heels and I love the way he portrays his love, desire and affection in the lyrics. Dig a little deeper and he is pining for a love that he lost after possibly falling too hard and too fast.

If she lived in space, man, I'd build a plane

Out of luck so beam me up to hear her talking again

She painted pictures, that never dried

Always try and keep the feeling alive

Love has a beautiful way with words, weaving vivid imagery in an honest and dreamy way. This continues through the chorus and I appreciate the line magic eyes to read between the lines so much more after typing it out. The lyric seems so simple, the melody is so catchy and I must have sung it hundreds of times, yet I think I've only just appreciated how clever and deep it is. The power of pop!

Need a crystal ball to see her in the morning

And magic eyes to read between the lines

I took a wrong direction

From a shooting star

In a love dimension

Fading fast from taking this too far

Teenage Fanclub use the chorus as a springboard into a short 15-second instrumental that just keeps the groove going, leading into a short verse/bridge. The opening line is pure Gerry Love, encapsulating a feeling in just 6 words and then there is an immediate gorgeous follow up - he is going to hang on to this love, possibly forever. He won't forget.

That summer feeling, is gonna fly

Always try to keep the feeling inside

Sparky's Dream lifts you up from the off and keeps you there with an unrelenting momentum, we're straight back into another chorus and then an outro of magic balls to see her in the morning and crystal eyes to read between the lines. Timeless pop!

Sparky's Dream is added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE. Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.

Official video

I asked the Teenage Fanclub Fanclub for their memories of hearing the song for the first time.

Shona McAllister - 30-years ago I was living in France and one of my very best friends sent me Sparky's Dream. I wasn't having the best time, but that was a ray of sunshine bursting through. It still feels magical.

Richard Miles - I remember hearing it being played on Radio 1 when they did the Radio 1 roadshow! 

Kevin Robertson - It reminded me of Pictures Of Lily at the chorus but the guitar sounds on this and the whole of Grand Prix are about as sweet an overdriven tone as you could find.

Craig Tilstone - I first heard it on Jo Wiley and Steve Lamaq's Evening Session - essential mid-90's listening and a huge shaper of my teenage music tastes. It would have been the second TFC song I ever heard, with them playing Mellow Doubt a few weeks earlier. Sparky's Dream fizzed and jangled and chimed and blew my mind. A 30-year infatuation was born!

Aidan Nicholas - Takes me back to living in my first bought flat in the 90's and listening to the excellent GLR radio. 

Ian Palmer - I heard it first via my cousin having recorded it off Radio 1. I went and bought it the next day.

Matthew Tokley - THE perfect pop rock song.

Peter Rowe - First time I heard it was on their 'tour' of Glasgow at the Renfrew Ferry. Sounded great on first listen!

Mark Dinh - It's the sound of summer (95) for me. Hard to believe that's a lifetime ago. Just like Regret by New Order is for 93. What makes the song for me is the incredible background harmonies around the 2.5 minute mark /outro. Got a magic ball that (ahh ahh ahh ahh woo woo woo) bit.

Jamie Smith - When I saw them at Portsmouth Pyramids back in 95, Norman said it was Zig and Zag's favourite song!

Rob James - It reminds me of an amazing holiday my now wife and I had many years ago, driving through the Italian Lakes and Switzerland with Grand Prix almost on a loop in the car. Don't want to get too dark, but my kids have strict instructions to make sure it's the song I go out to. If you know what I mean ...

Elena Montana - I was late to the party = although technically I am never late, other people are just early! Have seen some people write that Gerry wrote this about Juliana Hatfield (with the caveat that it could just be apocryphal!). Only the writer knows the truth after all!

Graham Williamson - Reminds me of my sons birth in 1995.

John Inwood - Just the best song they have written.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton

1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells

2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond

3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell

4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot

5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon

6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras

7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans

8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland

9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave

10. Sometimes by James

11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time

12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre

13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields

14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals

15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser

16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes

17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth

18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter

19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground

20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub

21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub

22. Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From by Teenage Fanclub

23. Belfast by Orbital

24. Clouds by The Jayhawks

25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral

26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair

27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke

28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze

29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells

30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor

31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton

32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich

33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem

34. Mondo 77 by Looper

35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton

36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats

37. How High by The Charlatans

38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands

39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.

40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective

41. There She Goes by The Las

42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes

43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo

44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell

45. Revolution by The Beatles

46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys

47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays

48. American Trilogy by The Delgados

49. Loser by Beck 

50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy

51. Comedy by Shack

52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven

53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr

54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels

55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized

56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds

57. Cannonball by The Breeders

58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan

59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane

60. Lucky by Radiohead

61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.

61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell

62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir

63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations

64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses

65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry

66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker

67. I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones

68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters

69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide

70. Stove by The Lemonheads

71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell

72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb

73. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart by Taylor Swift

74. Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The M.V.P.'s

75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura

76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service

77. The Rat by The Walkmen

78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer

79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack

80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys

81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros

82. 69 Police by David Holmes

83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes

84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel

85. Kung Fu by Ash

86. Kids by MGMT

87. Slight Return by The Bluetones

88. Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band

89. Cut Your Hair by Pavement

90. Race for the Prize by The Flaming Lips

91. Waitin' for a Superman by The Flaming Lips

92. Acquiesce by Oasis

93. This Is Music by The Verve

94. Lone Swordsman by Daniel Avery

Waves

 

Frank Popp Ensemble's latest album, Waves, released on April 11, 2025, via Unique Records, is a vibrant blend of Northern Soul, psychedelia and garage rock, embellished with strings and drenched in reverb. One of the reasons I have fallen for it so hard and so quickly is because of the album's eclectic nature, it's like a compilation or a mixtape.

Waves features eleven tracks, each enriched by collaborations with notable artists like Gerry Love (Teenage Fanclub), Nicke Andersson (The Hellacopters), Emma Noble, and J Mahon.​

The album opens with the northern soul flavoured Love Is A Distraction, featuring J Mahon, whose androgynous soul vocals set a Motown-inspired tone. 

Emma Noble's contribution on Unstoppable delivers a girl-groupish anthem that has already gained attention on BBC's Craig Charles' Soul Show. Gerry Love revisits his 2004 Teenage Fanclub track Save, transforming it into an orchestral soul piece. The closing instrumental is sublime. Nicke Andersson brings high-energy Northern Soul vibes to Caught In A Web.​

J Mahon stands out with his performances on five tracks, including the single Going Going Gone, which echoes early 70s Motown with its catchy brass hooks. My own personal favourite is Heartbreak (In A Really Good Way), Mahon's voice is exceptional and the arrangement is exquisite. Mahon also takes on The Replacements Swingin' Party and you can imagine that Frank Popp would hold a swinging party!​

Popp sings on Ride, a swirling garage rock tune/drone that he happened to have kicking round.

Waves is out now, available on black and pink vinyl from ​Unique Records

Gerard Love at Stereo

Of all the stars I've ever seen

You're the sun

Is it co-incidence that the sun is shining in Glasgow the morning after Gerry Love's first full band show in the city for years? 

Personally, I think Gerry's songs could brighten and warm the darkest of days. We've had our fair share of them recently. The 2023/24 winter was particularly wet, dark, cold and stormy. Now the clocks have gone back, the nights are getting lighter and spring may finally be in the air.

Around 300 people squeezed into the basement of Stereo in central Glasgow to banish the winter blues, lovingly warmed by support band National Park. 

How on earth did this band pass me by? Led by John Hogarty, who has been in and around the Glasgow scene for decades, they played a brilliant set. There were guitar sounds similar to Galaxie 500 and The Velvet Underground, with maybe the odd vocal nod to The Go-Betweens. Early research and conversations last night indicates that they only played the odd show and sporadically released singles on various labels. So I guess I can be excused for missing out on them. Hopefully they will be playing again soon.

National Park by Ruthie Blaney

On to Gerry, going under his Sunday name with a crack band consisting of Tom Crossley (flute, xylophone and other goodies), Noel O'Donnell (drums and backing vocals), Dave McGowan (guitar) and Bob Kildea (bass). 

They started cooking up the goods from the off, bursting into Hang On and then taking the room on a sonic journey through his back catalogue; sprinkling some Lightships here, a new song there and one of his Fanclub classics everywhere.

90-minutes absolutely flew by! I've been fortunate to catch Gerry playing stripped back show in a variety of venues over the last couple of years, but seeing and hearing him with a full band was a delight.

Photo by Vivienne Wilson

Girasol was dreamy and blissful, Fallen Leaves sounded even better live than on record, there was just the right amount of rawness to it. Muddy Rivers was gorgeous, the band jammed on at the end. Don't Look Back was sublime and after the first of 4 new songs there was  a double header of Take The Long Way Round and Going Places. Wow! Gerry and co were spoiling us! 

Love has a romantic soul and that really shines in Sweetness In Her Spark. I love the lines; this old heart is beating for her, sweetness in her spark, it's gonna take me away. Gerry and Dave's guitars gelled superbly and as for Tom Crossley, well, he is a special talent and brings so much to Gerry's songs.

Star Sign was stunning, a cover of He'd Be A Diamond was power pop perfection, while Love's 3rd new song may well be in the running for his first single from his forthcoming album. I kind of like the idea of it being released under the name of Gerard Love. 

Photo by Ruthie Blaney

There was still so much more to come. There were so many lovely smiles on stage and in the crowd. Thin Air was delivered with pace, style and passion. Meanwhile, Silver and Gold was one of my highlights of the night. Gerry's voice was truly beautiful and Noel O'Donnell's harmonies throughout the set were absolutely perfect.

Ain't That Enough had everyone singing along, while the power pop perfection of Sparky's Dream was the perfect way to send everyone home or up to the bar to discuss the show.

Gerard Love is a phenomenal talent. I'm not sure what Dave and Bob's plans are with TFC and B&S later this year, but I hope there is room in their calendars to play some more shows with Gerry.

Roll on the album.

Here are a few more photos courtesy of Ruthie. 

Andrew Wasylyk and Gerard Love

On Tuesday 30th January I drove into Maryhill in the west of Glasgow to see Andrew Wasylyk and Gerard Love playing for Celtic Connections. The artists were performing in the beautiful Mackintosh Queens Cross on Gascube Road, the only church in the world designed by the great Charles Rennie Mackintosh. I first caught Andrew and his band playing in this wonderful venue back in 2018 when they supported The Pastels. 

Andrew is an immensely intelligent musician who takes inspiration from landscapes, people and stories to create his mesmerising, cinematic soundscapes. He is naturally curious about things, while his prolific nature that has led to him releasing 7 albums since his debut in 2015 -  1 per year since The Paralian in 2019. 

Watching Andrew playing the piano with his 7 piece band was a joy and this performance was enhanced by films playing on a large screen behind them. With strings, horns, additional keys, a solid bass underpinning everything and funky, playful and at times jazzy beats, Wasylyk and co conjured up something really special. 

As Andrew's music is almost completely instrumental, I have to confess that I'm not great at knowing the names of his songs! I do know that he closed with the sublime Last Sunbeams of Childhood, a favourite from his last album. I just enjoyed being immersed in the experience. Andrew also shouted Free Palestine before beginning his finale, generating a number of cheers in the audience.

There were definitely a number of songs from his Hearing the Water before Seeing the Falls album including a mesmerising The Life Of Time. Andrew explained that photographer Thomas Joshua Cooper was the inspiration behind the album. Thomas talks of life over a beautiful piece of music.

Wasylyk and co also played Truant In Gossamer which was possibly their most psychedelic song of the night, they really got into it and created something very special. I would highly recommend going to see Andrew and his band next time they play - especially if they have the visuals accompanying them. 

Towards the end of his show Andrew thanked his band, the production team, Tommy Perman for the visuals and support for the night - Gerard Love. The way Andrew spoke of discovering Teenage Fanclub around the same time as me really struck a chord. Andrew rightly called Gerry 'one of the greats' and I think everyone wholeheartedly agreed.

Gerry himself is exceptionally modest, but his body of work with Teenage Fanclub and Lightships really does inspire people. It's been a joy to watch Gerry playing various venues in and around Glasgow over the last couple of years; playing songs from his back catalogue and occasionally testing out new ones.

Backed by Noel O'Donnell on guitar/drums and the exceptionally talented Tom Crossley on keyboards/flute/xylophone, Gerry played a wonderful set. Don't Look Back had a beautiful church choir singing along gently.

The new songs sounded fantastic. One in particular has a warm flowing melody and I can't wait to hear what it sounds like when the album comes out.

Sometimes I have to close my eyes

When I look 

for you

Closing with Ain't That Enough, Love highlighted how blown away he was by the venue and turned around to his band to say 'we should play here again sometime'.

I hope they do.

Radio

 

30-years ago #5
Radio by Teenage Fanclub

Released on 14th June 1993, Teenage Fanclub's Radio is an impeccable slice of guitar power pop perfection. A song that always makes me want to play air guitar, sing-a-long and (still at my age) jump up and down. 

Radio is a pure rush of a song, the band absolutely tear into it and don't let up. It's all over in 2-minutes 52 seconds. Radio really did help to soundtrack the summer of 93 for me. I bought the CD single from Impulse Records in Hamilton and played it on a loop.

I loved (and love) the cover of the old radio with the Teenage Fanclub stencil logo proudly and boldly emblazoned on the front. The song begins with a little banjo intro, then there is a glorious explosion of ferocious drumming by Brendan, loud and fuzzy guitars and Gerry sounding super cool;

I think I'll kill the radio

Don't wanna hear this song

Can't relate to yesterday

What we did was wrong

Yeah, mmm

The way Gerry sings baby as he hits the chorus as Norman sings backing vocals and then harmonizes is spine tingling. The pace is fast, furious and fun throughout. Raymond's brilliant guitar riff comes out even stronger in the live performances below.

Baby, justify the reason behind your style

Find a place that fits and stay there for a while

Love to hear your song

On the AM

On the AM

I'd already fallen for Teenage Fanclub as a 15-year old in 1991. Two years on, at 17 and having just left school,  I was head over heels, eagerly anticipating their forthcoming Thirteen album and the prospect of seeing them live for the first time. 

Now, at 47, I'm instantly transported back to being 17 when I hear Radio. Energy leaps out of the song and straight into my heart, putting a big smile on my face.

Oh how I love that exuberant burst of guitar after the first chorus. It only lasts 10-seconds and then we're into the second verse. The crash after the first line is beautifully timed, the band are absolutely flying through it. Guitar pop punk perfection!

When I try to trip you up

I'm the one who falls

All these years down the line, I still find myself eagerly anticipating new releases and live dates by Teenage Fanclub. I still love to hear their songs on the radio! 

Did you know when I was young

I'd paint my face

With the latest craze

The band have announced an extensive European Tour for October and November to promote new album Nothing Lasts Forever, out on September 22nd.

And Gerry has been recording down in Liverpool with Bill Ryder-Jones. Hopefully we'll hear a single before the year is out and then the album in early 2024.

In the meantime, check out the official video for Radio, performances from T in the Park 1994 and Later with Jools (love Gerry's grin right at the end!) and a blast through it in 1995 - anyone know the venue?

And you can check my blog on Thirteen HERE

Official video

T in the Park

Later with Jools

1995 live performance

30-years ago - previous blogs in the series

1. Loser by Beck

2. Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use) by Sub Sub

3. For Tomorrow by Blur

4. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels

The Hanging Stars & Gerry Love at Stereo

 

Friday night was one of those great nights when everything seemed to come together perfectly. Venue, sound, DJ, friendly local promoter, crowd, local support and a band from out of town coming in and playing their hearts out in appreciation.

I can't remember the last time I was in Stereo for a gig. The upstairs cafe bar is great for vegan food and a pint, but it must be 2019 anyway since I was last downstairs.

Gerry Love (yeah him again!) was the reason I got a ticket for the night. It was the 4th time I'd seen Gerry in a couple of months. But as I explained to my wife, I hadn't seen him live since 2019! This was making up for lost time.

Each show has been different. This time Gerry was joined by Paul Quinn on percussion, further fleshing out the Lightships sound. Noel O'Donnell on guitar and backing vocals/harmonies has been sublime. Will he go back to drums in the future? I kind of like the way Noel and Gerry are gelling. And then Tom Crossley on various keys/synths, flute and xylophone is a bit of a musical all rounder who brings so much to everything he is involved in. If there was a Glasgow Fantasy Bands League, you'd want Tom in your band.

Silver and Gold was my highlight from Friday night. Gerry's voice sounded as good as I have ever heard it. He hit a real sweet spot. Take The Long Way Round was beautifully gentle and euphoric, Ain't That Enough always sends warm tingles down my spine and Gerry's romantic heartfelt optimism was sprinkled throughout his set.

Glasgow has many basement music venues, the sound in Stereo might be the best. It was really spot on. I also mentioned the local promoter earlier. Holly Calder is a super stylish girl with impeccable taste and knowledge of music. As well as probably having one of the best record collections in Glasgow, Holly's taste in fashion is incredible and she regularly DJ's and puts on nights across the city.

So Holly was putting on The Hanging Stars, also putting them up in her flat for the night. The world (especially the music world) is a warmer place for people like Holly. 

Photo by Holly Calder

And Stereo was pretty warm by the time The Hanging Stars took the stage. A 5-piece, they created a brilliant sound. I would maybe say a little alt. country with a psychedelic tinge.

The band themselves would say Cosmic Americana from London town mixing desert haze with grey rain. They are definitely more poetic than me! A great description!

I have to admit that I hadn't heard of them before this show. A few of my friends at the show were surprised by this. I checked them out in advance of the gig and really enjoyed what I heard, but live, they really blew me away.

Singer Richard Olson had a stunning selection of guitars to choose from; 12-string acoustic, 12-string electric or at times a mere 6-string. Sam Ferman on bass and Paulie Cobra on drums kept things super tight, allowing Patrick Ralla on lead guitar and Joe Harvey White on pedal steel to whip up a storm.

White had a lovely selection of effect pedals and knobs to push and twiddle, creating a lush, warm sound that engulfed the Stereo basement and put big smiles on peoples faces. 

As I said, I'm not overly familiar with The Hanging Stars songs at present, but I'll change that over the coming months. Just the band I need to get me through a cold, dark winter.

Check their setlist below.

Special shout out to Patrick Cichy who DJ'd before, between and after the bands. Patrick's song selection is also listed below and he has uploaded it to mixcloud.

Stereo is a 2-minute hop and skip from Central Station, and my house is a mere 6-minute walk from Uddingston train station. So, as I said, a pretty perfect night! Great to catch up with so many friends.

Cosmic Americana from London town mixing desert haze with grey rain.

Gerry Love at The Doublet

It's been a while, but last night I left The Doublet Bar thinking 'that's one of my all time favourite gigs'. A beautiful feeling. I've hung on to it all day. 

The Doublet, situated on Park Road in Glasgow, is a cracking wee no thrills, no fuss bar that I've come to love over the years. Handily located just off Great Western Road and within walking distance of Kelvinbridge Underground and Kelvingrove Park, it's still just nicely off the beaten track, on its own.

Downstairs is a cosy bar with a fine selection of beers and malts. There is no TV and you're encouraged to keep your phone in your pocket. It has a real community feel, but anyone is welcome. And then upstairs there is a small lounge that occasionally runs gigs. I put on Starry Skies back in February 2020, just before the world went crazy. 

With an official capacity of 45, getting a ticket for Gerry Love playing The Doublet was going to come down to luck. And I was out of it! I think I saw a post on social media about 90-minutes after the gig had been announced. So, of course, it was sold out.

Step forward my friend Ruthie Blaney who I met through the Teenage Fanclub Fanclub. Ruthie lives in London but has travelled all over the country to watch her favourite band. So Ruthie bought tickets to come up to see Gerry in such an intimate venue.

But then, realised the journey was just too much, coming on the back of a trip up to Strathaven to see Gerry last month and again last week to see BMX Bandits.

I will be forever grateful that Ruthie contacted me with her spare tickets!

On to The Doublet. I arrived at 7.45pm and my friends Lorna & Christina were already in. We were soon to be joined by Paul & Barry, joining the queue for doors opening to get a good seat upstairs.

Jack Mellin from Spinning Coin & Sacred Paws supported. Playing some incredible acoustic instrumentals that were hypnotic at times, dreamy at others with moments of intensity. Jack knows about 100 more chords on the guitar than me! He also sang a couple of times and kept the crowd captivated with his skills.

The view from the bar! Photo by Chris

On to the maestro - Gerry Love.

Joined by Noel O'Donnell on guitar and harmonies/backing vocals & Tom Crossley on on flute/keys/xylophone this was cross between a Gerry Love and a stripped back Lightships show.

Why was it so memorable?

Well the venue for a start. Noel was literally leaning on the bar and having a pint, joking he'd get a round in. Seeing Gerry in such an intimate venue was a real treat.

But it was the songs and the delivery of them that made it so special. It was just so good to hear so many of Gerry's songs stripped back. And to see him playing guitar so close. Noel and Tom brought so much to them, the trio played superbly.

Star Sign opened the set in style and what a selection of songs we were treated to. Sweetness In Her Spark was all kinds of gooey romance and dreamy melodies. Absolutely gorgeous.

This old heart is beating for her

There's sweetness in her spark

It's gonna take me away

Don't Look Back was an absolute joy with the crowd singing along beautifully. Oh how I've missed the shouts of 'go on Gerry boy' to highlight the love for songwriter and song. 

Love played a trilogy of songs from Grand Prix. Going Places was all kinds of spine tingling goodness, from the opening chiming guitar to more dreamy head over heels lyrics and melodies.

I've requested the stars to shine

Sparky's Dream closed the show but there was lots more before then!

If memory serves me correct, in addition to Sweetness ... Gerry and co also played Silver & Gold, Muddy River, and Fear and Doubt from Lighships. The latter introduced as being a rarity. It was one of my favourites from the set. But really, everything was just a delight.

Speaking of delights, I couldn't believe it when Gerry fuzzed up his guitar and played the riff from Hang On. I briefly managed to look around the room and jaws were dropping!

What a joy. Hang On is a real favourite of mine, that line - of all the stars I've ever seen, you're the sun - swoon! The outro with Tom playing flute was one that I didn't want to end. There were a few times when the band could have played on, gelling superbly.

From Songs from Northern Britain we had Take The Long Way Round early on, creating beaming smiles all round the room. Later on Ain't That Enough cause my friend Lorna to become a bubbling mess - in a good way. I thought she was kidding at first when she tugged on my arm, but then it became a hug as this gem of a song overwhelmed my good friend. The lyrics, the melody and the environment - perfect.

Sweet Days Waiting was beautifully mellow. It might have been raining outside but we were basking in sunshine upstairs in The Doublet.

Near You is a real favourite of mine. Guitar pop perfection. And then there was Gerry's cover of Moondog's Do Your Thing that seems to have been written for him.

And then it was Sparky's Dream to end. Everyone sang, everyone was smiling, everyone was feeling good. Paul, who owns The Doublet had introduced Gerry by saying something about the state of the world, how we're living in strange and dark times and that we all need a little more love, Gerry Love. (or words to that effect). I drove home buzzing, thinking of Gerry playing that set with a full band. 

So I think that was pretty much the set. The band were playing just a few feet from where I was sitting, with the majority of the crowd standing by the bar. It felt special, it was special, it was Gerry Love and friends playing some of my favourite songs.

Hopefully Gerry will have some album news in the near future.

I'll be heeding Paul's advice and getting a little more Gerry Love at Stereo next Friday as he supports The Hanging Stars.