Elba Sessions

Judging by the scene outside my flat this morning, the mist makes it look like Silent Hill, winter has arrived in Glasgow. There has been loads of wee things going around this week that I have meant to blog about but haven’t had the time to. So I guess this is just a wee round up.

I’ve noticed there is a lot of free christmas songs going about the internet and they have all been covered in different blogs but my personal favourite so far has been Merry X-Mas 2009 by Jason Lytle, ex-Grandaddy. It’s the perfect listen on a winters morning, 35 minutes of improvised piano music and something a bit different to listen to. If you download this and enjoy it, I’d definitely recommend the album ‘Solo Piano’ by Gonzales. I’ve dusted that off this week along with other music perfect for winter including Joanna Newsome and Sufjan Stevens. I believe Sister Winter hasn’t been off Chris Elba’s i-pod all December! I could post links to other good free downloads but the truth is, I haven’t kept links for them all and they have probably been covered elsewhere. Peenko’s Friday Freebies is usually has a pretty comprehensive collection of free downloads. I have also been enjoying these advent calendars, plenty good freebies here…

Banquet Records Advent Calendar

Maps Magazine Advent Calendar

On the gig front there have been loads this month which I have wanted to go to but have just not had the time or money to go to all of them. Im disappointed to have missed The Phantom Band at The Arches last night, looks like it would have been a good night. This week, Thursday poses a bit of a problem with Sparrow and The Workshop playing at The Mill and Super Adventure Club, Lyons and Bronto Skylift playing at Stereo. I think it will be Stereo for me, but who knows! Glasgow PodcArt also have their Christmas party at the 13th Note on Thursday with Panda Su, Kid Canaveral, The Darien Venture and Tokyo Knife Attack. The week after, i’ll definitely be in attendance at King Tuts to see The Cinematics on the 23rd. Really looking forward to that!

Right, off to dig out the Christmas DVD’s!

Al Nero proclaimed that most of the cool alternative kids were probably at Stereo to see Fuck Buttons (review here by Club Hott) but there was still a good turnout for a stellar line up at the 13th Note.

First up were the ‘new look’ Elvis Suicide complete with a new bass player, drummer and guitarist, powered along by Chris Devotion. I’m pleased to say that they still play their own brand of breakneck, riotous rock n roll which makes them such a good live band. Next up were Peter Parker who were then followed by the fabulous Super Adventure Club. It was the first time I’d seen them and I was totally impressed by them. Finishing off the evening was Le Reno Amps, promoting their new EP ‘The Stand Off’. No strangers to Elba, Le Reno played a set of newies, oldies and all goodies and had a right good hoe-down!

It was a grand way to start the weekend early!!

*Le Reno Amps will play an acoustic set for us at The Liquid Ship on October 8th.