Under the Radar: March 2012

By OLAF FURNISS and DERICK MACKINNON
Published on 01/03/2012 00:00

Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon report on Scotland’s underground music scene

Hotly tipped instrumental trio Lady North have been on our radar since performing at our Born To Be Wide Edinburgh Night last August. Their shows are often mesmerising, their brand of noisy math-rock delivered with excellent musicianship. Our track of the month is called, Ali, The Pig Opera & The Helicopter, a bonus song from the split single they released alongside another UTR favourite PAWS. Lady North are currently holed up in the studio, but expect live dates and a new release to follow soon. facebook.com/weareladynorth.

Edinburgh’s music scene has flourished in recent years, thanks to a handful of dedicated venues and promoters. Unfortunately the curse that afflicted The Venue, La Belle Angele, Roxy Arthouse and the Forest Café threatens to strike again. Edinburgh University has given the Bongo Club notice to quit, while Glasgow’s G1 group appears to believe one of the dynamos of Edinburgh gig and club scene, Cabaret Voltaire, requires a makeover which obviates the need for the team responsible for its success.

We recommend that music lovers don’t take this lying down. For information on the campaign to save the Bongo www.facebook.com/savebongo. Feedback for the G1 Group can be sent to [e-mail]

Scotland has a long tradition of internationally recognised alternative bands, including The Exploited, Jesus & Mary Chain, Mogwai and Biffy Clyro. The next generation of artists unlikely to be getting airplay on commercial radio will be honoured at Glasgow’s Garage tonight at the third Scottish Alternative Music Awards. Playing live will be Bwani Junction, Fridge Magnets and Vukovi, and prize categories include metal, hip-hop, acoustic, rock, electronic and live act. officialsama.co.uk.

In 2009 we made electronica artist Plum our track of the month after seeing the amazing video which accompanied her song, You. Not one to rest on her laurels, she has come up with another excellent clip for the release of her forthcoming single The Seed, which is out this week.

Directed by Greg Hoyna, the shoot involved the living room of Plum’s Peebles cottage being covered in cardboard for three weeks, as well as the artist spending a large part of this time draped in different cables. The results are both visually and musically impressive. Click here to watch.

This month the Celtic Connections festival is leaving its Glasgow home for the first time in its 19-year history, to host a folk festival on Skye. Celtic Connections Big Top Festival, which runs from 23 to 24 March, is the finale celebration for the Year of Scotland’s Islands and will feature local talent alongside international names such as Rosanne Cash and The Civil Wars. For full line up and tickets visit celticconnections.com/bigtop .

The Meadows Marathon, organised by Edinburgh University students and now in its sixth year, gets under way this Sunday, with the addition of a fundraising concert in Bristo Square from 10am. The concert features former track of the month act Bwani Junction, as well as Gold Lions, Panda Trap and more. Visit meadowsmarathon.org.uk

Over in the West, the Scottish Music Centre has organised a musical marathon with ten composers and five ensembles set to perform as part of a Composition Marathon at Glasgow’s Old Fruit Market on Sunday 25th March. The event will showcase the talents of many of Scotland’s contemporary classical composers and ensembles with performances from Daniel’s Beard, Ensemble Thing, Peter Gregson with Keith Beattie and Live Music Now’s Flercussion, Pure Brass and more. Tickets cost £8-£12 and are available from www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

lOlaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run Born To Be Wide, Scotland’s only music business seminar and social night. The next event takes place at Edinburgh’s Electric Circus on Thursday 8 March and includes a music journalist panel. For details visit borntobewide.co.uk