Under the Radar

Dan Wilson, aka Withered Hand produces lyrics so good he should have half the bands in Scotland burning their rhyming dictionaries to go instrumental. And his acoustic melodies are a joy too. First released in 2008, our Track of the Month, Religious Songs, encapsulates these talents perfectly. He has just completed a tour and will be appearing at both Knockengorroch Festival and Tigerfest (see below].

• Withered Hand

Highlands and Islands Labels (Hail) showcase a range of talent from the North of Shetland to Mull of Kintyre. Recently they launched a download card as an alternative to their annual CD at a showcase event in Inverness venue Hootananny's. Artists include Abagail Grey, Call To Mind, Shutter and former track of the month providers, Bronto Skylift. Visit the site www.hailmusic.com or e-mail [email protected] for details.

Bronto Skylift are also one of the many excellent bands performing as part of This Is Music's fourth anniversary, which sees four gigs take place at Edinburgh venue Sneaky Pete's throughout this month. The Inverness/Orkney duo will launch their debut album at their show on 7 May, before embarking on a full Scottish tour ( www.myspace.com/brontoskylift). We Were Promised Jetpacks and Ross Clark perform on 14 May and Meursault on 21 May, while Jesus H Foxx (single launch) and Eagleowl feature on the 28 May. Check out www.myspace.com/thisismusicedinburgh.

Family-run Knockengorroch Festival takes place from 27-30 May on Knockengorroch Farm, in Castle Douglas. This year's diverse line up includes King Creosote and 13-piece supergroup Treacherous Orchestra (featuring members of Salsa Celtica, the Peatbog Faeries and more) while respected Edinburgh promoters Limbo have programmed a stage whose line-up includes Found, Withered Hand, Meursault and Over The Wall. Visit www.knockengorroch.org.uk for full details.

Tigerfest will be hosting gigs throughout May in Edinburgh, Dunfermline and Aberdeen, blending veteran acts such as TV21, Malcolm Middleton and Martin Stephenson with some exciting new bands including Ambulances, Boycotts and X Lion Tamer. See www.tigerfest.co.uk

It seems two Dalkeith acts featured at our Wide Days event have been noticed south of the Border.

Acoustic popsters Holden ( www.myspace.com/holdenofficial) are said to have impressed the head of A&R at Island Records, while Aaron Wright ( www.myspace.com/aaronwrightandtheaprils) had the industry turn out for a showcase in London last week.

Come On Gang have made it to the final four of the Red Stripe Music Awards to be held on the 28 April ( www.myspace.com/comeongangmusic). And Edinburgh folky popsters Mayhew ( www.myspace.com/mayhewmusic), have been selected from 1,500 bands for a slot at Glastonbury in July.

• Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run music business social night Born To Be Wide. The next takes place at Edinburgh's Electric Circus on 6 May and includes a seminar about Music PR featuring Andy Saunders, formerly of Creation Records. See www.borntobewide.co.uk