is this music? is proud to announce the first of a regular series of shows in Glasgow’s West End. These Sunday night shows at The Goat build on itm?’s reputation for quality lineups around Scotland including the successful monthly gigs promoted at the 13th Note. However, these new shows will be a little different – revisiting the venue’s previous reputation as a quality music venue. The free-entry nights will, as before, welcome a variety of musicians from differing backgrounds, and rebuild what was something of a local musical community.
The first show in the series takes place on Sunday 14th December and features The Cinnamon Girls (a side-project of choral group The Parsonage), plus Edinburgh bluegrass act and past Goat favourites Blueflint. Also on the bill are former Needles frontman Dave Dixon, and Biff Smith (The Starlets vocalist doing a DJ set) – both as past regulars at The Goat chipping in to aid the relaunch.
Co-promoter Martin Gray talks us through The Goat’s musical past, and future…
“Back in 2005 The Goat first opened, designed as a comfortable bar/’gastro pub’ and sometime music venue. Shortly afterwards the first ‘Sunday Sessions’ began, providing free entry to quality gigs. The idea was conceived by the then owners Robin and Iggy. Charlie Clarke (Astrid/Reindeer Section) was hired to take charge of promoting the night. Myself and a few others were also very involved from the start. We mucked in whatever way we could to try and grow it into something special, spreading the word around the music community that these nights were worth experiencing. It didn’t take too long before a little scene developed. Up and coming bands were hand picked and they mixed with a surprising number of successful musicians who came along to listen and play. Well known Goat goers who also treated us to gigs and DJ sessions included Pop / Indie legends such as Arab Strap, Eugene Kelly (The Vaselines), Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol), The Trashcan Sinatras, Monica Queen (Belle & Sebastian) and Emma Pollock (Delgados). One talented local singer, nervously coming off stage went back into the audience to find all five members of Embrace applauding his efforts. They were passing through Glasgow and heard that The Goat was a good place to go. In many ways those Sundays of yore became like a little community. A safe haven where people of all shapes and sizes united in the love of good music. Ideas were exchanged. Friendships (and bands) were formed. Many a good musician would find themselves offered session work or slots at bigger venues. The fledlging Attic Lights gave their material one of its earliest airings.
The Goat has been going through a period of transition during this year but now it’s been decided to re launch the ‘Goat Sundays’. Who knows what will happen this time, but we’ll do our best to make it special again. So give it a try, whether you’re 18 or 88. If you enjoy music I think we’ve got a line up that shouldn’t disappoint.
THE CINNAMON GIRLS
This is a brand new side project originally put together for a charity concert by Janice Murray (Founder of The Parsonage Choir) and a few selected choir members. I think they sound great. Female vocalists with jangly guitar singing luscious four way harmony versions of songs by Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Gram Parsons etc. Pure mid/late nineteen sixties sound. This particular project is too new to Google, and not even a formal band as yet but you can find out more about The Parsonage on www.myspace.com/parsonagechoir. They’ve built up quite a following, were a resounding success at festivals like Connect and Triptych and have recorded with the likes of Echo and the Bunnymen. They even sang backing vocals for Rod Stewart at Hampden. Janice has also agreed to putting on a Parsonage show at the Goat after Christmas. She did it before and it was standing room only, upstairs and downstairs.
BLUEFLINT
An Edinburgh based band centred around Deborah Arnott and Claire-Louise Nielson on vocal harmonies and banjos. Proper full on Bluegrass sound at times. It’s mostly original material though they do blinding Elvis Presley covers. They played The Goat in its previous musical incarnation and wowed even the most casual of observers. It’s just such an uplifting sound that you don’t expect to hear live in a small bar/venue in Glasgow. find out more about them on www.blueflint.org.uk
DAVE DIXON (THE NEEDLES / HIDDEN MASTERS)
Dave Dixon is a talented singer songwriter and guitarist. His previous band ‘The Needles’ have sadly disbanded due to a record company dispute which has left nearly all the copies of their debut album gathering dust in a warehouse. Not long before that sorry episode they were amongst artists chosen to represent Scotland at the South by Southwest festival in Texas, strangely befriending Har Mar Superstar along the way! Dave is currently developing a new project ‘The Hidden Masters’. Dave and John were one of the highlights in The Goat when if was packed to the gunnel’s at the West End Festival Kelvingrove Street Party of 2007.
BIFF SMITH (THE STARLETS) – DJ set
Biff is just back from a very successful tour of Japan with his main project ‘The Starlets’ (www.thestarlets.co.uk). They have yet to attain the same level of notoriety back home, but I suspect this won’t be the case for much longer. Biff is also a fine DJ (ex King Tuts etc) and will be on the decks before and after the live sets.”
is this music? presents ‘Return of The Goat’
December 14th, 20:00
The Goat, Argyle Street, Glasgow.
Return of The Goat Sessions, in association with is this music?: The Cinnamon Girls, Blueflint, Dave Dixon and Biff Smith (DJ)
Cost: Free
Nice one Martin – hope to make it up there sometime – sorry to hear The Needles have disbanded by the way = I fear it is too late to stop the Len/X-factor onslaught, prepare for Cohen’s first UK number one – he may have had bad advice from that pesky sax player…