Hen Hoose at Celtic Connections

Photo - Hannah Brodie

Last year, 12 members of the Hen Hoose collective travelled to the Isle of Lewis to write and record an album ... in 6-days ... from scratch. Staying at Black Bay residential studio, the members were directed by Hen Hoose leader, Tamara Schlesinger who split them into songwriting teams and within 3-days they had the 9-songs that make up The Twelve, their new album released on 23rd January. 

HEN HOOSE BANDCAMP - order the record here

The Twelve is a wonderful album. I love compilation albums that display a wide variety of talent and taste. This feels like that ... but with an added sense of friendship and community. The album feels fresh, full of vibrancy and energy. Artists collaborating, pushing each other, being lifted by each other ... you can feel it and sense it.

And on Friday night, it was on display. To celebrate the release, Hen Hoose Collective played a sold out show in the beautiful Tramway Theatre in the Southside of Glasgow. And this really did feel like a celebration - it was euphoric and emotional, bristling with energy and intent. Artists who have been brought together through music, artists who have become friends. Artists performing their new work live for the first time. 

The energy and freshness of the album was transferred to a live show. The stage floor was set up almost like a large living room or rehearsal studio. Two sofa's flanked the microphones and the impeccable 'hoose' band. Singers and musicians chilled and watched on when they didn't need to get up to perform. Everyone was in it together, supporting each other, cheering for each other, laughing and smiling. A simple but beautiful set up.

SHEARS, AMUNDA, Malka & Emma Pollock on the sofa

the supremely talented Cariss Crosbie on keyboards

Photo by Hannah Brodie

The Hen Hoose band definitely deserve a mention! Cariss Crosbie (synths/keys and vocals), Inge Thomson (flutes, synths and percussion), Sarah Hayes (synths/keys and flute), Suse Bear (bass and synths), Lauren MacDonald (drums) and Jill Lorean (guitar and vocals).

The Hen's that went up to Lewis were Tamara Schlesinger (AKA Malka), Suse Bear, Ray Aggs, Inge Thomson, Frances McKee, Carla J Easton, AMUNDA, SHEARS, Cariss Crosbie, Emma Pollock Djana Gabrielle and Jill Lorean.

Where to start?! I think I'll combine an album and live review!

Malka started things off, flanked by a beaming Ray Aggs (who has the most delightful smile) with opening song Wipe Out. The song veers off into a sublime melodic breakdown. Gorgeous. 

Photo by Hannah Brodie

Next up, my sister Carla with her song Rich (Katy's In Space) about the crazy news story that broke around the time of recording in Lewis - Katy Perry hanging with Elon Musk and taking a trip to space! Loads of fun on record, the hooks were even more infectious when performed live - rammed home an extra few times for good measure.

Photo by Hannah Brodie

I was at the show with my daughter Rosie and she was particularly taken by songs involving AMUNDA and SHEARS. They have an ear for pop! Just like Rosie! Out My Mind is full of fast paced melodies and like the opening song it has a gorgeous break that builds back up. Euphoric! SHEARS had a lot of fun as the beat kicked in and she stretched her vocals. Like Ariana Grande according to Rosie.

Sirens Call My Name has been receiving a lot of love on 6 Music. A synth-y bass is broken by Emma Pollock urging us to hold on, hold on. The burst and lift into the chorus is glorious.

And I just love the way that I feel when I hear the song

Djana Gabrielle and Ray Aggs sing the deeply moody disco number Promise, an early favourite of mine.

I promised myself, I'll never fall for you

Here we are again

Photo by Hannah Brodie

Game of 2 had loads of hens on stage, exchanging vocals for different sections, AMUNDA and Carla with some pop moments, Djana Gabrielle with the breathy and sexy French(?) vocal section.

Frances McKee was typically self effacing when introducing Ego Trip, highlighting the talent on stage and that she had experienced in Lewis, wondering why she was with them.

Well, Frances quickly showed why, with her autobiographical lyrics, about the 90's and then to present day.

No drugs since 1995

I'm alright now, made it out alive

I love the lines that Cariss sings;

I forgot who I was 

And I don't know who I am

Then Emma Pollock comes in with an outstanding chorus. It's so uplifting!

Standing on an island with no lifeboat

And I don't need pills to teach me how to swim

In Control with lead vocals by SHEARS and Jill Lorean was outstanding! My daughter Rosie's favourite! This is powerful pop, with a samba-esque breakdown. Live at Celtic Connections, SHEARS and Jill Lorean came out in front of the stage floor and danced around looking super cool.

I'm in control

You're not at all

So back it off

I'm showing up

Stop showing off

Cause I'm the boss

The Twelve ends with the beautiful Blessings On The Day, it's like a psychedelic nursery rhyme full of observations.

Everybody does what they do

Nobody is judging you

Follow the herd

Don't be heard

Should any promoters be reading this - an all-ages Hen Hoose event at the Kelvingrove Bandstand this summer would be an absolute winner... or the Barrowland, I'm not too fussy!

Well done to all the artists involved in the album and the live show - wonderful!

Photo by Hannah Brodie

Teardrop

Trust me #111
Teardrop by Massive Attack with Elizabeth Fraser

Released in 1998 as part of their Mezzanine album, Teardrop is one of many masterpieces in the Massive Attack catalogue. Quietly and confidently powerful, utterly sublime from start to finish. 

Ah... the start, a heartbeat kick-drum, a hypnotic harpsichord loop, liquid bass, piano chord and then, just after 1-minute, Elizabeth Fraser’s crystal clear voice. Ethereal. Haunting. Perfect.

Love, love is a verb

Love is a doing word

Fearless on my breath

Every time I listen to Teardrop, I find myself waiting for the song to explode. The power that Massive Attack build through restraint is incredible. Just when it finally threatens to blow, as Fraser sings you're stumbling down, everything cuts to the harpsichord, then it is only the beats before the loop returns. Wow! 

One of the things I enjoy about writing blogs like this is spending some time listening to a song a few times in a row and researching it. As I'm doing so, I very often discover something I didn't know about the band, songwriter or the song. That is definitely the case here!

Teardrop was written by Mushroom from Massive Attack and he sent a demo to Madonna, who was keen. But his band mates, 3D and Daddy G, voted against him as they favoured Fraser. It's quite a story! While it would have fitted in perfectly with Madonna's 1998 change of direction and image with the superb Ray of Light album (think Frozen), no-one on earth can sing like Liz Fraser. 

Teardrop on the fire

Fearless on my breath

You hang on every note as Fraser has a voice like no other. Angelic, yet haunting. Sheer melancholic beauty. She sings not just words, but emotions. Fraser recorded her vocals just after learning of her partner Jeff Buckley’s passing, meaning it all hits even harder. 

Check this previous blog on Buckley and Fraser's outstanding All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun.

The video (see below) for Teardrop, directed by Walter Stern is a pioneering, surreal, weirdly comforting vision of a foetus in the womb, lip-syncing to Fraser’s voice. Although after watching it back a couple of times, I found the end to be slightly unsettling. Light appears, as if the baby is moving to birth, then as the music slows, things get darker and the baby slows in time with the music. Does the baby make it?

Dreamy, mesmerising ... unique. Massive Attack pushed and broke boundaries with their music and art. 

Teardrop 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.

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

95. Sparky's Dream by Teenage Fanclub

96. Common People by Pulp

97. Let Our Love Grow Higher by Eula Cooper

98. Regret by New Order

99. Keep On Keepin' On by Nolan Porter

100. Sit Down by James (Live at G-Mex) by James

101. Never Lose Your Sense Of Wonder by Yeti

102. Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over by The Charlatans

103. Life Is Sweet by The Chemical Brothers 

104. How Can I Tell You (To Love Me More) by Brooke Coombe

105-107. Wigan Casino - Three Before Eight - Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend, Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe, I'm On My Way by Dean Parrish

108. Cobra by Geese

109. All I Have To Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers

110. Vapour Trail by Ride

Never Ending Mixtape part 106

Welcome to part 106 of my Never Ending Mixtape!

I started this blog/playlist/mixtape back in October 2016 with the simple intention of creating a playlist that I would add songs to on a regular basis and then blog about the latest additions every month.

There would be no thought to the structure of the playlist, unlike the mixtapes and CD's I would make in my younger days. I'd just add songs when I felt like it, depending on what I was listening to.

As a result, my Never Ending Mixtape jumps from 4,718 to 4,759 with the addition of Truck of Touble by i wanna be a truck driver - a bedroom lofi indie pop band from Glasgow. Do I detect a hint of The Pastels in there?

You'll find a few of the additions listed below. 

Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or CLICK

Recent discoveries

Born to Live with Heartache by Mary Love

Jazz Club After Hours by Barry Can't Swim

Weak Become Heroes (Ashley Beedle mix) - The Streets

Soshu Night Serenade by Martin Denny

Day In - Day Out by Frank Sinatra

All You Children by Jamie xx and The Avalanches

Big Time by Rudi

Truck of Trouble by i wanna be a truck driver

New releases

The House That Doesn't Exist by Melody's Echo Chamber

Heaven Has No Wings by Dove Ellis

Love Is by Dove Ellis

Old favourites

Superstition by Stevie Wonder

Gimme Shelter by Ruth Copeland

California Stars by Billy Bragg & Wilco

It's Just About The Weather by Alfie

Because I'm Me by The Avalanches

Paid In Full by Eric B & Rakim

He's on the Phone by Saint Etienne

Vapour Trail

Photo by Joe Dilworth

Cover version of the month #116
Trespassers William covers Ride's Vapour Trail

Trust me #110 - Vapour Trail by Ride

I started revisiting, reading and writing about Ride's blissful Vapour Trail for my Trust Me series and playlist. I'm still going to add it to that playlist. However, while researching the song, I discovered a gorgeous slow burning cover by a band called Trespassers Williams, hence, Vapour Trail is added to my cover version of the month series and playlist. Read on!

Ride burst on to the independent music scene in 1990 with a trilogy of EP's and debut album Nowhere. Aged between 18-20, the band seemed to be in their own world. Andy Bell, Mark Gardner (guitars and vocals), Steve Queralt (bass) and Loz Colbert (drums) looked fantastic, like a real gang and the four friends had a clear vision for their sound and values. 

Many labels were in the race to sign Ride from early doors, but Creation Records was the label Ride wanted - The Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine being crucial factors. There is a great section on Creation chasing and getting Ride in the magnificent Creation book My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry For The Prize by David Cavanagh.

Vapour Trail, the closing song on Nowhere, seems so perfectly formed. Magical. If Ride's EP's and much of their debut album had a wall of noise that marked them as shoegazers, Vapour Trail had more space, a string quartet and a crystaline, chiming 12-string riff that really highlighted the bands development and maturity.

The song rides in on warm chords and Andy Bell singing the first line before the band fall in behind him.

First you look so strong, then you fade away

The sun will blind my eyes, I'll love you anyway

Thirsty for your smile, I watch you for a while

You are a vapour trail, in a deep blue sky

There are only 2 verses, with Bell singing about a love that seems to be fleeting (like a vapour trail), while he wants more. Each verse is followed by a la, la, la, la, la refrain. i particularly like the third line in the second verse - Bell is all in.

Tremble with a sigh, glitter in your eye

You seem to come and go, I never seem to know

And all my time is yours as much mine

We never have enough time to show our love

"I remember writing the riff in a hotel room on a very early Ride tour. We were in a bed and breakfast type scenario, and I was sitting on a bed with an acoustic to get that four-chord pattern which is really very simple. It’s played on two 12-strings. People seem to be quite interested with the guitar sound on this record, if there are fades or effects, but there’s not; it’s just two 12-strings. It’s just one of those magical songs. That’s the one that everyone talks about on the album in my experience. These songs are the easiest to write and the ones that you don’t really think about at the time. It came out so easily and it has that effortless feel to it. I guess it is the one I’m most proud of from that era." Andy Bell, MTV Hive, 2011

The second refrain finishes just before the 2-minute mark and everything cuts to leave the guitars before the drums come crashing back in, bass underpinning everything. Then comes the gorgeous string quartet over the top, the guitars continue to chime, the drums are cool and the bass is holding it all. 

Ride are lost in the music and invite the listener to do the same, letting things flow for almost 2-minutes before the guitars and Loz's ferocious drumming cut to leave the string quartet to play the song out. Sublime! Heart-achingly beautiful.

As mentioned above, I've recently discovered a gorgeous slow burning cover of Vapour Trail by Trespassers William who released their version as a single in 2003. The song also featured on the Bella Union UK version of second album Different Stars, that was initially a self release in 2002.

Anna-Lynne Williams and Matt Brown are the two constant members in the band, who released three albums between 1999 and 2006. Cast, a compilation album of b-sides and rarities came out in 2012.

How on earth do you cover Vapour Trail?!

Well, Trespassers William don't just show their love for the song by playing and replicating it. Instead, they slow the whole thing down, it's a dreamy swoon. Anna-Lynne Williams has a voice that sounds like a secret being whispered in your ear. It’s fragile, melancholic, and utterly captivating. You can tell they've spent a lot of time with this song. 

Gentle and persistent piano, reverb-drenched vocals, distant echoes of slide(?) guitar, then a little jangle, before a solo is introduced over the top. Oooft this gives me the tingles.

If Ride's version is a teenage Andy Bell writing about the excitement of new love and infatuation, the Trespassers William cover is like a heart-aching reflection of a love that's long gone, but fondly remembered.

Utterly gorgeous. Enjoy.

Ride's original and the Trespassers William cover of Vapour Trail 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 I've also added it to my Trust Me playlist.

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

113. Association

114. Some Velvet Morning

115. If I Had A Boat

Fatale - NYR at King Tuts

Glasgow seems to recognise how dark, wet, cold and miserable January is, so the city does its very best to put on music events to keep spirits up. Celtic Connections attracts artists and music fans from across the globe. Closer to home, King Tuts Wah Wah Hut promotes the best new bands around as part of their New Year Revolution series of shows through January. 

On Friday (9th) night I headed in to see Fatale, a young five piece, still in single figures for gigs and yet to release a single. As mentioned in an earlier blog this month, I think Fatale are the most exciting young band in Scotland at present. They look great, have fantastic taste in (and enthusiasm for) music and out of their 11-song set, taking into account the 2 cover versions, 5 or 6 of their own 9 songs sound like they could be clear and obvious singles. 

This was the best I've seen Fatale. They played with confidence, introduced new songs to their set and looked like they were having even more fun on stage than the audience, who were jumping and pogo-ing around. There was even a brilliant display of crowd surfing during the band's final song! 

Lead singer Ben Robertson somehow managed to keep his hat on for the first few songs, before eventually taking it off due to the heat in the room. Robertson is a natural front man, his energy is infectious. He has his arm round his guitarists at times, while at others he is down at the barrier and in with the crowd. Good vibes.

Good vibes all round. From the warm guitar opening of September onwards, Fatale blitzed King Tuts. A cover of The Vaselines Molly's Lips third song really got the place going.

Head's Gone could be one of the aforementioned singles. While Jesus Christ almost certainly will be. A teasing intro with Big Star-esque guitar sounds leads to the band flying through the verse to the chorus. 

Jesus Christ knocked on my door, just let me sleep 10-minutes more

Coming out with songs of praise, righteousness lost in the haze

Another Sunrise is another one that connects, the defiant statement hook of I'm going out tonight will probably be blasting out of radios and speakers within a couple of years and be sung wholeheartedly by teenagers across the country (and beyond).

Fatale were in full flow. The duel guitars of Euan and Chris (sporting a Shonen Knife t-shirt) were deliciously fuzzy, bassist Oscar locked in the groove, while James (vintage AC Milan shirts swapped for a Maradona T) on drums drove things forward.

By The Tide is another guitar pop gem. Fatale seem to have a natural feel for a good song structure. They know when to build a bridge, when to rip through a verse, when to hammer home a chorus or hook. 

New song Wired (To The Feeling) felt effortless. The band seem to be writing brilliant new songs ona regular basis. They could already start recording and releasing a steady stream of singles. But they (probably rightly) are letting things build. After all, as mentioned previously, they have still played less than 10 gigs. You can check a couple of demos on their soundcloud though.

I'm wired to the feeling

When I'm by your side

Electricity is flowing

Everything's just right

With every tear you don't cry

With every tear you don't cry

Fatale closed with the two songs they recorded as demos 8-months ago. Their cover of Femme Fatale by The Velvets has become a sing-song, the call and response chorus and then the hook see the way she walks, hear the way she talks is sung with love on stage and in the crowd.

Then it was the glorious Moves You, like a long lost Fanclub song from between A Catholic Education and Bandwagonesque. Full of zip and zest, but with a sublime breakdown and harmonies, before a furious romp through the chorus, cracking instrumental with a brilliant guitar solo and another run through the first verse and chorus for good measure. 

Fatale head out on the road in February for dates with The Cords. Keep an eye on their Instagram page.

26/02 - Cafe Drummond, Aberdeen

27/02 - Beat Generator, Dundee

29/02 - Upstairs, Inverness

Introducing Supersun

Supersun came to my attention via a scene that is naturally developing among a young group of kids in and around Glasgow who share a mutual love of guitar bands - ranging from The Beatles, The Velvet Underground and The Byrds, through to classic Scottish bands like Teenage Fanclub, Velocity Girl era Primals, Eugenius and The Mary Chain. They seem to have found each other or be in the process of finding each other, which is amazing. It's creating a lot of energy. 

Led by Adam Graham, Supersun are not just crafting infectiously melodic and harmonious tunes, but also actively nurturing the city's vibrant scene through their exciting new night, The Cabbage that is held upstairs in The Doublet Bar on Park Road. 

Supersun live debut at The Cabbage

Back in November, I was fortunate to attend the first night (also Supersun's first (and so far only) gig) that featured The Violets, Fatale and Supersun, before all 3 united for a gloriously loving ramshackle sing-a-long of Teenage Fanclub's Everything Flows. There was a fanzine, stickers, and friends playing records after the bands had finished. Just a lovely, positive, friendly and welcoming scene. The second Cabbage night is on 15th January. It sold out in 5-minutes. There are only 40 tickets, but that is fantastic!

The Cabbage Forever - Instagram page

As an older guy still kicking about the scene, I feel inspired and uplifted when I learn about all these young bands getting into the kind of music I was discovering when I was their age. The beat goes on.

Everything Flows at The Cabbage

Supersun, as you'll learn in the interview below, is very much a family affair, injecting their shared history and undeniable chemistry into a sound that marries the sun-drenched harmonies and chiming guitars of the 60's - Adam and his brother Jack both play twelve strings. Shack and The Coral came to mind during their set - there is a loving dash and splash of modern psychedelic jangle-pop in the Supersun sound. 

Adam's ambitions for Supersun are driven by a deep pride for Glasgow's musical heritage alongside a love and understanding of new guitar bands breaking through. He sounds determined to leave his mark on the city - through music and events.

I caught up with Adam to discuss the origins of Supersun, their influences, the ethos behind The Cabbage and what is coming up next ...

1. How did the Supersun form? Where are you all from and what do you each play? How did you get to know each other?

Supersun has ended up as a bit of a family affair. There’s me, Adam – the one who sings the songs and plays guitar. Then there’s my brother Jack and sister Julia, who provide the blood-harmonies and colour things in with a few other sounds. Finally, there’s our cousin Chris who plays bass. I needed a vessel for the songs I’d been writing – asking the others to join was just the obvious choice, and the easiest. Since then, we’ve really come together as a force of something I believe to be pretty special.

2. How did you start creating music together? Does anyone take the lead on writing? Or do you jam ideas?

My brother and I have been playing together for as long as I can remember. We have been writing and performing as The Plastic Youth for a while now – Supersun is the new project, with myself emerging from behind the drums. At the moment, I’ve been taking the lead on the writing front, but the real essence of the songs only sparks once everybody has added their charm.

Jack, Julia, Adam and Chris - Supersun

3. What kind of music are you listening to at present? Have any bands influenced you?

We are all massive fans of the 60's – this is what we grew up with in the house and what has ultimately informed our style, especially the harmonies. Our sound feels fresh, something I’ve not really heard before. We encapsulate the charm of the 60's with the pulse of the baggy 90's, with some nods toward modern psychedelic jangle-pop. A bunch of bands that have really influenced the sound would be The Beatles, Donovan, The Stone Roses, The Charlatans, The La’s, Melody’s Echo Chamber, and Alvvays.

4. You've started a night at The Doublet called The Cabbage. What is the idea behind the night? And the name?

The Cabbage is a celebration of all that has come from Scottish youth across generations – from the past masters of Scottish music to the fresh faces on the block. The idea of The Cabbage originally came about to offer Supersun and the bands around us a different route into the industry – an alternative to average, uninspiring nights. At its core, we are the new youth culture, dedicated to championing the next generation of Scottish artists – having a good time while we do it.

As for the name, I remember working with Gerry Love on The Plastic Youth album, we were talking about naming the tracks. He mentioned their song The Cabbage, I don’t know if it was a caution of giving something a mental name or just pointing it out as one of those things you do at the time. Either way, when I was thinking of a name for the scene, I thought that’s perfect – I’ll use that. It’s a nod to Scottish music and captures that feeling of being young and not caring too much.

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

Pride. I feel proud to be from Glasgow, knowing everything that has come from the city in regard to music and art. I also feel a drive to etch our name onto its cultural tapestry.

6. What do you have coming up in terms of gigs, recording and releasing? 

We are pretty fresh on the scene, so the future’s wide open. There is definitely something special stirring in Scottish music – our future lies in helping it off the ground and leading the charge. We have a few tricks up our sleeve; the first we can share is our upcoming show with The Cords and BMX Bandits. We are sitting on a number of big tunes, so the plan is to get them out as records as soon as we can. Other than that, we are going to continue creating exciting stuff with The Cabbage and Fool Creations.

Come along for the ride – let’s see where it goes.

Supersun play Mono on Thursday 12th February for the launch of Fool Creations. TICKETS

Fool Creations is Adam's new events and record distribution company. Find out more about them in February.

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.