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Gary Lightbody on Tired Pony

james@scottishmusicnetwork.co.uk (Administrator) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:58:24 +0000

Snow Patrol singer Gary Lightbody has spoken about Tired Pony, his new collaboration with Peter Buck.

Announcing their arrival earlier this year, Tired Pony feature two songwriters who thrive on collaboration. REM guitarist Peter Buck has worked with Billy Bragg and Robyn Hitchcock, while Snow Patrol singer Gary Lightbody has engineered a few all star projects.

Once sitting at the helm of The Reindeer Section, Gary Lightbody is now working with Tired Pony. One of the most refreshing projects either songwriter has been involved in for some time, the group's debut album is a delight.

Recorded with Jacknife Lee, 'The Place We Ran From' was laid down in just one week. Speaking to the NME, Gary Lightbody explained that the record is much darker than his previous projects.

"There's quite a lot of blood dripping from this record," the singer said. "You have to go really deep into the record before you find it, but it's there. There's quite a lot of dark tales of bad deeds."

Belladrum Sold Out!!!!!!!

james@scottishmusicnetwork.co.uk (Administrator) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:50:44 +0000

The organisers of Belladrum have confirmed that all tickets for this summer's event have sold out.

Held on a country estate just North of Inverness, Belladrum has established itself as one of the hidden gems of Scotland's festival season. Mixing top class music with art and theatre, the festival is a family affair.

Making full use of the ancient estate, this year will see the Belladrum ruins turned into a temple where Finding The Well theatre company will perform the works of Shakespeare across the weekend.

Alongside tents devoted to debate, spiritual healing and more fans can find a varied bill drawing on music from across the globe. Reggae icons The Wailers will bring the memory of Bob Marley to Scotland, while Badly Drawn Boy and Divine Comedy star Neil Hannon are also taking part.

The Vaselines ....New Single and UK Tour Dates

james@scottishmusicnetwork.co.uk (Administrator) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:43:03 +0000

Seminal Scottish indie duo The Vaselines are set to release a new single ahead of a British tour.

2010 could well mark the return of Scottish indie music. Belle & Sebastian are touring again, Teenage Fanclub have released a new album and seminal duo The Vaselines have recorded their first new material in two decades.

A bumper crop! But check out the line up for December's Bowlie 2 - the vast bulk of the groups thus far confirmed are from Caledonia. The Vaselines are due to perform, reinforcing images of a tartan Mafia controlling indie pop.

The duo returned last year, playing a series of re-union shows to promote their rejuvenated back catalogue. The Glasgow pair decided to write new material, resulting in only their second studio album in more than twenty years.

'Sex With An X' is due to be released later this year, featuring Francis and Eugene on typically filthy form. Ahead of the album the title track is due to get a full scale single release on September 6th.

WICKERMAN TAKES ITS BOW IN A BLAZE OF GLORY

james@scottishmusicnetwork.co.uk (Administrator) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:54:54 +0000

WICKERMAN TAKES ITS BOW IN A BLAZE OF GLORY

Scotland’s leading alternative music event came to a fiery end in the small hours of yesterday morning (Sunday July 25) as flames engulfed the bow-wielding 40ft willow Wickerman sculpture and fireworks exploded in the sky above the Dumfries & Galloway festival site.

Highlights from the ninth Wickerman Festival included main stage headliners The Charlatans and Ocean Colour Scene; music legends Tony Christie, Teenage Fanclub and Buzzocks; as well as up-and-coming talents Fenech Soler and I Blame Coco. The festival took place at East Kirkcarswell Farm near Dundrennan on Friday July 23 and Saturday July 24.

WICKERMAN LINE UP HOTS UP EVEN MORE WITH ONE WEEK TO GO

james@scottishmusicnetwork.co.uk (Administrator) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:49:52 +0000

WICKERMAN LINE UP HOTS UP EVEN MORE WITH ONE WEEK TO GO

With one week to go, organisers of Scotland’s leading alternative music festival have named The Go! Team and I Blame Coco as the final acts to complete the bill on Wickerman’s Summerisle Main Stage next weekend (Friday 23 and Saturday 24 July).

This comes fast on the news earlier this week that I Am Arrows, Little Comets and Alan Pownall would also be taking a trip to Dumfries & Galloway to appear at Scotland’s friendliest music festival. The ninth Wickerman boasts the most diverse list of bands at any festival featuring such names as The Charlatans, Ocean Colour Scene, Teenage Fanclub, The Saw Doctors, The Futureheads, Tony Christie, Sons & Daughters, Buzzcocks, The Undertones, Goldie Lookin Chain, Fenech Soler, Erland & The Carnival, Unicorn Kid, Django Django and many more.

Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr is set to release his second single

james@scottishmusicnetwork.co.uk (Administrator) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:19:07 +0000

Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr is set to release his second single 'She Fell In Love With Silence' from self – titled debut album. The single will be released in the UK and Ireland as a digital download on August 15th, and will be produced by Jez Coad (Simple Minds last 2 albums) and featuring Charlie Jones on bass (Robert Plant, Page & Plant, Goldfrapp) alongside long-time Simple Minds drummer Mel Gaynor. Whilst the new song is an electro tinged, Joy Division – esque pop tune, this alter ego of Simple Minds' Jim Kerr still retains strong links with his 33 year long career with the Simple Minds.

Biffy Clyro to release new Single

james@scottishmusicnetwork.co.uk (Administrator) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:15:25 +0000

August 23rd sees the release of Biffy Clyro's new single 'God & Satan'. Deemed as “A huge polished brute of a record...”(The Guardian) and “A supremely confident, passionate and gritty work...” (The Sun), Biffy Clyro's release of 'God & Satan' is eagerly awaited to say the least. Whilst the current album 'Only Revolutions' has seen the Scottish trio climb to rock's premier league with 300,000 sales, the new single is surely set to be a scorcher.

MORE MAIN STAGE ACTS HEAT UP WICKERMAN LINE UP

james@scottishmusicnetwork.co.uk (Administrator) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:02:52 +0000

Press Release

MORE MAIN STAGE ACTS HEAT UP WICKERMAN LINE UP

Three of the country’s most exciting new acts will join The Charlatans, Ocean Colour Scene and Teenage Fanclub on the Summerisle Main Stage of the ninth Wickerman Festival near Kirkcudbright on 23 and 24 July.

Today, (July 12) festival organisers are excited to announce the addition of I Am Arrows, Little Comets and Alan Pownall to an already bulging bill.

Fresh from supporting Muse on their European dates, I Am Arrows features former Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows upfront on vocals, guitar and keyboards. Described as a meld of The Beatles, MGMT and Elliott Smith, the North London outfit are signed to Universal. Their debut long player Sun Comes Up Again is released on July 19 and was previewed as one of NME's Albums of 2010.

The Wickerman Festival line-up heats up the festival season

james@scottishmusicnetwork.co.uk (Administrator) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:00:42 +0000

Press Release

The Wickerman Festival line-up heats up the festival season

With two weeks to go, organisers of the ninth Wickerman Festival are bursting with pride as they commence the final countdown for the country’s best-loved music festival which boasts its most diverse mix of music ever.

Taking place near Dundrennan, in the heart of Dumfries & Galloway, on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 July, The Wickerman Festival embraces an eclectic line-up which features a dizzying mix of rock, indie, punk, electro, techno, drum & bass, reggae and folk music across eight stages and the most extraordinary selection of extra activities to be found on any festival site anywhere in the world.

As ever, the Summerisle main stage will be graced with some of the most interesting bands around, from indie legends to super-slick crooners and the stadium stars of tomorrow. Highlights this year include The Charlatans, Teenage Fanclub, Tony Christie, The Futureheads, Goldie Lookin Chain, Ocean Colour Scene, The Saw Doctors, Fenech Soler, Glasgow Gospel Choir, Erland & The Carnival, Buzzcocks and The Undertones. All have been hand-picked to appeal to the most discerning of festival-goers.

Paying homage to the 1973 film of the same name which was filmed in the area, the festival draws to a close on Saturday night with the theatrical burning of the giant 40 ft Wickerman sculpture. Taking weeks to create by local artists, Trevor Leat and Alex Rigg, the sculpture bursts into flames at midnight creating the most iconic image of the festival season.

Ensuring that there is something for everyone, including a kid’s area for the 6-16 year olds, there is a jam-packed programme of activities suitable for adventure lovers, families, and those simply looking to chill. A headphone ceilidh and disco, dance workshops, synthetic ice rink, dance workshops, mountain boarding, wood carving demonstrations and pitch ‘n’ putt are just some of the events available throughout the weekend.

Biffy Clyro play huge homecoming gig at T In The Park

james@scottishmusicnetwork.co.uk (Administrator) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:38:46 +0000

Biffy Clyro play huge homecoming gig at T In The Park

Simon Neil mocks Glastonbury injury to play Balado's Main Stage

Biffy Clyro played to a huge crowd on T In The Park's Main Stage tonight (July 11), with frontman Simon Neil mocking his recently sustained knee injury during the set.

Neil showed hardly any signs of struggling with the twisted knee he suffered after falling offstage badly during the band's Glastonbury performance last weekend - but he did mock the incident by walking onstage being aided by bassist James Johnston.

However, as soon as the band launched into a frenzied version of opening track 'That Golden Rule' he snapped out of the phoniness. Neil made sure he made it as obvious as possible that he was more than agile and able to perform, by jumping around the stage as normal and even crouching to the floor with his legs stretched apart as far as possible.