Thursday 31 January 2013

Music Worth Noting

On the day that Scottish music loses One Up Records in Aberdeen, it seems right as any to make note of artists from across the board that have caught my own ears recently.

Woodenbox (previously Woodenbox With a Fistful of Fivers, quite the memorable mouthful), recently announced a signing to Olive Grove Records and a forthcoming LP. With the announcement came the teaser track Race To The Flood, 3 minutes of glorious Americana with the Scottish flavour. The rousing track bodes well for the new album.



Ayrshire-based Brave Young Red will release their debut EP, Roots, in March with a launch gig on the 28th of February at the 13th Note to celebrate. Their bandcamp is currently offering Brown Boots for free download and the 6-minute folk toe-tapper showcases a lot of what the band have to offer.




Melodic guitars and warm keys combine on VsVs' debut single November Snow, due for release February 18th, to make for a very full sounding and promising track from the Glasgow band.



Having studied in Stirling, I am always happy to hear new music from the area and End of Neil's acoustic rock should go far beyond the little city. Save My Soul showcases both the lyrical and anthemic sides that could take End of Neil to great things this year and beyond.



And on the video front PAWS released a video for Sore Tummy in the last week, featuring multiple fish-eye views, a Gerry Loves Record t-shirt and lots of autumnal leaves. A feast for the eyes and the ears.




Tuesday 15 January 2013

Retail vs Digital: Physical music in a new age

This blog is to primarily focus on Scottish music, and I will make special mention of Scottish independent record stores here, but this is a UK-wide story and it's well worth talking about.

Today, HMV has gone into administration, putting 4,000 jobs at risk and the strong possibility that the UK will be left without a high street record store. HMV is responsible for 38% of all physical music sales (via The Guardian) and there are towns and cities where HMV is the only place for people to buy physical CDs and records, and to lose that it really will mark a change in the sales of physical music in this country. 

The market has been changing drastically in recent years, there's been a massive boost in digital sales and streaming. Applications like Spotify, which it is well documented does not provide artists with a decent payback for all their plays, and digital downloads via sites like Amazon and Bandcamp have all expanded and changed the way we buy and listen to music. HMV was stubborn to these changes and did price itself out of the market, I am guilty of browsing CDs in their stores then going online to purchase purely because it is cheaper to do so. 

It is also important to mention the dominance of HMV, coupled with the boost in digital sales, has meant for independent record stores. One Up Records in Aberdeen has followed Avalanche Records in Edinburgh by announcing its closure at the end of the month. Avalanche has turned to online sales and are still hosting in-stores but the store itself is gone. These stores have felt the strain and are having to succumb to the new market. We, as music fans, should support and celebrate these stores whilst they are here. You'll still be able to find yourself an independent or two in Glasgow (Love Music and Mono), and there's Groucho's in Dundee. Don't just go on Record Store Day, go more often and get your physical fix from them than from a major. Perhaps if HMV disappears the towns with independents left might see a little boost in sales. We can but hope. 

I also want to mention the fact that bands use sites like Bandcamp and Big Cartel to sell their physical CDs to fans directly. The physical format is still important and bands are still using it, despite the digital age. Chances are if you want a CD from an unsigned band you'll find it by going directly to them at shows or their website. The independent labels continue to support the physical format as well as most releases can be found in the physical format (limited run or not). It is through these people that the format should continue to thrive in the new age. As long as it's available to the fans and fans know where to purchase it then we should definitely have less to worry about. It is not a forgotten format, people who love music also want physical music and they'll find it wherever it's being sold.

It is the major labels and their continuance with the physical format that is most affected by the possible closure of HMV. They may react by cutting out the middle man or they may react by completely changing the formats they sell music by. It is hard to tell at this point. But HMV dipping into administration will have an impact on physical sales and as a music fan I will definitely be watching how the industry reacts at all levels. We are in a new digital age but the physical format remains important, long may it continue.

Friday 11 January 2013

Round-Up: My picks of what's going on

So I've been running a blog for nearly a week now. Figure it's time I try rounding up some things worth checking out from that first week, whilst I try to come up with some other things you might like on here.

You might find the following worthwhile:

King Tut's New Years Revolution will round up this week with performances from bands such as Black International, Haight Ashbury and Fatherson (not all in the same gig, there's plenty more too).

Kid Canaveral announced details of their forthcoming second LP, Now That You're a Dancer, due March 4th on Fence Records. Their Glasgow album launch at The Glad Café on Friday 1st March has sold out but they've added a second date, the following night, so get tickets to that!

Chvrches are doing their first UK tour, including a March 2nd stop at The Arches, and tickets went on sale today. You can get them via Ticketmaster.

If you have access to any of Frightened Rabbit's previous albums then you can access shiny bonus content from Pedestrian Verse here, including the chance to hear The Oil Slick and watch a making of the album video. Pedestrian Verse is released February 4th.

Randolph's Leap appeared on Marc Riley's BBC6 Music show and it's now available on iPlayer to listen again. They will also be performing instore at Avalanche Records on January 20th.

Bear Arms are headlining Nice'N'Sleazy's on February 9th. Support from The King Hats and True Acardian. Tickets only £5 here.

Avalanche Records are preparing a few special instores for the coming year, and to keep abreast of their announcements you should follow their Twitter.

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There's lots happening in Scottish music and that's just what caught my attention. I'm sure there's much more to come and I'll do my best to keep up with it. 2013 is off to a solid start and here's to it continuing strongly!

Saturday 5 January 2013

5 Visual Feasts from 2012

As an aspiring filmmaker myself, and someone who was always been interested in the visual medium and the stories you can tell, I have a special affinity for music videos. It's a unique format and there's always the chance to make a real impression with the right video.

The five videos I am going to mention here are the ones that connected with me the most last year and have stuck with me. This could be because of their emotional impact or because of a particularly memorable character or just pure visual pleasure.

In chronological release order, here's the videos:

Admiral Fallow - The Paper Trench



It's hard to forget The Tree Man and his journey around Glasgow, he certainly made his impression. Of the three videos Fallow released last year this definitely is my favourite because of the beauty of the journey of The Tree Man. 

Frightened Rabbit - State Hospital




I don't want to make this blog about these guys but State Hospital's music video had a very strong emotional impact on me. I have cried watching this video and I'm not afraid to admit it. Hand Held Cine Club have told such a strong story here and there's an immediate connection with the main character, you want her to fight, and to fight for her. 

Meursault - Dull Spark



Sometimes the strongest feature can be minimalism. This video is proof you don't need much to make something beautiful with an impact. Less is definitely more.

Second Shelter - Chasing Cars 



This one is definitely the most filmic of the lot, seems to have a lot of influence from Drive and a Gosling-esque lead. It's another less is more effort too, purely set around night driving scenes. 

So Many Animal Calls - She Was Speaking From The Bottom Of The Sea



Proof that not only do SMAC rock, but they can tell a story too. Good old Scottish bleakness coupled with a big track here. 

I'm ready for my eyes to be as pleased as my ears this year. 

Friday 4 January 2013

Discoveries of 2012

It is a new year but I'm not quite done with the old one yet. It is time to talk about those bands that I discovered in the past year, who made a special impression on me and who have bright futures ahead of them. These are bands discovered through a variety of means and fulfil some different genres, something I've been known to be less open about in the past but the past year showed me I am open to many new sounds. I hope this coming year expands my musical horizons even further.

Without further ado here are the bands that I stumbled upon last year who made my ears very happy:

Second Shelter
A collaboration between Ewan McDonald and Andy Monaghan (of Frightened Rabbit fame), Second Shelter is self-described "Glasgow electro-shambles" and their lo-fi debut album was a highlight of my music year. You can go stream (and buy) Your Tiny Footsteps on Bandcamp, if you like what you hear below.



The State Broadcasters
Discovered via another music blog, The State Broadcasters melancholic Scottish folk shines in an already busy field. They released their sophomore effort, The Ghosts We Must Carry via Olive Grove Records in September 2012.




Brazil Exists
Based in Stirling, Brazil Exists produce exciting alternative pop that leaves you wanting more. There's also brass involved, and as this blog goes on you'll discover I can be partial to such things. They released The Hermit EP in first half of the year, and already working on a follow-up.



Open Swimmer
Sadly in the same year I made this discovery, Open Swimmer called it quits. However I'd still like to mention them because they were one of my favourite support acts I witnessed last year and definitely made a lasting impression. And you can still purchase their music on Bandcamp, even though they're no longer playing.



Scarlet Shift
On a busy King Tuts Summer Nights lineup, Scarlet Shift's powerpop shone through and had my toes tapping from the off. Currently recording their debut album for release in spring 2013, their Give Up The Ghost EP is available via Bandcamp.



Adam Stafford
This is definitely moreso a re-discovery, as I'd been aware of Stafford's musical prowess dating back to Y'All Is Fantasy Island but I was treated to his solo show supporting We Were Promised Jetpacks in May and he did not disappoint. His dancing alone is worth a spot on any 2012 list. His widely acclaimed 2011 album, Build a Harbour Immediately, is on Bandcamp.



Randolph's Leap
This 8-piece folk-pop band were on everyone's lips in the past year and they certainly got me excited. They had a busy year with 4 separate releases, available with all their past releases on their Bandcamp.



And there we have it, seven artists who I had the pleasure of stumbling on in the year just gone.

Before I close this post out, I had a wonderful musical journey in Ireland in September and wish to mention a few of our Irish cousins, who expanded my horizons beyond our own fair little borders. And they are:

Ham Sandwich, indie rock out of Dublin and some of the best onstage banter.
Rory Bowens/Bowens and The Wood, acoustic alternative tunes with lots of Scottish influence
Amidships, atmospheric folk-rock from Belfast
Before The Ghosts, Mitchelstown's best easy-listening folk band

Here's to 2013 being just as good!  

Thursday 3 January 2013

Work in Progress

Hello.

Welcome to Notes and Notations. This is a very new venture, from a not-so-talented writer but all-round music fan. Hopefully it won't disappoint too much.

The Scottish music blogging scene has been very important to me in the last few years, and helped me discover a lot of new and great music. Sadly a lot of those guys are taking breaks and stepping back of recent, and so I thought I'd try and fill a space. I want to give back a bit and expand my own horizons.

There's a real possibility I might just talk about Frightened Rabbit. But I promise I'll do my best not to make this blog about that. There's so much great music out there and we should celebrate it.

Here's to my attempts at music blogging!

Suggestions and participation welcomed. But just having a few readers would be nice.

Thanks for your time.