Under the radar

SCOTTISH hip-hop collective Stanley Odd supply our track of the month, The Numbness. The six-piece band is fronted by MC Solareye who is carving out a reputation for his biting, often hilarious social commentary. Stanley Odd began the year on a high with a show-stopping set at Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations and have been on a roll ever since.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th May 2010, 22:07 BST
Updated 30th May 2010, 22:16 BST

Their debut album Oddio, which is released on Edinburgh's Circular Records today, precedes a string of Scottish dates including several in the Highlands and Islands, as well as slots at the festivals

goNorth and T in the Park. Full details at www.myspace.com/stanleyodd

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This year's goNorth also features former track of the month providers Meursault, Bronto Skylift and Woodenbox With A Fistful Of Fivers, the latter having just returned from headlining a stage at Berlin's giant Karneval Der Kulturen street party. Among the other acts taking part in the Inverness showcase event on 10 and 11 June are Highlands and Islands artists Jo Hamilton, Zombie Militia, Bluefields and He Slept On 57, as well as bands from France, Canada, Japan and Norway. All the gigs are free and Born To Be Wide will be hosting seminars during the daytime. See www.gonorth.biz for details.

Meanwhile, T in the Park, which takes place from 9-11 July, recently announced the line-up for its newcomer stage, T Break. Standards are high with acts including The Seventeenth Century, Make Sparks, The Ray Summers, Night Noise Team, Kitty The Lion, Washington Irving, Three Blind Wolves and Fridge Magnets. Check out www.tennents.com/tbreak for full details.

Stornoway has long been on our radar as a hotbed of talent, producing bands such as Dot Jr, Boy Who Trapped The Sun and Our Lunar Activities. Now it looks set to become a fixture on the touring calendar, thanks to the newly-renovated, 200 capacity Jger Rooms. Promoters Kiss N Kill Presents have lined up an extensive programme for every weekend until August which includes Hip Parade, St Deluxe, The Zephyrs and Endor. Island hospitality is an integral part of the experience, with acts receiving a fee, accommodation, ferry costs, food and drinks. Find out more by visiting ||WEBSTART||www.myspace.com/kissnkillpresents

Glasgow's West End Festival celebrates its 15th birthday this June. Some excellent bands are performing, including King Creosote, Super Adventure Club, Woodenbox and a Fistful of Fivers and Aerials Up. See www.westendfestival.co.uk

Edinburgh band Caezium's track, God In Control, is set to be used in the latest version of the computer game All Points Bulletin (APB], released via Dundee company Realtime Worlds on 1 July. Before they appear in the virtual world they are set to play gigs on 4 and 19 June. See www.myspace.com/caezium

Meanwhile, atmospheric electronica act Keser play at NXNE on 19 June, Toronto's answer to the SXSW event that takes place in Texas in March. Featuring films, computer games and music, the extravaganza lasts for a week. www.nxnw.com

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Finally, few people who have attended a Scottish festival or walked along the Royal Mile will have failed to hear the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. The band's fame in Germany is reaching levels where their piped versions of rock classics have landed them massive TV coverage, a slot at the prestigious Wacken Festival and even a support slot for punk legends Die Toten Hosen.

• Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run Scottish music scene seminar and social night Born To Be Wide, which decamps to Inverness on 10 and 11 June to host seminars at goNorth. www.borntobewide.co.uk