Albums of 2022

As I verge towards the last section of my mid-40's, I find that I no longer feel the need to keep abreast of 'hot new music' or even what is being released on a weekly/monthly basis. I used to be super aware of what was going on, even if I didn't know or like the artist. I still knew the breaking band/artist names, song and album titles. That really is no longer the case. I find myself browsing The Guardians end of year countdown asking who? never heard of them regularly.

But new music still found me. I suspect it always will. Whether that be debut albums by Yard Act, Poster Paints, Gabriels, through established veterans like Michael Head, Spiritualized & Tim Burgess, artists like Alvvays and The Beths who both released their third albums, or the wonderful Weyes Blood who I'd never heard of before, but she released her 5th album this year.

Unusually, as a lot of albums released towards the end of the year miss End of Year lists, 5 of my favourite albums from 2022 were released in October and November. At one stage this year I did wonder if I'd be able to create an end of year favourite albums list!

As always, I'm sure other end of year lists will lead me to discovering music released in 2022 that I've missed. At the time of writing, here are my 9 favourite albums from 2022, with 7 more bubbling under that I have enjoyed throughout the year. You can check 22 of my favourite songs from 2022 on this playlist. There are also links to videos for singles/songs from each album in this list.

Poster Paints by Poster Paints

This album is getting better with every listen. The length is a strength, 10 songs in 35 minutes leaves you wanting more, though it contains so much. Falling Hard is a heart on sleeve stomper with it's straight outta Motown chorus, while Hard To Sweeten is a melodic tender reflection on love gone wrong, My Song a slow burning New Order groove (can we get a 12-inch version please?) and Circus Moving On is cinematic, dreamy and lush.

Carla & Simon now have a solid band and multiple collaborators. It will be interesting to see what they do with Poster Paints next. First step is (funding permitting) a trip to SXSW in March next year.

Full album review

Falling Hard video

Cause I gave you the chance to have and to hold me

It turns out, that I got it wrong

11 by SAULT

Very arguably the most interesting group on the planet right now. Prolific and exceptionally ambitious, SAULT have now released a staggering 11 albums since 2019. In November 2022, for a limited time, you could download 5 for a few days.

11 received an official release and it is might well be my favourite SAULT album to date. The musicianship is staggering, the production is sublime, the arrangements are jaw dropping, the melodies, the lead vocals, the harmonies ... everything about SAULT makes me want more. 

I really hope SAULT break cover to play live at some point. Imagine this band playing a 3-hour show at The Barrowland?! The dirty groove of Glory with that crack snare beat and half whispered half sung vocals, the dreamy bliss of River or band jamming in the beautiful lazy way they do on songs like The Circle.

It's you, you are the one

The moon and the sun

You are my circle

River - Audio video

Dear Scott by Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band 

Chiming & jangling guitars reminiscent of The Byrds, horn & string flourishes influenced by Forever Changes (an album beloved by many a scouser), Head's melodic & dreamy voice, storytelling lyrics ... Dear Scott washed me with a sense of calmness and escapism upon release. The first night of his mini FRETS residency was probably my gig of the year. A joyous night of celebration with travelling scousers singing the horn parts to Head's songs.  

People try to put you down, they don't win

Read my blog on Dear Scott HERE

Kismet video

And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow by Weyes Blood

Releasing an album in November makes it pretty difficult to get into end of year round ups/best of's published in magazines. I have Duglas T Stewart of BMX Bandits to thank for turning me on to this gem by Weyes Blood, the name that Natalie Laura Merling releases music by. A series of tweets lodged the name Weyes Blood in my brain. I finally took the time to check Merlings music and realised she had just released her latest album on Sub Pop - always a good label to trust.

And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow is a beautiful album. It can get kind of dreamy at times, I found myself floating off somewhere nice to the sublime God Turn Me Into a Flower, what a song and performance! 

If anyone has (or hears of) a spare ticket for Weyes Blood at Glasgow's QMU on Friday 10th February then please get in touch.

Grapevine video

Oh but baby you're the only one

Who would drive me down to the pier

Take me up on that ferris wheel

Everything Was Beautiful by Spiritualized

I rarely find/make the time to blog about albums upon release these days. But I found the time to write about this. Released in spring, near the start of the war in Ukraine, I really needed this album.

At times Pierce sings tender lysergic lullabies, at other times he goes beautiful, bold and grand. There are layers of noise, grooves, drones, guitars, gospel choirs, songs of love, death, regret .... all the ingredients that make Spiritualized albums so special.

Read my blog HERE

Always Together With You video

If you want a rocket ship, I will be a rocket ship for you

If you want another world, I will be another world for you

Janky Star by Grace Ives

DIY pop from NYC. Ranges from the chaotic to the sublime. There are songs that will leave you thinking, hmmm that's kind of Taylor Swift, others where hooks come out of nowhere, many where beats suddenly change direction and Ives just goes with it. 

On Lazy Day Ives vocals are beautiful as she sings; Hard drugs oh they're no longer appealing, I got addicted to the hurt and the healing while on Lullaby the synths are playful, beats are cool and Ives singing I watch that movie ten times a day, I can recite it, you press replay. It all sounds rather effortless and all the better for it. The beats, playful synths, vocal melodies and hooks all combine gloriously across the whole album.

Lullaby live on Jimmy Kimmell

It's nothing to be sad about

It's just something I've been thinking about

Midnights by Taylor Swift

Did someone mention Taylor Swift?

Taylor Swift has only just turned 33 and Midnights is her 10th album, her fourth since 2019. She is a remarkable talent. Midnights seems to flow from start to finish. I listened to it 3 times in a row when it came out. Karma is a real favourite, a super cool vocal and melody over sublime production that just sounds crystal clear.

Swift has described the album as a collection of songs written in the middle of the night. There is certainly a dreamy quality from start to finish. That comes across in the lyrics, but there is also that reflection and realisation that Swift does so well, sometimes with humour, sometimes brilliantly blunt like on Labyrinth when she sings I'll be getting over you my whole life before going on to sing oh oh I'm falling in love again. 

And it's like snow on a beach, weird but fucking beautiful

Lying in a dream, stars by pocketful

Karma video

Snow on the Beach video

The Overload by Yard Act

Released back in January, I found The Overload to be brilliantly refreshing. The bluntness with humour mentioned above for Swift is delivered in a very different way by Yard Act. I was gutted I had to miss their Glasgow QMU gig in November. Thankfully they are back in Glasgow at the Barrowland on 28th April.

My friend Simon wrote a guest blog where he described the band and album as a perfectly postmodern example of what guitar music can be.

Simon also urged: please listen and listen well, because this record matters. If it's the hipster dish du jour, it's also so much more: a piece of work that arrives so fully formed that its scope, its ambition, its sheer bloody humanity might be easily missed. All the jagged, twitchy Fall-ings, the majestic abrasove PIL-ading, the wryly self-referential Cocker-ness: sure, these are four young men who know the past 40-plus years of left-field indie inside-out. 

Simon's blog review

100% Endurance video

The Overload live on Later

Palomino by First Aid Kit

I lost touch with First Aid Kit after their 2014 album Stay Gold. It did so well that they didn't release a follow up until 2018.  So maybe that lay off is to blame. But they're back again with Palomino, released at the start of November, just in time to give a little extra layer of warmth through the winter months. I've enjoyed listening with a nice cup of tea on several occasions!

Sisters Klara and Johanna Soderberg create effortlessly beautiful harmonies and melodies. I can't help but smile when they are on top form.

Palomino official video

Bubbling under

Big Time by Angel Olsen

That voice! It really does tug on heart strings. 

Big Time official video

Freakout/Release by Hot Chip

Still bursting with energy and ideas 18-years after their debut album. You kind of know what you're going to get, but the surprise is that Hot Chip still have loads of beats, synth riffs and vocal melodies up their sleeves. Always delivered with a sense of care and fun, Hot Chips always make me smile ... and dance. A good thing.

Eleanor official video

Typical Music by Tim Burgess

Lockdown hero Tim Burgess might be the busiest musician in the UK; twitter listening parties, books, curating festival stages, touring with The Charlatans and his solo band, releasing his solo album I Love The New Sky in 2020 and then swiftly following it up with this double album. He can't stop! 

Part of me loves the fact this is a double album. Part of me also thinks it could have been better if edited to be a single album. The classic argument/debate! But of course, the most important thing is that Tim is regularly writing, recording, releasing and playing live. Tim has a reached a beautiful stage in his career where he has a real freedom to go with the flow and Burgess has the spark to make things happen. 

Here Comes The Weekend official video

Blue Rev by Alvvays

Loud, shimmery, loaded with reverb, a dash of fuzz and distortion, I really need to try and catch them when they return to Glasgow next spring.

After The Earthquake official video

Expert In A Dying Field by The Beths

I also missed The Beths when they played Saint Lukes in the Autumn. They return to The Garage in Glasgow next May. I'm really getting into this band, guitar pop, but then on songs like 2am they can get pretty dreamy.

2am official visualiser

Angels & Queens Part 1 by Gabriels

Gabriels set a really high bar for themselves with the release of the monumental Love And Hate In A Different Time, one of the best songs of the century. Perhaps the bar was too high. Or maybe to keep momentum going, they've decided to release their debut album in 2 parts. Part 1 is excellent, although it doesn't quite reach the bar of that song for me. It's still excellent and I look forward to part 2.

Angels & Queens official video

Last Night In The Bittersweet by Paolo Nutini

Paolo's performance on Later was pretty astonishing. This looked like a young guy (still only 35) having an absolute blast with his band, creating all kinds of wonderful sounds. Acid Eyes is one of my favourite songs to have come out this year. The rumbling bass, Paolo's hushed vocal, his accent coming through beautifully. It's a real gem. The album cover really hints at how Nutini is diving deep into music and that really comes out on his latest album. Coming 6-years after Caustic Love, I doubt there will be such a long wait until his next. 

Acid Eyes for Rolling Stone

Poster Paints by Poster Paints

Poster Paints released their self titled debut album earlier this month, following it up with a joyful launch party at The Glad Cafe in the Southside of Glasgow. 

Support was from Flinch, a 4 piece outfit who have self released their album Enough Is Enough on vinyl. They display a punk indie pop energy on stage and off. Fanzines, pin badges (support your local girl band) and stickers, harmonies, fuzzy & reverb laden guitars, hooks and harmonies.  Expect a separate blog on Flinch in the near future.

Poster Paints played all 12 songs released to date. Their 10-song album, plus Blood Orange and their loving cover of The Lemonheads Into Your Arms. It was the best I've seen them play. Simon Liddell creates wonderful sounds from his guitar, little riffs and chord progressions that just sound sublime, whether gentle and fragile, or dreamy, shimmering and bursting with sunshine energy.

My sister Carla sang beautifully. I honestly think it was the best I have seen and heard her sing. Her voice could be sweet and tender, or it could rise and soar, sometimes to dramatic effect.

Backed by Calum Muir on drums, Suse Bear on bass and Kim Grant on ryhthm guitar, with Lomond Campbell duetting on Ribbons, Poster Paints created beautiful music that left everyone in the audience beaming. 

On to the album.

As summer becomes a distant memory and autumn unfurls in its uncertain, bittersweet glory Poster Paints are here to provide the perfect soundtrack - all hail the unique undimmed beauty of Scottish pop.

Line of Best Fit

I still remember the first time I heard Poster Paints. I was out at our Mums house in Carluke and Carla messaged me asking if I'd like to hear some demos. The answer, of course, was yes.

It was October 2020 (I just checked my old emails). With the kids happily playing with their Gran, I decamped to our Mums wee summer house in her garden, sat in a chair with my headphones on and pressed play on a song called Circus Moving On. Within a few minutes I pressed play again. Then I moved on to the other song titled Not Sorry. Also playing it again immediately afterwards.

Both songs moved me. The slowness of Circus Moving On, the gentle keys, the ache in Carla's voice, then the strings and Simon's guitar coming in ... the flow of Not Sorry .... they didn't sound like demos.... I messaged Carla to say they were the best songs she had done. They felt more wordly, more mature, but still with the vivid imagery through the lyrics and tumbling and catchy melodies that are Carla's key strengths.

Simon's arrangements were sublime. There seemed to be so much space in the music, yet there was also still so much to appreciate with each listen.

Later in lockdown Carla had tweeted out a message asking for band names as she and Simon now had enough songs for an album. She phoned me up and I was in our back room (formerly my music room, meant to be a playroom, but essentially a dumping room for toys/washing etc) having just finished a #timslisteningparty with a few beers. I looked at the mess around me and suggested names like Blue Crayons, a few others that Carla meh'd at and then Poster Paints, which she seemed to like. 

And that was that. I named a band!

Two years down the line and the album is out on Olive Grove Records & Ernest Jenning Record Co.

Proceeded by a string of singles that built momentum, the eponynmous album is gathering a lot of love from those who discover it.

And it's easy to hear why.

The album floats gently and dreamily into life with Still Got You. At 1-minute 19 seconds the song drifts beautifully, everything cutting out as Carla sings

I've still got that taste

In the back of my throat

The swallowed secret

That makes me choke

Liddell's subtle, shining and shimmering guitar sounds hazily gorgeous over lazily funky beats in the closing minute. It's an absolutely stunning opening.

The pace changes and quickens with debut single Number 1. It's chiming guitar pop with Spector-esque beats. Kids are so naive, I wear my heart on my sleeve, cause baby you're my number 1, baby you're my number 1 is a brilliant chorus. There is a sublime instrumental that takes us to a final refrain.

Not Sorry slows things down again, the verses have so much space for the reflective lyrics, building to the chorus where Liddell's guitar bursts to life to back Carla singing.

My favourite memory of you will be of you in the morning

Never Saw It Coming was the second single that Poster Paints released back in August 2021. The flowing melody and guitar riff are beautifully entwined through the verse, leading to the chorus and the realisation of love lost.

I can't believe you're gone

I never saw it coming

Reflection and realisation come across in the lyrics throughout the album. I think they are the best that my sister has written. Equalled by the flowing melodies that deliver them. Her voice has matured beautifully and just seems to fit perfectly with Liddell's arrangements.

A splash of psychedelia/dream pop in the middle section is just lovely.

Circus Moving On is one of the best songs I've heard this year. Floating and gliding beautifully through the verses, it's mellow, tender and dreamy. Then ... at 48 seconds ... the slow burning star becomes a shooting star lighting up the night sky at pace. A double chorus is delivered with strings, beginning with the lines;

You say I need to walk before I float

But I'm already flying every day

Falling Hard is a pure pop sugary jangly rush, with Easton singing defiantly giving up is not on the cards, when I fall, I'm falling hard. Liddell's guitar jangles, chimes and fuzzes through an instrumental that takes us back to the chorus, one that you may well  find yourself singing after one or two listens.

Lomond Campbell is someone my sister has known for a while and I know that she was absolutely delighted to get the opportunity to work with him on a song. Ribbons aches beautifully, vocals and music are just sublime. Liddell's guitar in harmony with his friend Jonny Scott on drums.

There is plenty of space in the arrangement, playing and production. Everything seems to beautifully unrushed and dreamy.

Campbell & Scott are just a couple of the guests that the duo roped in. Both have declared that it was easier than normal to ask friends (from across the world - see below) to contribute to songs during lockdown restrictions. Ambitions helped by Creative Scotland which ensured that all musicians were paid. 

Poster Paints started when Simon sent Carla a piece of music and asked her to contribute some ideas. Easton wrote lyrics and a melody and returned a completed song. That song was Rupture, so it's only apt that it is included on the album. Liddell's guitar has a dirty jangle to it, taking an abrupt turn at 1 minute 25 seconds to chime. Easton's voice rises in the second half of the song as again she reminisces about a lost love, reminded of this every time she smokes cigarettes, I guess that's why I smoke them as much as I do.

Hard to Sweeten is a real favourite. It's like a lullaby, a truly special song. Guitar and keys/synth, draped with the most gorgeous vocal my sister might have sung to date. The closing instrumental section is just sublime. 

I was warned of love like yours, that's hard to sweeten

I adore a fire that burns, that scars me deeper

Another favourite is album closer My Song. This song builds slowly, surely and sublimely with Carla singing to a lost love I have you the chance to, have and to hold me. At 2 minutes 27-seconds the song begins to soar and glide on a gorgeous guitar riff, New Order-esque bass and synth. You get 2-minutes of this, but I would love an extended 12-inch remix stretched to at least 8. 

Poster Paints album is out now. Order online (can be delivered from the UK or the USA) or check your local record shop. Check a track by track run through by Carla HERE

What next for the band? 

Well they have been offered the chance to go to SXSW in spring 2023. Exciting ... but ridiculously expensive. Personally, I just hope they keep writing and recording. Simon and Carla have conjoured a collection of magical songs and have an amazing pool of friends they can call upon to create the sounds in their heads. With this album, they've brought out the best in each other.

Circus Moving On

 

Poster Paints - Simon & Carla by Craig McIntosh

You say I need to walk before I float

But I'm already flying every day

Poster Paints continue to build momentum towards their eponymous debut with the release of the spellbinding Circus Moving On as a single. 

This song does float and glide beautifully through the verses, it's mellow, tender, dreamy

Then ... at 48 seconds ... the slow burning star becomes a shooting star lighting up the night sky at pace. A double chorus is delivered with strings

You say I need to walk before I float

But I'm already flying every day

I didn't know that I would be the joke

That got you crying when you say my name

When you say my name

You got under my skin,  in my hair, on my lips

Under finger nails, on my hips

And in my dreams

You got under my skin,  in my hair, on my lips

Under finger nails, on my hips

Everything slows to leave space for the next couple of lines

Between my teeth, under sheets

In my dreams

And then ... we explode back into the chorus again. The strings sound even more cinematic, it might as well be your own heart strings that are in the song. 

Here is what Carla had to say; "We worked remotely with Andrew Jin Chung based in Canada for the beautiful string arrangements that really made the findal recording soar. The initial idea was based around Mellotron sounds after a discussion about how much Simon and I both loved the song All My Happiness Is Gone by Purple Mountains. Subconciously that was perhaps a jumping off point for the lyrics and combining a classic sad/happy juxtaposition between words and sounds. It's not the Poster Paints sound you might be expecting but it's one of our favourites on the album and is a joy to play live."

Poster Paints have just announced a show at The Glad Cafe in Glasgow to celebrate the release of their eponymous debut album. Come and hear this song live ... bring your heart strings.

CIRCUS MOVING ON (LYRIC VIDEO)

TICKETS HERE

PRE_ORDER ALBUM HERE (MONORAIL EXLUSIVE)

Doune The Rabbit Hole - Friday 2022

Welcome to the first of 3 blogs on Doune The Rabbit Hole 2022.

Rosie - ready to go Doune The Rabbit Hole?!

Sadly we couldn't make it up on the Thursday night, but by all accounts the legendary Patti Smith smashed things out of the park, while Tim Burgess defied rail strikes and cancellations to make it up for his DJ slot. Going by his video tweets of him dropping The Chemical Brothers, The Human League, Underworld and The Charlatans own The Only One I Know - he had a good time and he'll be back. 

This was my first trip to Doune and I already know it won't be my last. I've followed the festival online since inception and it's grown from very humble beginnings into a really brilliant family festival.

More on that later, as my daughters Zoe and Rosie accompanied me to test that out! Zoe has promised a vlog on the weekend, but that might come later on.

Firstly, the setting is absolutely gorgeous. Doune was under an hours drive from Uddingston, once we got off the motorway we marvelled at the rolling green hills and hundreds of bales of hay neatly rolled up, stretching as far as they eye could see.

The skies were grey and rain was falling, however as we got closer to the festival site, the clouds parted and before long blue skies were the order of the day. 

Doune's festival site is absolutely stunning. Each stage area is well thought out, Nothing is too far away, no stage is overwhelmingly huge, yet there is plenty of space. There are beautiful trees to chill under and get some shade - needed yesterday, cool food stalls, lots of quirky festival stalls and an AMAZING family area!

My youngest (7) could happily have pottered around there most of (if not all of) the day; storytelling, the legendary Singing Kettle, arts and crafts, a sandpit, giant bubble workshops and parties, drumming workshops ... and loads more. As my friend Julie (who is up with her 7 year old daughter and 4 year old son for the full weekend) said - 'if they had a coffee shop and bar here then we wouldn't need to leave!'

It was great to see kids getting up to good old fashioned fun, with a marble run proving to be a big winner! There was also a 'junk yard' for kids to play with all kinds of things, or see what they could make. Plus supervised tight rope walking and rope climbing.

Could they introduce a kids club! 

We spent our first couple of hours hanging in the kids club and taking a walk round the site to get our bearings. Then we headed to meet my sister Carla who was playing the Baino's Tolbooth Stage with her band Poster Paints at 1.30pm.

Poster Paints played a shimmering, summery set. Singles Number 1, Never Saw It Coming and Falling Hard were indie guitar pop tastic. While slow groove burners like Circus Moving On, Hard To Sweeten (a personal favourite) and Blood Orange show a very different side to them that will be displayed on their forthcoming debut album. The latter, with the hook, bursting blood orange, seemed made for the sunshine. Closing with My Song, which soared into New Order territory thanks to a sublime combination of bass, synth and infectious guitar, Poster Paints won new fans.

I got evidence of this through my daughter Zoe who went a walk round the festival with Carla afterwards. 'Lots of people wanted to speak with Aunt Carla!'

Poster Paints

Zoe with Aunt Carla

We kind of flitted between the Baino's stage and the family area for the rest of the afternoon. The next band Peaness (much amusement to the kids!) were really cool and also just a perfect summer soundtrack. 

The Rezillos were brilliant fun, they really got the crowd going. Although they went on earlier than billed, so there were a few disgruntled fans who sadly missed them. I think they went on earlier as The Deep Blue (from Ireland) were late. So credit to the Rezillos for that and due to the grassroots nature of Doune, it's difficult to spread the word of any changes across the site. Their cover of Land Of A Thousand Dances got people of all ages singing and dancing, then their punk hit Top Of The Pops sparkled with energy.

The Deep Blue showcased effortless 3-part harmonies and had a real Fleetwood Mac vibe going on. Very nice indeed. We also caught a bit of Liverpool's She Drew The Gun on the main stage who drew a cracking crowd. They are a very hard working band and word of mouth seems to be growing.

The Deep Blue

After some delicious German hot dogs we went over to Esperanza play a superb set on the Whistleblower stage. Their infectious and highly energetic ska set got loads of people dancing. I really enjoyed their set and the chance to cut loose.

The need to dance had arrived, so we decided to check out Optimo in the Comhla tent. There were loads of parents in with their kids and the Optimo guys were acknowledging that with nods and winks. The way they were layering and building their set was superb. I could happily have stayed to see what they played towards the end of their set, but the kids wanted to see what a festival headliner looked like. They were starting to flag a little, so we headed to the main stage for Amy MacDonald.

Amy seemed thrilled to be playing, packing the main stage area and swiftly getting into her stride with her excellent band. We only stayed for a few songs as after a long day in the sun of playing and watching bands, the kids were ready for rest.

Unfortunately Yard Act were on just a little too late for the kids. I'll need to see them when they play Saint Lukes later in the year!

Blood Orange EP

 

With no prior warning, Poster Paints released their Blood Orange EP on Friday 20th May, simultaneously announcing they had signed with Ernest Jenning (America) & Olive Grove Records to release music this year. 

Those of you that read my previous blog reviewing their Sleazys show (or if you follow the band on social media) will note that they have received test pressings of their debut album. Expect more news on that soon.

Carla: "We're really excited to be working with Ernest Jenning & Olive Grove Records on releasing our music this year! It's a brilliant opportunity for us to collaborate with two brilliant independent labels who are committed to supporting artists they love and be part of a global family who will nurture our music."

The Blood Orange EP features the two singles released last year plus the title track and a cover of the Love Positions/Lemonheads gem Into Your Arms.

Blood Orange is a dreamy beauty that flows with ease, at a gorgeously lazy pace, there is plenty of space before shimmering guitar comes in, picking up into the bursting blood orange refrain, Carla singing over another sublime Liddell guitar riff.

I'm seeking something more exciting, to colour in my day

Poster Paints take on Into Your Arms is pretty true to The Lemonheads version, Liddell plays an aching riff while Carla sings with a purity and soul. Poster Paints have a natural ability to make everything they do sound dreamy - in all the right ways.

I know I won't be alone, be alone anymore

Debut single Number 1 still bursts with energy, the beats, the reverb, the hooks ... cause kids are so naive, I wear my heart on my sleeve ...

Never Saw It Coming sounds even better 9-months down the line, the sound and portrayal of heartbreak in the hook I can't believe you're gone, I never saw it coming 

Poster Paints are beginning to build momentum again. I can't wait for more shows and the album.

 

Poster Paints at Nice n Sleazys

Prior to last night I couldn't recall the last time I was in Nice n Sleazy. Way over 2-years ago for sure.

The legendary Glasgow pub and club/venue has been sitting proudly and prominently on Sauchiehall Street, near Charing Cross, since 1991.

Quite an achievement given the state of Sauchiehall Street at present. A rather sad and grim video was presented on social media last week, highlighting the vast amount of leases available. Large sites like M&S, BHS and the ABC. Glasgow institutions like Greaves Sports & Biggars. It's becoming a ghost town.

As someone who walked along this street most days from 1993-2004 when I worked at Charing Cross and the top of St Vincent Street, I hope that somewhere, someone is putting together a vision and plan to regenerate this famous street in Glasgow. Wider pavements, some trees and cycle lanes ain't gonna cut it.

Last night was the first time in a over 2-years that I'd ventured to this part of the city. I cut up past favourite bars of mine from years gone by like The State and The Variety (popping in for a pint) and wondered how they were doing. Will they survive? 

I was up to see Poster Paints, the band formed by my sister Carla during lockdown with her friend Simon Liddell. They recorded an album during that time. Test pressings (pictured above) have been received and the album will come out later this year.

Photo by Kat Gollock

Lemon Drink supported with an infectious & energetic set. Given my age, I was reminded of the sugar pop of Sleeper but with the bite of Elastica. The duelling electric guitars were beautifully raw, scratchy and catchy at all the right times. Sophie Bartholomew was dancing, twirling and almost bouncing off her band mates, clearly having fun. The band indicated that they won't be playing much for the rest of 2022 as they plan to hit the recording studio. I hope they capture some of their live energy on record. 

So good I bought their t-shirt. Lemon Drink play The Hug & Pint on July 31st.

Photo by Kat Gollock

Then it was on to Poster Paints. Those that attended their 4 shows towards the end of 2021 + the 2 shows they are playing this week will have a strong sense of how good the album is going to be. Joined by friends Calum Muir (drums), Suse Bear (bass) and Kim Grant (AKA Raveloe) (bass), Poster Paints conjured mesmerising, flowing and shimmering sounds. 

Liddell's guitar playing is infectious. I could listen to the riff of My Song on a loop for hours. His riffs and melodies are often simple, always with space and very often gorgeously dreamy. Just the right tinge of psychedelia with beautiful reverb.

Poster Paints just gel so naturally as a band and Carla's vocals, words and melodies fit so perfectly over the top. It was a really stunning gig.

Circus Moving On was achingly and beautifully gorgeous, Carla shook a tambourine for Number 1 and the pure pop rush of Falling Hard, and Never Saw It Coming, while Hard To Sweeten could well be my song of 2022.

It's like a lullaby, a tender & melodic vocal over sublime fragile guitar, building gently and introducing a great keyboard riff. I imagine many will fall for this gem. 

I was warned of love like yours, that's hard to sweeten

But I adore a fire that burns and scars me deeper

Man of Minch joined the band for a song Ribbons, before new song Blood Orange was played for the first time, becoming an instant favourite. I mentioned My Song in previous Poster Paints reviews and above, the way this song develops into a New Order-esque dream is incredible.

There was time for a bonus cover of the Sneeze/Lemonheads song Into Your Arms, just Easton & Liddell. It was a beautiful way to end the gig.

I have heard the album and it is incredible. 

Poster Paints setlist

Rupture

Still Got You

Number 1

Not Sorry

Falling Hard

Circus Moving On

Never Saw It Coming

Hard To Sweeten

Ribbons (featuring Man of Minch)

Blood Orange

My Song

Into Your Arms (Sneeze/Lemonheads cover)

Photo by Kat Gollock

Scottish music scene - 5 bands for 2022

After two years of stop/start/pause due to lockdown and restrictions, a number of new bands/artists are set to hit play in 2022. Some will (understandably) want to hit fast forward!

I love people that turn challenges into opportunities. Music, art and creativity will always find a way. Bands still formed, music was created, songwriters continued to pour their hearts out on to paper and recordings, music fans discovered new acts to fall for.

Here are 5 new/developing Scottish acts that I'm looking forward to checking out through 2022. 3 of the bands formed during lockdown, while Raveloe launched in June 2020. 

1. Poster Paints

Poster Paints are a lockdown project that became an actual band. Read a little more on their background in this blog from May 2021.

Simon Liddell (Olympic Swimmers and Frightened Rabbit) and Carla J Easton have only played a handful of gigs (where they become a 5-piece with help from friends) to date. Their two singles, Number One and Never Saw It Coming were the perfect soundtrack to summer and autumn, both were positively and widely acclaimed, leading to 3 tour dates with Teenage Fanclub and their own headline show at The Poetry Club. Their album is now finished, mixed, mastered and mesmerising. It's beautifully melodic and dreamy. Hopefully it will come out this year.

In the meantime, they (hopefully) kick off 2022 with dates at Sneaky Petes (10/02) and Nice n Sleazys (11/02), before (fingers crossed) playing with Belle & Sebastian at Motherwell Concert Hall later in the month. 

Poster Paints My Song live at the Assembly Rooms

Number One

2. Spyres

I caught Spyres supporting The Mary Chain late last year and subsequently blogged on the band HERE.

Spyres sound great on record and really come into their own live, so being able to get out and gig is going to be really important to them. I think they'll win fans wherever they play and building momentum through singles and/or EP's will take them to the next level in 2022.

Remarkably young, Spyres have time on their side, but I love their attitude - they don't want to wait. They have the energy of Hole and the melodies of Fleetwood Mac with glorious duelling guitars and two lead singers. Although think Wolf Alice and Alvvays for more modern influences.

Otherside (live) 

I Don't Care

3. Raveloe

Signed to Olive Grove Records, Raveloe is Kim Grant, a young and very talented singer songwriter who really started to attract attention through the release of her single Catkins in late 2021. There was a lovely soulfulness to Catkins, raw guitar paired with beautiful strings and Grant sounding like she has really found her voice. Look out for more releases through 2022 to keep the momentum going.

Catkins music video

Abalone music video

4. Brontes

Picture by Brian Sweeney

I blogged on Brontes back in the summer of 2021 HERE. I'm very keen to see how they develop through 2022, although it might be 2023 before they really kick on. Look out for a single, potentially in Spring and hopefully lots of live dates.

The band were signed to Last Night From Glasgow on the back of a Crowded Flat session that you can watch below. I watched the session a number of times in the summer of 2021 and it really reminded me how much I was missing getting out to small venues in Glasgow to watch breaking bands. I've still to catch Brontes live, so hope that changes quickly in the new year once we get through this tricky spell we are having with the new COVID variant.  Think punky grooves, a bit of an edge and cool vocals. 

Picture by Brian Sweeney

Crowded Flat session

5. Uninvited

My sister played the Tiny Changes concert at the end of November 2021 and came back raving about this band and urged me to check their singles.

Formed during lockdown, Uninvited have released Diet Cigarette and Tomboy to date. The former has a super infectious guitar riff and gorgeous flowing harmonies; I'm so full of regrets, I haven't been the same since we met. The latter has another flowing chorus full of harmonies. I look forward to seeing them live. They will hopefully be playing King Tuts on 29th January.

Photoshoot video

Diet Cigarettes

Poster Paints at the Poetry Club

 

God it's so good to be back at gigs. 4 in under a month. Each time I have felt elated from the sounds, the company, the atmosphere, the venues, the little moments of magic, the banter ... 

Through the course of the 4 gigs I've gone from grand (Assembly Rooms) to larger and legendary (Barrowland) to pretty small and legendary (King Tuts) to super cool and intimate - The Poetry Club.

Owned by the artist Jim Lambie, the capacity of The Poetry Club (situated through a blink and you'll miss it door next to SWG3 in an old railway arch) is a mere 120, You walk into a small bar area with a couple of Lambie designs on the walls, then through the to gig venue that somehow incorporates a little balcony due to the high ceilings.

Support on the night was a solo set by Broken Chanter, AKA David MacGregor. In the intimate setting I grew to appreciate his guitar playing and style, songwriting and storytelling, all the more. Should We Be Dancing? from his eponymous 2019 debut album is a gem of a song, as is Don't Move To Denmark which was my favourite of MacGregor's songs on the night, he really got into a flow at the end, repeating the a glorious chorus over and over.

don't move to Denmark, don't stay on my behalf,

the brass on my neck made you laugh all night, all night

what if you stay and I disappoint

thoughts like this keep me up all night, all night

On to Poster Paints, their first headline show after 3 support slots with Teenage Fanclub last month. This time they had their own teenage fanclub with a number of cool young kids standing to my right.

The band played beautifully, full of confidence, unafraid to play slower songs that built, but also playing faster paced songs like their two singles to date; Never Saw It Coming and Number 1. Fall Hard could well be a candidate for single number 3, while the closer My Song is fast becoming a favourite, the way the song develops after a couple of minutes, with new layers being added, the pace picking up, New Order style synths being introduced and the hypnotic guitar riff just keeps playing, backing vocals come in ... sublime. Might be too long to be a single, but for a gig and album closer - perfect!

I gave you the chance to have and to hold me

It turns out, that I got it wrong

Poster Paints invited Broken Chanter up on stage to sing a song called Ribbons in place of Lomond Campbell who co-wrote the song, due to Campbell living in the Highlands. The dreamy psychedelic, reverb-y guitars were sublime. Carla came in to sing the chorus - a gorgeous song.

The song that melted my heart, probably most hearts in the room, was a beautiful ballad called Hard to Sweeten. Callum on drums switched to a mellatron, while the band delivered gentle chords and riffs, while Carla's voice was crystal clear;

Cause I was warned of love like yours

That's hard to sweeten

But I adore a fire that burns

That scars me deeper

A beautiful song, it sounded instantly classic, a beautiful gig. I look forward to seeing what Poster Paints do next.

Photo by Robert Winning

Teenage Fanclub - Glasgow Barrowland - September 2021

Photo by Carla Easton

 Ah Glasgow Barrowland!

I was so excited about returning to this iconic venue that I showed up for doors opening. I've probably not done that since visiting for the first time back in 1993 - also to see Teenage Fanclub. 

Just grabbing a beer and walking round the iconic ballroom listening to background music while watching everyone coming in heightened my senses. I'd missed this kind of thing so much; the sense of anticipation, an occasion, a special night out.

Pretty soon I was catching up with friends - Lorna (my real Teenage Fanclub buddy), Lloyd from Olive Grove Records, John from my hometown of Carluke and loads of people from the Teenage Fanclub Fanclub. 

It was great to see loads of people coming in early for Poster Paints who delivered another impeccable set. Carla sung beautifully and it was brilliant to see her on the Barrowland stage. Number 1 sounded particularly powerful and the response from the crowd was warm and loud. Set closer My Song was glorious, building into a dreamy New Order groove, low bass, synth and the kind of guitar riff you could listen to for days.

Poster Paints play their debut headline show at The Poetry Club in Glasgow on October 7th. Be great to see you there.

Photo by Kat Gollock

Shortly after 9pm Teenage Fanclub walked on to the stage to a huge Barrowland roar and after strapping on their guitars they launched into the double header of About You and Start Again. The band were in excellent form, it's a shame that this little run of shows has come to an end just as they are really getting going. I found myself checking dates for their shows next Spring earlier today.

A run of 3-songs from Endless Arcade really highlighted that the band are on form on record and on stage. Everything Is Falling Apart and Home both allowed the Fannies to stretch out and flow. Dave and Francis were locked in tune all night, allowing their mates to jam on and extend a number of songs. 

Photo by Kat Gollock

Home was outstanding last night, the guitars sounded glorious, I love when the band play like this. Then there as an absolute romp through Warm Embrace, quickly becoming a live favourite for band and audience.

What You Do To Me was particularly euphoric last night, sung gustily on stage and on the famous sprung ballroom floor. It felt so uplifting to be in the Barrowland and singing along with friends and strangers.

Closely followed by Raymond's outstanding Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From, with Norman playing his xylophone to huge cheers.

Back In The Day was another highlight, the band extended it, clearly enjoying playing it live and there was a nice moment afterwards where someone near the front shouted his appreciation to Norman, adding 'that's a corker' raising a smile from Blake.

There were regular smiles on stage and off all night. We were standing just a few rows from the front to Dave's side and you could see the energy being created and enjoyed on stage.

I'm In Love had a real zip to it, while the closing section of The Concept was simply sublime, just absolutely gorgeous.

Raymond's The Fall started the 4-song encore, the outro section sounding particularly dreamy and beautiful, then we had Norman tugging on heartstrings with his stunning The Sun Won't Shine On Me, the guitar riff was heavenly.

Norman then announced they were going to play a cover version by an 80's band ... going on to play Golden Shower by The Boy Hairdressers, his pre Fanclub band with Raymond. 

Ending with Everything Flows, I was really taken with the way Euros added a hammond style riff to the song. He has brought a lot to the band and seems to have quite a free license to add bits to songs, while his harmonies with Norman are so natural and beautiful. Norman waved his guitar in front of his speaker to generate feedback, just lost in the moment, it was so good to see.

It was good to be back!

I must mention the Simply Thrilled Aftershow at McChuills round the corner on High Street. Walking into my favourite bar to the sound of Rocks by Primal Scream was so uplifting. Pretty soon they played Radio and a few people started dancing. The boys got the hint and it was Fanclub tunes until closing with a group of us singing and dancing like the good old days to Baby Lee, I Need Direction and of course - Everything Flows to close. I felt absolutely elated!