Lost Ticker Tape

Based on everything written here you think it would be safe to assume that I am your run of the mill, indie loving, dress and cardi wearing, tea drinking, whimiscal girly singer however you would only be partly correct. Admittedly, Eurythmics were my first musical love. I was obsessed by them and by Annie Lennox when I was about 11. I remember buying Eurythmics Greatest Hits on cassette from John Menzies, it was the first album I ever bought (I still have it!). My tastes have expanded over the years from 80s legends at 11, to chart bothering indie rock at 13, through to 'proper alternative' music from about 15 onwards. Like most teenagers I would listen to Lamacq and then Peel and that was, for a long time, my only source of new music. It's probably fairly obvious that Belle & Sebastian, The Smiths, Mogwai, Arab Strap, Idlewild, Pavement, The Delgados, PJ Harvey among many others were on heavy rotation on my CD player and then it happened.............I w...

It is with a heavy heart I write that Incrediboy is leaving The Forget Me Nots behind in a few weeks as he has a new job that is too far from here to make playing together possible. I can't say this is the end as I sincerely hope that I will have the pleasure of standing on a stage with him again, singing some songs and making a general din sometime in the future. I owe him more than I can say here and more than he knows, without his encouragement I would still be that girl who was too nervous and too scared sing a single note. Thanks for everything Incrediboy. xxx

...it is in in the 45 minute album that has been on repeat on my MP3 player for the last 5 days. The long wait was finally over on Monday when The Unwinding Hours released their self titled debut album. From the first shimmering notes to the heart stopping end, I have been captivated by this album. A beautiful mix of fragility and sheer noise makes this essential listening. The gut wrenching tenderness of the vocals singing lyrics which are heartfelt and bittersweet continues to catch me out. I am no reviewer (which is very clear from what's above) however that is never my intention. I just think this is an album that people should be aware exists! You can listen to Knut and Solstice at http://www.myspace.com/theunwindinghours and if you like what you hear then you can catch them at Stereo in Glasgow on 5th March. They were brilliant at Chemickal Underground's 15th Birthday party so this gig should be a cracker!

A band I have been meaning to mention for a while is The Unwinding Hours. The two slightly gruff looking men above are Iain Cook and Craig B (both previously of the wonderful Aereogramme) and they are getting people excited. They currently have two songs up, Solstice and Knut, both are fragile, extremely beautiful and captivating and if these two tracks online are anything to go by, the album is going to be brilliant. Pop over to www.myspace.com/theunwindinghours and have a listen. They will be playing at Chemikal Underground's 15th Birthday party on 31/01/2009 at the ABC in Glasgow. It should be a fantastic evening as the line up also includes Emma Pollock, Zoey Van Goey, Lord Cut Glass and Aidan Moffat.

Reasons to be cheerful (Part II) starts with the wonderful eagleowl as they are set to release their new single Sleep the Winter on Friday 11th December at the Bowery in Edinburgh with a Glasgow show to follow on Monday 14th December at the 13th Note. If you can make to either of these shows then please do so, you certainly won't be disappointed. If you can't make it then you can always listen to them at www.myspace.com/eagleowlattack . I would like to introduce you to a girl called Sarah who writes music and makes charming videos under the name Line & a Dot. Her songs are sweet, simple, vulnerable and honest. The videos she makes are lo-fi and all the better for it! I particularly like the video for L.O.V.E. so here it is: You can listen to Line & a Dot at: www.myspace.com/abovethevaultedsky Next up is another wonderful female singer/songwriter, Kathryn Edwards. Such sparse and beautiful instrumentation compliments her gorgeous voice perfectly...

Once again time has passed faster than I can account for. Autumn seems to have passed me by, it's golden glory has faded leaving behind it the cold, bleak days of winter. But.....there are still plenty of reasons to be cheerful! First up is Christmas. You're reading the wrong blog if I have to expand on this any further. Next is the weather. You may be wondering what the hell I am talking about, you may exclaim "The weather is a reason to be cheerful?! It's winter you mad fool!" but I like it. Yes, I miss the sun as much as the next person but I think we should make the most of it! I look forward to those cold, crisp days where the sky is cloudless, cool and blue and the sun is low and blindingly bright. I will get wrapped up and get out in the kind of cold that makes your nose tingle and your cheeks rosy, I feel like I could walk forever on those days. The dreich days when it's wet and miserable and all you want to do is go home and h...

I never set out to achieve anything which is just as well as I have written lots of things that mean nothing to some people and more to others. I like being able to write about music and admittedly have been a little lax about it lately. So on that note, a couple of recommendations for you now. First up are the wonderful Mitchell Museum who are captivating to see live. Using a typewriter as the sound of a cash register during a live cover of M.I.A's Paper Planes song was pretty cool I must admit! Take The Tongue Out is chaotic in the best way possible and the harmonies on Tiger Heartbeat are just plain lovely. Check them out at www.mitchellmuseum.co.uk . Next up is Chris Flew. I know it 's a cliche but he really does write the most beautiful, gentle songs that would make the coldest heart melt. Have a listen here: www.chrisflew.com/music.html . Some of the songs are also accompanied by beautiful super 8 videos and recycled footage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD98KvrN...