the beep seals

As the end of the year/decade fast approaches we are constantly reminded of who or what was best and such like over the given period. Or, who'll be missed since they passed on but let's keep this light.

In the spring of this year The Beep Seals decided to call it a day. They leave behind a lovely wee album they recorded with Teenage Fanclub's Norman Blake that folks will hopefully stumble upon for years to come. Here's a taster...

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withered hand (free download)

The ever brilliant Withered Hand are giving away a new song for free. Ergo, help yourself to the first gift that keeps on giving from this here site.

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the wellgreen

I can't believe I've not mentioned The Wellgreen until now. Just as well nobody reads this rubbish. Anyway, The Wellgreen, purveyors of fine music from the west coast of Scotland with a debut album imminent.

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*Stuart Kidd from The Wellgreen is also in 9/10 bands based in Glasgow & the surrounding area. Marco Rea from The Wellgreen is in the rest.

jesca hoop

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Jesca Hoop is an American lady living in Manchester. Have a listen to her song Four Dreams. It's one of my favourites this year. She's just released an album called Hunting My Dress too. You might as well just buy it now. It'll save you having to pick it up later.

*Jesca used to be nanny to Tom Waits' children before moving to England. I don't know any children but from what I can remember I'd prefer their company to the perpetual drizzle of Manchester.

alun tan lan

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Alun Tan Lan is amazing. Guitarist in Euros Childs' group and Britains No.1 surf combo Y Niwl, as well as a superfine solo artist to boot.

*I went to school with someone called Alun. He was in a heavy metal band called Rip N' Tear. Must be a very musical name Alun.

eagleowl

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Our final St Andrews day offerings are eagleowl. Beautiful, beautiful slow rolling music from Edinburgh. Their new single is out any day now. Their last single, though sold out, is available to buy as a download. Please go and get both, for your own good.

*I used to work in a shop with Clarissa from Eaglowl many moons ago. It was shit but she seemed thoroughly decent. There were others who seemed thoroughly decent but their bands were pish.

esperi

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Seeing as it's St Andrews day here we have another band from Scotland. On Friday my group had the pleasure of playing on the same bill as Esperi. Although sometimes a full band, this performance was a solo outing for Chris Lee Marr and a magical thing it was too. All manner of instruments were sampled & looped through his trusty pedal, building and building a soft textured breeze of lovingly crafted sounds that would not seem out of place on a Four Tet release.

With Christmas coming, click on the click, & buy your ever lucky family some Esperi. I guarantee they'll thank you more for this than bath salts.

schnapps

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Glasgow's Schnapps make a kind of garage shuffle reminiscent of singer Ian Crawford's previous outfits - Kain and The Gilded Angels. Both of those bands imploded just as it looked like they were about to explode so catch this lot while you can. Music that puts a smile on your face. Sometimes that's all you need.

*If you do need more than this why not drink schnapps. If you've still not got a smile on your face you probably need to lighten up a bit. Have a wank - tickle your balls/ladypart a little, you only live once.

jovenes y sexys

Jovenes Y Sexys are my favourite band this week. Hailing from Caracas Venezuela, this duo are giving away their songs for free. You'd be a mug not to take them up on this kind offer.

*I, like these two, have a cat.

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pascal pinon

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I don't know an awful lot about Pascal Pinon apart from the lovely music they make. From what I can gather they are 4 young sisters from Iceland who might just take over the world.

john stammers

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John Stammers creates beautiful acid folk music. He's released an album on the faultless label Redbricks Recordings. You could do worse than buy everything available from their shop.

colorama

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Colorama are a one(ish) man band affair from the lovely Cardiff. If you only have time to listen to one song today listen to Sound. If you have time to listen to more than one song you might enjoy yourself more than you deserve.

*There's actually 5 in the band with more guesting on some songs but Colorama is the vision of Carwyn Ellis I believe.

**Carwyn also uploads an excellent podcast at the end of every month.

beak>

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Portishead mainman Geoff Barrow has a new project. Beak> were formed in January with fellow Bristolians Matt Williams & Billy Fuller & recorded their self titled debut in 12 days. Dirty psychedelic krautrock. Brilliant.

*Portishead were named after the town in Somerset from whence they came. Luckily then they didn't come from neighbouring Sheepway, Clapton In Gordano or Gooch Slit.

the meek

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The 3rd in a series of beautiful fuck off rock n' roll, 4 if you count The Nihilistic Death Trip Couple. This bunch are from LA & site The Stooges as an influence. All that's needed to feature on this blog is that influence or a Gorky's Zygotic Mynci one. Being brilliant is always good too.

*According to Matthew 5:3-12 "blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth" so if this music lark doesn't kick off - no biggie.

singapore sling

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More magic fuck off rock n' roll, this time from Iceland.

*Singapore Sling were named after a famous cocktail - The Harvey Wallbanger.

black acid

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Fuck off rock n' roll from former Death In Vegas mainman & all round friendly good guy Richard Fearless. Just look at those influences...

STOOGES, THE MORE DEMENTED STONES, HOWLIN’WOLF, BO DIDDLEY, SKIP SPENCE, MOBY GRAPE, GENE CLARK, LIQUID LIQUID,STEVE REICH, HERZOG, VELVETS, CANDY MCKENSIE, HARRY SMITH, KENNETH ANGER, ARBUS, RALPH EUGENE MEATYARD, CAN, ESG, WEED, NEW YORK CITY, ROKY ERICKSON, POPUL VUH, HAWKWIND, HARMONIA, PERSPECTS, NEU.

*A black microdot was the strongest acid I ever had the pleasure to encounter. It's practically impossible to get microdots around here these days but if you could I'd be in about it like a dug eating beans.

homelife

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Homelife are a 2-piece from manchester who've just released their latest album, Exotic Interlude, on the wonderful Humble Soul label. I 1st came across them about 10 years ago when I bought an early 12" on impulse (The vinyl was warped & totally blew my mind). At that time they included Graham Massey of 808 State as well as several others and I immediately became a fan. Hopefully you'll check them out and become one too.

*My homelife is awful. Nothing works and the only thing that grows in the garden's the washing.

**Apparently someone read this the other day so hello to you if you return.

the nihilistic death trip couple

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The Nihilistic Death Trip Couple are an excellent band from Berlin. Think The Velvet Underground, Suicide & The Jesus & Mary Chain. Think Spacemen 3, The Stooges & Neu, in fact don't waste time thinking, it's only rock n' roll...

*left lapel badges & sunglasses are all the rage in Berlin, everyone's wearing them.

inspector tapehead

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Inspector Tapehead are 3 chaps from Scotland with an album in the pipeline. I imagine it'll be good. It's been in the pipeline for an awful long time so I imagine it'll be awfy good.


*Incredibly all of the guys were born at a young age.

bear in heaven

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Bear In Heaven deserve to be massive and they will be I expect. Lovely chaps from Brooklyn making magic music.

*Brooklyn is in America where, I'm told, people are fat & backward. I live in Scotland and, in my experience, many of the people here are fat & backward also. Isn't the world a funny place...