TRACK 12 by GALCHEN

There’s something about a lot of instrumental music that puts people off. It’s probably easy to lose that ‘connection’ with a song if that human element of a vocal is nowhere to be seen. But this Glasgow lot have created something that works on an entirely different plane. It’s a sweeping soundscape of new age beats, electronica and seething guitar that paints epic pictures in your mind. It’s imagination music.

Live is where their sound really comes into it’s own, and there’s the Brucie bonus of a dazzling visual effects and light show too. Well worth a check out at http://www.myspace.com/galchen

SCHNAPPS - CROSSDRESSER

Involuntary movement inducing single Crossdresser by Schnapps is a steer away from the Tuesday trend of romances gone bad. This toe tappin’, head boppin’ delight is the debut single (release date - 5th April) from the four piece that formed just one year ago. Pulling talent from the four corners of Scotland, and settling in Glasgow to make up a garage/indie/rock troupe, described by The List as, “…looking part art-school, part old-school rockers…” the sound is not a stones throw from Iggy and the Stooges with a smattering of Travelling Wilburys.

With backing from Vic Galloway and NYLON magazine as the ones to watch in 2010, Schnapps are burning bright and with a handful of live shows coming up, you’d be daft to miss them.

Have a listen and for more info, check out MySpace and Facebook.

SWIZZLESTICK by LIGHTGUIDES

It seems that every man and his dog’s making music these days. And that’s not even a euphemism, look…

Anyway, the point is, it’s hard to get a sound that sounds different and cuts through the noise. These guys aren’t radically different, but they’ve drawn a well placed line between indie and a harder edged almost emo type thing, that should appeal to fans of both. They seem to have a knack for carving out catchy-as-hell songs that get right in yer lug’ole and stay there. Check them out (and for god’s sake sign them if you have the power to do such things) at http://www.myspace.com/lightguides

GAY UNICORN by GAY AGAINST YOU

“Gay Against You.”

“Who? Me?”

“Yes you.”

Dazed and Confused described these two mates as a ‘cacophonous sound being let loose on the bonny city of Glasgow’. And we agree, it’s crazy. But crazy in a Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka way, not in a Fred West way. This track is called Gay Unicorn (Anyone else picturing a horse with a phallus as horn? No? Just me then). Anyway check it out and be charmed and intrigued by the 8bit sounds of Pixel Poppiness.

http://www.dazeddigital.com/Music/article/4116/1/Gay_Against_You_Sends_Out_Righteous_Signals

http://www.last.fm/music/gay+against+you

http://www.myspace.com/gayagainstyou

DISCONNECTED, I KNOW by PAPER PLANES

Paper Planes provide a little Weegie action, with a smattering of East Coast America.  Disconnected, I Know is cleaner than their previous offerings, but the dirge is found in the lyrics, one of which sets the scene of annoying neighbours with unruly decibels.  Jennifer Paley’s vocals are likened to Karen O all too often, but there is a sweetness and depth akin to Tilly and the Wall’s Kianna Alarid that lends a true pop element to the track.  There’s a lot of excitement surrounding this handsome quartet and it’s evident why…

Paper Planes launch double A side Disconnected, I Know/The Sway at a wee shindig in Mono, Glasgow on the 25^th of February.  Find out more at Myspace and Facebook.

BABY WHEN I SEE YOUR EYES by A BAND CALLED QUINN (@ABCQuinn)

Legend has it that A Band Called Quinn was formed when singer/songwriter Louise Quinn met drummer Bal Cooke whilst busking on the streets of Toulouse after running away from convent school. With Bal, she produced music using computer and pieces of bark. The line up of the band was completed by bassist Steven Westwater, a promising footballer whose career at Preston North End was tragically cut short by a cartilage shortcoming; and trumpetist Robert Henderson - heir to the family forune of a well-known Scottish confectionery company; whose independent means have allowed him to devote his life to studying bebop and growing facial hair.

They’ve got a beautifully, rich sound that’ll carry you out of deepest, darkest winter on a magic carpet headed for warmer climes. Enjoy more over at their Myspace page.

—-

Generously submitted by Claire Wood.

Submit your track at http://leithrecords.com/submit

INTO THE WILD by SPARROW AND THE WORKSHOP

These guys are far more exciting and distinctive than a meek russet emblazoned bird, but ‘Flamingo and the workshop’ sounded less humble. Plus those spindly legs would probably get in the way of all that workshopping.

This track is like sirens in a wood. You’ll get lost in the tunnels of leaves, scratched by a rabid badger and inevitably eat a poisened berry, but believe me it’s worth it. A bit like the Decemberists if you’re into them. So only a month out.

Check out the ridiculous amount of stuff they’re doing, and you’ll feel a whole lot more love for that mundane lovable sparrow http://www.myspace.com/sparrowandtheworkshop

DARK CORNERS by THREE BLIND WOLVES

As my blackened, frostbitten fingers type this, I’m thinking that winter has truly arrived. The land of chunky knits, even chunkier soup, steaming, sweaty buses and the odd frozen pavement wipeout.

Well, officially added to the list of winter warmers are these young chaps. They’re currently hauling their curious style of folky indie bluegrass around the better known venues of the Glasgow and Edinburgh scene, as well as supporting and touring with buddies Frightened Rabbit.

Check them out at www.myspace.com/threeblindwolves

RISING 5 by HUDSON MOHAWKE (@moanhawke):

Lively, quirky beats on a spangly backing track to liven up your Wednesday morning.

Hudson Mohawke - AKA Ross Birchard, DJ Itchy or just plain Hud Mo - hails from Glasgow and is currently signed to Warp Records. The new album Butter is out 26th October, with a launch party at Number @ Stereo in Glasgow on 17th October and an Australian Tour to follow.

Check out more hot-buttered info and downloads on the Hud Mo Warp Records page. Or follow HM on MySpace, Twitter and Facebook.

CARDIGAN KIDS by TIE FOR JACK

Fresh faced, charmingly ramshackle, boy-girl vocals. This is a band of assured sunshine indie pop brilliance.

Tie For Jack are a young 6 piece from Edinburgh and have recently released their debut EP ‘Chapter One’. Their influences are a little unusual, including sunny days, spooning, Irn-Bru and even Mean Girls (yeah the movie), which should give you more than enough intrigue to check them out.

Their twinned up boy/girl vocals and mesmerising melodies will give you goose bumps, get you moving and make you smile. A nice way to round off the week.

Check them out at www.myspace.com/tieforjack

Or see them live at King Tuts in Glasgow on Sunday 18th October.