Leith

April 1st 2012 saw the proposed amendment to the Civic Government Act, which would mean that “free entry to public entertainment events would require to be licensed“, pass into law. In response an esteemed group of local musicians organised precisely the sort of event that would be, from that date, illegal under the act. Unfortunately I got there a bit late to catch eagleowl‘s opening set, but I did see Fuzzystar, Jamie from Broken Records, Neil from Meursault and Wounded Knee.  A few dozen enthusiastic punters filled Leith’s Clock Café to spend a beautifully sunny spring afternoon by The Shore as desperate outlaws; and to join some of Edinburgh’s finest musicians in protesting against this hopelessly misguided and potentially disastrous new law. And it must be said we all had a fine old time sticking it to the man. 

Edinburgh

This session took place in the autumn of 1937, as I recall. We’d just taken delivery of a shiny new motor carriage called a Morris Eight and we all headed off for a run to the seaside before returning to Toad Towers to record this onto wax cylinders which were then to be broadcast on the wireless. Well, perhaps it wasn’t that long ago – but it was certainly quite a while. You can read Matthew making his own excuses and watch the videos over on Toad, but it was still a fantastic day hanging out with the Canaveral Kids; and that huge pan of chili was pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.

Edinburgh

The infamous Paul Vickers & The Leg made a rare appearance in the spooky surroundings of Mary King’s Close in the catacombs under Edinburgh’s old town. They played unamplified, relying instead on the natural echoing effects of the ancient stone chamber 30-odd of us were seated in to add volume to their sound. It was, typically, a wild, bewildering and unhinged performance, and brilliant too.

203, The Pleasance, Edinburgh

The Merriment Makers boutique is running all this weekend, up until Sunday 4th December. It’s full of brilliant hand made craftiness of all sorts, artworks, clothes, jewellery etc. and there’s a record shop too full of lots of treats from the leading local record labels. You really should get along!

Henry’s Cellar Bar

Edinburgh

Mike MacFarlane was genuinely nervous about appearing on the same bill as one of his favourite singer-songwriters; Dan Willson of Withered Hand, while Dan was in turn really excited about being on stage with visiting Oklahoman (is that how you say it?) Samantha Crain, of whom he was a big fan. Sam herself just took it all in her stride.

Incidentally,  if you click here, you can catch an interview we did as part of the Hobnobbing With Posh Oli series on Live From The Latin Quarter with all three performers in the pub after show.

Henry’s Cellar Bar

Edinburgh

I’m a little late with these, I’ll be the first to admit. It’s been a busy couple of months. Matthew over at Toad International Holdings Inc. put this little show on as part of his October Ides Of Toad series of gigs. Some of these photos are a little blurred and wonky – and I kinda like that – it suits the combination of confrontation and skewed charm provided by Fuzzy Star, Easter and The John Knox Sex Club. A splendid evening’s entertainment all round – if memory serves.

Edinburgh

Dougie from Viva Stereo dropped me a line to see if I wanted to take some photos at this show after I’d given him one of my little cards at Homegame this year. I’d heard a lot of good things about Viva Stereo so was keen to head along, particularly with the highly regarded Mike Nisbet and the legend that is Little Pebble on the bill too. It was a great night – looking forward to the next one!

Leith

Here’s a few shots from this year’s fantastic Retreat! festival, laid on for us again by Tracer Trails. I was covering the afternoon shifts so caught photos of the mysterious Burger, No Burger; along with a great electronica set from FOUND, the first chance for me to see Fur Hood who were brilliant, and an all-star set from the Rob St John experience. Then on Sunday I caught a bit of eagleowl before battery problems scuppered any photoing for the rest of the day. So all I could do was sit back, get a bit drunk and enjoy the show!

Glasgow

Big line-up for a big gig at Tut’s. Fantastic night and well worth the trip over to the Weedge. Great performances from all concerned: Miaoux Miaoux, Capitals, Over The Wall and Meursault, hence the dozens of photos in this set!

4th and Toad

Lach, considered by many to be the godfather of the Antifolk scene that spawned the likes of Beck, The Moldy Peaches, Regina Spektor, Jeffrey Lewis etc. is a New Yorker who has recently moved to Edinburgh after successfully transferring his legendary Antihoot club nights from their original base in Manhattan to the Gilded Balloon for last year‘s Festival Fringe. He’s resurrecting the show at the same venue this year – drop him a line if you fancy taking part – alongside appearing in his own one-man show, entitled The Waitress, The Walls and The Weirdos. In the meantime the Toad Session he recorded during a brief spot of downtime last year has finally found its way online to coincide not only with year’s festival, but also with the release of his brilliant new album, Ramshackle Heart, out on Song, By Toad records now.