Nowadays a band isn’t worth its salt unless it’s got 1000+ friends and a fancy banner on its MySpace page. Is This Music? try to get you the highlights every week, jumping from genre to genre in a search for the really good stuff. more… “MySpace Round-up # 1”
The Dunstaffnage Festival, which takes place the 19th & 20th July, is one with strong independent credentials and a grass roots feel, but it’s not a newcomer to the crowded festival scene by any means. more… “Dunstaffnage festival preview”
With a festival every week (this is no exaggeration it’s hard to name favourites (especially when they’re running competitions with itm?) but we can say without much fear of dissent from the ranks of writers that the Wickerman festival is always at the top of our ‘to do’ list. more… “Wickerman festival preview”
I first heard Glasvegas over a year ago via Myspace and was instantly attracted to their sound. After a few messages they kindly sent me one of their demos, which I gorged over. I loved them but had difficulty seeing where they’d fit in the indie guitar ridden Glasgow music scene. more… “Glasvegas”
There comes a time in a man’s life when he can no longer face the endless pile of CDs being proffered for review by eager PR companies and young bands…when the thought of listening to yet another group of skinny indie boys with guitars fills him with despair. more… “singles roundup”
The Teenagers return after a successful onslaught of gigs and the release of their debut album, ‘Reality Bites’ to promote their next single, ‘Make It Happen’; another slice of sickeningly addictive electro pop. more… “The Teengers”
Following the riotous scenes at the Ruby Lounge in Manchester that saw people literally throwing themselves at the stage in Smiths-like fan worshipping, it was back up the road to Inverness for the first dates in Scotland since the band’s signing to Columbia Records. more… “Glasvegas tour blog”
“Quit while you’re ahead” is the old adage and Edinburgh band TV21 took that to extremes – in 1982, 3 years after they’d formed, they came off the stage at the Edinburgh Playhouse and packed in a career which had seen them release various singles, a well-received album in ‘A Thin Red Line’ and that evening’s show, a support slot with the Rolling Stones.
more… “TV21”
“The village fete-ry of fun that is Hey You Get Off My Pavement! returns to the concrete of Kings Court this year (Sunday 29th June) with another dandy line up of new faces and established talent. more… “Hey You Get Off My Pavement! competition!”
On a lazy Tuesday afternoon, Is This Music arrives at the Ivy bar to find Canada’s finest export, Cadence Weapon, nursing a rum and coke whilst the barman explains to his DJ the ancient rivalry of the Old Firm.
After introducing himself as Roland we grab a seat to discuss his new album, ongoing tour and the flaws of hip hop. more… “Cadence Weapon”