...Minor Delilah!

I've been off for a week or so recharging my blogging batteries, but now I'm back to introduce you to a cracking new Lanarkshire band, Minor Delilah.   The band features Nick Scroggie (vocals, guitars, keyboards, programming), Paul Whyte (guitars) and Jamie McGregor (bass).  What started off as a project for their music course at college, has quickly grown legs, and this week, the guys have leaked all four tracks from their debut EP online.  They're all over on their SoundCloud, but here's my personal favourite Needles In The Hay.

   Needles In The Hay by Minor Delilah

I spoke to Nick (who you may also know from being in Annie Stevenson).  Here's what he had to say...

Kowalskiy:  Who Are Minor Delilah?

Nick:  Minor Delilah got together when myself and the guys met up at Motherwell college studying a music course. We started jamming together not really thinking much of it as we were all in other bands at the time, but as we kept going we decided we could take more seriously and write together. One of the first songs we had written was actually for a task at college. We had to write a piece of music incorporating an unusual instrument . We decided on using a Kalimba which you hold and play play like a Game Boy and we wrote the song "When I Know You Care" from that. Once we left college and put all our energy into writing enough songs so we could gig and get out there playing.

   When I Know You Care by Minor Delilah

Kowalskiy:  How would you describe 'your sound'?

Nick:  Its always tricky to describe the sound of your own stuff but Id say we have a kind of Coldplay vibe about us. We like to make big sounds with our songs and experiment with dynamics. ranging from chilled out acoustic to big and loud, light and shade sort of stuff. We love bands and artists like Pink Floyd, Beck, Kings Of Leon, Snow Patrol and I feel a lot of that shines through our music.

Kowalskiy:  PLUG AWAY!!!

Nick:  We have just currently recorded our first EP which you can hear on our Facebook band page. It will be available to buy soon off of iTunes and sites like that. At the moment we don't have any gigs lined up as we are on the look out for a drummer so if anyone's interested that's reading this don't hesitate to get in touch.

Kowalskiy:  What can we expect from Minor Delilah in the future?

Nick:  We are writing away but as soon as we find the right guy to hit the skins we will be gigging like crazy. Once everything in place we hope to create a following through our music and gigs and possibly attract attention from record labels and the like. We are very pleased with our EP and will continue to push our music as much as we can.

So keep your eyes peeled for any upcoming gigs and for news on the release of the EP.  In the meantime, you can get yourself a free download of one of the EP tracks if you sign up to their mailing list over on their Facebook. And, if you're any good with the sticks and fancy it, get in touch with the band!

Kowalskiy Belated Review #8

Annie Stevenson - Annie Stevenson
So time for another trio of Kowalskiy-neglected releases.   We're talking months here people!  I'm ashamed of myself, I really am.  First up are Glasgow indie-rocking-quartet (and not some female soloist as their name suggests) Annie Stevenson.  Thinking back, they were probably one of the first bands ever to send me demos all those years ago.  Well now, they've brought out their debut, eponymous album, and you know what, it ain't half bad!
It did take me a while to appreciate this album.  There's a lot of differing styles going on, and the indie punk of the opening two tracks, reminiscent of The Enemy,  isn't one of my favourite genres!  It's not long though before these plucky young 'uns hit their stride with the (good era) Weezer-esque Someone Else and swaggering Britpop throwback TV Took Your Soul.  This promising debut peaks at the cracking Freedom Town which combines elements of both to great effect, creating a great rousing anthem.  I suppose, they do have the brass to pull it off!  As the album draws to a close, there's a few more styles and snippets of influences shining through.  All sound promising from a band trying to find their niche. A smidgeon of polish and a more definite style-of-their-own and we could be hearing an awfy lot more from Annie Stevenson!

Although the album is only available at gigs, the band are releasing a series of 4 downloadable EPs featuring the album tracks, each with a new song too!  The first of which, featuring Someone Else can be bought from iTunes here. 

Chasing Owls - We Began
The eponymy stops here!  Edinburgh folkies Chasing Owls are next up with their delightful debut EP We Began.  If their music's anything to go by, then they're a lovely bunch indeed!  As for the EP, it's absolutely stunning.  Especially opening track Wedding Song, which in my opinion, is one of the finest Scottish folk songs of the last few years' alt-folk revival.  Awash with gorgeous melodies, perfectly-placed handclaps and a timeless fiddle solo, it's fit to grace anyone's special day.   In no small part due to frontman Ben Sunderland's vocals, on Glory, comparisons with Mr. Mumford and his male offspring are inevitable.  This gorgeous, almost eerily-so, track builds up with the same quiet intensity their folky counterparts made their name with, and more than holds its own.  Bonus track, and by far, the most upbeat track on the EP, Lady of the Whiteness is a slight departure from that intensity, but a glorious track nonetheless, and definitely one to get the foot tapping away to.  Just you try and stop it!  Hopefully there's not too long to wait for the follow-up.

Black International - In Debt
From the artwork alone you know this couldn't be more different to the last one!  Different is still good though, every bit as good as the case may be.  Hailing from Edinburgh, Black International describe their what they do as "stripped down, economical, brutal music".  If that doesn't tempt you to check their debut album In Debt out, I dunno what will!  This stripped down brutality begins with A Millions Mouths, which sucks you in from the off, signalling its intent with regimented snare drums and their trademark, menacing guitars.   The full-on aural assault continues, reaching its peak at the devastating standout trio - Word Virus, Know You Exist and Monument.  Black International are taking no prisoners whatsoever with In Debt.  It's a strong, bold debut, and it's clear to see why they've struck a chord with bloggers and radio sorts alike.  This three-headed, guitar-wielding behemoth is gonna take some stopping!

...Annie Stevenson!

Since the start of the year I've started to get a lot of demos from up-and-coming bands in and around Scotland. My blogging's been a bit slow lately so there's a backlog of exciting new bands to bring to your attention.

The first are a 4-piece from Glasgow called Annie Stevenson. According to guitarist Nick, they've been described as "Grunge meets Punk meets Power Pop". From their very-promising "Freedom Town" mp3 that sounds about right. See what you think....


mp3: Annie Stevenson - Freedom Town

The guys will be playing a few shows in Glasgow and Edinburgh over the next few weeks. From what I've heard on their MySpace it might be well worth checking them out.

Upcoming Gigs:

29 Jan - Harleys, Bathgate
2 Feb - Leith FM Radio Session
12 Feb - Whistlebinkies, Edinburgh
20 Feb - Box, Glasgow