Features

Indian Summer news

Indian Summer, the 2-day festival which takes place in “Glasgow’s Prettiest Park” – Victoria Park, that is – takes place on August 13th and 14th. Headliners are Wilco (Saturday) and Flaming Lips (Sunday), with a large supporting cast. Saturday’s lineup includes The Rapture, Explosions In The Sky, Midlake and Emma Pollock, while on Sunday it’s Spiritualized Acoustic Mainlines, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, I’m From Barcelona, Annuals and Make Model. more… “Indian Summer news”

Figure 5

everything counts

The hall grows quiet as the band makes their confident appearance on stage. A billowing white sheet ripples behind them, emblazoned with their unmistakably vibrant logo. The crowd watch as the group of retro hair cuts prepare set off into their zone of well crafted mod rock beats. As Neil, (vocals), throws his hair back and bangs his tambourine the atmosphere heightens and the stage becomes alive with a light and sound that feels like another time. more… “Figure 5”

Brett Anderson

no more tears…

Having now unleashed upon us his debut solo album, the self titled Brett Anderson (the very title of which speaks volumes about his move away from a Suede-style lushness of style and grandstanding emotionalism), Brett Anderson is now embarking upon his first solo tour.

I caught up with him during rehearsals for the upcoming tour and found him in bullish, confident mood, eager to impress upon us his move away from the day-glo pop star of his early-`90s Suede heyday and gravitation towards a more adult style of pop, a style already evinced on the above album. more… “Brett Anderson”

Good Shoes

best feet forward

The state of pop music in this country hasn`t looked so good in a long time. For everyone that gave up hope when Jarvis Cocker fled to Paris, it`s time to put a smile on your face, things are changing. The Long Blondes finally released their debut album and showcased the world a master class in intelligent, heart ache pop. Camden jesters Art Brut have enjoyed success overseas off the back of their excellent album and proven themselves to be the closest thing we have to Pulp in this day and age. more… “Good Shoes”

Paul Napier


Here’s to the solo performers…

Paul Napier (pronounced “Nap-ee-ay, it’s French, I think”) has been causing something of a stir in Glasgow’s music community. Shot through with religious references and more than a few drinking stories, his songs are by turns maudlin and curiously uplifting. Sounding like a less whiny Bob Dylan rather than yet another Paolo Nutini-wannabe, and without a Fife Fence to be seen, he’s far more sophisticated than someone so young deserves to be. We caught up with him in Glasgow as he polished off a bottle of wine. more… “Paul Napier”

OBE


honoured to meet them…

Edinburgh four-piece O.B.E. have been gathering momentum for some time now, and their funky, angular pop has earned them comparisons with David Byrne, The Dead 60s and (dare we say it) Franz Ferdinand. Sharp, entertaining and possessed of a manic live energy, they feel like a success story in the making. We spoke to lead singer Stitch about their plans for 2007, and the new directions they`re heading in. more… “OBE”

Berwick’s walls are falling down!

music on the Border, by Alan Thompson


At the closing end of 2003, we held our Travelled Music launch night. Guest bands, Christmas celebrations and heaps of money spent on beer. I’d been working at an entertainment agents in Berwick and felt like the world was coming to end. Pop Idol rejects called me daily. Berwick needed a good kick up the proverbial, less holiday park hell, more underground sound. more… “Berwick’s walls are falling down!”

End of the Month Club

Still crazy… after 4 years


It can safely be said that the over-four-years running End Of The Month Club is in danger of becoming an indie institution in Glasgow. If you ask any of its regular attendees, or indeed the many bands it has showcased, this can be no bad thing. Where else can one get the best in up-and-coming electro acts from all over Britain, satirical humour, an on-going saga involving a plastic stunt man, music video mishmashes, kitsch competitions and a jolly host who is not afraid to prance about in a wig? more… “End of the Month Club”

The Horrors

Hair today…

In the wise words of Vince Noir, “It’s all about the barnet!” Although, whether The Horrors are more than just a ‘hair’ band is up to one’s own cynical/experienced judgement. Either way, it cannot be disputed that The Horrors are the hottest thing to come out of London recently, aside from ‘pioneers’ of the Nu-Rave revolution. No glow sticks here, just snarling punk insouciance mixed with psychedelic, hypnotic keyboards and guitars, best described as The Doors knifing 80s Matchbox in a beat-up `60s surf shack. more… “The Horrors”