Tripping With You

My old friend Mark W. Georgsson pinged me an email recently with a link to a new single he was releasing. I hadn't seen Mark in ages, possibly since pre-lockdown! We used to bump into each other at gigs all the time. Thankfully we caught up at Norman Blake's Bellshill gig last week over a few beers.

Mark and I first met back in 2012 when he was in a cracking punk indie pop band called The Velveteen Saints. Here is a BLOG I wrote on them back then. They were a captivating live band, super energetic, excellent musicians and they had something about them; soul, a rawness and a no bullshit attitude.

They did pretty well and got some excellent support slots with The Charlatans and The View. As young bands do, they broke up and went their own ways. Although Mark, Michael and Tino were all in The Bar Dogs who released a brilliant album called Friday Night The Eagles Fly in 2017. I described them as the best bar band in Glasgow; blue collar Springsteen rock n roll.

Before then, in late 2015 Mark had sent me a solo album he recorded with Rod Jones from Idlewild on production duties. I was blown away by how warm, tender and organic it was. Then, in early 2016, I got together with a group of friends to form a record label - Last Night From Glasgow. I suggested Mark's album for release, indeed his double a-side single The Ballad Of The Nearly Man became the first release on the label, with the AA-side being the same song sung in Icelandic by Mark's friends. It was a real statement of intent for the label to release something of such high quality for a first release. I remember getting the test pressing back and sitting up drinking most of a nice bottle of red wine playing it over and over again.

I'm just listening back to Mark's Faces and Places album, it is an absolute gem and his live shows around that time were such great fun. 

On to February 2025 and Mark has released a rip roaring single called Tripping With You. This is Mark's first single since he began treatment for an immune system related skin condition that had prevented him from playing guitar. For anyone that knows Mark, or anyone with a remote interest in playing a musical instrument, you'll know, or imagine how incredibly tough and depressing this was.

Now on medication and healing, Mark is back ... and boy can he play guitar!

The joy of being able to play again comes pouring out of Tripping With You. Mark's fingers are definitely working again! This a glorious slice of psychedelic pop with nods to Deep Purple's Hush.

I caught up with Mark for a quick chat.

Who plays guitar on Tripping With You?

It's me playing all of the guitars now that I've got my fingers back! Michael Gahagan plays drums, congas and tambourine. Robbie Noble plays the Hammond Organ and Jordan McHatton is playing groovy bass.

You've definitely got your fingers back working!

It was a release, channeling my inner 17-year old again! The next batch of songs will be similar. Short, with fuzz pedals, wah wah's, 60's phasers and shredding to f**k!

So what happened, why couldn't you play guitar?

Since 2020 my immune system has gone haywire and effected the skin all over my body, especially on my fingertips, stopping me playing the guitar. At the start of this year, I was put onto an immunosuppressant medication to finally try and sort it out. I started jamming out short ideas and riffs because my fingertips couldn't handle playing for long without bleeding and being in agony.

It's got a real Deep Purple vibe to it.

Aye, Kula Shaker are my favourite band after The Beatles. Songs don't need to be any longer than 3-minutes. I'm a huge Hendrix, Cream, Deep Purple, Skynyrd, Zeppelin and Rory Gallagher fan. 

I've realised how much we take simple day-to-day things in life and our health for granted. We worry about shit that doesn't really matter instead of focusing on what does, and doing what we really want to do in life to make ourselves happy.

It's been great to get back to jammin' in the studio with my mates. I had so much fun writing and recording this song and I think that comes across in the track.

Are you hoping to play live?

Absolutely. I'm working on putting together a gig / set list that will go and flow through all of my songs from folk/country/Americana to psychedelic pop rock!

Tripping With You is out now on all the usual digital channels. Hopefully Mark will announce a show in the near future to showcase his guitar skills in person!

Comes A Time

Mark W Georgsson is one of my favourite artists. I got to know Mark a number of years ago when he was in a great wee band called Velveteen Saints and we have stayed in touch. Mark lives and breathes for music and I felt that shone through in his beautiful 2017 debut album Faces and Places .

Mark's shows to accompany his album, whether solo or with his friends in his band, were a joy. Warm, intimate, melodic and natural - in the music and in the playing.

It's taken a while for Mark to produce the follow up, but Comes A Time is out now on Last Night From Glasgow and for me it's perfect timing, just as the nights are drawing in, this is an mini-album to warm your soul.

Ode to Rannva is a beautiful opening song, Mark's voice sounds as good as I have heard it, gentle and true, the music builds to some beautiful epic moments.

True happiness is what means most to me

Waiting for You sounds like a lost George Harrison & Paul McCartney collaboration, a jaunty romp with a psychedelic drop in the middle before picking up the beat again. The jam at the end contains an outrageous piano solo that lead the band to closure in style. I'd love to see and hear this live.

Mark demonstrated his romantic soul and nature on his debut and he wears his heart on his sleeve with True Love, a tender celtic ballad featuring gorgeous pedal steel guitar (Tim Davidson) and viola (Anja).

Celtic Americana could be a new genre that Georgsson establishes, One of a Kind sees him at his charming best, with stunning strings adding an extra dimension to his sound.

A true beauty like you is hard to find

As a heart like yours is one of a kind

Hanging Around starts from a gentle riff, light brushes on the drums back Mark as he sings tenderly before the song lifts gloriously for a catchy sing-a-long chorus.

Mark co-wrote this song with Kieran Webster form The View. Mark has this to say -  It's a very honest song about addiction, dependencies, ups and downs, highs and lows. But it's also about hope and hanging on in there, and fighting for yourself and the people you care about and love the most.

The title track is lush and heartfelt, at times the vocal is only accompanied by a barely strummed acoustic and atmospheric sounds from JJ McGowan on vintage Space Echo, the second half of the song builds to a dramatic conclusion

What I say to you only skims the surface of my mind

Baring all my thoughts and dreams together with lost time

Comes A Time is available on vinyl from Last Night From Glasgow and digitally from all the usual places.

Read on for an interview with Mark.

How are you doing? What has life been like during the last six months?

I'm really good, cheers. To be honest, I've been totally fine over the last six months and throughout most of lockdown, but I do know that I'm very lucky in that sense as I know a lot of people have really struggled.

I found myself having a lot of time to reset my body and mind by trying to exercise and work out most days and just try to be as positive as possible. I learned a wee bit of piano, read a bit more, listened to a lot more music, I even dabbled in improving my Icelandic (it's absolutely solid to learn by the way!)

I found myself reflecting on a lot of things and the things in life that are important to me, or should be. I also found myself taking the time to reconnect with a lot of friends and family that I hadn't spoken to in a while where we'd all been "too busy" to previously and that was great.

Don't get me wrong, I really missed not being able to actually catch up with friends and family properly by going to the pub, the football, a gig, or popping round to someone's house, simple everyday freedoms and things that we all take for granted.

And what have you been up to musically since the release of your debut album? Did you set out to write a collection of songs?

After my first album Faces and Places came out in 2017, I toured it with a Scottish Highlands and Islands tour and played quite a few festivals and gigs over in Iceland and the Faroe Islands as well as playing some really great support slots like Chance McCoy, Asgeir and Junius Meyvant too, which were all really cool.

I'd been sitting on a few songs and musical ideas that didn't fit the vibe of the first album and I decided that I wanted to explore a different sound and direction and actually try to and record a mini-LP that was clearly different from the first record.

I had quite a clear vision of how I wanted it to sound and flow, and I always knew it was going to be called Comes a Time so it was great to get stuck into those initial ideas as well as trying to revamp older songs and write new songs in a different way from how I had previously to try and fit the idea that I had in my head for the new record.

So many friends were involved on your debut release; musicians, photographers and producers. Who was involved this time?

I like having a lot of friends and people involved in my music, whether that be in the studio or playing live. I'm a people person, although I also like playing and recording solo too when the gig or song suits it. 

I roped in quite a lot of friends for this record too, albeit most of whom weren't involved in the first album. Like I said, I had quite a clear vision for Comes A Time and how I wanted it to sound. The first person I asked was my mate JJ McGowan. JJ is an amazing guitarist and all-round excellent musician with a great touch and feel and a real ear for sounds, layers and sonics, so I asked him to play and to help produce the EP with Jim Lang recording and engineering it.

I asked my good mate Michael Gahagan to play drums and percussion, Dave Brown was on bass and Robbie Noble played piano and keys. We rehearsed all of the songs as a band except the two acoustic tracks, unlike the first album which wasn't rehearsed that much at all and was more live and improvising sounding.

The majority of the mini-LP was recorded in a beautiful cottage overlooking Loch Fyne which was a really nice chill out vibe and experience for everyone. Some of the overdubs were recorded back at Jim's studio flat in Glasgow where some more friends such as Emme Woods, Tino Macdonald, Tim Davidson, Pedro Cameron and Anja Ormiston all kindly lent their talents to the songs.

The strings for the lead single One of a Kind were arranged and recorded in Reykavik by Arnar Guojonsson and there are also two co-writes on the record; Waiting For You was written with an old school pal of mine, Gordon Andrews and Hanging Around was written with Kieren Webster of The View.

As for the cover photography for the single and mini-lp, the legend that is Brian Sweeney was involved again.

Comes A Time is out when there are unlikely to be opportunities to tour or play a launch party. Will you be doing anything differently?

The record just came out on 14th August, so I'm still trying to promote it as best as I can online and hopefully people continue to buy the vinyl, digital or listen to it whatever way they choose.

I'd had another Scottish Highlands & Islands Tour scheduled for September to promote the EP which has obviously been cancelled, but I'm hoping to reschedule that for Spring / Summer next year taking in places like Orkney, Shetland and a few other places and venues that I've never been to before, which is exactly why I love travelling and playing up north and all over Scotland, going to new places and meeting new people. But with the way things are just now, I'm just going to take it easy and take things as they come, wait to see what happens.

What music are you listening to at the moment? And did anything influence the songs on this album?

Over the last week or so I've been listening to The Redwalls - De Nova, Turin Brakes - Lost Property, Oasis - The Masterplan, Lau -Ghosts, The Hummingbirds - Moving On and The Beatles - The Beatles (The White Album).

Also new / recent songs and records by Barrie-James, Willie Campbell, Kris Drever, Cara Rose, Scott Forsyth - a fantastic Glasgow based guitarist who is releasing very interesting country stuff righ now and Declan Welsh and The Decadent West.

As for influences on the new record, musically / sonically ... The Beatles, Sigur Ros, Neil Young, Semisonic, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Dinosaur Jr to name a few. Not to mention the people and experiences that the songs are actually about.

Are you writing anything at present? And in the absence of gigs, do you have any plans to do anything online?

With the new record just out, I'm concentrating on giving that as much time as I can to push it first. So, I'm not really in a rush to write anything new at the moment. I do have a few ideas sitting around, plys a possible writing collaboration that I might explore if and when I feel the time is right, but I don't like to force the writing process these days.

As for online gigs and stuff, that's not really for me, not that I've got anything against it, but basically I'm technologically inept and useless at that kind of thing.

I actually watched quite a few online gigs and streams during and after lockdown, one which I think is absolutely top notch and is on most Wednesday evenings, Zoe Bestel - live, check her out, an incredible singer and ukulele player.

LNFG presents Isolation Sessions

Last Night From Glasgow · The Martial Arts - Suddenly Heaven (Stephen Solo)

FEATURE LENGTH BLOG
Including interviews with LNFG's Ian Smith and photographer Brian Sweeney.

Last Night From Glasgow quickly came up with an idea to adapt to lockdown living and in typical LNFG fashion, it grew arms and legs. Isolation Sessions was born, label artists covering their label mates through home recording and in-house photographer Brian Sweeney taking isolation portraits of artists and label members.

A double vinyl album will feature cover versions of LNFG songs from: Broken Chanter, Gracious Losers, Sister John, Cloth, Close Lobsters, Annie Booth, Lola In Slacks, L-space, Nicol and Elliott, Zoe Bestel, Medicine Men, Deer Leader, Bis, Slime City, The Martial Arts, The Muldoons, Life Model, Mt.Doubt, Carla J Easton, Vulture Party and Andre Salvador, Lemon Drink.

I'm a big fan of Stephen Solo who has released 3 stunning albums through LNFG, so although Stephen was unable to contribute, I was delighted to discover that 3 of his songs had been chosen.

Amanda from Sister John explained why her band had chosen to cover Stephen;

I've always loved Stephen Solo's writing and when the chance to do a cover came up, he was the first to spring to mind. The emotional depth and melodic movements of Secrets made it a stand out for me. I saw that we could approach it in a way that hopefully allows a slightly different reading. 

Last Night From Glasgow · Sister John - Secrets You Keep (Stephen Solo)

The list of artists shows the quality and diversity of LNFG's roster; artists, members and the general public have thrown their support behind the idea and the album is well on its way to becoming LNFG's biggest seller.

All proceeds from album sales will be distributed to LNFG partner venues and record stores. The first donations have already been made.

Last Night From Glasgow has come a very long way since forming back in early 2016. I am proud to have played in a part in helping to form the label. These days I'm a member and fan with Ian Smith leading the label with help from an excellent team of directors, all of whom give their time for free.

Ian's passion, dedication, entrepreneurial and community spirit has ensured exciting and incredible development. The label is getting stronger every year and just look again at that roster! The label is now home to Bis, Close Lobsters and Starless, as well young guns Cloth, Mt. Doubt and Lola In Slacks.

Sophie from Lemon Drink

Photograph by Brian Sweeney

Also going on tandem with Last Night From Glasgow is the recently announced Past Night From Glasgow which will take much loved, occasionally maligned and some outright ignored classic albums from our past and repackage, remaster and reissue these with new liner notes, occasional bonus tracks and all the love and respect they deserve.

The first release will be Sisters by The Bluebells with analogue masters being tracked down and plans are afoot to remaster at Abbey Road before a release - originally scheduled for later in 2020.

In addition, Komponist (LNFGK) is an imprint of the label focusing on compositional instrumental music, be it Jazz, Neoclassical, Electronica or Heavy Drone.

The label also has the Hive imprint, designed as an initiative for artists, by artists. It provides a self contained toolkit allowing them to utilise the resources of an existing label to publish, release and promote their own catalogue.

PHEW!

Is it really only 4-years since the label formed?!

Ian very kindly answered a few questions on the label and the Isolation Sessions project which I personally think will stand as an important musical and visual document of these unprecedented times we live in. I also caught up with photographer Brian Sweeney who has been working with the label from the start.

You can order the double vinyl LP and CD from the Last Night From Glasgow Shop.

LNFG boss Ian Smith with wife Julia and son Levon at LNFG HQ

Photograph by Brian Sweeney

Firstly, how are you Ian? How are you adapting to lockdown life?

I am fine, there is nothing else for it. I'd rather not have the worst hay fever I've ever had right now but them's the breaks. Working from home isn't really a challenge for me, I've always preferred it. I find Monday - Friday flys by, there's still some kind of novelty factor to the whole process. Weekends are a pain in the arse thought - not being able to go for a pint or visit friends or attend gigs.

The label started to adapt quickly and the Isolation Sessions project was born. Can you tell us how it started and how it snowballed?

It's what we do. I never cease to be amazed by folks who look for reasons to avoid work, I've always looked for work. We are always looking for ways we can make things just a little better. Ways that we can improve things for our own artists but the industry at large.

The scene is full of self serving folks who had all gone to ground recently, they can see no advantage for them so they have disappeared. We, on the other hand, had seen an opportunity to put our best foot forward and show people what is possible. As for The Isolation Sessions, it was a group conversation - primarily between myself and three team members - although everyone was looking on.

Kenny was first out of the traps, suggesting a compilation album, just to keep us busy. I - as is my want - suggested we should make it for charity and support local venues. Gary quickly pointed out that original material would be a better bet, this quickly morphed into cover versions recorded in isolation and then Tim threw the icing on the cake by naming it the Isolation Sessions.. The conversation started at about 15.10 on 18/03. By 15.30 I had already invited Sister John, Medicine Men, Cloth, Mt. Doubt, Broken Chanter and Bis to participate. By 16.30 we had pretty much the entire roster signed up, by 17.00 it was live in the shop and by the following day it had already raised £1,000.

Many LNFG members have commented on the quality of the home recordings. What apps were artists using to record on?

I actually don't have much information on that - I'm guessing Logic and Garage Band will be to the foreground. Lots of the bands have roped in isolation producers to help. Chris Smith from Life Model has mixed about a third of the album and Paul McGeechan is currently mastering the whole thing. It's now a Double Album with extensive and detailed liner notes and art.

CLICK HERE - to listen to The Muldoons take on Stephen Solo's No Pill For What I Got

And Brian Sweeney has been taking lockdown pictures of label artists and members. How important has Brian been to the label? Could we see an exhibition once we get through this?

Brian is a force of nature. I think we have a symbiotic relationship. There is no doubt that his work has graced many sleeves. There is equally no doubt that his work on the Isolation Sessions Portraits might be the best thing he has done for us and it's certainly the best thing we have done for him.

The process of heading into the community and bringing just a little social interaction into the lives of our members and artists has been invaluable. The fact we can keep him working I think, for him, has been a life saver. The body of work that has been produced is staggering and certainly merits an exhibition in the future. That goes without saying.

LNFG is celebrating its 4th birthday, unfortunately without the planned party. Can you tell us 4 of your highlights from those years? Just how far has the label come?

How far have we come? Honestly - we are knocking on the door of being a sizeable national (UK) label. We are now a publishing house, we have a spectacular roster, worldwide distribution, in house plugging, (soon to be) international press support, partnerships with studios, engineers and mastering engineers. We are the complete package. Our output would rival many major labels, this year through LNFG, Hive, Komponist and PNFG we will manufacture 11 or 12 vinyl albums. That's astonishing, there isn't a label in Scotland who could dream of that level of output. We are under budget, generating surpluses and artists are making some money. It was always a good idea, now we are really starting to see its potential.

Highlights? I dunno - so many different highlights. Personally and emotionally speaking for me. Sweeney's Marxist speech at the first ever LNFG event was special. Sci-Fi Steve shouting "We are Bis from (last night from) Glasgow, Scotland" was a joyous moment. So many of my favourite moments centre on Sister John, but them singing Nick Lowe's I Love My Label at the 2019 Birthday Bash - well that's about the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me/us.

Annie Booth and Leo Bargery dueting on The Line was phenomenally moving. I could pick a hundred, I love everything we have done, I love all our releases. I adore the staff I work with and the members who support us. Everything could be a highlight.

If I had to pick one event that will live long in the memory - well Stephen Watt's book launch - goodness me, if you were there, you will never forget it! If you gave me a second, then dicking about in Wakefield with Sister John, Cloth, Bis and Broken Chanter who were all down playing Long Division. That was a joy, like travelling abroad to support your team in Europe.

Thanks to Ian for his time and commitment to music and the arts.

I also caught up with Brian Sweeney to get his take on The Isolation Sessions;

EF - How are you? How are you adapting to 'the new norm'?

Actually been just as busy, but i suppose that was brought on myself, i had packed schedule which evaporated in day one of lockdown, again a lot of planning and prepping had gone into those shoots, i've always been pretty good at not panicking, when actually i should have been shitting myself, when i look back now.

EF - You're taking portraits to accompany The Isolation Sessions album. What prompted the idea?

A couple of things happened on day one which prompted me into action, my dad went into isolation recently having just bought a new camera for his bird watching hobby, he didn’t have a clue how to use itch learned photography like me through film and manual cameras, so i got him his supplies, picked up the camera and went for a wander into the woods near me with my dog Albion and started shooting birds id seen on previous walks, that became a daily obsession,something i've never done before as i rarely use anything longer than a 75mm lens”

After about day 3 i noticed there was less traffic noises could hear and see more nature, that's when the portrait idea came in on the walks realised that the nature had changed around me as people went indoors to isolated thought wouldn’t it be good to document nature during these times and at the same time document people who had purposely taken themselves into isolations thought that LNFG group would be the best to shoot as the whole manifesto of the label was gigging and socialising, i thought wouldn’t it be good for people on the label to meet the others be it online and hopefully keep the community moving and talking, meeting new folk and putting names to faces..i studied at a documentary photography based school in london,so curiosity was ingrained into me…id never even net a lot of these people.

i took the idea to ian and he said “go for it, we can cover expenses”

How is it going? What has the response been like?

the response was pretty slowly think people were genuinely concerned about doing it, but after a wee bit of perseverance the floodgates opened,its been amazing, the rules were simple i had to be more than 2.5 metres away from subjects think when people saw this was doable and safe and looked coolly inbox went mental,its been an absolute joy to meet everyone, to talk to everyone,just like me, they need something to break the monotony of the day, its just growing and growing,we've nearly hit 100 members and artists now which is pretty amazing as i thought 60 would be incredible….i've another 9 booked in for next week’s planning for monday.

You've been involved with LNFG from the very start through its 4-year existence. How have you seen it develop?

didn’t think it would last longer than 2 years, it was such a beautiful idea and concept i dint think it would work in todays climate.,but its been beautiful, just gets better and better and is starting to feel like a gang now, the fact that is covers all genres is brilliant too, best label i've ever worked with.And the delegation of management has meant all artists are looked after…beautiful people beautiful music

Find out more about Last Night From Glasgow and the Isolation Sessions
www.lastnightfromglasgow.com

Stephen Solo is a genius

I would normally title a review about a new album with the album title, but given that Pii 3 is the final in an outstanding trilogy of exceptional pop music, I felt the need to declare loudly and proudly that Stephen Solo, AKA Stephen Farrell, is a genius.

I have suspected this for some time, however after revisiting Pii and Pii 2 back to back over the weekend and Pii 3 numerous times, I am confident that I have enough evidence to shout this to the world. Check them out to see if you agree.

Both of the first two albums have aged well. You notice and appreciate the layers, melodies, imagination, voice and lyrics more in time. Solo is certainly eccentric, but that is just part of his charm, listen to the trilogy and you'll find a deep, soulful, intelligent songwriter, musician, artist, arranger and producer.

The trilogy has songs that discuss and confront love, birth, parenthood, aspiration, reality - often grim, the use of humour to get by, getting older, relationships, escapism ... the way Solo portrays his thoughts, dreams, fears and the dark reaches of his mind is unique.

Crying Because from Pii

One of the most beautiful, fragile, tender and imaginative songs I know 

The Pii trilogy started with Stephen getting an iPhone and downloading all kinds of apps to create music. Freed from having to fund studio time to record he let his imagination and creative nature run riot, producing fragile beauties, cinematic wonders, synth sensations and clever craziness.

Some songs will jump out on first listen, others will reveal their true worth with patience, but dig deep and you’ll find Albarn-seque melodies, Beatles-y harmonies and sonic adventurousness.

You'll find out more about how Stephen writes and records in a forthcoming podcast interview I have planned with him. 

Photo by Brian Sweeney

On to Pii 3.

I Ate A Motorcycle was the lead single for the album. If the title doesn't generate your interest then the flow and melodies soon will. The way this song changes and flows from 2-minutes in is simply magical, the way Solo plays with the melody and phrasing, introducing sprinkling synths is joyful.

I am more than human

I am more than a machine

Suddenly Heaven has a stunning melody over an 80’s groove with Solo showing off all of his vocal powers. This is sensational, the song lifts and soars with ease. This is real grown up pop music with Solo admitting to himself and anyone listening that he loves time alone away from work, stress, family, bills and reality. If I'm backing up the title of this blog, then this song is near the top of my evidence.

I feel more human, when I get to be on my own

Storm Chaser is kind of psychedelic Flaming Lips with Freddie Mercury on vocals with the beautiful line when the thunder comes she'll chase the storm.

The song titled Sweetest Melody jumped to my attention as this is a guy who knows a melody. It is gentle, soothing, becoming Beatles-y, dreamy and like it could be from a musical. 

Reasons to Run is my current favourite from Pii 3. Solo’s ability to take a song on a new direction at ease is evident a number of times throughout this song, almost going into a rap at one point. It is magical inventive pop music and listen to that voice analysing change in a relationship but declaring;

I will always, always run to you

For the same old reasons

Hold Music continues a theme throughout the trilogy of Solo finding humour and art in every day frustrations. Music is his escape from reality, but he portrays reality in a Limmy-esque way at times.

The Beatles and The Beach Boys crossed with Gorillaz is my attempt to describe Something Like Nothing Like Love. I marvel at the structure, lead vocals and harmonies. Everything is Solo.

Stars on Tape is a fragile gem that seems to be sprinkled with magical fairy dust. It has a dreamlike quality, it could be a lullaby. It is utterly stunning.

Block Out The Sun begins with a piano melody that sounds instantly classic. This should be picked up for a film or TV show. My heart melts when Solo soars amidst Beatles-y backing vocals. This is 5 minutes that to me highlights how good Stephen Solo is. The way everything breaks down and takes a twist halfway through is again like something from a musical.

The Dark Web could be a title for a book, TV show or film. Here is the theme tune. Dark, experimental, crazy, but with yet another soaring chorus. There is another glorious change in pace in this song with a Drive style bass introduced. 

The closing The Digital Dead brought tears to my eyes on first listen, the way Solo revisits Behind Your Eyes is tender and gorgeous, singing about his son in the most beautiful way, before ending the Pii trilogy the way it began. The final melancholic melody will melt your heart.

And though sunlight kisses your hair

We are the digital, digital, digital, dead

Behind your eyes I'll be waiting

We are the digital, digital, digital dead

Stephen Solo is a genius. Assess the evidence.

The Pii trilogy is available digitally via all the usual platforms.

Music for Megastructures

A score for a city that does no exist yet is how L-Space describe Music for Megastructures, their second album, released only 7-months after their beautiful debut Kipple Arcadia.

Music for Megastructures has the ambition and inventiveness that was displayed throughout the debut, but it feels even more widescreen, the fact that it is instrumental allows the band more scope to play. This is electronic psychedelia with no boundaries and L-Space allow their imagination to run wild.

L-Space - Dickson, Gordon, Lily, Stephen

The 20-track album has 4 themes; travel, work, health and life and is full of clever, humorous and beautiful song titles like Lots Of Colourful Lights At All Times Of Day And Night, A Sleepy Robot Watches Over A Barely Used Car Park, Browsing The Latest Pharmaceuticals At The Hospital Drive-Thru and Gambling In Virtual Reality With Real Life Consequences.

I love to see a band push on after their debut and L-Space have wasted no time at all in doing just that and they have already posted online that they are hard at work on album number 3.

Lily Higham, Gordon Johnstone, Dickson Telfer and Stephen Farrell are an intriguing band of outsiders who are (relatively) quietly and quickly building up a stunning catalogue of songs.

They have some shows coming up and expect more to be announced.

As this is hot on the heels of their debut, Music for Megastructures is a digital release. You'll find it on all the usual streaming and download sites. Check it out along with the rest of their current catalogue via their own Bandcamp page below.

28/04 - Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh
28/06 - Cumberland Arms, Newcastle
07/07 - Kelburn Garden Party
27/07 - The Tunnels, Aberdeen

Bis and Cloth at the Old Hairdressers

Last night was one of those nights when everything seemed to come together. Bis, the DIY pop punk band who burst on to the scene in the 90's as the first unsigned act to play on Top of the Pops, were celebrating their new album, released on Last Night From Glasgow, the modern crowdfunded not for profit indie DIY label.

The rammed show in the Old Hairdressers was the second in a trio of sold-out weekend shows across Glasgow to promote Slight Disconnects, their first album in 5-years.

The Old Hairdressers is one of my favourite venues in Glasgow. It started out as a pop-up bar/arts venue and thankfully it has never lost that sense of atmosphere. Downstairs is sparse, open brickwork, the odd poster, some hastily assembled tables and chairs, fairy lights and a tiny bar. It is dimly lit and full of music fans - my kind of place.

Upstairs through a maze of stairs is what I describe to friends as a New York loft style party venue.  There is no stage, a tiny pop up bar in the corner, a merch table as you come through the door and a soundesk in the far corner. It's the kind of venue that some bands can take by storm, others might fall, there is no hiding behind a fancy light show or huge soundsystem at the Old Hairdressers, you've got to be on it.

Cloth at the Old Hairdressers by Brian Sweeney

Support for the night was fellow Last Night From Glasgow signings Cloth, a band turning more than a few heads thanks to recent 6Music and Radio Scotland sessions. The band have been releasing a song every couple of months, building a growing word of mouth buzz thanks to their sound which I can't help but liken to The XX in the way they play their guitars. Twins Rachael and Paul Swinton front the band playing guitars with Rachael on lead vocals. They are brilliantly backed by Clare Gallagher on drums who switched seamlessly between a standard kit and an electronic one.

This was the third time I have seen them and it was the best. Their reverb-y, sparse guitar riffs and melodies are all kinds of dreamy and Rachael's voice is one that is easy to fall for. Tripp was a highlight for me last night. Cloth probably haven't made it to double figures in terms of gigs, but on last nights evidence they are full of confidence, mystery and invention. 

Rachael Swinton by Brian Sweeney

Check them out on all the usual online platforms. Enjoy watching them build towards their debut album later in the year. They head to London at the start of March to play the Sebright Arms and have announced Glasgow shows with Broken Chanter at the Glad Cafe and the Hug and Pint in May.

Bis at the Old Hairdressers by Brian Sweeney

On to the headliners. Bis were an absolute delight last night, full of punky teen energy, angst, humour and hooks. They didn't build up their set, more like they started in fifth gear with the opener Sound of a Heartbreak off their new album and then just kept their feet on the pedals.

Sci-fi Steve, John Disco and Manda Rin were in brilliant form, clearly enjoying themselves and that spread quickly and easily to the audience. The bounded, pogo-d, yelped, screamed, shouted and bopped their way through high energy pop. The chemistry between the three friends is crystal clear to see. Another newby There Is No Point was delivered ferociously, it sounds fantastic on vinyl but for me Bis are a band that really come into their own when you see them live.

Bis at the Old Hairdressers, picture by Brian Sweeney

Old Bis classics, that Steve and John both joked should have been massive but reached number 74 in the charts, were aired along with plenty of new songs. Kandy Pop was a 100mph romp and Eurodisco started the encore even faster and there was even more dancing and singing.

The Big Sunshine which closes the new album is an absolute beauty, written in memory of a lost friend, it has echoes of New Order and it sounded superb last night.

There was no chance that the band were getting away with a two song encore so they had one last blast with Kill Yr Boyfriend before a well deserved rest. They play the Hug and Pint in Glasgow tonight and after 3 sold out shows over a weekend I suspect there will be a larger Glasgow show later in the year. Oh and any festival bookers who happen to read this blog should book them up now.

Blue Flowers

Within the next week I'll be posting about Kipple Arcadia, the debut album by L Space. Ahead of that I felt compelled to write a short blog about the divine Blue Flowers video they have just released.

Blue Flowers is a song I first fell for coming on a year ago, leading to this blog and interview. I've caught the band a few times since then and have enjoyed watching them prepare for the release of their album.

Back in November 2017 I described this song by saying; think Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval fronting Portishead. The song might have been polished a little but it hasn't changed massively since the first recording I heard.  The trip hop beats and squelchy bass are essential to the feel, the sparse piano melody has a calming effect and singer Lily Higham is dreamy and lost in the song. 

The video is fantastic; taking in Mitchell Lane, the Botanics and hang outs in Glasgow and adding psychedelic Tron like effects when Gordon Johnstone's guitar fizzes and soars over pulsating Massive Attack like ferocious bass before it all calms down by going back to the beats and piano.

Quite simply, this is one of my favourite songs to have come out of the DIY scene in Glasgow over the last 10-years, I think it is stunning and Lily Higham could be a star with her style, musings and vision.

In the Skinny L Space say we subconsciously tried to write songs about better futures and better worlds ... even though some of the songs sound quite dark they have a hopeful message.

Check this gem out and you can order the vinyl LP, released this Friday on Last Night From Glasgow by visiting their online shop HERE

L Space play a trio of dates this week with Cloth and Domiciles in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

Come Rain Or Come Shine

Yesterday, at the Kelvingrove Bandstand, the strong sense of community that Last Night From Glasgow (LNFG) has generated in a little over 2-years of existence was highlighted, amplified and displayed on its largest scale yet.

Collaborations, partnerships and friendships with artists (musical and visual), venues, other labels, label members and fellow music fans has been at the heart of the LNFG from the off, helping to create special and memorable atmospheres. To see that transfer from venues like the Old Hairdressers, the Hug and Pint and Stereo to the Bandstand made me feel quite emotional at times.

With the support of Glasgow Life, Last Night From Glasgow reached out to fellow DIY labels Scottish Fiction, Olive Grove, LP Records and Foxstar Records to curate and deliver 8-hours of music in a truly stunning environment. In keeping with the sense of community and social responsibility, there was a collection and raffle in aid of SAMH.

As the name of the event suggested, this was happening come rain or shine. Other than a tiny couple of spitting showers, the event was dry and at times the sun even popped its hat on.

With 2 young kids we didn't arrive until after lunchtime, getting in just after 2pm to meet friends and in time to see Cloth, a recent signing to LNFG who have stirred quite a bit of interest through their debut single Demo Love, a dreamy, almost shoe gaze-y (lazy blogging!) slice of gorgeousness. I was keen to hear and see more. The three piece of two guitars and drums (and a little bit of programming?) were playing only their 3rd show and watching from the back I was impressed with their dreamy sound and immediately wiped out my shoe gaze-y take on the band - there was also a kind of The XX vibe to them. The chilled grooves and sounds that they created were beautifully backed by the incredible greenery offered by Kelvingrove Park behind the Bandstand. I really like them and look forward to seeing them again.

Cloth - pic by Scots Whay Hae

Codist created a glorious racket. At times they rocked out, at times their was a popper edge to their guitars, at times reminding me (in a good way) of a lot of the bands I listened to as a teenager. With an album coming out on LP Records this is another band I'd like to see again.

I'd caught my sister Carla J Easton playing in a flat the night before (see previous blog) and now she took to the stage with her 5-piece band, opening with the psychedelic pop of Bird In The Sky from her Homemade Lemonade album released under her Ette alias. Recent singles Lights In The Dark and Wanting What I Can't Have went down well, while Milk and Honey was a joyous romp. Carla's debut album under her own name will be out on Olive Grove Records in September/October. Her band were superb, Calum Muir on drums was on fire, the sparkling guitar riffs generated by Rory from Ava Love (Bwani Junction) were perfect for the event and the sun shining through, Gus on synths and backing vocals looked impeccably cool and Paul Kelly on bass generated great grooves.

Carla J Easton and her band - pic by Scots Whay Hae 

Mt Doubt are a young band that I have only seen at one of the Girl Effect charity shows my sister has put on, so this was the first time i had seen them performing their own material. I was mightily impressed. Their album released via Scottish Fiction won them many friends and fans and it was easy to see why. Leo Bargery and Annie Booth almost co-front the band, they look fantastic and gel with ease, their voices can vary - deep, rich, soulful, pure and true. And they create a brilliant sound - definitely ones to watch.

Medicine Men strode on to the stage with a purpose, they hadn't been shy in voicing via social media about how excited they were by the prospect of playing the bandstand. Opener Show What You're Made Of surged and soared, sounding made for an environment like this. They played a blistering set with Ceiling To Floor probably being my real highlight of the day. Psychedelic guitar pop with an urgent and soulful vocal by Ian Mackinnon. Set closer Out Of The Light is electronic guitar bliss, a Chemical Primal Scream Brothers beauty with a great groove. The band were in tip top form and I look forward to hearing what they come out with next. The one new song they played sounded very promising and they even threw in a Flock of Seagulls cover!

Medicine Men - pic by Scots Whay Hae

An emotional Ian Smith from Last Night From Glasgow took to the stage to introduce Warren McIntyre and the Starry Skies, thanking all the bands, labels, volunteers, Glasgow Life and everyone for coming.

It was great to catch up with Ian, the driving force behind the label. We looked out at the crowd and laughed and marvelled at the scale of the event, thinking back to our first meeting with 4 friends to form the label. It's come a long way in that time and that is largely thanks to Ian's exceptional drive with the incredible support of his wife Julia who was celebrating her birthday. It was notable that they received thanks and recognition from everyone - richly deserved.

Warren and his band played a beautiful set, opening with a song called Be Kind that seemed to encapsulate everything that Warren stands for - an extremely lovely (and handsome), positive and kind person. 

The Starry Skies are extremely talented musicians, even though they were short of two of the regular members of the band, they all gelled with ease and the songs flowed effortlessly. Closing song Let Love Come Back To You was a highlight of the day, a great guitar pop song with the kind of hooks and chorus that implants itself in your head for the rest of the day ... and the next day! Warren and the Starry Skies will be releasing a new album in October.

A great day of music in a stunning setting.

Photo by Scots Whay Have

Blue Flowers

You can expect a few blogs through the year that feature or focus on L Space, a band I first introduced with an interview in November 2017.

They really did blow me away when I caught them at Nice n Sleazys in that same month. They look great; all different but really coming together as a band. They sound fantastic; capable of tender moments of wonder and soaring sonic journeys, both of which can transport their audience to a special place. And singer Lily has the look, style and personality that captivates. A real star in the making.

Lily Higham by Brendan Waters

When I first checked L-Space out, I was kind of spoilt for choice. They had a whole range of digital singles/demos I could check out online. I opted for the song-title that attracted me the most - Blue Flowers.

In my November blog I described it as Hope Sandoval from Mazzy Star fronting Portishead. I was floored by its dreamy brilliance; Lily's voice whispering and soaring over a tight groove and Gordon Johnstone's guitars rising to blow minds. It reminded me of things, but it was also most definitely different from anything else I was hearing from young bands across Scotland. It is simply beautiful but with an edge, ready to explode.

L-Space filmed their live set at the recent Last Night From Glasgow second birthday bash and they have released the video of Blue Flowers. Look out for more videos over the coming weeks and months as they build to the release of their debut album on LNFG later in the year.

L-Space play the Shuffledown Festival in Larbert on 28th April. Look out for more live dates;

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Last Night From Glasgow - 2nd birthday

In only 2-years Last Night From Glasgow has released albums, singles and EP's by Mark W Georgsson, Emme Woods, Stephen Solo, TeenCanteen, Be Charlotte, BooHooHoo, a live Christmas album,  Medicine Men, Radiophonic Tuckshop, Sister John, Sun Rose, Annie Booth, The Gracious Losers, L-Space and Zoe Bestel .... I hope I haven't forgotten anyone!

What would have happened if LNFG hadn't arrived? How many of these releases would have been pressed on to vinyl, or even released at all? Last night in Glasgow (pun alert) wouldn't have happened - and it was amazing!

So much about the label makes sense. So let's just revisit that before I go on to review the second birthday bash.

• LNFG is a crowdfunded label.

• 200 members pay an annual membership fee of £50 (with optional donation that many choose to make)

• For that £50 they receive all planned physical and digital releases plus access to launch shows! 

• Members are the core of the label. They raise the capital to allow LNFG to run and to release records.

• Physical/digital releases are also available to buy/stream for non-members and (get this) almost 100% of sales go to the artists!!! LNFG is a not-for-profit record label with everything directed towards supporting and rewarding artists. In addition to support through sales, LNFG pay our artists well for shows.

There are still a few membership places for our 2018/19 year. Why not take a chance? We will be releasing albums by Zoe Bestel, Radiophonic Tuckshop, Gracious Losers, BiS and one more TBC, plus you'll get access to all these launch shows.

Talk about great value for money.

Anyway, on to last night.....

Stereo was the setting for the 2nd birthday party. It's a glorious hub of leftfield musical, artistic and vegan activity down a cobbled lane just round from Central Station with a fine selection of drinks. Well worth checking if you have never been,

Birthday parties should be celebrations and this was no different. I guess there was an added sense of occasion for those that had been involved from the off - the founding members - and also for those that became label members from the off - investing into nothing more than an idea. We swapped stories and favourite memories from the last two-years. And for relatively new label members, they got to experience something special, something magical - a sense of community.

I guess that is probably the most amazing thing of all, the community that Last Night From Glasgow has created, friendships, trust, a platform of creativity.... last night was special.

Stephen Solo opened proceedings, bursting into a sun drenched blitz of psychedelic pop with LocoCoco. Solo has an incredible talent for melody and for taking the listener on a journey, his songs are packed with glorious breaks, middle-eights, hooks and choruses.

Behind Your Eyes from his debut album contains the most beautiful Albarn-esque chorus, Think Strange from his latest album is brilliant inventive pop music and you have to remember that this guy recorded both his albums on his iPhone. For me, Stephen Solo is a genius.

Sample tweet

Ross Hastings‏ @Ross_Hastings 23h23 hours ago

Just saw Stephen Solo at the @LNFGlasgow show; it was weird and beautiful and fucking marvellous

Photo courtesy of Brendan Waters

Sun Rose were on next. This was only their second ever gig. The band (Albert, Gus and Callum) created their glorious The Essential Luxury album in the studio and online, never really intending to play it live. When they did create a live band, it was a 6-piece, with 4 of the members living Manchester. It was special (blog here). So how would they fair as a 2-piece? They smashed it - Gus and Albert mixed things up live on stage with synths, samples and Albert on guitar. Their voices combined beautifully and as the smoke billowed behind them, they created a real clubby feel with Dry In The Water soaring and flowing superbly. Stereo was rammed and before a glorious climax with Counting Upwards Albert had to ask the crowd to take a couple of steps forwards.

Sample tweet

Carla J. Easton‏ @CarlaJEaston 3h3 hours ago

#6forSunday Can't stop thinking about how good Sun Rose were last night. 'The Essential Luxury' might be my favourite album from last year. Closer #5 - Counting Upwards (Sun Rose) THAT SYNTH CRESCENDO!

Photo courtesy of Brendan Waters

L-Space followed, playing a trippy dreamy set to the biggest crowd of their (so far) short career. They look and sound superb, playfully weaving melodies from synths, keys and guitar together, all underpinned by a groovy bass. Blue Flowers is already a contender for one of my songs of 2018. I previously described it as Mazzy Star meets Portishead and i stand by it. I can't wait to own it on vinyl. Lead singer Lily looks super cool and her imaginative lyrics are set to widescreen sounds with Gordon Johnstone on guitar looking like he was having the time of his life.

Sample tweet

@stephenwattspit

@Lspace_band were glorious at @LNFGlasgow last night. A band still sheathed in shyness in the purest and most positive way.

Photo courtesy of Brendan Waters

On to headliners BiS. The band shot to fame in 1996, being the first unsigned band to appear on Top of the Pops with their glorious and furious Kandy Pop. The band have aged well in terms of appearance (not that they are old!) and on the strength of last nights performance and the poptastic new song that they dropped, they haven't lost any of their energy or sense of fun. They tore through a hit packed set (this song got to number 37) with urgency and the enjoyment on stage was matched by the packed crowd. Eurodisco was a real highlight for me and I know how much it means to label leader Ian Smith to have this band on the label.

Sample tweet

Charity Chic‏ @charchicmusic 21h21 hours ago

@LNFGlasgow ,@thebandbis Bis were the absolute bisters