Under the Radar: Honeyblood at Pleasance Sessions

Glasgow guitar and drum duo Honeyblood were a big hit when they played our Wide Days convention in April 2012 and were snapped up by Brighton’s Fat Cat Records.

Honeyblood, otherwise Stina Tweeddale and Shona McVicar, are one of the finest emerging acts in Scotland

Their first single on the label, Bud, is released on 4 November and deftly combines a laid-back tinge of grunge with a pop sensibility. We love it! The band are gigging throughout October. www.facebook.com/honeybloodeatitup

Edinburgh is to play host to two music extravaganzas this month, with both The Pleasance Sessions and Haddowfest great opportunities to check out some of the finest emerging talent in Scotland. The former takes place at the Edinburgh University’s renowned theatre from 10-26 October and features some amazing nights, some of which are curated by Scottish labels and festivals. We’re particularly excited about the night featuring LAW, Honeyblood, Siobhan Wilson and Rick Redbeard, but there are many more amazing acts guaranteed to appeal to the music connoisseur. For details see www.facebook.com/eusa.ed/posts/10151848601259380

Haddowfest will run across several venues in the capital this weekend, 11-12 October. The line-up includes Scottish Alternative Music Award winners The Holy Ghosts and former UTR track providers Hector Bizerk and Casual Sex, as well as numerous acts from both Scotland and the rest of the UK. Look out for the Merryless, who have been recording with ace crooner Richard Hawley and are set to be released on Edinburgh’s Neu Reekie! (as are indie popsters Teen Canteen) www.haddowfest.co.uk

Honeyblood, otherwise Stina Tweeddale and Shona McVicar, are one of the finest emerging acts in Scotland

Roman Nose have been a highlight of many of the music events we attended this year – including our own Wide Days convention – with their brand of stomping electronics and live drums inducing frenzied dancefloor activity. The band launch their new EP at Glasgow’s Stereo on 17 October and will provide free Mexican wrestling masks for the first 50 people to arrive. Those who anticipate turning up after support act Plum should bring their own mask or risk being the only identifiable audience members when the gig is filmed for an accompanying video.

Throughout October, OXJAM music and arts events across the country raise money for the Oxfam. They range from one-off gigs to all-day, multi-venue festival-style events dubbed Oxjam Takeovers. With more than 800 venues and 6,000 musicians participating, there is plenty going on. To find events near you visit http://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam/events-map

Hailing from Dumfries and Galloway, Saint Max & The Fanatics release their debut album entitled Saint Max Is Missing and the Fanatics are Dead on Armellodie Records on 21 October. A free download of the first single, Soul Surrender, is available via SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/armellodie/saint-max-soul-surrender

From 30 October until 2 November the band’s hometown will also host the Dumfries Music Conference. Now in its second year, the free event organised by Dumfries artist-led collective The Stove will feature live music, a screening programme and a series of workshops and seminars, one of which is being organised by Born To Be Wide, and an independent record fair. The latter includes a talk by Document Records owner Gary Atkinson, who recently secured investment from Jack White of The White Stripes fame. www.facebook.com/DumfriesMusicConference

Over in Perth and Kinross, the Aberfeldy Festival gets underway on 1 November and runs until 3 November. Headliners include James Yorkston and The Phantom Band’s Rick Redbeard, as well as Meursault, Book Group, Withered Hand, Stanley Odd, Randolph’s Leap, The Last Battle, Star Wheel Press and more. Tickets and full info can be found at www.aberfeldyfestival.co.uk

The Vinyl Factory and Independent Label Market have organised a large-scale record label fair at the Barras Art & Design Centre on 12 October. In addition to some of Scotland’s leading record companies – Chemikal Underground, Lucky Me, Rubadub, Rock Action and Electric Honey – the event will feature DJ sets from artists they release including Belle & Sebastian, Edwyn Collins and Optimo’s JD Twitch. Newer labels such as Song By Toad and Olive Grove Records will also be in attendance to sell their wares. Visit www.facebook.com/independentlabelmarket for full info.

• Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run Scottish music business seminar night, Born To Be Wide. The next event takes place at Edinburgh’s Electric Circus on 7 November and will feature a discussion about record shops, see www.borntobewide.co.uk