Under the radar: keeping an eye on Scotland's underground music scene

Published on Sunday 24 April 2011 19:56

OUR track of the month comes courtesy of Glasgow's Nevada Base, whose blend of electronic indie is one of the most energising offerings to have emerged in Scotland this year. The three piece have a diverse range of appearances under their belts, ranging from Rockness to the Scottish Baftas and Glasgow's Subway Festival.

Last week they released their debut single Love In My Mind, which is accompanied by a rather fetching animated video. Visit scotsman.com to see what we mean. We would also recommend checking out some of the trio's other tracks, in particular the incredible If I'm Late, or catching them live: they play the Brunswick Hotel, Glasgow on 1 May, Bar Bloc, Glasgow on 27 May and the main stage at the Kelburn Garden Party on 2 and 3 July.

Edinburgh's Grassmarket continues its conversion from Stag party magnet to cool music hub with the launch of the first Grassmarket Festival, which runs from 29 April until 1 May. In addition to stalls selling arts and crafts, some 15 emerging acts – and perhaps some more famous surprises – will play live on a bill put together by Avalanche Records and Red Dog Music.

Some of the acts are also likely to be on a charity compilation called No Colour Too Strong To Paint, released on 7 May by Leith-based Youngteam Records in aid of The Sick Kids Friends Foundation. Featuring 20 tracks by Edinburgh bands, it will be launched at Maggie's Chamber on the same date. www.facebook.com/charityalbum

It seems that this month the hills are alive with much music, with two events taking place in the Highlands and Islands. The Lochaber village of Strontian is known for being the place where the element Strontium was discovered, but now looks set to make its name for other reasons.

From 13-15 May it will be home to West Fest, featuring traditional and Celtic rock acts including Skerryvore, The Shine and headliners, Wolfstone. All profits will be donated to local community groups. www.westfest-strontian.com

On 20-21 May, meanwhile, Lews Castle on the Lewis will play host to the Sound In The Grounds festival, with a diverse programme of folk, rock, indie and pop acts. This includes Kassidy, Colin MacIntyre, and Zoey Van Goey as well as local players Dot Jr, Iglue and Sinead Cunningham. www.soundsinthegrounds.net

Inverness five-piece Abagail Grey launch their new album, Apple Cherub Dove at leading industry event MUSEXPO in Los Angeles on 3 May.

Produced by Tony Doogan (Mogwai, Teenage Fanclub, Snow Patrol) and Chris Geddes (Belle and Sebastian), it includes the single Ice Disco, which is available to download free from.abagailgrey.com

Back in the metropolis, Glasgow's multi-venue Stag & Dagger returns on 21 May, with an impressive line-up featuring a mixture of talent from Scotland and further afield. Native artistes include Conquering Animal Sound, Admiral Fallow, Rachel Sermanni and Sons & Daughters, Tickets are a snip at 18 for 30 acts. www.staganddagger.com

Live Music Now, a registered charity which puts on gigs in unusual locations including prisons, hospitals and care homes, is once again recruiting new bands and musicians for the regular paid gigs. The organisation has broadened the type of musical genres it will consider and welcomes applications from rock, pop, indie and jazz acts.

Instrumentalists must be under 27 and singers should be under 30. Applications close on 28 April and auditions take place at The Arches in Glasgow on 26 May. Visit www.livemusicnow.org.uk for full info.

While The View might be associated with some less-than-salubrious activities, there was a time when the band members took part in healthier pursuits, most notably playing for their local under-14s football team, Dryburgh Athletic. Hearing that the Dundee club was in trouble when funds went missing, the band stepped in to sponsor the new kit which now features The View's name and logo. www.theviewareonfire.com

• Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon host Scottish music scene night Born To Be Wide. The next event takes place on 5 May at Electric Circus in Edinburgh with a seminar featuring leading music bloggers, followed by a Buy What You Hear night in partnership with Oxfam. See www.eventzi.com/borntobewide