Elba Sessions

This weekend there is a wide range of exciting events that could put bounce into even the most tired step. It is in this light that the below list is presented to you. If you make it all the way through this list without feeling the slightest pique in your interest then we at Elba have failed in our quest to inform and delight. We do, however, have a small trick up our sleeve in the form of a link at the end that should have you breaking out in a full smile. Enjoy!

11.03.2010 Upcoming folk songstre-teers Julia and The Doogans are supported by Be A Familiar at The Mill. Just text Mill74k to 82500 to get in for nothing.

11.03.2010 Also tonight the Vintage Sounds fashion/music event arrives at the QMU. The Catwalk is run from vintage providers Tatty Bon and We Love to Boogie whilst live music features Pooch and Tango in the Attic. Proceeds are going to Oxfam.

12.03.2010 Weird Tapes/Memory Cassette helmer Davey Hawk presents his hybrid Memory Tapes outfit at Stereo on Friday. Last year’s hazy debut Seek Magic showed the full length potential of this act following the hype of some high profile remixes.

13.03.2010 For those of you who devote your time to finding that band on the cusp of greatness look no further than the regional finals of Live & Unsigned 2010 at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Please allow us to go fully biased and off piste for a brief moment and give our support to SeMPer Fi (WE KNOW THEM! WE KNOW THEM!)

14.03.2010 Sunday night at Stereo fantastic folky Alasdair Roberts will be supported by psychedelic Fins Kiila. Go. Just go.

Finally, and as promised, Pitchfork posted a little video by Elba favourites She and Him on Tuesday.
Let your eyes dazzle at In The Sun. Get all doe eyed for the doe eyed, here

In last weeks gig round up Kim wasn’t backwards at going forward that we quite like Tom McRae around Elba way, therefore, as he was in Glasgow for a couple of rescheduled shows at the ‘birthday boy’ King Tuts, it would have been rude not to battle through the snow to see him.

I have tried to write this review/post for a couple of weeks now. I felt the day after that I was on such a ‘high’ from the gig that it would probably be a mess of oohs and ahs that I delayed it a couple of days but never quite got it right. Indeed, even during the gig I already wanted to come back and see the show all over again the night after, it was such a homely atmosphere, packed into King Tuts with a crowd not afraid to holler out and have banter with Tom. Two weeks on and if someone said to me, Tom McRae is playing Glasgow tonight, I’d be there in a shot. He has a certain charm about him which sucks you in and he performs in such a passionate way that 90 mins pass and you realise your mouth has been wide open catching flies for the most part.

So to the gig…

I’ve become a little slack at catching support acts over the last year but I managed to get in to see Brian Wright and I’m glad I did. I’m not sure how I’d describe his music other than saying it’s what I imagine the southern states of America to sound like. He had a lot of country and blues elements in his music and is well worth having a look at. I picked up his CD, ‘House on Fire, which is a little gem. Maria Sugarcane is a personal favourite track. It didn’t take Brian long to re-appear on stage after finishing his set but this time it was as part of Tom McRae’s band.

The set begun with some tracks from new album ‘The Alphabet of Hurricanes’ and exploded into life with End of The World News from his eponymous Mercury-nominated debut album. A song which drew a hefty sing along from the crowd. An addition to the band which was not unappreciated by McRae who had apologised because his voice sounded sexier than usual. Oral thrush will do that to you apparently. One thing I love about McRae, other than his songwriting, is his deadpan wit and humour. When called out for why he cancelled the last show a dry reply of ‘couldn’t be fucked’, was all that was needed. We all knew he was lying though! The setlist spanned all eras of McRae and other set highlights were the upbeat One Mississippi, Walking To Hawaii (played on just guitar and cello) and Silent Boulevard. Although for me it was ‘Still Love You’ which stole the show. It is a lovely little song which opens the new album played on a ukelele. You could also buy a tea towel with the lyrics on it (see pic above). In fact, full marks on the merch stall. You could arm yourself for the Glasgow weather with a Tom-brella.

McRae is certainly an artist who has been around for a long time and whilst I wouldn’t say his time had gone, I don’t ever see him being as well known as he deserves. However, if he can continue touring and selling out venues with audiences showing as much adoration as they did at King Tuts, it will surely put a smile on even Tom McRae’s face.

Setlist (I think…):

Alphabet of Hurricanes
Me and Stetson
The Summer of John Wayne
The End of the World News
American Spirit
A+B song
Please
One Mississippi
Walking to Hawaii
I Still Love You
Silent Boulevard

Bloodless
Vampire Heart

The Boy with the Bubblegun

Lets just address the rather large elephant in the room straight off the bat. You know the one? Its got the giant red ‘T’ stamped on its side? While the internet has been abuzz with news of Scotland’s annual excessively populated music marathon, we at Elba feel it is our duty to turn your attentions to what is happening more immediately on the gigging front. This is entirely due to our love and commitment to the local music scene. Nothing to do with not having a ticket. No, no, no! We’re not bitter. Let me rephrase that: PHIL is not bitter.

But less of this jesting! Glasgow is looking truly delicious this weekend when it comes to live music.

Tonight and tomorrow night a King Tuts stalwart returns to play to his adoring fans. Tom McRae tours ahead of his fifth studio album ‘The Alphabet of Hurricanes.’ This man has a voice that can reduce even the loudest weegie drunk to tears. I have literally seen this happen; and I do not mean literally in the figurative sense that it is so often used these days. It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of this man but we urge you to head along to this show if you get the chance. Oh and head over to Tom’s myspace should you feel the need for some intellectual ranting. God help us the day this man finally cheers up, his artistry stems from his deep rooted connection to his misery and we certainly wouldn’t want him any other way.

Also on Wednesday night, Sunderland five piece post-punk-indie-pop boys Field Music play Nice and Sleazies. This tour is on the heels of their new eponymous LP. Live, this group are meant to stun more than shine. Prepare yourself to be shocked into adoration.

A triple bill featuring Japandroids, Other People and Cuddly Shark will be pounding King Tuts’ stage on Friday. This one promises to rock. Anyone who was at Elba Presents… (Four) last Friday night and saw the softer side of Cuddly Shark will want to drop into this to experience them in their full frenzied form. In fact, send a wee email to the Shark and they’ll get you in for 3 quid!

On Friday The Pin Up Ladies Night returns to Flying Duck for a the third time. As well as The Pin Ups Djs & Bow Peep playing indie, punk, soul & electropop there’s a line up that I shall allow to speak for itself:

Live – French Horn Rebellion (Kitsune)
Maple Leaves
Guest Gjs – Tracyanne & Carey (Camera Obscura)
Adele & Ailidh (Sons & Daughters)
Emma (Delagados)
Emmy Kate & Marie Du Santiago (Kenickie)
Manda Rin (Bis)

Our final recommendation for the weekend is for the San Francisco Matador signed Girls. Another highly acclaimed, must see troupe. They play Stereo on Saturday.

Happy Gig-gling!

Here in Elba-blog-land we are feeling very fresh faced and it’s not entirely to do with the sub zero temperatures our fair city is enduring. The runny noses can certainly be blamed on the frosty days and brisk breezes. However, we are riding on the heels of musical majesty and growing more excited as some eagerly anticipated events are starting to come together.

On Friday night, another successful Elba Presents… took place at The Liquid Ship. Thanks to all who came along to the fourth live Elba outing. It was a nice wee turn out. For those who didn’t make it, it was a most delightful night featuring King James, Maple Leaves, Craig Davidson and Cuddly Shark. There’s talk of a release from King James in the near future and following their awe inducing set it’s one to look forward to. Their stripped back folk and layered harmonies are bewitching.

Now on to the rather tasty news that was delivered to our inbox last week. On Saturday
3rd April the multi-venue music and art festival, Hinterland, returns. The Arches, Sub Club, Macsorleys Music Bar, The Admiral, Pivo Pivo and Rockers amongst other will provide the base for a myriad of eclectic bands both local and from further afield:

Mystery Jets
British Sea Power
Jeffrey Lewis
Friendly Fires (DJ)
Joe Goddard Hot Chip (DJ Set)
Hot Club de Paris
Wave Pictures
GrecoRoman Soundsystem
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
Fenech Soler
Johnny Foreigner
French Wives
Ambulances
Bleech
Kitty the Lion
Midnight Lion
Ballers Social Presents…..
Cooly G
Marcus Nasty
Spectrals
Eclair FiFi
Art installations by Konx Om Pax & Christina Kernohan
Make Sparks
Little Yellow Ukuleles
Pulled Apart By Horses
plus more TBC

That last statement, that more will be announced, has me practically drooling as the list already promises so much on many fronts. I can foresee the 3rd of April as a whirlwind of adventure with much racing about the city in the hope of catching… EVERYTHING. The end of the day looks like it’ll be quite the party too with the inclusion of Friendly Fires and Joe Goddard on DJ duties for the later running events. In the lead up to the festival Phil and I will feature some of the acts that we’re hoping to catch at Hinterland. This clearly has the potential to turn into a marathon posting event. We’ll do our best to keep the short-list short and to be cut-throat in the selection process. I know what you’re thinking. You don’t think we’ve got that in us. Well! You’re quite right. I’d advise getting an early bird ticket due to its low cost of just £10 right now available from www.thehinterlandfestival.com.

It seems like the local music scene is beginning to hot up again after christmas and ‘The Big Freeze’ with plenty of good releases and gigs coming up. I felt like there was a real lack of decent gigs through January, however, couple this with post christmas debt and a busy day-job, it might just be me.

A band that have only recently caught my attention, thanks to Jim at Aye Tunes is Spaghetti Anywhere. They are based in London and play uncomplicated indie pop. A little bit in the vain of Belle and Sebastian or Camera Obscura although I am always very wary of comparing bands. Anyways, they are definitely worth checking out and their E.P. is released on Feb 22nd on Toy Soldier Records.

If you can’t wait until Feb 22nd for your fill of new music, I suggest you point your browsers in the direction of Glasgow based label/collective Wise Blood Industries from tomorrow where you will be able to download the new single ‘The Hours’ from The Kays Lavelle. I’ve given it a couple of listens now and the orchestration is fantastic and I just love the haunting vocals. Their album, recorded by Neil Pennycook of Meursault, is due out in the spring and no doubt when that comes around it will be very hotly anticipated.

There’s quite a few gigs this week to look out for in Glasgow this week. The aforementioned Meursault play next Sunday (21st) at Nice and Sleazys with Xiu Xiu and North Atlantic Oscillation. Working backwards, we may have mentioned at some point that King James, Maple Leaves, Craig Davidson and Cuddly Shark will be playing at The Liquid Ship on Friday night (19th), more details here. On Thursday a big Happy Birthday goes out to the Glasgow PodcART dudes. They will be having a bit of a shindig to celebrate with sets from St Deluxe, Little Yellow Ukeleles and Campfires in Winter. That all goes down at the 13th Note. Lastly (but also firstly this week), on Wednesday night at Brel the fantastic Julia and The Doogans, Panda Su and Sophie’s Pigeons will play some pretty acoustic songs.

Anyways, that’s about all my thoughts for now, we’re going to get this blog a bit more populated with features and reviews over the next few weeks so keep checking back and don’t be a stranger!

A bit of a heads up for everyone on a new event happening next month. It’s called ‘Musicbox’ and it is being run by local label Antimatter Records with the help of our older, more business-like sibling, Elba Studios and cutting edge audio visualists Genre Is A Dirty Word.

The night will showcase an eclectic set of 4 musicians and as a bit of a twist, 4 great photographers. The idea being that each photographer is assigned an act each and is given a month to get together a visual representation of their work to be projected on the night during their act’s set. I make today the 4th of Feb so I suppose the project has started for the photographers!

The acts playing on the night will be…

The Recovery Club
Engine7
Paul McLinden
Lamplighter

and the photographers…

Kat McDonald
Gavin Inglis
Gingiber
Retrogoth

Musicbox will take place at Glasgow’s Universal on March 4th at 8pm and you can get more info as well as being able to purchase advance tickets on the Antimatter website. Entry is a very cheap £3.

Time for another Elba gig methinks.

We”ll be back at The Liquid Ship on Friday 19th February and we’ve assembled somewhat of an eclectic, but totally rad (excuse the outdated slang term but I’ve been listening to Pavement) lineup. Heading up the bill for our first gig of 2010 are King James. Hailing from somewhere between the Cornwall coast and Berlin they are made up in numbers by an amalgamation of Thirty Pounds of Bone and The Diamond Family Archive. Their music is a collection of folk-tinged gospel music (according to The Source, ‘with a bit of Hank Williams thrown in for good measure’) and is actually pretty uplifting listen to! We’re really excited to get them up (and over) to Scotland before they head over to Germany for a string of dates.

Also on the bill for the night are Glasgow’s very own Maple Leaves. Tipped for big things this year they have the ability to surround me with a warm glow everytime I listen to them so they should have no trouble in putting a spring in the step of everybody’s weekend. Next up we have Craig Davidson, a singer songwriter hailing, like myself, from the chilly north east of Scotland. His influences range from Elliot Smith and Nick Drake all the way to The Teardrop Explodes and Pink Floyd. There’s a definite element of psychedelia to his work which you can check out on his myspace.

Plus, if three bands weren’t enough, we’ve organised what can only be described as a ‘wee treat’. Called out recently for being nothing but angry on their debut album, we’ve taken up the role of therapist to try and tame the beast that is Cuddly Shark. We’ve twisted their arm, and some more, and persuaded them that whilst turning their amps up to 11 is great, that we think they would sound just swell stripped down to nothing more than some quiet guitars and percussion. This could go either way folks…(!).

So there you have it, first lineup of the year. Will hopefully see some new faces along and as ever, kick off is at 9pm and the gig is free!

The blog has been a bit quiet of late and I guess that reflects January in general. Lack of cash, bad weather and not much going on gig-wise in the first couple of weeks of the month. However, mid-way through the month, I’ve been to my first gig of 2010 and not my average type of gig at that. I mean it’s more likely that I’ll go and see bands at Sleazies who are aquaintances of filmstars/tv people (like so) than actually go to a gig to watch an Oscar winner but I made an exception for The Swell Season. There’s a good chance a lot of people will be pretty unfamiliar with The Swell Season and but for the film ‘Once‘, I probably would be too. Indeed, if you are unfamiliar with ‘Once’ I’d highly recommend searching it out. It can be found for only a couple of quid at most retailers and it’s an absolute gem of a film, very low budget, heartwarming to the max, and one for people who love music. I encountered the film in 2007 when a friend and I were taken along to a preview screening including a live performance by the film’s main protagonist’s by our good friend Robert. He promised us that we’d love the film and that we did. Anyway, this isn’t a film blog and I’m certainly not qualified to write like an authority on cinema!

The Swell Season are a collection of musicians featuring Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, who play the two main characters from the film as well as being the writers of the film’s soundtrack and the oscar winners for the song ‘Falling Slowly’. The rest of the band are made up of Glen’s other project, Irish band, The Frames. Having just released their second album ‘Strict Joy’, I was delighted to get the chance to see them play Glasgow for the first time. It was also my first time in the City Halls, a really nice venue but again, not my usual type of gig venue.

The evening was kicked off by The Lost Brothers, an Irish acoustic duo who I’ll admit I’d never heard of before but I’ve since bought the album and it hasn’t been out of my head since Saturday. They were just the right mix of folk, americana and country and I’ll definitely be looking out for them in future.

It’s unlikely that I’ll see a longer gig in 2010. Glen and Marketa took to the stage around 8:30 and didn’t finish until not long before the clock struck 11, an impressive two and a half hour stint. They played a varied set of songs from both Swell Season albums, much of the Once soundtrack and a few other random songs for good measure. As a frontman Glen really makes the band connect as a live act, telling funny anecdotes in between songs and explaining the meanings behind songs. Marketa on the other hand is very quiet and shy and spends most of the time sat behind the piano but when she does take centre stage she has such a likeable, charming quality. You could just keep her in your pocket! Set highlights for me were Say It To Me Now and Leave from the Once soundtrack as well as Feeling The Pull from the most recent album.

As I said before, I’d definitely recommend people to have a wee look at The Swell Season, or even the Once soundtrack. Maybe you will fall in love with the film just as much as I did.

Next stop: Nice and Sleazy’s – Wed 20th Jan – Cuddly Shark, Farewell Singapore, My Cousin I Bid You Farewell and Bad Bad Men

Now, I usually like to get the gig reviews/post match up pretty sharpish on the Elba Sessions site so please excuse me for being a bit lax this month! A mixture of putting on two gigs in two nights, organising Elba Annual posts, starting a new project, work and a few beers at the shows, have pushed back what will be (mostly) a photographic memory of the evening! This is what happens when you man the door! (Apologies, for the size of the photos, I just couldn’t get them to fit right this evening but there’s a link at the end to a gallery!)

Up first, for his first of three Elba engagements, was Conor Mason. Just off the boat from Derry, Conor started with a set of songs from his debut LP ‘When It’s Over’.

Next up, one of my new favourite bands, Rags and Feathers. It was the first time I’d seen them and already I can’t wait to go and see them again. They are well worth checking out and a lovely bunch. Julian and Andrea even had an impromptu DJ set on the Opry Wheels of Steel. All I can say is that they are just a huge slice of folky goodness!

The third band of the evening were The Moth and The Mirror. Fresh from a couple of dates with Frightened Rabbit (they also support them at their Dec 22nd ABC show) they were on top form and went down well with everyone. They were the perfect build up to the last band of the night, Le Reno Amps.

This was to be Lindsey’s last show with the Amps and the rest of the band ’suited’ up for the occasion. After a country heavy opening set, the Amps fired on all cylinders with tracks from all three of their albums, with a couple of extras added in. There was even time for an onstage plea for a new bass player which I am to believe has still not proved successful. Finishing with a rendition of Johnny Cash’s ‘Daddy Sang Bass’, it was a fitting send off for Wolfie.

If anyone knows a bass player…???? (There is a strict criteria!)

Thanks to Steph Mulligan for the pictures, some can be viewed at a better size here…(more to come). Also, a huuuuuuuuuuuge thanks to Mags and her staff at the venue, you are unlikely to find more welcoming venue staff anywhere!

When planning the Elba Sessions Annual, it was only right that the subject of the Grand Ole Opry gig, got a day all to herself. Tonight at the Opry Le Reno Amps will bid a fond farewell to bass player Lindsey. Stepping up to media duties one more time, she answered our questionnaire…

Album of The Year – The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love

Hopes for 2010/Things You’re Looking Forward To – I’m going on holiday! A real holiday! To Kenya! To see a lion!

Lindsey has her final fling tonight at The Grand Ole Opry with support from The Moth and The Mirror, Rags and Feathers and Conor Mason. Doors are 8pm, £4 (that’s a pound per band!) and it would be amazing to see y’all there!