Tuesday 26 March 2013

KOBI


We have featured Highlanders KOBI a couple of times on the blog now and it is clear to see that with each time, they have improved tenfold. Well they have done it again through the release of their brand new track All The Way. Produced by the Grammy award winning Steve Orchard (who has worked with British greats such as Paul McCartney, Noel Gallagher and Travis), All The Way is a 3 minute, catchy pop song with an uplifting brass section, and a chorus you will be finding yourself singing to yourself over and over again. The band have developed their sound from the 'post-rock'  Sinister, and find themselves drawing influences from 80's bands as well as modern acts such as The Cars, Aztec Camera and Foals. The band are doing a two date promo tour for the single. They will be playing Inverness and Glasgow, as seen above with Cherri Fosphate and The Uptown Beat!



Monday 25 March 2013

The Deep Red Sky

With a new album on the horizon, Scottish 5 piece The Deep Red Sky have unveiled the first single to be taken from the album due on the 13th of May. The album will be called Plans. The band have released the track Zombies, for which they also made a video (and is free to download from BandCamp). The song flows steadily as layer upon layer is added to the song until the crescendo is met with the powerful voice of singer Jamie- as the young boy manages to make the dreams of his fish come true (see video for that one!!).


But before the release of Plans, the band are managing their way through a tour spanning from London all the way north to Inverness. With the first date in Edinburgh just passed, the band will be playing the following shows:


  • 23rd March - Edinburgh - Cabaret Voltaire
  • 27th March - Biggar - Corn Exchange
  • 28th March - Manchester - Retro Bar
  • 30th March - Liverpool- Lomax
  • 31st March - Nottingham - The Golden Fleece
  • 2nd April - London - Nottinghill Arts Club
  • 3rd April London - Slaughtered Lamb
  • 5th April - London - Underbelly
  • 12th April - Perth - The Corrina
  • 14th April - Inverness - Madhatters
The band cite their influences as The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit, which is evident, but The Deep Red Sky manage to keep their unique layered sound which will be envied by many. 2013 is turning into a massive year for the band. They are following up the 2011 EP The Job. The Flat. The Girlfriend. with Zombies which will be followed by The Look On Your Face at the end of April before the full album on the 13th of May. 

Monday 11 March 2013

The Olive Grove Records Mini 'Barn' Tour.

Randolph's Leap, State Broadcasters and Jo Mango, from the brilliant wee label Olive Grove Records, went on a two date tour of a couple of northern barns - that being Woodend Barn in Banchory and Bogbain Farm , Inverness. I was at the 'best unusual venue' of 2012 which is Bogbain's barn venue on Friday night to see two brilliant bands that I've been listening to for a year or so now and Jo Mango who I'd never actually listened to before.

Randolph's Leap are usually an 8 piece but for this show they were a duo. Frontman Adam Ross warmed the crowd and the crowd quickly warmed to him in the icy conditions with his witty lyrics of him being a telephone psychic and pretending to do the luge in the bath, before eventually finishing off with all 3 bands chanting a rousing rendition Going Home.  Randolph's Leap were my favourite act that night and I'm now awaiting their return to Bogbain for Brew at the Bog in May.

The State Broadcasters were next to grace the stage. They put on a brilliant performance playing songs mostly from Ghosts We Must Carry, and announcing the upcoming release (which is actually today) of a new single. There was a distinct theme of birds going through all of the acts' songs and this was continued when State Broadcasters played Kittiwake. Having a harp as a main instrument was also very interesting and unique. I think it works though, and credit to Gillian for being able to play the harp so well whilst singing.

Lastly, we were treated to Jo Mango. As I said, I'd never listened to her music before, but her bands' music reminded me of Esperi, with added French Accordian. Jo played a full set, spoke about her stalking people in Inverness and also continued the theme of birds, teaching us about bird calls in one of her songs.


It was a brilliant night, only ruined by a couple of guys (from MFR radio) who spoke throughout the gig. But when they were quiet for a couple of minutes, there was some truly lovely music on display, and there is a real sense of pure talent coming from the Olive Grove Record label. Long live indie music.

Saturday 9 March 2013

Katie O' Donnell

We are going back to the grass roots of music now; this is Katie O'Donnell, a 17 year old singer songwriter from Fife. Katie is classically trained on piano, plays guitar and can also sing incredibly well! She writes her own songs as well as doing covers, and aspires to make a career out of her musical talent. Katie has her own  YouTube channel as well as a SoundCloud link where all of her songs are available to listen to. For now though, Katie will be finishing her final year at school soon before heading off to university. I can definitely see Katie becoming a well established act in Scotland if she continues down the music path as her crazy piano skills alone are something to admire. Check her out now before she's too famous to even think about speaking to you!!