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4 : 9 : 15

SSE support Nordoff Robbins 'Scottish Music Awards' - p3

Ally Kerr takes his music to China - p6 : Phil & Aly on tour - p8 : A concert in memory of Caden - p12

The Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMAs) are back, and bigger than ever for 2015 as tickets go on sale for this year’s awards to be held at 'The Garage' in Glasgow, on Thursday 8 October.

Continuing to shine a light on emerging talent on the Scottish alternative music scene, the SAMAs have spent this year celebrating bands from across Scotland at a number of intimate gigs, but will now turn to the public to award the best on the scene in 2015.

In a bumper announcement, SAMAs founder, Richy Muirhead, has also unveiled that the event will be hosted by XFM DJs, and include performances by previous winners and nominees including HOLY ESQUE and CRASH CLUB.

Richy Muirhead said: “I’m over the moon to be able to finally announce a date and venue for this year’s awards. We have been working hard on building awareness of the Scottish Alternative Music Awards this year, with monthly gigs applauding the plethora of musical talent throughout the country. But to be able to bring all those acts together in one venue for one night and show the amazing amount of people who want to celebrate these bands is going to be incredible. And with XFM hosting the evening, it’s going to be one to remember.”

The awards turn six this year and recently announced an exciting sponsorship deal with RebelRebel Barbers, based in Glasgow, as well as beer giants Heineken. Get tickets here from the link above from as low as £6.

The categories for this year have also been announced as:

Best Live Act in association with Bloc Glasgow Best Newcomer in association with UWS Creative Best Hip Hop in association with Splitter Scotland Best Metal in association with Cathouse Rock Club Best Electronic in association with Eventbrite Best Acoustic in association with citizenM Glasgow Best Rock/Alternative in association with EmuBands

http://officialsama.co.uk/ www.facebook.com/OfficialSAMA https://twitter.com/OfficialSAMA

Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMAs) are back & bigger than ever

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Tickets @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scottish-alternative-music-awards-2015-main-event-tickets-17878187139

And concluding the exciting announcement, the SAMAs have also announced a free gig at BLOC, in Glasgow, on Tuesday 15 September, with COPPER LUNGS and ALBURN taking to the stage to celebrate the awards’ return.

photo by David McIntosh

page 2 music news scotland

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SSE Join Forces With Nordoff Robbins Scotland

tweet @ https://twitter.com/LAUmusic fb @ www.facebook.com/pages/Lau/112015035498101

www.lau-music.co.uk

SSE, the title sponsor of The SSE Hydro, is very proud to continue its support of live music in Scotland by becoming the title sponsor of the 'Scottish Music Awards', the annual star studded event that celebrates Scotland’s rich and diverse musical talent and raises money for Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland.

The newly titled SSE Scottish Music Awards will take place on 28 November in Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket.

Now in its 17th year the SSE Scottish Music Awards is a firm favourite in the event calendar. With past live performances from award winners such as SSE Live Award winner Paolo Nutini alongside Wet Wet Wet, Biffy Clyro, Emeli Sandé, Jimmy Somerville, Barbara Dickson and The View to name but a few.

The new partnership will see Nordoff Robbins Scotland and SSE join forces to raise the profile of Scotland’s only music therapy charity and increase its services.

Through the partnership SSE will actively support the growth of Nordoff Robbins Scotland services through a combination of direct investment and a series of staff fundraising initiatives. This support from SSE will make music therapy more accessible to hundreds more children and adults across Scotland.

Music therapy is grounded in the belief that everyone can respond to music, no matter how

ill or disabled and can help people express emotions and communicate with others, improving the quality of life and wellbeing for people living with a diverse range of health conditions.

Colin Banks, Acting Head of Sponsorship for SSE, said: “All of us at SSE are delighted to be working in collaboration with the fantastic charity, Nordoff Robbins Scotland. They make such a meaningful difference to so many adults and children across Scotland, and with people increasingly recognising how music therapy can change lives we are incredibly proud to be able to support the growth of this invaluable service.”

Donald MacLeod, Chairman of Nordoff Robbins Scotland said “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with SSE – they’ve been hugely supportive of the music industry so it feels like a perfect fit for them to come on board with us. With their support we can continue to grow the charity and provide music therapy, which is so vital, to more and more children and adults across Scotland. We always push ourselves so we can continue expanding our facilities across Scotland and every year it costs over £500,000 to provide music therapy to over 400 children and adults. This partnership is an ideal way to encourage donations from Scotland and beyond!”

The unique combination of music and therapy that Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland offers is both a release and sense of fun for the individual through the power of music. Unique to other forms of therapy, the concept of taking our creative side and combining this with alternative modes of therapy is revolutionary; illustrating that music has strong healing qualities.

SSE plc is one of the UK’s leading energy companies, involved in the generation, distribution and supply of electricity and in the extraction, storage, distribution and supply of gas. It supplies energy to around 8.58 million energy and home services customers throughout Great Britain and Ireland and is the UK’s leading generator of electricity from renewable sources. www.nordoffrobbinsscotland.org.uk https://twitter.com/NRScot www.facebook.com/nordoffrobbinsscotland Images from the 2014 Scottish Music Awards

page 4 music news scot-

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Dark Green Tree consists of Ross Cockburn, Jay Brown, and Cera Impala who on a 5 year journey via Edinburgh, Cambridge and Heriot Toun Studio have brought their music together to create this superbly crafted album

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Songbirds: NYCoS National Girls Choir and Karen Cargill

Michael Head, the half-forgotten First World War-era British composer, is having a most curious revival. A revival not entirely unlike his original musical career, or indeed the man himself: understated, modest and yet of real substance. Head was, above all else, a singer’s composer. Acutely sensitive to words, his sympathetic treatment of the musical content together with effective word setting produces, in each song, a perfect musical miniature.

Perhaps it is the fond memories of performing Head’s best-known songs, The Ships of Arcady and The Little Road to Bethlehem, at singing competitions that prompted KAREN CARGILL, world-renowned Scottish mezzo-soprano and NYCOS NATIONAL GIRLS CHOIR patron, to collaborate in this rediscovery of his lesser-performed and never-before-recorded Snowbirds song cycle. A collection of seven songs, each beautifully imagined by Head, Snowbirds displays a richness of emotion and drama: moments of intensity and grandeur are juxtaposed with dreamlike passages and heartbreak.

NYCoS National Girls Choir and Karen Cargill, under the baton of the inimitable Christopher Bell, expertly convey the nostalgia and passion of this captivating work. Also featuring British composer Gary Carpenter’s Shakespeare-inspired The Food of Love – Book 2.

Artistically led Christopher Bell, the National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS) is dedicated to providing high-level singing opportunities for over 2,000 young people across Scotland.

Formed in 1996 as a flagship youth choir, its activities have since expanded to include four National Choirs, 15 Area Choirs, a strong educational remit providing training in vocal education and a large variety of educational resources, publications and song books. GIGnotes ..... Saturday 12 September, 3.00pm at City Halls, Glasgow. Box Office: http://tickets.glasgowconcerthalls.com - tickets £14. Event page: www.facebook.com/events/1106810436000744/

www.nycos.co.uk www.facebook.com/NYCoScotland

ALIS

TAIR

OGI

LVY

July Moon is a strong collection of self-penned material from Alistair recorded at CHEM19 studios. Alistair was determined to push some genre boundaries while focusing on varying themes of love and loss, poetry and nostalgia.

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Dean's unique blend of Celtic Americana is grounded in the idea of 'home' while forever keeping a wandering eye on the road. A deeply personal album that enjoys mo-ments of heartache, loss and longing but also hope & joy

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OW

ENS

www.deanowens.com

Psychedelic’ Apache Sun have their debut EP released on infamous student run record label Electric Honey. Brothers Kris & Pete from Aberdeen have encapsulated all that is great about psychedelic, garage, rock and pop music

APAC

HE S

UN

www.apachesunband.com

Karen Cargill

NYCoS National Girls Choir

music news scotland page 5

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Scottish singer-songwriter Ally Kerr embarked on a headlining 10-show tour of China in June and he and violinist Caroline Evens produced a six-minute film entirely shot on a mobile phone to document this experience.

The Glaswegian musician was invited back following a festival appearance in Beijing in 2013 – where he performed during a sandstorm that threatened to derail the event entirely.

Kerr is one of only a handful of Scottish musicians to tour in the country.

Though virtually unknown in his home country, the Scot has worked extensively across Europe and Asia building a notable following in Asia.

Kerr’s songwriting has matured in the 10 years since his debut release, graduating from an innocent, indie-pop sound to a textured, folk-pop sound featuring an assortment of piano, violin, strings, trumpet, flute and guitars.

With three albums under his belt and a strong independent approach, Kerr is currently writing and demoing songs for his fourth album, following the release of 2013’s critically-acclaimed album Viva Melodia.

“A heady combination of guitar riffs and pop melody has seen Ally Kerr become the next big thing on the British music scene” – Time Out Singapore

Although echoes of Belle & Sebastian (the

Washington Post described him as “Gentle Scottish folk with a pop tinge. If Stuart from Belle & Sebastian did a solo gig…”) Nick Drake, Neil Halstead, Kings Of Convenience, Simon and Garfunkel and many other artists resonate, Kerr’s style is singularly distinctive.

Cult Spanish label Elefant Records (Lambchop, Camera Obscura) spotted the potential very early on and released a 7inch vinyl single of the first songs Kerr had ever recorded, resulting in positive reviews and airplay around the world.

Having concentrated on the international market for the last few years, one of Scotland’s broadsheet newspapers – Scotland on Sunday – had described him as “one of the most interesting and creative musicians working in the country right now” in its rundown of the “Hottest Scottish Talent” with the biggest-selling newspaper in Scotland (Daily Record) saying of his last album “one of Scotland’s best-kept secrets offers another magical mix”.

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2nd, 3rd, 4th October 2015

Inspiring: Ally Kerr takes his music on a trip to China

watch the YouTube video @ https://youtu.be/XrZdjSo3HpM

music news scotland page 7

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Make your music headline news with Deborah Welsh Commercial Media

Specialist PR and publicity consultant based in Scotland

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The national institution of Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham complete their summer tour this month

Phil & Aly, two of Scotland’s most acclaimed traditional musicians have taken to the road again to delight audiences across Scotland with their masterful, versatile and amusing performances. They have now been leading us in the dance on BBC’s live Hogmanay show for two decades and in 2013 the legendary folk duo receive the The Sunday Mail Great Scot Award’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award. They have become a national institution with their incomparable mastery of fiddle and accordion, bringing excellence in traditional music to venues across the country. Individually they pursue other ventures in performance, television and education. It is when they tour together that they truly shine with almost three decades of well-honed skills and hilarious banter delighting audiences everywhere. Phil, who is artistic director of Scottish music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, had the wonderful opportunity in 2014 to perform at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony alongside Nicola Benedetti. He also arranged & co-produced Pumeza Matshikiza’s performance of Freedom Come All Ye. Phil also arranged and co-produced tracks on Nicola Benedetti’s most recent album ‘Homecoming’, and works with John Ashton Thomas (Hollywood film Orchestrator and composter) on orchestration and arrangements. This year Phil is also working on a new BBC series on piping. Aly, who now holds 5 honorary Doctor of Music degrees, was honoured in the 2013’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, with a lifetime achievement award. His now world acclaimed “Transatlantic Sessions” went network in the USA in 2014. Aly continues to develop the series, while also touring in the autumn each year Aly Bain, Ale Möller & Bruce Molsky.

www.philandaly.com www.facebook.com/pages/Aly-Bain-Phil-Cunningham/450047325049415

“They are probably the best traditional musicians you are ever likely to hear” Mike Russell, Glasgow Herald

GIGnotes ..... Full venue and ticket details @ www.philandaly.com SEPTEMBER: 4th Campbeltown (Blas Festival) / 5th Islay (Blas Festival) / 7th Mull (Blas Festival) / 8th Kinlochleven (Blas Festival) / 10th Livingston / 11th Fraserburgh / 12th Old Meldrum / 16th Helensburgh / 17th Kilmarnock / 18th Dunfermline / 19th Dundee / 20th Paisley / 23rd Crawfordjohn / 24th Langholm / 25th Hawick / 26th Edinburgh

music news scotland page 9

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page 10 music news scotland

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Jazz partnership marks 20 years together with tour

Leading jazz vocal and piano duo Tina May & Nikki Iles tour Scotland in September as part of their celebrations marking twenty years of working together. May and Iles met when the then-Leeds-based pianist’s trio accompanied May on gigs in Yorkshire in October 1995. They released their first album, Change of Sky, two years later and have gone on to work as a duo, in quartets and in especially well-received trios with saxophonists Tony Coe and Karen Sharpe. Gloucester-born May, whose musical experiences include performing in an Edinburgh Fringe revue with impressionist Rory Bremner and recording Come Fly With Me as the theme song from television docusoap Airline, became interested in jazz when she was studying French at University College, Cardiff and she began singing during a year spent in Paris as part of her course. After working in theatre companies and singing with bands around Cardiff, she moved to London and released her first album, Never Let Me Go, in 1992. She went on to develop both as a singer and lyricist, putting words to tunes by musicians including former Weather Report keyboards player Joe Zawinul and alto saxophonist Bobby Watson, and in 2002 she achieved a great honour in jazz

terms when pianist Ray Bryant, accompanist to singing greats Betty Carter, Carmen McRae and Aretha Franklin, invited her to put lyrics to his compositions and record with him in Rudy Van Gelder’s legendary Englewood Cliffs studio in New Jersey, where John Coltrane recorded his landmark album A Love Supreme. Since meeting May in 1995 and moving to London shortly afterwards, Nikki Iles has gone on to establish herself as one of the UK’s foremost pianists, working with saxophonists Scott Hamilton, Peter King and Stan Sulzmann and appearing with the Kenny Wheeler Big Band and the Julian Arguelles Octet as well as leading her own trio with top New York bass and drums team, Rufus Reid and Jeff Williams. The duo are looking forward to returning to Scotland as they have always enjoyed a strong rapport with Scottish audiences and because May’s late father was a Scot, crossing the border always feels like coming home. GIGnotes ..... SEPTEMBER: Birnam Arts Centre (13th), Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh (14th), Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline (16th), Nairn Dunbar Golf Club (17th), Lyth Arts Centre, near Wick (18th), and Hospitalfield House, Arbroath (19th). www.facebook.com/tinamayuk www.facebook.com/nikki.iles.5

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Tina (left) and Nikki

music news scotland page 11

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page 12 music news scotland

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On 12 September in Motherwell's Kings Centre there's a very special concert organised by David and Angela Beggan in memory of their son Caden who lost his fight against meningitis in 2012.

Caden very sadly passed away at Yorkhill Hospital at 6 years old, and his family have been raising money in his name ever since - collecting more than £95,000 for Yorkhill Children’s Charity so far.

This family friendly concert, also in aid of the Yorkhill Children's Charity, includes performances from X Factor 2013 runner-up NICHOLAS MCDONALD - who is now signed to RCA Records - and Greenock singer-songwriter YVONNE LYON plus many others including some of Caden's family and friends.

Please show your support for the Beggan family by joining them if you can at what is set to be a very fitting tribute to Caden.

Tickets are £5 from the link above and a limited number of tickets are also available for a 'Meet &

Greet' with Nicholas McDonald. These special tickets cost £20, which includes your ticket for the gig and light refreshments. The Meet & Greet is between 6pm and 7pm, and the concert starts at 7.30pm.

Event page @ ..... www.yorkhill.org/events/our-events/concert-caden

www.facebook.com/CadenBeggan www.facebook.com/thenicholasmcdonald www.facebook.com/yvonnelyonmusic

It's simply a "Concert for Caden" Raising money for Yorkhill Children's Charity

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Saturday 12 September in Motherwell : Tickets available @ www.fundraising.yorkhill.org/concert-for-caden

music news scotland page 13

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page 14 music news scotland

SCOTTISH MUSIC CENTRE ............ member profile:

Richard Stead "The Scottish Music Centre's task is to champion the wealth of talent that abounds in Scotland's musical community"

This is a MUSIC NEWS Scotland series profiling Scottish Music Centre members

Richard Stead was born in Newton Mearns, and moved to Kilmacolm at the age of three, where he grew up. By the time he was 14 he wanted to become a composer, but his parents thought it a hazardous career!

In the event he realized he was not as good as Beethoven, so he joined the family business, Gratispool Ltd, where he worked as a Sales Director, then overseas as Export Director until the original company

was sold. It was not until he fully retired at 55 that he took up writing

music again as a hobby after becoming friends with the singer and composer Patrick Stephen Samuels. He studied piano under Michael Lester-Cribb at Fettes College, and in recent years returned to study composition with John Maxwell Geddes at the RSAMD in Glasgow. He has also studied harmony with Aberdeen University KEY learning facility, passing the course with Honours. In 1999 Patrick Stephen Samuels scored his piano Impromptu No.1 for flute, clarinet, horn, bassoon and double bass, and it was played by members of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the Loch Shiel Festival with some success. He has arranged most of the short piano pieces in his Suite for the Grandchildren for strings, and Marianne's Tune was played by the

Edinburgh Quartet with the string section of the Lochaber Music School at the same festival in 2000. The Lord's Prayer was accepted and performed at St Jude's Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and subsequently elsewhere in Indiana and Texas by other choirs. www.linkedin.com/pub/richard-stead/48/96b/807 www.scottishmusiccentre.com/richard_stead/

www.scottishmusiccentre.com : https://twitter.com/scottishmusic : www.facebook.com/scottishmusiccentre

The Scottish Music Centre currently supports in excess of 100 composer, group/small business and corporate members. Offering a wealth of advantages, initiatives include the bi-monthly Composers' Digest and Exposed Melodies podcast series,

annual Composition Marathon, regular networking events and notification of valuable opportunities, extensive publicity and increased correspondence with national companies, chamber ensembles, soloists and festivals.

For further information, please contact 0141 552 5222 or visit: www.scottishmusiccentre.com

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

Soul Nation - Dancing in the Aisles

You've paid for a seat but there won't be much sitting down when the joyful, dynamic energy of Scotland's own SOUL NATION hits the stage at Livingston's Howden Park Centre on Saturday 5 September. Enjoy all the greatest sing-along soul anthems from the past forty years, combined with our nation's finest young musical talent.

Fresh from performing at some of the biggest venues around - Murrayfield Stadium for the Scottish Rugby team, the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for The Big Big Sing and Party at the Palace, Soul Nation invites you to the biggest house party to hit the road this year.

Soul Nation is a collective of inspirational and talented professional vocalists taking audiences across the UK by storm with their uplifting and explosive energy, combining soul, passion and music into live show-

stopping performances with a unique edge and unforgettable sound.

Since they got together in September 2013 they have toured with Deacon Blue as part of their show including a date at SSE Hydro they headlined the Merchant City Festival. in session they have provided vocals for 911, X factors Sam Callahan and the BBC. They have performed all over the UK from corporate gigs at SECC to capacity crowds at Murrayfield for the SRU and got in the top 20 downloads as the featured vocal in Red Hot Chili Pipers cover of Aviciis Wake Me Up!

GIGnotes ..... 5 September, 7.30pm, tickets £16 or £14 concession. Box Office: 01506 777666 or @ www.howdenparkcentre.co.uk/article/6600/Soul-Nation---Dancing-in-the-Aisles

www.soulnationchoir.com www.facebook.com/soulnationchoir https://twitter.com/SoulNationChoir

'Richard's works have been performed by members of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Edinburgh Quartet at the Loch Shiel Festival, and his setting of the Lord's Prayer has been sung by choirs in Indiana and Texas'

music news scotland page 15

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'Featured on Tom Robinson’s BBC6 radio show and also featured in the line up for Tigerfest 2008'

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page 16 music news

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The decision to record a live album was explained by one of the band’s founding members and bassist Mike Brown “We decided to do a Live CD as we're primarily a live band and thought the Ironworks would be a fantastic venue to do the recording to capture a cross section of our live set.

The services of local sound engineer Stephen Bull (Steve Bull Productions) were employed for recording the band’s Hogmanay performance on December 31 2014 at the popular local music venue with the mixing assisted by the band’s saxophone player Allan Hogg.

Tapping into local talent the band brought in Katy Gilchrist from Inverness who is at the latter stages of her degree at the Glasgow School of Art, Katy came back to the band with some great designs based photos taken the band’s performance at Hogmanay. The album features an hour’s worth of material incorporating a dozen tracks made up of a variety of the band’s own Celtic Rock sets and a few of their favourite covers featuring their own arrangements.

The band are again palying The Ironworks in Inverness for Hogmanay, tickets available from venue and online from www.ironworksvenue.com

http://rhythmnreel.co.uk/ www.facebook.com/pages/rhythmnreel/296350287782

Justhope has performed in some of Glasgow’s most notable venues, including King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Oran Mor and O2 ABC Academy, and most recently featured in King Tut’s “New Years Revolution” Festival for 2015. The band also spent 2014 recording new material and playing gigs in the Netherlands, expanding on their cultural exposure and artistic direction culminating in the upcoming release of their second EP Eye Witness, which will hopefully spark the beginning of their launch into the wider music scene across the UK. Opening track ‘Ordinary’ encapsulates the bands musicality and a harmonising intimacy. Whereas ‘Eye Witness’ introduces a rhythm of samples and is graced with perfect melancholic vocals to buoyant background tones. ‘Give Me Something’ livens the tempo and plays subtle homage to some of the bands main influences: John Mayer, Green Day, Paul Simon, Led Zeppelin, Rodrigo Y Gabriela and Coldplay. The debut single ‘Ordinary’ is also available now. A music video for the new single ‘Ordinary’ has been produced by Keep the Change Productions and stars Katrine Spowart and David Duncan. www.justhopemusic.com www.facebook.com/justhopemusic https://twitter.com/justhopemusic

RHYTHM N REEL : album : 'Live At The Ironworks' release date - out now : http://rhythmnreel.co.uk

JUSTHOPE : album : 'Eyewitness' release date - out now : www.justhopemusic.com

One of the Highland’s most established bands who recently celebrated their 21st Birthday has released their new album 'Live At The Ironworks'.

Justhope are an up and coming four piece band from Glasgow, who incorporate a variety of musical influences into their distinctive style, producing a thoroughly unique sound. Building on the back of their first offering Colors, Justhope has recently released their follow-up EP Eye Witness.

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music news scotland page 17

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ALBUM AVAILABLE FROM 24th JULY AT LINKS BELOW ..... shop @ www.clype.bandcamp.com / web @ www.clypemusic.com

new releases

page 19 music news scotland

APACHE SUN Apache Sun EP cd / download Release Date: Out Now ‘Newly minted psychedelic’ band from Glasgow have their debut self-titled EP released on infamous student run record label Electric Honey. Brothers Kris and Pete have encapsulated all that is great about psychedelic, garage, rock and pop music into this record. A perfectly balanced EP. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/apachesun https://www.youtube.com Available from: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/ Love Music (Glasgow) Monorail (Glasgow) www.apachesunband.com www.facebook.com/apachesunband https://twitter.com/ApacheSunBand

FOXBEEF Shattered Echoes Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now Foxbeef: Powerful, melodic, hard rock with grunge sensibilities. Foxbeef released their début album Shattered Echoes on the 27 June, 2015. The drums were recorded at TPot Studios in Kinross with Robin Wynn Evans, whose credits include The Manic Street Preachers & The View. The band took on the responsibility to record and produce the rest of the album themselves, working as hard as they could over the course of a year to get the album to a place that reflected the bands personality and energy. Listen/Watch: www.foxbeef.bandcamp.com www.youtube.com/foxbeefband Available from: iTunes/ Google Play/ Spotify/ Deezer /Bandcamp www.facebook.com/foxbeef www.youtube.com/foxbeefband www.twitter.com/foxbeef

MEMORY MAN In Praha single download Release Date: Out Now Paul Mellon (Guitars): This is our second single of our debut EP which we aim to release this autumn. In Praha is a song about 2 people falling in love in Prague. The main riff was inspired by Here Comes Your Man by Pixies and the solo is my own very poor imitation of / homage to Nels Cline's solo in Impossible Germany by Wilco. Some have called it catchy. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/memorymanmusic https://memorymanmusic.bandcamp.com/ Available from: https://itunes.apple.com/gb https://memorymanmusic.bandcamp.com/ www.facebook.com/memorymanmusic https://twitter.com/MemoryManBand

scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download

Fairy Lights Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now Jenny Lascelles is a singer, songwriter, pianist and occasional ukulele enthusiast from Newcastle Upon Tyne. Fairy Lights is her first album, a result of both eager anticipation from audiences and a keenness to set down some of her music in sold form. The album is a reflective look at the way in which little, personal moments can portray the wider world. The album uses a variety of influences, whilst also maintaining a lyrical and stylistic thread throughout. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/jennylascelles Available from: www.bandcamp.com iTunes, Amazon MP3, RaRa, Spotify, eMusic, Google Play http://jennylascelles.com https://twitter.com/jennylascelles www.facebook.com/jennylascellesmusic

JENNY LASCELLES

Summerland Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now Summerland are a hard-gigging band that are delighting ever larger live audiences with their songs of love and loss, longing and rejection. Sophie Armstrong, a shepherdess working in the wilds of Northumberland by day, has an extraordinary voice that soars, yet offers vulnerability and clarity too. At her side stands Gary Shearer, a guitarist of impressive ability whose musical tastes know no bounds. Together they’ve crafted a set list of original, heartfelt songs. This is music that is both contemporary and timeless. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/summerland-1 Available from: iTunes and Amazon http://summerland-duo.co.uk/shop The Music Shop + Berrydins Bookshop, Berwick http://summerland-duo.co.uk www.facebook.com/SummerlandUK https://twitter.com/summerlanduk

SUMMERLAND

UPrising Album cd Release Date: Out Now UP is a trio comprising guitar, double bass, drums and harmony vocals, based in East Lothian and Edinburgh. These are fine, experienced players, and the album (superbly engineered by Wayne Bell) gives a good cross-section of their eclectic live repertoire - early rock, jive, country, jazz, blues, traditional folk and skiffle pieces all come under a very broad umbrella - if it's fun they play it! Listen/Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hudarwZ0w0w https://youtu.be/pFsYipnuZdI https://youtu.be/IQ7jGLShZ0M https://youtu.be/IFy6Tz0knAY Available from: Direct from the band - email: up.band@btinternet.com or via facebook - album £10 + UK p&p £2.65. Payment via PayPal invoice, either by PayPal a/c or credit/debit card www.facebook.com/uncertaintyprincipleup

UP

music news scotland page 20

ALISTAIR OGILVY July Moon Album cd / download Launch Date: 8 July July Moon is the second studio album from singer-songwriter Alistair Ogilvy - a strong collection of self-penned material released on his own label and recorded at CHEM19 studios. Alistair was determined to push some genre boundaries while focusing on varying themes of love and loss, poetry and nostalgia. Louis Abbott from Admiral Fallow produced the album and it also features Karen Mathieson from Capercaillie on guest vocals. This new release is sure to gain him new admirers and open up exciting opportunities. Listen/Watch: www.youtube.com/user/alyogi Available from: http://alistairogilvy.com/buy-2/ https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/july-moon/id972130454 http://alistairogilvy.com https://twitter.com/AlistairOgilvy www.facebook.com/Music.Alistair.Ogilvy

STEVE GARRETT Even Song Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now Electric guitarist, re-imagining jazz, folk, rock and choral music. Born in London, Steve Garrett has lived and traveled across the UK, Antartica, Canada and California, and now calls Scotland home. His music springs from a lifetime of influences from diverse sources and performances. Even Song include songs of loss, longing, inspiration by landscape, resolution and hope. The reflective mood mirrors the fading light at the end of the day. Composers range from the 16th Century through folk and the 1980s to contemporary European jazz, with some original compositions. Arrangements bring out the full resonance of the guitar, sometimes backed by loops recorded in real time. Listen/Watch: https://stevegarrettguitar.bandcamp.com/album/even-song Available from: www.amazon.co.uk www.birnamcdshop.com, www.amazon.com www.bandcamp.com iTunes, Amazon MP3, Spotify, RaRa, Google Play www.facebook.com/SteveGarrettguitar

IAIN MORRISON EAS Album cd / download / vinyl? Release Date: 31 July It is never easy for a son to follow in the footsteps of a famous father, so Iain Jnr chose not to. He gave up the world of solo piping and went on his own musical journey. But what he was taught in his formative years is deep within him and this album is a definite attempt at some kind of filtering of the music of his hinterland. There is also a story present, sometimes a rocky one, of a father and son's relationship formed through a rich tradition and an art form that is deeply important to their culture and to both of them personally. There is a mixture of all these elements in this album and Iain Morrison is an artist who is following his own path, wherever that may take him. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/iain-morrison https://iainmorrison.bandcamp.com https://www.youtube.com/user/MrOmuprin Available from: www.iainmorrisonmusic.com Coda Music (Edinburgh) www.iainmorrisonmusic.com www.facebook.com/iainmorrisonpeatfire

scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download

Moving Pictures EP download Release Date: 15 June Sylvie is a Scottish singer-songwriter & her songwriting reflects her Scottish roots and life near Glasgow. Her music has been described as "pop meets folk in a bar for the broken hearted". Over the last year she & her guitarist David, both Danny Award Winners at Celtic Connections have co-written some of their best works & an EP of 4 songs called "Moving Pictures" will be released on the 15th June with 2 more EP's being released this year with an album in January 2016. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/sylvie-mcfarlane www.reverbnation.com/SylvieMcFarlane www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpWvn16QLt8 Available from: iTunes, Googleplay & Amazon www.sylviemcfarlane.com https://twitter.com/SylvieMcFarlane www.facebook.com/SylvieMcFarlane

SYLVIE McFARLANE

Remember To Forget Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now Remember To Forget is my second release, which I feel reflects the ups and downs I have been through since my last release A Place for Sorrow. With this record I had a different perspective with writing and recording and I hope you enjoy listening it to as much as I enjoyed putting it all together. Thank you for your continued support; it is forever and always appreciated. Much love, Rob xx Listen/Watch: https://m.soundcloud.com/robbie-flanagan https://robbieflanagan.bandcamp.com http://ganbei-records.bandcamp.com/music https://m.facebook.com/robbieflanaganmusic Available from: http://ganbei-records.bandcamp.com/music https://itunes.apple.com/gb www.amazon.co.uk https://robbieflanagan.bandcamp.com https://twitter.com/r_flanaganmusic www.facebook.com/robbieflanaganmusic

ROBBIE FLANAGAN

Movies Album download Release Date: Out Now David Altair releases his fourth album entitled ‘Movies’. This album is more beat driven than his last mainly instrumental albums. The album has an ambient and progressive feel to it drawing on inspiration from Boards of Canada. David has released the album for download on Bandcamp. The cover art is by James Abell with fonts by Douglas Mackay. Listen/Watch: https://davidaltair.bandcamp.com/album/movies www.youtube.com/user/TheDavidaltair/videos Available from: https://davidaltair.bandcamp.com/album/movies https://davidaltair.bandcamp.com

DAVID ALTAIR

page 21 music news scotland

TIM DALLING Eve's Bonie Squad Album cd Release Date: Out Now Tim is a song-writer and performer who has been described as a cross between Ivor Cutler and Randy Newman. And now that The New Rope String Band is calling it a day Tim is ready for a new solo career. This album is a collection of songs that celebrate a joyful and urgent humanity recorder with guitarist Ian Carr and bassist Neil Harland. Audiences are once again warming to a man with a very special gift who entertains with a passion, superlative musicianship - and humour. Listen/Watch: https://youtu.be/p1zj3wzqLXk Available from: www.timdalling.co.uk/boniesquad.html www.timdalling.co.uk www.facebook.com/tim.dalling.1

JAMES EDWYN & THE BORROWED BAND The Tower Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now Glasgow sextet James Edwyn & The Borrowed Band were formed in 2013 and soon established a cult following that set up a ripple effect carrying their name far and wide. Their music is a mix of alt country and folky rock roots orientated Americana. They showcased at the 2014 Celtic Connections and realised they had enough material to start putting their debut album 'The Tower' together. Recorded in Scotland an additional session was recorded at Smecky studios in Prague where the strings for the track 'The Last Waltz' were played by the world renowned Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Roddy Hart also guest vocals on the track. Listen/Watch: https://open.spotify.com/album/7uWW086JRIOT3tHt8s3Ouu Available from: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-tower/id839081801 www.facebook.com/JamesEdwynAndTheBorrowedBand

SKYLINE Homecoming Debut Album cd (later) / download Release Date: Out Now Skyline are a Scottish band from Edinburgh looking to revolutionize the musical boundaries that lie in place today. We are searching for the balance between electronic music and live music to change musical opinions. We adopt melodic undertones to inflict emotion but will always embrace elements of contemporary music. Listen/Watch: http://skylinescotland.bandcamp.com/album/homecoming www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzTuwy52-utraaCz8oNEfDZEWa3vndhF6 https://play.spotify.com/album/4ikvLfpi25pcgg7NNMH7Ct?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open Available from: http://skylinescotland.bandcamp.com/album/homecoming https://itunes.apple.com/it/album/homecoming/id1002199288?l=en www.facebook.com/skylinescotland

scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download

Truth Be Told Album cd / download / stream Release Date: Out Now

Resisting obvious labelling MIR pay homage to their influences without ever drifting into cliché and from this genre surfing road trip craft a cohesive accessible album that is littered with pleasant surprises. Lyrically astute they do intimate and subtle and they let rip in equal measure and, have a massive personality on and off stage - Roddy McKenzie / Inverness Gigs Listen/Watch: www.youtube.com/channel/UCZeMlkJlX1k0PcSJs3Lkr5w https://play.spotify.com/album/6cI6y40cqg99KUlRzonro8 Available from: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/truth-be-told/id991329636 https://play.spotify.com/album/6cI6y40cqg99KUlRzonro8

www.mirband.com www.facebook.com/MIR77BAND https://twitter.com/mir77band

MIR

Prettiest Criminal EP cd / download Release Date: Out Now Georgia Gordon's 'Prettiest Criminal' EP is the latest release from this 20 year old Scot. Tracks released in 2014 caught the media's attention 'bound for bigger and better things' - The Scotsman 'damn, this is good - must get more from her' - Crack in the Road. This latest EP brings an intimacy to her voice with lyrics taking it to the next level. Her distinctive and huskily mature sound is pitched somewhere between blues and early RnB with a slight hint of KT Tunstall and Alabama Shakes. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/georgiagordonmusic Available from: http://symbiode.tictail.com https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/prettiest-criminal-ep/id991788209 https://twitter.com/georgiagmusic www.facebook.com/georgiakate16

GEORGIA GORDON

Jenny Does Burn Album cd / download Release Date: 29 June ‘Jenny Does Burn’ is a collection of 12 original tracks and the debut album from Scottish singer songwriter Mairi Orr. Produced by Mattie Foulds, this alternative folk / Americana album features musicians Steven Polwart, Nico Bruce, Fraser Fifield, Dave Currie, Danny Hart and Mark Woods. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/mairiorr Available from: Amazon, iTunes www.birnamcdshop.com www.mairiorr.com www.facebook.com/mairiorrmusic https://twitter.com/MairiOrrMusic

MAIRI ORR

music news scotland page 22

URVANOVIC Amateurs Album : download / vinyl Release Date: 15 June The debut album from Edinburgh’s orchestral noise-pop collective, 'Amateurs’ is a spectacular amalgamation of live and programmable instrumentation that creates an overwhelmingly powerful sound. “Pure, simplistic and beautiful” - Artrocker "It’s the kind of music that makes me want to type all day in an attempt to describe its beauty” - The 405 “Urvanovic have managed to create a sound that is both complex and enchanting” The Vinyl District Listen/Watch: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL89F8EC0EC604D929 https://urvanovic.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/urvanovic Available from: Love Music, Glasgow Vox Box, Edinburgh https://urvanovic.bandcamp.com/album/amateurs http://urvanovic.com/ www.facebook.com/Urvanovic https://twitter.com/Urvanovic

RACHEL SERMANNI Tied to the Moon Album : cd / download / vinyl Release Date: 10 July

Tied To The Moon was conceived in an apartment above a pottery studio deep in the sticks of Nova Scotia where Rachel had four days of complete stillness with no means to communicate with the outside world - during silent afternoons of coffee and pistachios, Rachel would sit, in total solitude; writing; reading; playing music. In the space of these four days she unintentionally wrote six songs - four that would later become the core of Tied To The Moon: ‘Tractor’, ‘This Love’, ‘Banks Are Broken’ and ‘Old Lady's Lament’.

Listen/Watch: New single Tractor @ https://soundcloud.com/monrecordings-1/tractor

Available from: Preorder @ www.rachelsermanni.net or your local record store

www.rachelsermanni.net www.facebook.com/RachelSermanni https://twitter.com/rachelsermanni www.youtube.com/user/RachelSermanni

DON'T SHOOT The Wonderkid EP / Download Release Date: 18 May

"This EP should come with a warning, one listen to this and you'll be hooked" - Michael Chapman - Chordblossom. “For a band who are both relatively new and irritatingly young, it’s impressive this track (Panic) is very much the finished product. Catchy, welcoming and flawlessly presented, they’re ready for a big step forward.”- BBC Across The Line. Don't Shoot entered Glasgow's 'Soundwave Music Competition' and after storming through the heats, they played the final at Glasgow's O2 ABC on the 10th of January 2015 and were announced winners that very night.

Listen/Watch: www.soundcloud.com/broken-road-records

Available from: www.itunes.com www.amazon.com www.googleplay.com www.brokenroadrecords.com

www.facebook.com/dontshootband www.dontshootband.co.uk https://twitter.com/DontShoot1 www.brokenroadrecords.com

scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download

The Untied Knot Album cd / download Release Date: 6 July Shooglenifty’s seventh studio album, and the first to feature a collection of songs. The breathtaking ‘puirt a beul’ (mouth music) of Gaelic vocalist Kaela Rowan brings a captivating and energising new element to the band’s sound, and further confounds any attempt to categorise them. Listen/Watch: https://shooglenifty.bandcamp.com Available from: https://shooglenifty.bandcamp.com www.shooglenifty.com https://twitter.com/shooglegigs www.facebook.com/shooglenifty.scotland

SHOOGLENIFTY

Infinite Variety Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now “Originally based on a loose concept of merging post-punk New York with post-punk Manchester, The Cathode Ray swiftly added sixties garage, soundtracks, glam, northern soul, disco and psyche to their sound-palette for their eponymous 2012 debut album - fully blossoming with added electro, shoegaze and prog for this year’s Infinite Variety.” Listen/Watch: https://stereogramrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/infinite-variety-cd-dl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5J_oK8b9u8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-YXHTCYoVQ Available from: www.stereogramrecordings.co.uk/audio/infinite-variety-the-cathode-ray-cddl/ https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/infinite-variety/id976367851 Glasgow: Love Music Edinburgh: Coda Music; Elvis Shakespeare; Underground Solush’n; Vox Box www.stereogramrecordings.co.uk www.facebook.com/thecathoderay https://twitter.com/jcwthoms

THE CATHODE RAY

Revolution Album download (cd in July) Release Date: Out Now

Finally, it's arrived! "The follow up we've all been waiting for, the result being one incredibly cohesive album that doesn't put a foot wrong – welcome to the Revolution". - Andy Gee, The Sound. Includes the singles 'Los Angeles' , 'When the River Runs Red' and brand new single 'The Only One'. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/emeraldsunday www.emeraldsunday.co Available from: iTunes, deezer, amazon, play, google play, 7"Digital etc.... ie ' most online record stores www.emeraldsunday.co https://twitter.com/emeraldsunday1 www.facebook.com/pages/Emerald-Sunday/80792375884

EMERALD SUNDAY

page 23 music news scotland

SPRING BREAK Departure Lounge ep download Release Date: Out Now Vaguely outrageous, psychedelic 3 piece hip-hop folk funk outfit, hand crafting screwball anthems deep in the Highlands of Scotland. Amalgamating a wealth of experience in vocal performance and musicianship, whilst fusing the hip hop languages of scratching, beat-boxing and lucid lyricism with the foibles of apathy and the implied abuse of aquatic life. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/spring-break Available from: Google Play - http://bit.ly/1bXGSxh iTunes - http://apple.co/1O8hUfw www.facebook.com/springbreakscotland https://twitter.com/springbreakscot

MATTHEW WHITESIDE Composer - Matthew Whiteside, featured musicians/ensembles: Red Note Ensemble, The Robinson Panoramic Quartet, Aurea Quartet, Emma Lloyd, Joanna Nicholson, Abby Hayward

Dichroic Light Album : cd / download Release Date: 4 May

Dichroic Light is an evocative electro-acoustic album that combines interactive electronics and the classical instrumentation of strings, wind and piano to create a very personal body of work reflecting Matthew’s passion for electronics and sonic experience. Matthew Whiteside is an electronic alchemist who combines his many musical influences to create an electro-acoustic soundworld. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/matthew-whiteside/sets/dichroic-light-album Available from: iTunes link below ..... https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/matthew-whiteside-dichroic/id990051985 www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00WR096DI + Fruit Market Gallery, Edinburgh www.matthewwhiteside.co.uk www.twitter.com/mwhiteside www.facebook.com/mwhitesidecomp

SPOOT HAWK The Good Haul Album cd / download Release Date: 1 May A Good Haul is the debut album from Spoot Hawk, who formed in the summer of 2013 on the Shetland Islands. The album documents the band’s first year together. The album opens with the catchy and memorable Hot Love (Straight After Midnight). With its darker moments and the odd spattering of humour, the album is sure to satisfy a wide range of listeners. Brace yourself for a high-octane musical experience. Listen/Watch: www.soundcloud.com/ewan-nowak Available from: High Level Music (Shetland) Mareel (Shetland), Downloads from iTunes www.facebook.com/SpootHawk

scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download

Baby Eat Your Heart Out Album cd / download Release Date: 1 June The OK Social Club are back with their 2nd studio album Baby Eat Your Heart Out. The follow up to their 2013 debut Nothing in Common is already being heralded as bolder, deeper and more ambitious than their debut. "We're very proud of this record and can't wait for everybody to hear it" - Raff Eragona, The band's songwriter and frontman. "Already a strong contender for the year's best indie album" - Jamsphere Listen/Watch: http://youtu.be/eHtl02LsLGw + soundcloud Available from: https://itun.es/gb/aOAx6 (And other online stores) CD's @ http://theoksc.bigcartel.com/category/albums www.facebook.com/theoksocialclubofficial www.twitter.com/theoksocialclub

THE OK SOCIAL CLUB

The Butterfly’s Dream Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now Imaginary Creatures is a virtual band, a studio project formed by the collaboration of lyricist and songwriter David Scott and producer and multi-instrumentalist Iain McKinna. The Butterfly’s Dream is their debut album. Guest musicians include guitar ace Keith More, harmonica legend Fraser Speirs and ex-Lindisfarne songwriter Rod Clements. Listen/Watch: www.reverbnation.com/imaginarycreatures Available from: Birnam Shop: http://bit.ly/1bLhVDw www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ID7BLAK www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ID7BLAK http://amzn.to/1heO9qD also coming soon on itunes + spotify Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Imaginary-Creatures/392409684214473

IMAGINARY CREATURES

Into the Sea Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now

Scottish troubadour Dean Owens’ 6th solo album was recorded in Nashville, produced by Neilson Hubbard, with guest US musicians including Will Kimbrough, Kim Richey and Suzy Bogguss complementing his searingly soulful voice. The former Felson’s unique blend of Celtic Americana is grounded in the idea of “home” while keeping a wandering eye on the road.

Listen/Watch: https://www.youtube.com/user/hummingbirdone1/videos Available from: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/into-the-sea/id986065601 and www.deanowens.com

www.deanowens.com https://twitter.com/deanowens1 www.facebook.com/deanowensmusic

DEAN OWENS

We Came From Wolves Album cd / download Release Date: 1 June

Saraseto Records proudly present the debut, self-titled album from We Came From Wolves. 'Everything you could want from emotional Scottish Rock' (Rock Sound Magazine) Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/wecamefromwolvesmusic Available from: www.sarasetorecords.com iTunes and Love Music Glasgow www.facebook.com/wecamefromwolves https://twitter.com/wcfwmusic/ https://instagram.com/wecamefromwolves/

WE CAME FROM WOLVES

music news scotland page 24

BECCI WALLACE Fragmentality Album : cd / download Release Date: Out Now Fragmentality is the eagerly-awaited debut album from Becci Wallace. The album showcases an artful blend of genres, blurring the boundaries between folk, pop, trip hop, jazz and blues. The album follows the journey of an escapist, yearning for beauty from the unknown, the untravelled, and inevitably the route back to where she started. Listen/Watch: www.youtube.com/channel/UC0zZhI_1bbj0xF5F9zpRcjw Available from: www.amazingtunes.com/becciwallace www.becciwallace.net (TBC) iTunes, Amazon MP3, Spotify www.becciwallace.net https://twitter.com/toidfish www.facebook.com/becciwallacemusic

SUSAN GRACE BATES Skorsa: The Riddle of the Earth Album : cd / download Release Date: 1 May Eagerly awaited debut album, produced by the legendary John McSherry (At First Light, Lunasa, Tamalin) and Donal O’Connor (At First Light), it contains an eclectic mix of tunes and songs. There is a fine collection of musicians performing on the album including John McSherry, Donal O’Connor, Ross Martin (Daimh), David Foley (Rura) and Pauline Scanlon (Lumiere). Tunes from Ireland and Scotland (both traditional and contemporary), self-penned tunes, as well as songs and tunes that Susan collected on her travels in Sweden, can be expected. Listen/Watch: Soundcloud - coming soon! Available from: Amazon www.CDbaby.com www.susangracebates.com At live shows https://twitter.com/SusanGraceBates www.facebook.com/pages/Susan-Grace-Bates/298781546970436

SOPHIE ROGERS Two Sides Album : cd / download : Release Date: 4 May

The debut album 'Two Sides' from flame haired songstress Sophie Rogers is released this Spring. All music and lyrics were written by Rogers and skillfully co-produced by Gordy Goudie (Echo & The Bunnymen, Simple Minds) at The Soul Kitchen. Working closely with her band to develop her Celtic- soul & Country folk image and sound even further towards the album launches and tour, Sophie is lining up some unique venues to showcase her music. Album launch: Edinburgh, 14 May @ Sneaky Pete's + Glasgow, 15 May @ Broadcast

Listen/Watch: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/sophie-rogers https://play.spotify.com/artist/0cRPFrLYXNtzm6xZZ4Wp2S https://soundcloud.com/sophierogers www.youtube.com/user/SophieRogers1

Available from: iTunes, Spotify, Deezer & Physical from BigCartel: http://sophierogersmusic.bigcartel.com/

http://sophierogersmusic.wix.com/main www.facebook.com/sophierogersmusic https://twitter.com/__SophieRogers https://about.me/sophierogers

scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download

Running Circles ep cd / download Release Date: 18 May

Running Circles is the debut release from indie pop duo Evering, combining warm acoustic guitar riffs with graceful piano work to create an original pop-folk sound. Chris's raw vocals are enhanced with Dawn's rich harmonies as the band pull on a range of influences including Ben Howard and Elbow. Listen/Watch: https://evering.bandcamp.com/album/running-circles-ep www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKGBOrZa0po Available from: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/running-circles-ep/id989860453 www.everingmusic.com www.facebook.com/everingmusic https://twitter.com/Everingmusic https://instagram.com/everingmusic/

EVERING

The Butterfly’s Dream Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now Imaginary Creatures is a virtual band, a studio project formed by the collaboration of lyricist and songwriter David Scott and producer and multi-instrumentalist Iain McKinna. The Butterfly’s Dream is their debut album. Guest musicians include guitar ace Keith More, harmonica legend Fraser Speirs and ex-Lindisfarne songwriter Rod Clements. Listen/Watch: www.reverbnation.com/imaginarycreatures Available from: Birnam Shop: http://bit.ly/1bLhVDw www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ID7BLAK www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ID7BLAK http://amzn.to/1heO9qD also coming soon on itunes + spotify Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Imaginary-Creatures/392409684214473

IMAGINARY CREATURES

Despite The Dark Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now One of the most exciting folk-based bands to emerge from Scotland in recent years, RURA returns with their hotly-anticipated second album, Despite the Dark. Rugged and hard-hitting, yet intricately disciplined, instrumentals sit alongside heartfelt, anthemic songs, in a masterpiece release from the Glasgow and Edinburgh-based five-piece Listen/Watch: www.soundcloud.com/rura www.youtube.com/ruramusic Bandcamp Available from: www.rura.co.uk/shop online download platforms (iTunes etc.) Coda Music (Edinburgh) Europa Music (Stirling)

www.rura.co.uk www.facebook.com/ruramusic www.twitter.com/ruraband

RURA

Once Upon a Time ep cd / download Release Date: Out Now Bella and the Bear are a Scottish duo formed in 2014. A traditional acoustic sound is restored with rhythmic and percussive guitar playing, blending two-part harmony and a flair for storytelling through song. Once Upon a Time is the opening chapter and an opportunity to share the music the duo are beginning to create together. Listen/Watch: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/once-upon-a-time-ep/id979217143 https://open.spotify.com/album/7yNehDIVMYcJHzxvIUy0JJ https://soundcloud.com/bella-and-the-bear Available from: http://bellaandthebear.bigcartel.com/ Big Sparra Vinyl in Ayr - https://www.facebook.com/bigsparra www.facebook.com/bellaandthebear https://twitter.com/bellaandthebear

BELLA AND THE BEAR

music news scotland page 25

QUANTANA Restricted EP cd / download Release Date: Out Now Restricted is the second EP from Shetland metal heads Quantana. The band draw influence from many big names within the heavy metal and hard rock scenes, such as Killswitch Engage, Five Finger Death Punch and Alter Bridge. Powerful, fist-pumping vocals complimented with melodic harmonies and intricate riffs accompanying one another, all held together with a fat-bodied bass and drums that will feel like a kick in the gut. Listen/Watch: www.soundcloud.com/quantana www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9eFmRqzZ-M Available from: www.birnamcdshop.com www.amazon.co.uk // www.amazon.com Downloads from iTunes, Amazon MP3, Spotify Direct from the band www.facebook.com/quantana2012

ROBYN STAPLETON Fickle Fortune Album / cd / download Release Date: 1 June

'Filckle Fortune' is the much anticipated debut album from Robyn Stapleton. Since winning the title of BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician in 2014, she has had an incredible year, with stand out live performances, including BBC's Proms in the Park. The album features songs of Robyn's Scottish and Irish heritage, in the Scots, English and Gaelic language: stories of twists of fate and changing fortune. With an exceptional vocal quality, Robyn interprets some of Ireland and Scotland’s finest folk songs, from lively and spirited arrangements to sensitively accompanied ballads and unaccompanied laments.

Listen/Watch: www.youtube.com/c/RobynStapleton https://soundcloud.com/robyn-stapleton

Available from: Independent music shops www.robynstapleton.com iTunes and amazon

www.robynstapleton.com https://twitter.com/RobynStapleton www.facebook.com/pages/Robyn-Stapleton

LORNA REID My Hotel Wrecking Days Are Over single download Release Date: Out Now 'My Hotel Wrecking Days Are Over' - in the name of art, I have created an imaginary world where I no longer trash hotel rooms and live a rock 'n' roll life style. Don't worry, it's only a song Listen/Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=se5wY6D3kz0 https://soundcloud.com/smart-indie/my-hotel-wrecking-days-sample Available from: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/my-hotel-wrecking-days-are/id975679512 www.smartindie.co.uk/lorna-reid/ www.facebook.com/pages/Lorna-Reid/145885585477690 https://twitter.com/smartindiemusic https://twitter.com/LornaReidJazz

scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download

Ripped From The Wire Spine ep download Release Date: Out Now "The EP captures Josephine’s quirky style beautifully; a refreshing debut that makes her stand out from the crowd, certainly in these Northern plains anyway. Her music has a direct approach with the lyrics taking centre stage, wrapped in her accomplished almost Ben Folds style with a nod to Regina Spektor (who she has stated as being an influence). Tracks like You (Are Not The Reason), is a crushingly simple yet charming address to a former flame. If she can continue to go from strength to strength she is capable of delivering greatness. " - Jamie McDonald, Netsounds Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/josephine-sillars Available from: iTunes - link below https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/josephine-sillars/id929622306 www.josephinesillars.com https://twitter.com/JosephineHere www.facebook.com/pages/Josephine-Sillars-singersongwriter/243260802371468

JOSEPHINE SILLARS

Chasing The Sun Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now INSPIRED by sun-filled summers spent on Tiree that were the springboard for the band forming, ‘Chasing the Sun’ is the fifth and arguably most mature sounding album yet from multi award winning Skerryvore. From the assured determination of ‘Can You Hear Us?’ and steadfast self-belief of ‘Here I Am’, to the life-is-short urgency of ‘We Can Run’ and wistful reflection of ‘You Were My Friend’, this is an album with all the hallmarks of a band that has lived, learned and played music together for close to 10 years now. Listen/Watch: http://skerryvore.com/videos/ Available from: http://store.skerryvore.com/ www.skerryvore.com www.facebook.com/skerryfans https://twitter.com/SKERRYVORE

SKERRYVORE

The Butterfly’s Dream Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now Imaginary Creatures is a virtual band, a studio project formed by the collaboration of lyricist and songwriter David Scott and producer and multi-instrumentalist Iain McKinna. The Butterfly’s Dream is their debut album. Guest musicians include guitar ace Keith More, harmonica legend Fraser Speirs and ex-Lindisfarne songwriter Rod Clements. Listen/Watch: www.reverbnation.com/imaginarycreatures Available from: Birnam Shop: http://bit.ly/1bLhVDw www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ID7BLAK www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ID7BLAK http://amzn.to/1heO9qD also coming soon on itunes + spotify Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Imaginary-Creatures/392409684214473

IMAGINARY CREATURES

The Jelly Man's Daughter Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now The debut album from The Jellyman's Daughter - the sweet vocal harmonies and unique cello/guitar playing of the Edinburgh duo are joined by double bass, banjo, fiddle and mandolin on certain songs, bringing a fresh and innovative sound. In Americana UK's words... "Emily and Graham combine exquisite vocal harmonies and instrumental virtuosity, with Graham's rhythmic, percussive and improvisational cello playing giving their music a unique appeal" Listen/Watch: https://thejellymansdaughter.bandcamp.com/album/the-jellymans-daughter | http://www.youtube.com/user/jellymansdaughter Available from: https://thejellymansdaughter.bandcamp.com/ Coda Music, Edinburgh www.thejellymansdaughter.com www.facebook.com/jmdmusic www.twitter.com/jellymansmusic

JELLYMAN'S DAUGHTER

music news scotland page 26

SeaOfCrowns We'll All Learn single cd / download Release Date: Out Now This is an alternative rock listen and band that can truly fill your need for ‘thriving and striving’ rock n’ roll." If you like sweet riffs, catchy choruses, fantastic drumming and fantastic musicianship then this is for you. We'll All Learn delivers a taste of the energy and talent of SeaOfCrowns and captures their energetic live feel. Listen/Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2D1crXd6vg&spfreload=10 Available from: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/well-all-learn-single/id963849885 http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TLJYOAI physical copies from www.seaofcrowns.co.uk www.facebook.com/seaofcrowns www.twitter.com/seaofcrowns www.seaofcrowns.co.uk

EMPIRE BY DAY Mirrors + B Side 'Young' single - cd / download Release Date: 23 March

'Mirrors' is the debut single of Edinburgh Indie-pop band Empire By Day. The song takes the shape of an upbeat, indie classic, complete with intricate guitar lines and soaring vocal harmonies. The single's B-Side, 'Young', moves in the opposite direction, as a far slower, poignant moment closer to the style of Foals. Physical copies of the single will be released on 1 April, accompanied by a headline slot at Edinburgh's Electric Circus. Once the launch has taken place, the plan plan to tour the single around Scotland's many cities, to continue spreading the word about 'Mirrors'.

Listen/Watch: https://empirebyday.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/empire-by-day www.youtube.com/channel/UCyW6VaSf0iN94W9-eKtvN2Q

Available from: mainly iTunes, Amazon Music and Spotify, as well as Bandcamp, Youtube and Soundcloud, which can be found through our Facebook page - also be selling the single as a physical CD copy.

www.facebook.com/empirebyday https://twitter.com/empire_by_day

BEST GIRL ATHLETE Carve Every Word Album cd / download Release Date: Out Now Best Girl Athlete, AKA Katie Buchan, is set to release her debut album Carve Every Word on March 2nd 2015. Despite her tender years, at just 15 years old, Katie has created an emotionally charged and accomplished debut album imposing herself on the industry as a serious talent. Listen/Watch: https://soundcloud.com/abadgeoffriendship/best-girl-athlete-talk https://soundcloud.com/abadgeoffriendship/best-girl-athlete-hes-calling https://soundcloud.com/best-girl-athlete Available from: iTunes, Amazon, Fit Like Records offical site: https://fitlikerecords.bandcamp.com/music www.facebook.com/BestGirlAthlete https://twitter.com/BestGirlAthlete

scotland's new releases ..... album : single : ep / cd : vinyl : download

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RECORD SHOP

'Record Store Day 2015' was on 18 April : www.recordstoreday.co.uk

We encourage you to support independent record shops in Scotland : A selection of popular ones are be-low. If you run or have a favourite shop not listed please let us know and we'll happily include it.

Because this is linked to our 'new release' section we are only listing genuine high street retail shops who sell physical copies of new cds/records 'friendly face to friendly face' with their customers!

Email your record shop details to be included below to: carol.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

Avalanche (Edinburgh) Grassmarket EH1 2HY : www.avalancherecords.co.uk Apollo Music (Paisley) Causeyside Street PA1 1YH : www.apollomusic.uk.com Barnstorm (Dumfries) Queensberry Street DG1 1BU : 01387 267894 Big Sparra Vinyl (Ayr) New Bridge Street : www.facebook.com/bigsparra Coda (Edinburgh) [trad/folk specialist] Bank Street EH1 2LN : www.codamusic.co.uk Concorde (Perth) Scott Street PH1 5EJ : www.concordemusic.com Europa (Stirling) Friars Street FK8 1HA : www.europamusic.co.uk Imperial (Inverness) Market Hall IV1 1PJ : www.imperial-music.com Love Music (Glasgow) Dundas Street G1 2AQ : www.lovemusicglasgow.com McAlister Matheson (Edinburgh) [classical] Grindlay St EH3 9AT : www.mmmusic.co.uk Monorail (Glasgow) King Street G1 5RB : www.monocafebar.com/index.php?pid=84 Ripping Records (Edinburgh) South Bridge EH1 1HN : www.rippingrecords.com

GET YOUR NEW RELEASE LISTED!

If you’d like your new release to be included in the MUSIC NEWS Scotland ‘New Release’ section and ALSO be in with a chance of being picked for the MNS Top 4 spot then send it to:

New Releases, MUSIC NEWS Scotland, Romar House, Birgham, Berwickshire. TD12 4NF If only available as download then email link to musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

Email (as above) information about your new release for our listings, which should be in the format below: BAND NAME: Release Name: album / ep / single: cd / vinyl / download: - list all formats Release Date: Description: - 50 words approx Listen: - link to listen to your music Available from: - webshop, download, retail record shop your website/facebook/twitter

GET LISTED!

Advertisers also get a 'boxed listing' with artwork image -

email Carol for details: carol.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

the Scottish music festival supplement from MUSIC NEWS Scotland

Festivals!

Scotland's Music

INSIDE:

Go-Rock : Midstock : True North : Bring It All Home : Glasgow Americana : Lindisfarne Music Festival : 100 Bands Festival : Summer Isles : Blas Festival ..... plus 3 pages of Scottish festival listings

THE FRATELLIS (above) headline MIDSTOCK FESTIVAL in Midlothian on 12 September : see page 5 www.midstockfestival.com // www.facebook.com/thefratellis

read our latest FESTIVALS! supplement @ http://musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com/festivals/

www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com

Make sure we have your music festival listed, big or small - email your information to

musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

MNS

FESTIVAL Listings

Following is our 'short' listings guide to forthcoming Scottish music festivals - see our comprehensive guide

in our weekly FESTIVALS! publication @ http://musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com/mns-digital-publication-links/

No matter how small or new

your festival is we want to list it!!

AUGUST

Edinburgh International Festival Edinburgh 7-31 August Three exhilarating weeks of the very best in classical music, theatre, opera and dance. Edinburgh is the world's Festival City. With 4 million attendances, one third of the world's countries represented on its streets and stages, it’s where people come together from across the globe to share their passion for arts, culture and ideas. It's also where countless talented stars and performers have begun or developed their careers. With 12 Festivals throughout the year, there’s an endless array of events, performances and experiences to enjoy. www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk

Innerleithen Music Festival Scottish Borders 21-23 August A hugely enjoyable weekend of traditional music in this small Borders town, beautifully situated amongst rolling hills by the River Tweed. Memorable concerts feature some of the biggest names in Celtic music alongside the best of the local talent and the weekend is rounded off with a concert presenting wonderful singers of traditional song. Complementing the concerts are an open stage, a singaround and the legendary informal music sessions in local hostelries and the Union Club. www.innerleithenmusicfestival.org

Doune The Rabbit Hole Cardross, nr Stirling 21-23 August A small family-friendly festival with a twist! Doune The Rabbit Hole presents music, comedy, art, spoken word, drama, puppetry and much more! Events across Scotland throughout the year culminating in a 3 day multi arts festival...

it's time to go Doune The Rabbit Hole!! We make people happy through music, art, cake and loads of other stuff! After we've done that we teach people who wouldn't ordinarily be able to how to do creative things, like play instruments, write poetry and paint. www.dounetherabbithole.co.uk

Rockerbie Music Festival Lockerbie 22 August Two stages, all kinds of music, fairground rides, food and drinks. Great day of music to suit all tastes and ages. Get a discount on your ticket when you buy early www.facebook.com/rockerbie

Stowed Out Festival Stow 28-29 August 'Stowed Out' is run by SoundOut, a not for profit organisation formed in 2009 by an eclectic group of musicians and music fans in the village of Stow in the Scottish Borders. Over the years Sound Out has grown and now hosts a range vibrant music and arts events where there is always a strong emphasis on encouraging and supporting young or first time performers to get up and have a go. Friday joint headliners Dick Gaughan and Old Blind Dogs plus Saturday Headliners Model Aeroplanes www.facebook.com/stowedoutfestival

Summer Isles Festival Achiltibuie, Ross-shire 28-29 August Pioneered by local musician Mairearad Green,

with fantastic music and the most beautiful festival setting in Achiltibuie, which is under an hour from Ullapool. www.summerislesfestival.com

Go-Rock Fest Gourock 29 August Go-Rock is a small multi-venue festival aiming to showcase some of the great unsigned and independent acts in Scotland. Just a short train ride from Glasgow, the pretty coastal town of Gourock with its intimate venues and stunning views is the perfect location for our wee festival. With genres ranging from solo acoustic and folk through to opera, rock and metal, you're guaranteed to find something you enjoy. Go-Rock is part of Music on the Brain. www.facebook.com/gorock.music

Electric Fields Drumlanrig Castle 29 August Nestling in the beautiful surroundings of Drumlanrig Castle, south west Scotland. We’ve been working really hard to top last year and we’re pretty excited about this summer, as well as having some brand new developments www.facebook.com/electricfieldsfestival

Edinburgh Mela Edinburgh / Leith Links 29-30 August Welcome to the Edinburgh Mela! For over twenty years we’ve been bringing outstanding world music and gorgeous international dance to Scotland’s capital city, in a joyous carnival of colour, rhythm, community celebration…and delicious food. www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk

SEPTEMBER

Scottish Music Festivals to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

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MUSIC NEWS Scotland - GIGguide - FESTIVALS!

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www.glasgowamericana.com

web @ www.glasgowamericana.com fb @ www.facebook.com/pages/Glasgow-Americana/137637266274105

Nairn Book and Arts Festival Nairn 1-6 September A unique celebration of literature, drama, music and art in the Highlands of Scotland. There will be music for all tastes. https://nairnfestival.co.uk/

Bathgate Music Festival Bathgate 3-6 September The programme features a range of musical styles, profiles local music making, involve people of all ages, promotes a high quality professional programme and provides music education opportunities for young people. www.facebook.com/BathgateMusicFestival

100 Bands On The Border Galashiels 4-6 September 100 Bands On The Border will be a music festival held in venues and stages in Galashiels town centre. The idea behind this is to bring the best up and coming new bands and musicians from all over the UK to the Scottish Borders to showcase their talents. Contact Bill Jeffrey - william.jeffrey1@btopenworld.com weblink below .... www.facebook.com/pages/JMP3-Jeffrey-Music-Promotions/745042952180452

Lindisfarne Festival Holy Island 4-6 September The Lindisfarne Festival will come to life on September 4, 2015, giving you the opportunity to experience a weekend like no other. Located at Beal Farm on the truly breath-taking Northumberland coastline, with a spectacular backdrop of the mythical Holy Island - you will discover one of the country’s best-kept secret festival locations. From Friday through to Sunday, the festival will play host to an incredible variety of both local and world renowned musicians and DJs who will be performing an eclectic mix of indie, funk, rock and folk. Set in a series of marquees, you will be close to the music and heart of the festival. Each marquee will have its own headliner and we recommend you come in good time to see your favourite acts as each marquee has limit of revellers that can be fit in. www.lindisfarnefestival.com

Live @ Troon Ayrshire 4-6 September Since it was launched in 2010 Live@Troon has been providing a great September weekend of live entertainment for residents of, and visitors to, the Ayrshire coastal town. Over the first five years the weekend has brought some great musical and comedic talent to Troon with sell out gigs for acts such as The Wanted, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, The Saw Doctors, The Colour Ham and Eddi Reader. It has introduced local audiences to some great unsigned Scottish talent such as

Kassidy, Have Mercy Las Vegas, Vukovi and a list as long as your arm. 2015 promises more of the same and we hope a little bit extra with more venues, more musical tastes and more live music than ever before! www.liveattroon.com

Blas Festival Highlands 4-12 September Blas Festival is the Highlands' premier Gaelic and traditional music festival. Blas takes place in venues across the Highlands and includes an eclectic line-up of local, national and international artistes. www.blas-festival.com

Best of the West Festival Inveraray 12-13 September Best of the West Festival an 'end of season' showcase held annually in the grounds of Inveraray Castle in Argyll. This family weekend includes two days of music and song with performances in both English and Gaelic. The festival has a strong focus on local young talent as well as the best of the established performers. As well as a great line-up of music, food and drink it's also important to us to provide a wide range of activities for all ages. www.bowfest.co.uk

Dundee Celt Fest Dundee 18-20 September 2015 will be the first Dundee Celt Fest, a weekend music festival featuring the best of celtic rock and folk music. Dundee has contributed greatly over the years to celtic rock and folk music, It was only a matter of time before a celtic/folk festival in Dundee surfaced. September 2015 will see the very first Celtic Rock and Folk festival in Dundee and year after year to follow. www.facebook.com/dundeeceltfest

Loopallu Ullapool 25-26 September Loopallu takes place in the tiny remote North West coast fishing village of Ullapool and doubles the population of the village for the weekend. As well as the usual eclectic line up of acts appearing at the festival big top and the fringe events after hours in the villages pubs, the festival will be welcoming the return of the Literally Literary tent in association with Ullapool Book Festival. All this, as well as the usual warm Ullapool welcome. www.loopallu.co.uk

Isle of Jura Music Festival Jura 25-27 September The Isle of Jura Musical Festival is a well-established favourite for lovers of the traditional music scene, enjoy a weekend packed with

fantastic performances, stimulating workshops, spontaneous sessions and great craic. To guarantee you don’t miss out, you can pre-purchase your tickets online now. www.juramusicfestival.com

Dunbar Traditional Music Festival Dunbar 25-27 September The Dunbar Traditional Music Festival continues to flourish since it began in 1988. Set in the historic seaside town of Dunbar, the Festival is committed to showcasing local and young talent alongside well established and internationally known artists. Song, music, pipes & drums, children's workshop, informal tunes and sessions, concerts, ceilidhs and open air performances are the traditional hallmarks of the annual September event. The Festival caters for a wide range of musical tastes. Initially the focus was on traditional Scottish and Irish music but in recent years this has broadened to include jazz, blues, Appalachian, country, bluegrass and skiffle. www.dunbarmusicfestival.co.uk

OCTOBER

The Spree Paisley 9-17 October Paisley's national festival of music, comedy and arts, now in it third year - taking place at various venues in the town centre . The Spiegeltent will be back in County Square to host the bulk of the action but there will be a few big-name shows in the Abbey as well as stuff happening at Paisley Arts Centre and elsewhere. We also have a few surprises in store! www.thespree.co.uk

The Cumnock Tryst Cumnock 1-4 October A music festival under the leadership of Scottish composer, James MacMillan CBE Cumnock, Scotland. The Cumnock Tryst is an annual event with concerts in venues in and around the town. The programme will feature some of the finest, international classical artists, as well as music and musicians from different backgrounds both stylistically and socially. The Cumnock Tryst aims to make its strong commitment to the community at the heart of all its activities, for instance involving young people at school and college, amateur choirs and local bands. www.thecumnocktryst.com

Ullapool Guitar Festival Ullapool 2-4 October So why is the UGF so special? Perhaps it’s the mix of music old and new, of electric and acoustic, of steel and nylon, of seasoned

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performers and those, like the students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, just starting out on their careers. Perhaps it’s the location on Loch Broom and the drive up through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. Perhaps it’s the informal air of the whole weekend: there’s no “us and them”, no VIP area. Everyone mingles, and you’re likely to find yourself sitting beside a guitar legend in the Festival Club – or even jamming with them on one of the trade stands. www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com

Glasgow Americana Festival Glasgow 7-11 October Glasgow's annual celebration of Americana brings musicians from as far afield as Texas and Canada to perform roots music from blues to rockabilly. www.glasgowamericana.com

sound North East Scotland 22 October - 9 November sound is driven by the passion to make new music more accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. It embraces a network of local organisations to produce a varied programme of events exploring new music. The festival brings together a large range of different genres of music to appeal to a wide variety of tastes and encourage people to discover new sounds and widen their musical horizons. www.sound-scotland.co.uk

Sonica Glasgow 29 October - 8 November Sonica returns to Glasgow for 12 days this Autumn with a programme dedicated to world-class sonic arts, presenting emerging British talent alongside exceptional international artists from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Indonesia, Netherlands and Quebec. Highlights include:Olivier Ratsi (Antivj) // Herman Kolgen // Speak Percussion with Robin Fox // Kathy Hinde // Sisi Lu // Mark Lyken // Robbie Thomson. “If you want to experience the thrilling interface where music, visual art, theatre and digital technology meet, hasten to Glasgow.” The Times. Tickets on sale from Monday 15 June www.sonic-a.co.uk

Perthshire Amber - The Dougie MacLean Festival Perthshire 30 October - 8 November This is the 11th year of our festival and promises once again to be full of wonderful concerts featuring the finest of Scotland's musical talent as well as some international guests. Our venues are as special as ever … ranging from the prestigious Perth Concert Hall to town halls and tiny village halls, from atmospheric castles to our historic Dunkeld Cathedral and even

including an iron age Crannog on Loch Tay…25 venues in all in 2015! www.perthshireamber.com

NOVEMBER

Kinross-shire Winter Festival Kinross-shire November (various dates) We are delighted to announce that Big Country with THE BEST OF BIG COUNTRY TOUR will headline the Kinross-shire's Winter Festival 2015 on Saturday 21 November, 8pm at the Community Campus in Kinross. www.kinrossmusicfestival.co.uk

House Folk Scottish Music Festival Kinlochard 11-13 November The festival is now in its 8th year and takes place in three highly intimate venues over three nights in the wonderful setting of Kinlochard in the Trossachs. The concerts offer an expo of bagpipe, accordion, strings, fiddle, vocals and flute music fusing traditional and contemporary Scottish styles. Each night differs from the other but both include a blend of great music for everyone with a mix of folk, modern and traditional styles! www.scottishmusicfestival.co.uk

Fiddle 2015 Edinburgh 20-22 November One of Scotland's biggest traditional music festivals, promoting & sustaining traditional fiddle music since 1996. A weekend packed full of great music! Over the weekend there are concerts, ceilidhs, recitals, workshops, talks, open stage, festival clubs, sessions, stalls, free events.... and lots, lots more! The Fiddle Festival committee are now working hard towards Fiddle 2015. The dates are out now but keep an eye on our Facebook page and join our mailing list to be the first to hear what artists are playing at this years festival. www.facebook.com/scotsfiddlefest

DECEMBER

Edinburgh's Hogmanay Edinburgh 31 December Four fabulous days and nights of amazing events kick off the world's greatest New Year party. With the traditional torchlit procession, street performers, fireworks, concerts, ceilidh, the big Hogmanay party itself and a New Year's Day run to blow the cobwebs away - Edinburgh's buzzing. Come along and experience the magic for yourself. www.edinburghshogmanay.org

The Red Hot Highland Fling Inverness 31 December Scotland's Biggest Free Hogmanay Concert is guaranteed to bring the 2015 Inverness Festivals programme to a wonderful climax. Children Welcome! www.invernessfestivals.com

2016

JANUARY

Celtic Connections Glasgow 14-31 January Celtic Connections 2016 comprises a wealth of concerts, ceilidhs, talks, workshops, free events and late night sessions taking place over 18 days across various venues in Glasgow. www.celticconnections.com

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MUSIC NEWS Scotland - GIGguide - FESTIVALS!

For details email Carol : carol.musicnewsscotland@gmail.com

..... lots more festival dates in our FESTIVALS! supplement read it @ http://musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com/festivals/

We want all your

2016 festival

dates for big and small events

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MUSIC NEWS Scotland Scotland’s weekly digital music newspaper with all the latest news from the Scottish music scene

MNS GIGguide Our weekly gig guide giving a comprehensive snapshot of live music in every corner of the country

MNS FESTIVALS! Our weekly look at Scotland’s music festivals with the latest news and a full listings for the year

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