Stag & Dagger, 30/4/17

Perhaps the most highly anticipated annual event on Glasgow’s musical calendar, Stag & Dagger heralds in the start of the festival season and once again floods Sauchiehall Street’s venues with an array of excellent talent. Over the years, the festival has put on up-and-coming acts in intimate venues before they have exploded, with the likes

Kathryn Joseph – ‘the blood / the coming’ [Hits The Fan]

When listening to a Kathryn Joseph record, the world slows down; time gives way to an ethereal pause, filled so graciously by Joseph’s gossamer trills, the slow, sad shimmers of piano. After the critical success of her 2015 debut, bones you have thrown me and blood I’ve spilled, this single release (along with a new

Albums of 2015 (20-11)

20-11  –  10-1  –  Tracks & EPs 20 December ’91 – Quebec [Gold Mold] Probably the only album to make this year’s lists recorded on a mobile phone, Quebec showcases both December ’91’s musicianship and originality. Raw, simple but excellently put together December 91’s music clearly serves as an outlet for his emotions as it touches on

Tracks of 2015 (10-1)

30-21  –  20-11  –  10-1  –  EPs & albums 10 Martha Ffion – No Applause [Lost Map] Offering a sweeter take on 60s rock Martha Ffion has managed to grab a lot of attention this year since we first caught her support Jessica Pratt in April. Blending lo-fi fuzz guitar, sleek vocals and poetic lyricism ‘No Applause’

Kathryn Joseph – ‘The Bird/The Worm’

I happened to be reading a blog post by Aziz Ansari for his writer friend, Harris Wittels, who died young recently when I stuck on ‘The Bird’ by Kathryn Joseph to listen to for the first time. It’s a piano song by a clearly very talented composer who almost certainly didn’t have the death of

Wickerman (Friday), 24/7/15

We were told that Wickerman Festival 2015 was the year of the Phoenix, a year of transition and change. On arrival that change doesn’t seem apparent – the festival layout is pretty much the same as it has been in years before (aside from the installation of the new ‘Phoenix’ tent). The bars, festivities and

West End Festival All Dayer at Oran Mor, 21/6/15

After worrying about whether or not I would be able to see the majority of the great bands playing across Oran Mor’s three stages, I was extremely pleased to see that the running order would allow me to move almost effortlessly between stages, hardly missing a second of each set. My early arrival gives me