Music

Interview: Jon Foreman of US band Switchfoot

Lead singer of San Diego rock band on music, faith and progress

17 Nov 2011

In their native USA, San Diego rock band Switchfoot have been a household name since 2003, when their major-label debut The Beautiful Letdown became a multi-million-selling hit. In the UK they’re a much less familiar proposition, but have built up a…

The chart-topping ‘Read All About It’ rapper Professor Green - interview

16 Nov 2011

First record you ever bought The ‘Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini’ 7”. And what!? Last extravagant purchase you made A Balenciaga jacket. First film you saw that really moved you E.T. Last lie you told I’ve never lied.

Why X Factor is good for Christmas

TV critic Graeme Virtue is glad Cowell has a chokehold on the festive charts

16 Nov 2011

In the fickle court of public opinion, Simon Cowell stands accused of many crimes. Some against fashion, some against common politeness, but mostly against music. The charge sheet is long, and generally unlistenable, but among the various sonic offences…

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks, The Arches, Glasgow Fri 11 Nov 2011

16 Nov 2011

Pavement’s short-lived reunion last year was damn-near miraculous, but you couldn’t help but feel that the pleasure was all ours. So, when the announcement came shortly after that Stephen Malkmus and his other brothers (and sister) in arms, The Jicks…

Bon Iver - Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sat 22 Oct 2011

Justin Vernon's large ensemble fails to capture the albums' spare beauty

16 Nov 2011

To a long since sold-out crowd of ardent devotees, Justin Vernon takes the stage – after the audience impatiently chats through support act Kathleen Edwards’ countrified indie folk. (Vernon helped out with production and instrumental duties on Edwards…

Top five Arab Strap lyrics

In honour of Middleton and Moffat's gig at Nice'n'Sleazy's on Thu 17 Nov, we sings their best bits

16 Nov 2011

1 Speed Date ‘The ugly tattooed swingers euphemise and call their mucky hobby “trysts” / But if I saw another man touch you, I'd break his fucking wrists.’ 2 The First Big Weekend ‘It was a beautiful day, and later that evening Malcolm introduced me…

David Lynch - Crazy Clown Time

The iconic director's latest foray into music has great moments but an overdependence on filler

16 Nov 2011

(Sunday Best) The dark cinema of David Lynch needs no introduction, nor does the music in his films – whether the work of composer Angelo Badalamenti or his use of older pop songs. Who could forget Dean Stockwell lipsyncing Roy Orbison’s ‘In Dreams…

The Scottish Ensemble’s candlelit concerts to focus on the Baltic Renaissance

Music by composers Arvo Pärt and Erkki-Sven Tüür to feature

16 Nov 2011

While the phrase ‘it’s Baltic’ is usually heard in relation to Scotland’s freezing temperatures, this winter it can be applied to something a bit warmer. The Scottish Ensemble’s traditionally candlelit concerts home in on the Baltic nations and music by…

Little Dragon on UK tour

Swedish electro-pop quartet and Gorillaz collaborators take third album Ritual Union on tour

16 Nov 2011

You’d expect a band to delight in having artists from Gorillaz to DJ Shadow and Big Boi beating their door down to work with them – especially if they’ve hitherto existed in relative obscurity. But while Little Dragon find it ‘super exciting’ to have…

Opeth - HMV Picture House, Edinburgh, Thu 10 Nov

Mesmerising show from the Swedish prog metallers

16 Nov 2011

Prog metal (from Rush to Mastodon) is an acquired taste but Sweden’s Opeth are at the top of their game and it is in the live arena where you can really appreciate their musicianship. You can watch each musician and really piece together their input…

Com Truise - profile

Seth Haley (under his synth-pop pseudonym) gears up to play Sneaky Pete's

16 Nov 2011

Who: No, not the one married to Hatie Kolmes. Com Truise is the alias of Seth Haley, the New Jersey based producer behind this summer’s sublime Galactic Melt; his debut album, and one of this year’s finest, most addictive electronic synth-pop…

The Last September - As the Crow Flies

The Edinburgh indie-folk outfit return with well-written, academia-provoked album

16 Nov 2011

(self released) After a five year hiatus, these Edinburgh gentle indie rockers return with a second album, following their well-received début, Vagrant Song. As the Crow Flies features guests Poppy Ackroyd (Hidden Orchestra and Aberfeldy) and Ali…

Various artists - Songs For Dying

Vibrant collection of tunes exploring noise genres from techno to metal

16 Nov 2011

(Pjorn 72) The local Noiserati and associates’ recent reclaiming of their techno and/or metal roots helped their clan avoid a nihilistic dead end. As this bumper fifteen track compendium of clings, clangs, sci-fi slapstick, sepulchral drones…

The Very Best of Muzsikás featuring Márta Sebestyén - Fly Bird, Fly

Fantastic retrospective of the Hungarian folk group's career

16 Nov 2011

(Nascente) Early on, Hungarian musicians Muzsikás, with singer Márta Sebestyén, were at the forefront of the European folk scene. Forty years after they pushed forward traditions championed by ethnomusicologists Bartok and Kodaly, they sound as fiery…

Stone Roses headline T in the Park 2012 - but is it a good idea?

Malcolm Jack ponders the significance of the Roses at T in the Park 2012

15 Nov 2011

I am not in favour of The Resurrection, I’ll be honest about that. Like all bands of yesteryear that matter to me – and The Stone Roses were a staple of my teens – I believe they should be remembered as they were in their prime. I was too young to…

Wake the President - Zumutung!

Harder, more mature songwriting on Glasgow duo's second album

15 Nov 2011

(We Can Still Picnic) An improvement from their first album You Can't Change That Boy in 2009, Wake the President have taken a harder, more mature songwriting approach on new album Zumutung!. Twin brothers hailing from Glasgow, Erik and Bjorn…

Sonic Youth founder Thurston Moore brings his fourth solo album to Glasgow

We look back on the career of the legendary DIY music icon

15 Nov 2011

Once upon a time in Stirling, a counter-cultural icon walked among the people and played his guitar and snapped up their Scottish country dance records. The year was 2005, when Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore came to the central belt to perform at…

Christmas 2011 events in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Our round-up of some of the best festive fodder including markets, fairs and carol concerts

15 Nov 2011

Shopping To find prezzies with an individual feel or just some tasty treats, head out to a Christmas fair near you. In Glasgow, there’s the St Enoch Square annual market (from 20 Nov) and Country Living Magazine’s Christmas Fair, with homemade food…

Fence’s Flamin’ Hott Loggz Anstruther Town Hall, Anstruther, Sat 5 Nov

The Shivers, Withered Hand and Serafina Steer join Bonfire Night party

15 Nov 2011

There were no fireworks at Fence’s Flamin’ Hott Loggz pop ‘n’ Guy Fawkes hoopla. There was no need for pyrotechnics when there were songs that soared like gold dust – King Creosote’s rare variation of Dexy’s ‘Come on Eileen’ around a bonfire; Serafina…

Blochestra, Bar Bloc, Glasgow, Mon 24 Oct

15 Nov 2011

Bar Bloc has became well known in the Central Belt of late for many music related experiences; they put on free gigs every night, it's a base for the Detour lads (Ally McCrae and David Weaver) and it's home to Bloc Jam, one of Glasgow's best open mic…

Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard - The Third Door, Edinburgh, Wed 26 Oct 2011

Near two-hour set pulls disparate parts into satisfying whole

15 Nov 2011

For this, one of the first gigs at the refreshed and renamed Third Door venue (formerly Medina, and now boasting a beefier new sound system), big personalities and hearts on sleeves are very much the order of the day. Opener Viking Moses is one Brendon…

Five reasons to go see Josh T. Pearson

The bearded Lift to Experience singer-songwriter favours good stage chat and sad songs

15 Nov 2011

1. He was in the mighty Lift To Experience Josh laid his heart bare earlier this year with The Last of The Country Gentlemen, his debut solo album. It will no doubt be topping many an end-of-year list – and for good reason too: it’s one of the most…

Family Christmas concerts: Christmas Swingalong and Christmas Magic

A festive family show for each city in December

15 Nov 2011

When you’re in the business of children’s entertainment, a flexible attitude to costumes is a definite advantage. In the past few months alone, Owen Cox and Oliver Gunnell (aka Owen and Olly) have walked onstage in their dressing gowns, shiny lycra…

Single of the month: Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks’ ‘Senator’

James Morrison feat. Jessie J, Erasure, Kelly Rowland, Vaccines and more also reviewed

15 Nov 2011

At last, the collaboration we’ve all been waiting for! Yes, it’s James Morrison feat. Jessie J ‘Up’ (Island) ●● and it’s astonishing that they’ve come up with a lump of saccharine X-Factor duet fodder and not the greatest song you’ve ever heard. What…

Copy Haho and Café Disco – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh, Tue 18 Oct

Pop-rock double bill met with mild-mannered, heartfelt appreciation

15 Nov 2011

Cafe Disco seem a little nervous during their first foray onto the Edinburgh live scene. The combination of winning pop riffs and the odd spot of rocking out is as successful as ever, but the confidence they’ve displayed at west coast gigs is a little…

The Shoogle Project - Frank McConnell of Plan B

Trad Scottish band Shooglenifty collaborate with dance group Plan B

15 Nov 2011

How did the Shoogle Project come about, and who is involved? I went to see Shooglenifty at a gig in Cromarty about three years ago and just loved their great dance music. When I put the idea of doing a show jointly they were unequivocal in a…

Cheryl Cole's live return in jeopardy

Music Gossip

15 Nov 2011

Cheryl Cole's live return is in jeopardy after she has come been diagnosed with a throat infection. The 'Promise This' singer has been taken ill ahead of the Children in Need Rocks Manchester charity concert on Thursday (17.11.11), where she is set…

Mike Watt & The Missingmen - Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Glasgow, Wed 12 Nov 2011

Warm response for intense showcase from Minutemen man

15 Nov 2011

It’s hard to write about Mike Watt. Not only is it hard to compress the man’s personality and philosophies into merely a few sentences but it would take several pages, chapters even, to fully document his work, collaborations and achievements. Yet…

The Fall - HMV Picturehouse, Edinburgh, Thu 3 Nov 2011

Band deliver fiery performance despite injured and semi-present Mark E Smith

15 Nov 2011

'Mark has a really bad bruise on his feet so he can’t stand, announces keyboardist and better half Eleni Poloui. Cue blasts of effing and blinding from the angry mob. The Fall are clearly back in town – but unlike their performance at Studio 24 last…

Twin Sister - Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh, Thu 10 Nov 2011

Infectiously prettified melodies threaten to become dance-floor dream

15 Nov 2011

In her geek-girl specs and floppy Annie Hall hat, Twin Sister chanteuse Andrea Estella appears as quintessentially kooky a New Yorker as any afficionado of 1970s me-generation peak era Woody Allen movies could wish for. The check-shirted quartet of…

Lykke Li - O2 ABC, Glasgow, Sun 30 Oct 2011

Passive response suggests lesson in stagecraft required

15 Nov 2011

Having transformed radically and impressively from indie pixie into purveyor of arty, bleeding-hearted Spector pop on her second album Wounded Rhymes, you hardly expected Li Lykke Zachrisson to be exchanging high-fives with the crowd all night. But then…

The Shivers - Mono, Glasgow, Mon 7 Nov 2011

Impressive, broad-ranging show from the US/Aussie duo

15 Nov 2011

‘I really love Glasgow,’ says The Shivers’ Keith Zarriello, ‘it’s much better than London.’ Cue easy-won cheers and chants from the home crowd. ‘He loves the power, don’t give it to him,’ laughed his keyboard playing accomplice Jo Schornikow. Too…

Throwing Muses - Òran Mór, Glasgow, Mon 7 Nov 2011

Powerful performance from Kristin Hersh and co

15 Nov 2011

Considering the period in which Throwing Muses enjoyed the bulk of their popularity, it’s no surprise that tonight’s return to Glasgow sees largely middle-aged couples pour through the doors of the Òran Mór in their droves. Kristin Hersh isn’t…

Eat, sleep and breathe: The Drums

The Brooklyn indie-poppers' guitarist Jacob Graham lets us in on his tour-time eating habits

15 Nov 2011

What time is breakfast? Whenever I wake up. Usually around 9.30 or 10am. But going through time zones can mess that up. Tea or coffee? I’ve never really gotten into either. I do like hot chocolate though. Smoking or non-smoking? Non.

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Wolfroy Goes to Town

Compelling alt-country from Will Oldman

15 Nov 2011

(Domino) ‘Stop all the moaning and bemoaning your fate / god isn’t listening, or else it’s too late,’ sings Will Oldham on ‘Time to Be Clear’, his voice like driftwood lapping at the shore. In all things heart-shattering and beautiful in the world of…

Review of Reviews - Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds live

What we said, and they said, about the elder Gallagher's comback

15 Nov 2011

What we said Noel looks more comfortable than he has in years, the calmer tempo suiting his delivery, but there are moments when you miss the verve and danger of Liam’s presence. The List What they said What Noel lacks in his brother’s electrifying…

Bill Wells - Lemondale

One of Wells’ most ambitious and enchanting records to date

15 Nov 2011

(Double Six) You wonder if Bill Wells ever sleeps. The Glasgow indie / avant-jazz catalyst has already made one of the albums of this year in Everything’s Getting Older, his exquisite union with Aidan Moffat – not to mention his forthcoming National…

Seafieldroad - Seafieldroad

Thoroughly beguiling second effort showcases a spine-tingling delivery

10 Nov 2011

(Biphonic) It’s a shock to find Swimmer One and Seafieldroad’s Andrew Eaton-Lewis stripped of all his usual sonic accoutrements. But this second solo effort of piano-backed ballads is thoroughly beguiling. Rich, sonorous vocals are the focal point…

Kate Bush - 50 Words for Snow

The sensual, seductive Bush dominates a sparse, wintery, piano-led slow-burner

10 Nov 2011

(Fish People/EMI) In a burst of prolificacy unmatched since her 1978 debut year Kate Bush makes two new albums in 2011, raising her total for the last 18 years to a whopping three. Where Director’s Cut saw her reinterpret old songs, 50 Words For Snow…

White Denim - Last Day Of Summer

A stripped down snapshot of a band in transition and showcasing awe-inspiring musicianship

10 Nov 2011

(Downtown) Last Day Of Summer is a fascinating insight into what White Denim were knocking out for fun before the release of this year’s breakthrough; deservedly lauded fourth offering D. Recorded in a month and initially available only online, this…

Atlas Sound - Parallax

Deerhunter multi-instrumentalist's third and best solo album

10 Nov 2011

(4AD) The term ‘side-project’ somehow doesn’t do justice to Atlas Sound, the title under which the prolific Bradford Cox operates as a solo artist when he’s not doing his squally noise rock thing with Deerhunter. The Athens, Georgia based…

Odonis Odonis - Hollandaze

Auspicious introduction that further mines the fuzz-and-feedback-as-bliss school

10 Nov 2011

(FatCat) Toronto’s Odonis Odonis – the solo project turned full live band of Dean Tzenos – join a swathe of other North American artists presently mining the trashy, scuzzy, fuzz-and-feedback-as-bliss end of post-punk and its various derivatives from…

Johnny Foreigner - Johnny Foreigner vs Everything

Bright-eyed punk-pop anthems toytown post-punk and wistful emo ballads

10 Nov 2011

(Alcopop!) Ludicrously long song titles did no harm to the late, lamented Mclusky and Biffy Clyro in their early days, and Birmingham’s Johnny Foreigner attempt a similar route to notoriety with ‘If I’m the Most Famous Boy You’ve Fucked, Then Honey…

Caetano Veloso & Maria Gadú - Multishow Ao Vivo

Concert from Brazilian singer/guitarist and up and coming singer

10 Nov 2011

(Universal) This superb stripped-back concert sees Brazilian hero and singer/guitarist Caetano Veloso partnered by up-and-coming female singer Maria Gadú. Armed only with acoustic guitars, their deceptively light, shapely and meaningful voices blend…

Rob St John - Weald

Forceful mix of melancholy and otherworldly rapture

10 Nov 2011

(Song, by Toad) Forget the much misused ‘F-word’. Rob St John is miles better than that, and putting a full electric band behind his whey-faced Lancastrian intonations has put muscle and guts on his musings. Yet for all the low-key chorales…

Empirical - Elements of Truth

Most diffuse and wide-ranging release to date

10 Nov 2011

(Naim Label) Empirical’s drift away from their early bop-oriented leanings continues on their most diffuse and wide-ranging release to date. There is a deliberately spacey, dream-like feel to much of the music, referencing Messiaen and Björk…

Breach - On The Walk

Edinburgh-based trio's reflective, atmospheric textures and energised workouts

10 Nov 2011

(Breach) This Edinburgh-based trio features three of the leading musicians on the current Scottish jazz scene, guitarist Graeme Stephen, pianist Paul Harrison focusing on organ and electronics in this setting – and drummer Chris Wallace. Each…

Interview: Hudson Mohawke

The electronic producer on big name collaborators and doing his own thing

9 Nov 2011

At last, the world seems to be catching up with Hudson Mohawke. It’s been two years since the Glasgow-bred, London-based producer released his debut album Butter on the mighty Warp Records, largely to recognition only from listeners of a truly…

Richie Hawtin resurrects iconic Plastikman persona for world tour

DJ and producer on the makings of his audio-visual spectacular

9 Nov 2011

Richie Hawtin is one of the most high profile DJs and producers working today, with activities incorporating several record labels, software and hardware products and a globe-spanning tour schedule. Known for distinctive and intense DJ sets, it might…

Django Django set for UK tour

Band support Metronomy and release self-titled debut in 2012

9 Nov 2011

‘We weren’t really a band when we started,’ says Dave Maclean of London quartet Django Django. ‘We had to engineer a band around us so we could play a gig. We were booked to play a gig at [Brick Lane venue] 93 Feet East and we just had to recreate our…