Music, Issue 663

Labels of love: mini50 Records

Edinburgh label run by members of The Kays Lavelle

Based in Edinburgh Roster Mammoeth, Conquering Animal Sound. Bosses Euan McMeeken and Russell Kostulin, both members of Edinburgh group The Kays Lavelle. Sounds like ‘What Russell does with (his solo project) Mammoeth is a bit more…

World Pipe Band Championships

Highland games, taste of Scotland, and dancing on the Glasgow Green

Look at this happy bunch of pipers. Would you believe they’re actually Canadian? Simon Fraser University’s bagpipe squad won last year’s world championship title: teams from as far afield as New Zealand, Pakistan and, er, Paisley keep their eyes (and…

Matthew Dear - Black City

A bewitching fourth album from the Texan DJ

Ooh 2010, you are spoiling us with your variegated, melodic electro. First came Four Tet’s There Is Love in You, then Caribou’s Swim, and now Black City – the bewitching fourth album from Texan DJ and techno-pop lord Matthew Dear (you may also know him…

LuckyMe decamps to Cabaret Voltaire for the Festival

David Pollock talks to the Glasgow-based record label/art collective

This has been the most important year yet in the evolution of Scottish electronic label LuckyMe, and this third annual Edinburgh Festival event featuring their friends, collaborators and signees should be the perfect showcase for local supporters and…

Tinchy Stryder to take over the HMV Picture House

The East London grime boy done good, and Third Strike is on its way

If Tinchy Stryder’s second long-player, Catch 22, saw him vault the grime underground and snare the pop mainstream (number one hits, collaborations with N-Dubz and a Sugababe, the best-selling UK solo artist of 2009), you wonder what level of stardom…

The Songbird

Giant Productions's sound poetry at the Botanic Gardens

Glasgow’s Giant Productions makes its Fringe debut with this interactive tone poem about an exotic songbird captured by a ruthless logger. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Botanic Gardens, and performed by a pianist, cellist and two actors, the…

The Forest Café celebrates tenth birthday

Volunteer-run café is a true original in Edinburgh

The Forest Café’s tenth birthday, happening mostly on Saturday 14 August, but spreading its shambolic, joyous tentacles throughout the rest of the month, is one of those true causes for celebration. That an entirely volunteer-run, hippy-hearted…

Five hirsute gents tickling our fancies (and chins) this month

Look out for these bearded men at this year's Festivals

Phil Kay Furry Fringe veteran Kay makes no fewer than four fuzzy-faced appearances this year. His kids’ show Gimme Your Left Shoe makes a welcome return; there’s a solo show in the evening called In Tweed; a late-night radio show titled RadioFree; and…

The Loose Screw promises a sexy gypsy midnight music party

Denise Black answers five questions on her Fringe show

5 words I’d use to describe my show Sexy gypsy midnight music party. 4 things I bring on tour Guitar, pedal steel, busking licence… and I can’t do without my virtuoso guitarist Graeme Taylor, who was a long-haired rockstar in the 70s with folk…

Edinburgh radio station Fresh Air curate download album of Scottish acts

Eagleowl, Swimmer One and RM Hubbert feature on charity compilation

Here at List Towers we love a launch and we love doing our bit for the greater good, so top marks all round for Fresh Air, who have launched a free downloadable album, celebrating some great Scottish talent, in support of Waverley Care. The track list…

Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra play Carl Nielsen's Fourth Symphony

Helsinki-based orchestra bring two nights of romance and drama

In a festival blockbuster of an orchestral programme at the Usher Hall, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra’s pair of concerts stands out as a triple celebration of one of Scandinavia’s greatest composers, Wagner and the human voice. In putting on…

Pantha du Prince at Sneaky Pete's and Oran Mor

Minimal techno joins dots between alpine forest and the dancefloor

‘A girl once crawled onstage behind me, and was constantly holding my trouser,’ shudders Germany’s Hendrik Weber, alias techno forager Pantha du Prince. What fate befell this tactile fan? ‘I explained it would be better for her to leave because I could…

Jonathan Biss opens EIF Queen's Hall series

Young American talent will bring passion to EIF launch

Whether volunteering for Barack Obama in the Primaries or traversing the globe with his intimate piano recitals, the young Jonathan Biss has long proved he’s no run-of-the-mill talent. Light on pomp and heavy in enthusiasm, the Indiana-raised pianist…

Nnenna Freelon's Homefree adds a contemporary twist to standards

A smoothly accomplished, comfortable sounding outing

Classy jazz singing from the American vocalist that manages to give a contemporary twist to standards without getting too mannered or precious in the process. Freelon puts her stamp on such well established songs as ‘The Lamp Is Low’, ‘The Very Thought…

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Let It Sway

Little here to distinguish one chorus from the last

With their third album, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin are sticking to their tried-and-tested formula. Let It Sway offers little by way of innovation, ambling along the melodic indie pop trail blazed by The Shins. Opener ‘Back In The Saddle’ sets…

Inspector Tapehead - Duress Code

Cleverly made and head-scratchingly catchy debut

(Song, By Toad Records) Inspector Tapehead are folkies; but not in the strictly traditional or rather cynical ‘I’m a Mumford, me’ sense. Yes, Duress Code boasts clattering rhythms, acoustic strumming and the raw delivery and lyrical romance you might…

Alasdair Roberts and Friends - Too Long in this Condition

Scottish guitarist re-animated murderous and bawdy Scottish ballads

(Navigator) The List can think of no other artist who has dished out props to their manicurist within the immortal confines of their sleeve-notes. But that’s what Glasgow-based folk bard Alasdair Roberts does on his excellent sixth album, Too Long in…

Made in the Shade move to Barras Centre

The Summertime Hop marks new chapter for indie shopping event

It’s going like a fair out west this month, with a bit of first, last and everything afoot. All things vintage enjoy a last hoorah at The Lighthouse, as indie shopping event Made in the Shade has its last boutique gathering before a move to number 2 in…

Afro-Beat Airways: West African Shock Waves, Ghana & Togo 1972–1978

Analog Africa's latest compilation is a testament to 1970s Africa

Drawing from the archives of Ghanian label Essiebons and PolyGram West Africa, Analog Africa’s latest compilation is testament to the cosmopolitan culture of 1970s Africa. Tracks by Ebo Taylor and Orchestre Abass offer intricate polyrhythmic grooves and…

Speedy J visits Return to Mono at the Sub Club

Full set with software, hardware, laptops and decks

Speedy J This month Slam’s intimate Return to Mono party is rocked to the foundations by the techno assault of Speedy J (aka Jochem Paap). Rotterdam DJ/producer Paap has been instrumental in widening people’s perception of techno, taking the form to its…

Diddy visits Glasgow to play tracks from Dirty Money

And finally, MTV have announced the arrival of Diddy to the Old Fruitmarket on 29 Sep. He of the ever-changing moniker will play tracks from his new collection Diddy — Dirty Money as part of an exclusive free concert, which fans can apply to attend…

The Wire's Clarke Peters in Fringe run of Five Guys Named Moe

The Wire's Lester Freamon stars in the musical he wrote

Clarke Peters, best known for his role in US cop show The Wire, talks to Kelly Apter about taking time out to appear in the hit musical he wrote himself

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis

Sibling rock ‘n’ rollers with retro leanings

‘I’m really looking forward to it, because we haven’t done Scotland yet,’ 17-year-old Kitty Durham says about playing Edinburgh. Durham fronts the youthful retro three-piece, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, with her brother and sister. The north London trio have…