It's a right turn to the left, stranger

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As I turned a familiar corner, to the left, a blinding late-September sun made my eyes go funny - bouncing off, as it did, those broken, unemployed leaves - as this song built to a closing fury and rage in my worn-out ears and I got a vivid flashback to the time I was almost introduced to Emma Anderson from Lush. But that moment, those sounds, were a long time ago now and, the thing is, there is no going back. But today, in Glasgow, we had sun and warmth and a few remembered smiles... that's all worth scribbling about (especially if it involves a song and a memory).

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Film School - 'Sunny Day' (3.30)

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Visit / Purchase / Watch (simple concept videos are always the best - and cheapest)

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PS. Dear Film School, Please might you come over the water and play some shows in the UK? That would be truly wonderful. Thanks. Colin. :)

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I don't want control of you

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These days, I just don't know. I mean, what gives... did Summer leave the party early or something? If so with whom? I think she got lucky with Winter, judging by the weird mix of rain, shine, sun and storms we are experiencing around these parts. Sigh. And, the thought for the day is this: it has to be about looking forwards, not backwards, you know? Weather and otherwise. Which brings me to... so, term has started and as such things may get a wee bit quiet around here. You will know the drill by now, I'm sure. For the moment I still have gainful employment at the University. For how long though? Well, we still don't really know. More news in November, I suspect, and I will doubtless make further cryptic comments in due course. Or not so cryptic if I am 'redeployed' or presented with 'early leave'. Anyway, Saturday can't come quickly enough, I must say: marching for public sector justice in the morning and then an evening of listening to some of the best shambolic indie-pop noises that have ever come straight outa Glasgow. Hurrah! Oh, and if they play 'Speeding Motorcycle' I will, of course, think of YOU. :) I am also really excited about getting to hear the wonderful Conquering Animal Sound play live as 'Kammerspiel' (the debut album) is just magical and I suspect it will be my album of the year. Perhaps!
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The Pastels - 'Love it's getting better' (cover version) (4.05)
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Keep in time to the marching and the music, comrades.
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I can't let this happen to you

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You know, everytime I hear this wee delicate morsel, which is late at night usually - after a glass of wine or six to wash the day away - I secretly want to be amongst this swaggering den of talented people. They are a renegade gang, sharing a moment of wonder, and are blessed with a beautiful name attached to their silk button-holes, in more ways than one. The gathering you can hear clearly is, in my mind's eye at least, spontaneous and impromptu; and just to witness and partake, to feel a part of something this special, would be the icing on the cake. Just clapping hands, joining in, planting a cherry on top if the mood accepted it. My accent would be a problem, I suppose, not really being able to do 'posh', even in a pretend and kiddy-on way. Anyway, it's a fleeting musical snippet, for sure, but somehow all the more magical for it, I would say? And, it ends amusingly as well. A bit of comedy and light relief. Perhaps all truly great things should end, be full-stopped, with a knowing smile and a gutsy laugh? You can take your picks and examples without my help, friends. But, aye, I have a few in reserve, just in case.
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Her Name Is Calla - 'A sleeper' (demo) (1.58)
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You can find her, here.
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I would wash all the cinders from your eyes

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'And he won't come out alive', he cried. Wow. Sometimes, all you need to hear - especially on a Sunday - are Jonathan's fierce and brash guitars and, goodness me, those angelic, howling vocals he lays claim to via the gift of a blessing from the heavens. After just a few minutes of exposure, to the crashing, the shrieks and the silences, suddenly the world seems to be turned the right way up again. This is the meaning of bliss, my friends; one to be shared and adored.
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Shearwater - '74, 75' (session version) (3.24)
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Where they ponder, adrift on Islands. New material here.
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Not very clever after all

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As I was saying earlier, I don't seem to know much about anything just now. I mean, not everything is illuminated, as it turns out. I just didn't get this at all. I had to give up, in the end. Are you even supposed to 'enjoy' this? Sorry, likesay. Pass, even if it does make me look stupid (I mean even more stupid).
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The Garlands - 'Your words are still stuck in my head' (2.00)
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Where they can be found.
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It's not the winning, it's the taking part

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So, I don't seem to know an awful lot about anything very much these days, let alone what's fantastic about all this 'new music' that's being released, apparently... but, you know, I think I can still recognise a killer 'hook' when I hear it. And this song has just such a 'hook'. Why the scare quotes, I don't really know, because this is just fucking brilliant. Show Jonnie some love, people. And some money for his masterful debut. It was out in July, it seems, but I'm only catching up the now. Still, this is music that matters and needs supporting.
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Jonnie Common - 'Bed Bugs' (3.55)
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Visit (him, himself, like) / Order (via Red Deer Club).
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Who will save the day?

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Eric Michener will save the day! It will absolutely not be Adrian Simmons (the creep).
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Fishboy - 'Adrian Simmons' (2.56)
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Why not visit the band + buy their stuff?
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Could that be said about us?

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Have you ever felt this, I wonder? Thought about it for longer than you dared; to try and realise the point? That is, to say, you've listened to a song, over and over, and always wondered what it was about, what it meant. What emotions and experiences shaped the penning of those lyrics? What was going on in that person's life to inspire the words to flow in the way they did? Perhaps, and this is just a rather obvious hunch, in order to 'get' it, you need a similar moment or experience. A common reference point between listener and lyricist, perhaps, or a sharing of biographies, even at a false distance, just for a moment. Anyway, the thing is, I think I get this song now. I mean really get it. And for that I can only say thank-you, Philip. x
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The Mary Onettes - 'Puzzles' (live) (4.01)
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Like running down a one-way street. Go watch them play. Buy the album. The official video.
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You'll shed a skin and carve it up

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The Jezabels / Kid Canaveral / The John McIain Band @ King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow, 06-09-11
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'Why it is always marriage, never sex?' Hayley Mary wonders out loud, rather amusingly, in response to a rather brazen nuptial offer from a (female) audience member. Her hair sways in time to her own wee giggle, she bites her lower lip and stares down at the stage, just entered. Within seconds, obviously, a number of (male) hecklers - not including this person, of course, or even this person, I assume - take this as a cue to make their intentions firmly, yet quite politely, known. She is not short of invitations for later in the evening, let's say. And it starts as it goes on; this is an assured, rhythmic, energetic performance of such poetic intensity and emotion that you wonder, really, how can this anthemic momentum be sustained for the whole set? Is it possible? And, in truth, the answer is given to us as a series of gifts to treasure; a chorus to die for, a bridge to break our hearts to, a lyric to sweep away the bullshit of day-to-day life. This performance just soared, perfectly so, and enraptured everyone contained within this sweating, heaving St Vincent St vault. The Weegie-based Aussie supporters, who were evidently out in strength to cheer on their far-from-home local heros, applauded and whooped every swaying motion, every intake of breath. The accents, the haircuts, the grins, revealed themselves in an essentialised way. A home from home. For those of us who had only an EP or so to go on, junior apprentices such as myself, we were won over too, willing these four musicians to climb the highest peaks, to uncover new gold (dreams). You can tell, close up, that The Jezabels have fine-tuned their (live) art and craft to such an extent that even the short break between initial exit and one-song encore doesn't break the charming hold and spell. Bewitched and bedazzled; aye. We are suitably persuaded, convinced that they 'mean' it. As the house lights come on, and the cameras switch off, I find myself only able to mutter the shamefully inarticulate 'wow'; it is without pretense or consideration, and I'm surprised I even managed to catch my tongue to push those three letters out. Intense, beautiful, mesmerising... and that's the music I'm talking about, in truth, as well as Hayley. Great things are ahead, for the Antipodean powers behind the throne; false prophets they are most certainly not.
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The Jezabels - 'Hurt me' (live, 26-11-09) (6.05)
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The place where they skulk. Playing live, here, on Friday 9th September. You can pre-order their debut album, 'Prisoner', now (out on September 16th).
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What have I learned?

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Well, just this evening, I discovered - via an informed source, shall we say - nothing at all about this guy that I can actually repeat here (but I just knew there was a reason the music made my blood run sleepy cold and his smile left me crying into warm, salty, slug trails) and I also learned, the hard way, that this over-hyped film is, in fact, very, very dull indeed. Sigh. So, instead of listening to him, I say this: listen to Darren! He is the bee's knees, for sure, and his charm, wit and adorable lyrics will win you over, I'm totally convinced. Ah, go on now. Give him a go.
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Darren Hanlon - 'Folk Insomnia' (4.12)
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Go download the latest album. And love it to bits. This is his home, and this is your heart. And yes, that is his guitar on the Captain's Rest stage just last Monday night. <3
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Hallam, don't look down

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'One Day', indeed. Gaze. Away. It's a perfect song for a melancholy Sunday moment (that is, movement?) such as this. Holding onto those starched, frozen covers, not letting go. Too anxious for sleep. More wine; let it flow. The music and words are just so beautiful, washing over you like it is 1991; for that time is happening all over again. Your wrinkles will vanish, those fringes remain intact. Stare. And stare some more at the Hush Puppies you thought long gone. For your approval is no longer required, this time around. Simply relish and adore, everyone. x
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Kordan - 'Closer' (4.21)
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An essential purchase. Visit here, watch there. With thanks to Amanda for the gracious discovery; a tip of the cap.
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I can handle anything

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Obsessed? Me? No, why, not at all. I mean, it's just a ghost. Boo.
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La Sera - 'Never come around' (2.00)
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Visit (her) here. <3
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Judd's paradox

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How to begin (the begin) again? Even after a temporary break, only a month you know, it feels like a rebirth needs to occur here. For that caffeinated kickstart, to stretch the creative boundaries, you need the right tools to do the job; 'moisten the grounds', as Zorg's sleazy employer reminds him, whilst staring at his... I suppose it is a tried and tested formula, for this place I think of as 'home', once again. It starts with a photograph - the image, in fact, is more important than you might care to think - then the words will flow, as they do and, well, the music fits into the dovetail that was made 'just so' for it. But, in truth, there is no order to it - not at all; I just like to pretend there is. So I feel some control, I suppose, a structure to the chaos. My mind is intact and functioning. No, really. It is. There is always the music when hopelessness runs deep: it cascades and shoots through these explored regions like blood, for the likes of you and me. And him. But, I'm afraid, I cannot even begin to explain in this unlikely forum how utterly schizophrenic a month August was for me, as well as those surrounding the life I have come to lead these last few years now; on the one hand it was a time of genuine horror, fear and heartache, and yet, from another perspective, it was also a time of beauty, closeness and love. It was all felt, often at the same time. But, it's about moving on, really, and trying to start again; new beginnings, of a kind. Indeed yes, a fresh agenda will need to find its place; a non-virtual reboot, an appreciation of the roots of life itself ('baraka', meaning a blessing). And so, with this somehow in mind, I am hoping September will be a month of steady nerves, comradeship and, of course, wonderful music. Time will tell, I guess. In the meantime, I do hope some of you might stick around, and bear with me as I return to what I might be, what I should become now, with another mask fallen and stripped away, with a Goffman smile to keep us all company. Adieu.

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Michael Storey - 'Another Country' (opening credits) (3.12)

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It seems you can't purchase the soundtrack anymore, if you ever could, but you can at least read the play (by Julian Mitchell) and then, well fuck yes, watch the film. You should really purchase a DVD copy though; it's my absolute favourite piece of cinema, like ever, although this one always gives it a close run. Sigh. Betty. :(

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