Under the Radar

Published on Sunday 27 March 2011 19:20

Animals, our Track of the Month, comes courtesy of Metamap, who hail from "deepest darkest depths of Fife" and specialise in a synth-laden, catchy electropop. At the band's core are Duncan Gemmell and John Ronaldson, who swell to a five-piece for live shows.

The band are set to perform at Sneaky Pete's in Edinburgh on 1 May and the city's College of Art four days later. It's picking up airplay on Ally McRae's Radio 1 show, and they have generously made several tracks available for free download via www.metamap.me.uk.

Further up the coast, experimental electronica musician Fiona Soe Paing is set to launch an exhibition at Aberdeen's Lemon Tree on 30 March, which combines futuristic animation (created by Zennor Alexander) and her own live vocal performance. Reflecting her mixed cultural upbringing,

Fiona sings in English, Burmese and her own invented language. The exhibition also features interpretations of her music from local Aberdeen artists and will be on display to the public until 29 May. Visit www.colliderscope.com

The annual celebration of independent record shops across the world, Record Store Day, takes place on 16 April with exclusive live performances and special releases. Edinburgh's Avalanche has a series of in-store gigs scheduled across the weekend with some big local names including Frightened Rabbit and Broken Records, as well as several younger acts. See www.avalancherecords.co.uk. In Glasgow, Love Music is due to host a live performance by Three Blind Wolves, who recently signed to Mumford And Sons' Community Records label. Aberdeen's One Up is still to finalise its programme. More information about what is lined up in shops around the world can be found at www.recordstoreday.com

T Break is open for entries from Scottish bands to gain a slot at this year's T In The Park festival. Last year saw 1400 entries for 16 slots, so the competition will be fierce. The deadline is 14 April, with successful acts announced in May. Visit www.tennents.com/tbreak

We Were Promised Jetpacks have had their song Quiet Little Voices included in the new Farelly brothers film Hall Pass, which stars Owen Morris, and should ensure some valuable exposure. On the small screen, listen out for Over The Wall's track Thurso, which is to be the theme tune for the second series of BBC Scotland's comedy sketch show Burnistoun.

Mobile phone operator O2 has recently launched O2 Academy TV, which features live streaming of gigs, backstage interviews and even a Fan Cam section where audience members are encouraged to film gigs on their phones. In a rather brave move, the mobile operator has also introduced a ShoutOut Video booth which allows drunken fans 15 seconds to record a message for the act they are about to see. Visit the Glasgow ShoutOut booth for some uncensored Glasgow banter. www.youtube.com/user/O2AcademyTV

After winning the Frankenstein Live competition (organised by Derick], Edinburgh trio Scrap Brain are set to host a launch for their debut single, Nal, in the capital's Maggie's Chamber venue on 8 April. Also on the bill are Jump: Press A, Art Of Privilege and the hotly-tipped Lady North.

• Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon host the Wide Days music seminar and showcase event, which takes place on 7 April at Edinburgh University's Teviot Union during the daytime, followed by gigs at Sneaky Pete's, Cabaret Voltaire and Electric Circus. Participating acts include former track of the month providers Capitals, Rachel Sermanni and Withered Hand. For details visit www.widedays.com.