Everything Flows Podcast 3

Everything Flows Podcast #3

Pure guitar pop, a trippy psychedelic remix, soaring and searing punk rock, classic soul, disney-esque wonder, new teenage guitar music from Ayrshire and brilliant modern pop.

Tracklisting below, click HERE to listen.

Velocity Girl - Primal Scream
Soon (Andrew Weatherall mix) - My Bloody Valentine
Sugar Kane - Sonic Youth
California Soul - Marlena Shaw
It Is You - Natalie Prass
Bring You Home - November Lights
1995 - Molly Nilsson

Previous Everything Flows Podcasts

Podcast #1 featuring Teenage Fanclub, David Bowie, Dr Cosmos Tape Lab, Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, JR Green, The Undertones

Podcast #2 featuring The Troggs, Happy Meals, Rose McDowall, The Frank Popp Ensemble, Fun Boy Three, Jo Mango and The Pictish Trail, Miaoux Miaoux, Yo La Tengo

November Lights at King Tuts

Last night I had the pleasure of dj-ing at the legendary King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, before and in between 4 bands playing as part of the venues New Year Revolution series of shows.

The four bands in question were Freelance Liars, Lemonhaze, November Lights and Enemies of the State. All made it an enjoyable night.

Freelance Liars were on sharp, a few minutes ahead of their allocated 8.45pm stage time, determined to make the most of their time on the Tut's stage. Their first two songs were my favourites in their set, duelling electric guitars sounding superb.

Lemonhaze were up next and their frontman Gerry Doran delivered an energetic and entertaining performance. Despite claiming to be 'pissed' his vocals were bang on throughout, ranging in style and tone and capable of soaring. His energy transferred to the crowd who responded to his calls to join in and the band may well have won a few new fans.

I featured November Lights on my blog back in November (funnily enough) following the release of their debut single Bring You Home and I was really looking forward to seeing them live for the first time. The young five-piece brought/drew the largest crowd of the night.

Young frontman James Hopkins was celebrating his 19th birthday and the crowd rendition of Happy Birthday seemed to give him an extra spring in his step. Hopkins had the confidence to switch between mics to allow him to play acoustic guitar and keyboards at various points in the set, also bringing on a guest female vocalist for a tender duet. The band are planning an EP for around May - keep an eye on them.

November Lights

Enemies of the State bounded on to the stage dressed in black and launched into the opening intro before their singer joined them. I was quite intrigued as he looked different to the rest of the band.

After their first song he promptly announced that this was their last ever show.....but, they were continuing with a new band name Oceans (surely there must have been a band called that before? great name), had written loads of new songs and they wanted to be the biggest band in the world and Glasgow wasn't big enough for them.  One step at a time though - they didn't pull the biggest audience at Tut's last night.

Being honest, they aren't to my taste, but credit where its due, they were going for it and the singer spent a considerable amount of time away from the stage to get the crowd going, encouraging their loyal fans who had been chanting E O T S at the start to get a new chant for their new band.

King Tut's New Year Revolution delivered 16-shows and 96 acts - showcasing some of the up and coming bands that Scotland has to offer. Well done to Chris Beltran who curated and booked the shows and he let me know that he already has loads of ideas for their Summer Nights shows.

Any aspiring bands/artists should send Chris some notes/a bio and soundcloud links to chris.beltran@dfconcerts.co.uk

16 Scottish bands for 2016

There are absolutely loads of Scottish bands and artists set to have exciting years in 2016 - some will be releasing music via major labels, others on small indie/DIY labels and then plenty will be self releasing.

The most important thing is that Scottish music is in an incredibly rich vein of form at present. There are loads of bands set to progress with many doing so on precisely their own terms which is very pleasing to me as a music fan - no label or management interference.

Here are 16 relatively new/up and coming artists to look out for in 2016.

A second blog on 16 things I am looking forward to in Scottish music will follow later this week.

1. Kathryn Joseph - will she follow up her SAY Award winning album with a new release in 2016? I would expect at least an EP from the very talented songstress. Check this sublime live recording of her song The Bird from a BBC Radio Scotland session

2. Happy Meals - won hearts with their Apero mini-album. They are winning more with their live shows. I don't think we will need to wait too long for their next release. Unique and gorgeous.  I hope to have a guest blog on Happy Meals in the near future.

3. Neon Waltz - set to tour with The Coral in the Spring, I think 2016 could be another year of development or see an Autumn album release for this hotly tipped band from Wick. The band have been living in their own world up in Wick, forming their own sound unaffected by any scene or scenesters, it is a sound that people want to hear more of. Singer Jordan Shearer look like a young Bobby Gillespie and has the charm and style to win and melt hearts.

4. White - currently getting loads of support from the BBC and set to tour the UK in Feb/March including a huge hometown show at the QMU on 20th February, White's high energy guitar pop could lead to a big year. Their next single could be the one that will see them break through.

5. Kloe - I have to admit to being sceptical about Kloe; however I really enjoyed her set at Wickerman and look forward to seeing how she develops in 2016. I expect a couple of singles and maybe an EP along with a good support tour and festivals would be a productive 2016 for her to aid her development. But you never know, an album might sneak out if a single kicks in.

6. Fatherson - The main question re Fatherson for me is whether or not they are going to transfer to the rest of the UK and beyond? Signed to Easy Life Records (a Sony offshoot) will give them every opportunity. The same questions were asked about Biffy Clyro and we all know how they got on -given time and the opportunity to develop. Their latest single Always explodes into life with the guitars sounding billiant. It will be interesting to hear their first album on a major label.

Check this incredible performance from T in the Park.

7. Model Aeroplanes - 4 young, good looking and talented boys from Dundee , this band have every chance of breaking through in the next couple of years. Signed to Island Records, I think 2016 might be too early for an album, but I look forward to hearing a couple of singles or an EP. Expect loads of shows and festivals to get their name out there. Check their self released single Electricity for an example of what they can do.

8. Catholic Action - I've blogged about them recently and I've really fallen for them. Prolific and set for a big 2016. They've released a load of material via local label Fuzzkill Records (on cassette) and I wouldn't be at all surprised for a larger label to come in and take them on.

9. Crash Club - A band who have been building and building towards something quite special. 2015 was a riot for them, their live show has been honed and toned to perfection leading to loads of praise and a growing fanbase. An album isn't their priority but they pretty much have one in the bag. Expect a single/EP in the first half of the year and then we'll see what happens.

10. TeenCanteen - my sisters band finished recording their debut album in December and are waiting to master it. A single will come out in March/April along with some live dates with indie legends Shonen Knife. The band also play the ABC as part of Hazy Recollections as part of Celtic Connections on Sunday 17th January.

The band have had the Cairn String Quartet in the studio for a coupe of songs. Check this gorgeous version of Honey from their recent Mono show as a taster for what might be on the album.

11. Gerry Cinnamon - I am really enjoying the rise of Gerry Cinnamon. I first came across Gerry when he fronted The Cinnamons and always enjoyed watching them live. Gerry has been playing and running open mics for a couple of years and then he went viral in 2014 with his song Hope Over Fear which led to him playing protests and rally's. The exposure led people to Gerry's catalogue of songs and his shows started getting bigger. Gerry's personality helps, he is funny, positive, up for it, kind, quick-witted, intelligent and he also speaks his mind and the truth.

Check the response to Good Feeling at a recent show at the Biscuit Factory in Leith HERE

12. November Lights - I blogged about this band back in November and also interviewed them. Check that HERE. I look forward to catching them live at King Tut's on 23rd January (when I will also be dj-ing between bands) to see if they have more songs up to the standard of their debut release Bring You Home. If they do then I think they could go all the way.

13. Atom Tree - Glasgow band move to London shock! It is kind of against the norm for a Glasgow/Scottish band or artist to move to London these days. Atom Tree have upped sticks and moved to the big smoke having signed a publishing deal that has allowed them to become a full-time band. They've been working on material for the last 6-months so they could explode in 2016. Check out this for a beautiful electronic gem.

I first blogged about them back in the summer of 2014 when their song Desired Effect was picked up for a Burberry advert. I've caught them live a few times and they have some incredible songs.

14. The Bellybuttons - I caught The Bellybuttons supporting Ultimate Painting at Mono in November and I look forward to catching their energetic guitar pop again in the near future. Another band to have released via Fuzzkill Records, they have a great laid back Pavment-esque sound, also taking in lovely warm Teenage Fanclub style guitars at others.

15. JR Green - came to my attention via Joe McAlinden on Twitter and when he took Edwyn Collins to check them out in Inverness I thought I had better do the same. The duo (brothers Jacob and Rory Green) have signed to Hits The Fan Records who released the gorgeous Kathryn Joseph album, their debut Bring The Witch Doctor EP is a delight and contains the following lyrics on their song Nigerian Princess.

I'm sorry for my output but I'm surrounded by wankers

I'm only 17 so I don't have all the answers (YET)

16. Man of Moon - had a blinding 2015 and are set to crack on further in 2016. Their debut release The Road was an exceptionally assured release from a couple of teenagers; gripping, menacing and full of energy - controlled and then explosive. I've yet to see this band live but all reports have been full of praise and I look forward to catching them soon.

King Tut's New Year Revolution 2016

January is an incredible month for music in Glasgow. The cold winds blow, the rain falls from the sky, so we like nothing better than to head to one of the city's many warm and welcoming venues, meet with friends, grab some beers and watch some bands.

Celtic Connections grows from strength to strength, but elsewhere in Glasgow, the legendary venue King Tut's Wah Wah Hut has been showcasing some of the brightest young talent in Scotland for the last few years under the banner New Year's Revolution.

New Year's Revolution was set up by Craig Johnston and as Craig deservedly progresses up the DF Concert ranks, the role of booker and curator for NYR has been taken on by young Chris Beltran.

Chris has booked an eclectic array of bands, artists and guest DJ's (including me on January 23rd when one of my own favourite promising acts November Lights take to the Tut's stage) and wants to create a festival style vibe every night.

The 2016 KTSN16 line-up has over 80 acts plating over 16-nights! With 5 bands on offer downstairs and upstairs over the course of each night plus DJ's and all for only £7, Tut's is set to be rammed and jammed in the best possible way to kickstart 2016.

Golden tickets that allow you to go to every show (high stamina required) are available for the bargain price of only £35 for the next two weeks and they then rise to £50. A nice Christmas present and something to look forward to in January!

Here is the line-up (and see poster above), could you find your new favourite band or artist?

Thurs 7^th: Little Waves + Graeme Quinn + Ports of Essen + Couriers Club

Venue DJs: Sofar Sounds Glasgow / Bar Band: Michael Cassidy

Fri 8^th: Echo Valley + The Pacific Blues + The Chelseas + Orthodox

Venue DJs: EmuBands / Bar Band: Return To The Sun

Sat 9^th: The Phantoms + Proud Honey + The Ranzas + Sonic Templars

Venue DJs: Medicine Men / Bar Band: Holy Pistol Club

Sun 10^th: Jill Brown + Junebug + Saint Huck + Blackleaf 40

Venue DJs: Ravechild / Bar Band: Steve Grozier

Mon 11^th: The Fast Camels + All The Franklins + Homeward James + Black Cat Revue

Venue DJs: DJ5 / Bar Band: Miracle Glass Company

Tues 12^th: Chloe Marie + Chris Ashton + Amy Groden + Liam Doyle

Venue DJs: FCK Yes / Bar Band: Northern Central

Wed 13^th: FCK Yes (Live): Tongues + Forever + Life Model

Venue DJs: Fantastic Man / Bar Band: Friends In America

Thurs 14^th: Cow Cow Boogie + The Big Nowhere + The Strange Blue Dreams + The Rulers Of The Root

Venue DJs: Bella Rebel / Bar Band: Alexander Hynes

Fri 15^th: Halo Tora + Toy Mountains + Nothing Universe + Verse Metrics

Venue DJs: VASA / Bar Band: Special Guests

Sat 16^th: The Calm Fiasco + Foggy City Orphan + Indigo Velvet + Bad Mannequins

Venue DJs: The Candid Mixtape  / Bar Band: Ded Rabbit

Sun 17^th: Bloodlines + Tetra + The 21^st State + GoodCopGreatCop

Venue DJs: Scottish Fiction / Bar Band: We Were Hunted

Mon 18^th: The Winter Tradition + Life On Standby + Cavaliers + Artie Ziff

Venue DJs: Abandon Ship / Bar Band: Copper Lungs

Tues 19^th: Patersani + The Blood and Gold + The Dead Settlers + The Northern

Venue DJs: WeCameFromWolves / Bar Band: Velvetbomb

Wed 20^th: Apache Darling + The Claramassa + Acrylic + Wuh Oh

Venue DJs: Vinyl Noise / Bar Band: Coeur

Thurs 21^st: Armstrong + Start Static + Talk + Don’t Look Down

Venue DJs: Pop Cop / Bar Band: Twin Heart

Sat 23^rd: Enemies Of The State + November Lights + Lemonhaze + Freelance Liars

Venue DJs: Everything Flows / Bar Band: The Van T’s

Introducing - November Lights

New Music in November

A lot of my recent blog posts have focused on anniversaries of classic albums, subsequent shows and also on bands that I have been following for years. I make no apologies for that - I'm fortunate to have discovered a raft of amazing bands and artists as a teenager and in my early 20's that are still around. However I do enjoy discovering new music.

So I thought I would aim to write about nine new bands through the month of November.

I got in touch with a few people to ask for some recommendations of young bands that I should check out and I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to loads of fantastic music.

As it is 1st November, I'll start with the appropriately named November Lights. 

November Lights

I've listened to a dozen new Scottish bands over the last couple of weeks - this band leapt out at me. I must have listened to their debut single Bring You Home at least 20 times.

The infectious, uplifting guitar riff is played with real feeling, vocals with a sense of urgency and emotion, a tight rhythm section and the song opens by asking key questions.

Will you love, who you love?

Will you live for now? Will you live for now?

Things drop down for a gentle first chorus, the vocals are almost whispered, there is a pause and the band explode into life as the chorus is repeated with force.

Call on your brothers, fathers, your mothers

Let there be lovers, love one another

I'll hold your hand 

And fight 'til I bring you home

Will you hold

The 1st verse is repeated before another chorus that is expanded to contain extra lines. I love a band that writes good choruses and November Lights hammer this one home another couple of times before finishing the song in 3 minutes and 30 seconds - another good sign, far too many bands push their songs beyond 4-minutes for no real reason.

I caught up with the James Hopkins, the bands singer and songwriter to find out a little more about the band. Check out the interview below.

1. How and when did the band get together? And how quickly did your sound come together?

We played our first show in November of last year (hence the name)...so we consider that to be the time we formed. Finding our sound is arguably still in progress but we all individually and collectively know what we are striving for. The vision between us is pretty clear. 

2. Where are you from?

The band are spread from north Ayrshire to East Kilbride but we class Glasgow as our base. It'll always be home as it's where we all met and played our first shows together.

3. What are your influences?

I feel one of the best things about us as a band is that our music tastes vary so much that we get some weird and unplanned results. As a writer it's great to bring songs to the band because we all bring so many different elements to the table and can change the shape of a song from what was first planned. As a writer that's exciting to me. In terms of influences, our music tastes stretch from the pop of One Republic and Michael Jackson to more rock and electronic influences. There isn't too much that we don't take influence from. Melody is probably the most important thing to us.

4. ‘Bring You Home’ is excellent, was that one of the first songs you wrote as a band?

We are starting to write more and more together but the single was written by myself and then brought to the band...but I always say that it's a group effort because the song is no where near finished until everyone in the band gets their hands on it. Bring you home came together pretty quickly. We're happy with how it worked out.

5. How pleased have you been by the reaction to your debut video/single?

It's been great...Bring You Home is the first song that anyone has heard from us so to hear that people are loving it and singing along at shows is a great sign. It's positive and we hope that continues with the work we're putting in. The band just focusses on getting better and hopefully our fans will hear that with every release and show.

6. Any other plans before the end of 2015?

We have a few shows lined up in amongst some recording. We play, Edinburgh, Dunfermline, the Clyde 1 Strathclyde fireworks event and a special show in Kilwinning for 200 fans. That will be  a fun way to round off the year.

7. What are you hoping to achieve in 2016?

Playing to as many people as possible in different places. We start the year with our first show in Dundee then have a big Glasgow show that we can't yet disclose. In general it's a massive year for us with lots of stuff planned. We are working on our first  E.P due out in spring time and we'll be playing shows around that release. Then it's on to festival season. 

8. Are any other young Scottish bands catching your attention?

We are huge fans of Prides, Fatherson and the LaFontaines, not to mention we played a show with the later two.  That was amazing and we learned a lot. It's amazing to see so many bands coming out of Scotland, the music scene here is one of the best. We're proud to be a part of it.