K&A with Lonely Tourist

I remember a while back, long before I started this whole blogging lark, standing in King Tuts watching Odeon Beatclub completely steal the show from headliners, and my then favourite band, The Cinematics.  Trust me, that was no mean feat!  Their debut, and ultimately, their only album was bought the next morning and lead singer Paul Tierney even included some promo singles in the package such was the gentleman he was.  And still is to be fair.  When Paul relocated to Bristol a few years ago, he left band life behind him and went solo under the somewhat-apt moniker Lonely Tourist. 

His debut album Sir, I Am A Good Man arrived in early 2011 on the back of some impressive early demos.  Not half as impressive as the album mind you as my review at the time attests to.  Now he's back with his brilliant follow-up I Live Where You Are, I thought we should let him tell us all about it, Lonely Tourist, and some very strange gigs he's done as of late.  Take it away Mr. Tierney...

Kowalskiy: Who is Lonely Tourist?

Paul: Lonely Tourist ...when I play live it's just me, a guitar and a stomp box trying to make a band-sized noise. When I was in the studio with Jim Lang (producer) it was much more collaborative. I wrote the songs but they were very basic without Jim's production. We went into the studio and threw everything at them, and then worked out what bits we thought worked. The live gigs are a different thing, support slots are great in that people usually listen....Pub gigs you have to fight to be heard and attempt to get peoples attention without resorting to firebreathing or juggling (unacceptable).

Kowalskiy:  Many will know you from Odeon Beatclub. What effect do you think moving from a band in one of the UK's thriving music scenes, to a solo act on the South coast has had on your music?

Paul:  Aye I miss Glasgow. It would have been great to do this (Lonely Tourist) back home but it wasn't possible. Bristol does have a good, varied, music scene though. If anything moving away made me work harder to get out and about and meet people. I play all the time which has meant I've had some really great (and terrible) gigs in unusual places. These include playing inside a sculpture in a park, at a terrible rebirthing hippy pish festival where they all ignored me while their long-haired Boden catalogue children ran around at the front....I've played a gig in a bedroom (twice now - I played there the other night and it was brilliant), on boats, in cafes and millions of different pubs and small festivals.

Kowalskiy: So what's the weirdest gig you've ever done then?

Paul:

1. Inside an armadillo shaped sculpture covered in fairy lights on Bonfire night in a park (with the generator going on and off during my set). It was both good and bad.
2. Outside in a monsoon playing to two dogs chasing a ball for 45 minutes (nobody else not even the sound man who'd gone to get some food).
3. I did one with no PA in a massive conference room of 200 empty seats. I played to 4 people. Tannoy announcements went off now and again completely drowning me out.  Just before the end a bloke dressed as a pirate walked down the middle of the room followed by 20 kids and set up his act behind me (while I was still playing).

Kowalskiy:  Your new album I Live Where You Are came out on the 28th of May. How does it compare to last years' Sir, I Am A Good Man?

Paul:  Yes, the album was out on the 28th May. Compared to Sir I Am A Good Man its much more of a full band sound. We just tried loads of ideas ....wee noises, effects and the like. Ok, its not exactly the Magic Band but it is different from the first one. Hopefully a step up. I got to make a bit of noisy Mogwai type noise at the end too. We didny really do much of that in Odeon Beatclub.

Kowalskiy:  Are there plans afoot to tour the album in Scotland?

Paul:  I'm open to offers! I played 2 gigs in Scotland in February and I'd gladly do more.

Kowalskiy:  What would be your ideal gig?

Paul:  Fantasy best ever gig would be supporting The Fall. But in reality if that was ever to happen I'd probably be met with a deafening silence...if not open hostility. They'd hate me because I'm not The Fall, and because Fall fans are a fickle not easily pleased bunch (I know as I am one).
Again fantasy gigs....I'd have liked to support Franz Ferdinand at any point in time. Bloody great they are. 'Actual' best gigs to do are either decent supports (I've played with Pete Doherty, Malcolm Middleton and Admiral Fallow in the past and those gigs were magic)... or a gig on a Saturday night in a rowdy but decent pub (I played in Menai Bridge a couple of weeks back and it was excellent... best atmosphere I've felt at a gig in ages).

Kowalskiy:  What can we expect from Lonely Tourist in the future?

Paul:  I want to keep writing, recording stuff and gigging....and hopefully making stuff that is an improvement on the last albums.

Long may it continue!  I loved Paul's debut album but this is something else.  If the next one is an improvement on this, God only knows how great it'll be.  You can buy I Live Where You Are over here or by clicking the stream below.

Coastal Skid Spy Wok v9.0

Welcome folks, to my ninth notcast, where I'll share with you some of my favourite new tracks on SoundCloud .  Before that though, I'd like to say a huge thanks to John Bryden from The Machine Room for stepping in for me last week, and for introducing me to some cracking bands.  Here's a token of my appreciation...

   Technology (demo) by The Machine Room

While I'm here, I'd also like to congratulate The Machine Room on their spot at T Break this year.  I won't go into the full line-up - you can find that elsewhere.  There's a few great bands on there showcasing the best up-and-coming Scottish music, but from my own point of view, there's a couple of disappointing exceptions.  Ho hum!  Anyhoo, onto the other tracks.  This week, I've done something shocking... I've been listening to non-Scottish bands quite a lot.  I feel awfy dirty.

First up, we have one of the finest musicians I have ever seen.  Get Well Soon a.k.a. Konstantin Gropper is responsible for not one, but two of my favourite albums.  Number three, The Scarlet Beast O' Seven Heads is out soon via City Slang.  Here's the stunning lead track for you to download free.     

   You Cannot Cast Out The Demons (You Might As Well Dance) by Get Well Soon (via City Slang)

The album's out on the 28^th August.  I can't wait!  The wait's a wee bit shorter for this next release.  Remember my K&A with K&A a few years ago?  Well, Sweden's Kate and After are back with another slice of sumptuous Scandinavian indie-pop that'll haunt your every, waking minute!  The Game is out on Tuesday for you to download, but you can hear it here already.

   The Game by Kate and After

It's one of the most addictive tracks I've heard all year... and this one isn't far off.  Now, years before I started this blog, I did have something of a soft spot for all things emo-power-pop-ish.  I never dressed in black or wore eye-liner or anything freaky like that though.  So when I was contacted by Life & Death Records from Atlantic City, New Jersey (possibly the only time I've been asked if I want to join a PR mailing list rather than just being added - take note folks... ask first!), I took a punt on one of their free EPs by Life Without A Jacket, and was completely bowled over!  You can get your hands on their Use Your Words EP here, with my pick of the tracks below. 

   Parks by Life Without a Jacket

Now, since I'm in danger of getting a nose bleed, it's time to ease slowly back into Scottish music.  If you remember Kowalskiy EP#8 back in February last year, I had Oslo-based I See Horses featured.  Well, after their demise, Scottish frontman David Coyle and bandmate Arvid started Misha Non Penguin... incidentally named after a character in one of my favourite books.  They have a new single out on the 1^st June via Lazy Acre Records called Drifters.  You can hear that here, but here's another of their tracks for you to feast your ears on.  It's FREE, but more importantly than that, it's a cracker! 

   Fear of Assault by Misha Non Penguin (via Lazy Acre Records)

Last up, we've got former Odeon Beatclub singer Paul Tierney a.k.a. Lonely Tourist.  I raved about his debut album when it came out last year.  His follow-up I Live Where You Are is out soon.  The title track and lead single is the perfect taster for what to expect. Enjoy!

   I Live Where You Are by Lonely Tourist

Kowalskiy Singles Club #13

Welcome to the 13^th meeting of the Kowalskiy Singles Club.  Once again, I've been beavering away trying to find the country's most recent singles to help make some matches.   Loads to choose from again so have a listen to what they've each had to say for themselves, let their dulcet tones fill your ears, then click on the artwork and get downloading!  Here we go...

Mickey 999 by Mickey 9s 

"Sport nut seeks funk raisin for a muesli-and-sex themed relationship. No 69 position. Preferred posish: the 999 (threesome doggystyle). Must enjoy threesomes. Call "Mickey-999" if interested." - Dougie O'Neil (Mickey 9s)

It's guys like you Mickey... Right so, this is the new single by the Glasgow-foursome-seeking-threesome Mickey 9s.  If you're up for being the 9 in their '9 sandwich' then get clicking on the cover art pronto!

Bring Me The Head by Aggi Doom

"Intergalactic siren from the dark planet seeks primitive love, hot voodoo and ritual sacrifice. An interest in vore is essential. Meet you at the third pyramid wearing a black carnation, come copulate while Earth fries." - Aggi Doom

A release from indie label Soft Power Records based in "the hinterland between Glasgow and Edinburgh" now.  Anyone mailing me with the phrase "ex-Remember Remember, The Royal We" is guaranteed a mention on here, especially when the track is this darn good!  It's out on the 21^st May on 7" vinyl.

I Live Where You Are by Lonely Tourist

"Are you bubbly, outgoing, successful and one of life's winners? If so then Lonely Tourist WnotLTM you. GTF!" - Paul Tierney (Lonely Tourist)

You can take the boy out of Glasgow... and relocate him to the South of England, but you most certainly can't take Glasgow outta the boy!  This is the latest from the ex-Odeon Beatclub singer and promises A LOT from the upcoming album.  Oh, and it's FREE, well... name your price!  Just click the artwork.

Happy New Year by Brazil Exists

"Lonely guy experiencing a tough time who enjoys listening to Teenage Fanclub and Idlewild while eating burritos. Seeking a companion who enjoys long walks on the beach, romantic dinners and public urination at midnight. Must have a GSOH (good sense of heartbreak) and be willing to listen to sad sad songs." - Craig Ferrie (Brazil Exists)

That's me... other than the pissing in public.  Anyway, Brazil Exists are fast-becoming an obsession of mine.  The Hermit EP, from which this track originates, is brilliant!  You can get your hands on the track by clicking the usual place, and if it floats your boat, the EP can be bought here.

Thoughts by Homework

"Free and Single WLTM downloader with valid email address for NSA purchase" - Oli Kass (Homework)

Now that is witty.  The band have clearly being doing their... Homework, when it comes to music-related-singles ads!  This is their follow-up single to last years All That Glitters EP (available here).  It's predictably great, and that cover art (which incidentally, you can click to download the track for free) is freaky as fuck.  Good freaky though.

Now for something a wee bit different. It seems we have a shy single in our ranks. So, I've taken it upon myself, with said shy singleton's permission of course, to write one for them in an attempt to send some love their way. They're really nice you see, and sound f**king hot! Besides, you know what they say about the shy ones...

Intervention by Cancel The Astronauts

"Five shy and lovably-odd musicians seek companionship, maybe more, in the nation's Capital. Must appreciate facial hair and love tight-fitting red sportswear. GSOH, CTA, KFC a must, in return for any two from the following: brilliantly crafted pop songs, facial hair, many an eyeful of tight-fitting red sportswear, life-size Cheryl Cole nee Tweedy cut-outs, a shop-soiled cuddly toy, Intervention singles (please be aware this requires payment in full beforehand)." - Kowalskiy (Official Cancel The Astronauts groupie)

I believe Cancel The Astronauts would have said something similar to be honest. OK, onto the single itself. It's the fourth release from the CTA lads and once again, they've outdone themselves. Great to see a band still doing the 'proper' single thing and releasing two new B-sides, in this case the equally-brilliant Echoes of Love and The Hardest Thing. I take my hat off to you CTA. Sorry I said you were odd. I did say lovably-so though.

Lonely Tourist - Sir, I Am A Good Man

If you ask pretty much anyone out there with an interest in Scottish music, they'll tell you that 2010 was an amazingly good year for it.  In terms of the quality of albums released and the new bands that emerged, it's certainly gonna take a lot of beating!  Well, so far the early signs are very promising for 2011.  One of the reasons for my optimism, is the album which popped through my letterbox before January was even a week old.  Bristol-based Lonely Tourist may not be familiar to you (unless you downloaded the latest free Kowalskiy EP), but for fans of Odeon Beatclub, Glasgow's now-disbanded troop of cult indie-pop merchants, the dulcet tones of a certain Mr. Paul Tierney might just be!

The debut album Sir, I Am A Good Man is released today over here, and a wee belter it is too!  If you were lucky enough to get a hold of the three cracking demo tracks (the title track, Trojan Box Calypso and Watch For The Sharks) on offer last year, then like me, you'll no doubt have been eagerly awaiting the album for a while.  It opens up with the brilliant lead-single Patron Saint Procrastinate, an upbeat number with a staggered layering of guitars, drums and piano which build up to one of the most memorable choruses of last year.  Some way to kick things off!  It's only when you listen closer to the lyrics though, that you realise this upbeatness is masking what seems to be a feeling of frustration and self-deprecation towards his songwriting, summed up by the morbid lines "I could write my own headstone or obituary.  Well here lies Paul, he wrote some pretty bad poetry".  Whether this is merely an innocent subject for a song or a genuine concern of his, I'm not entirely sure.  Although, if it is the latter, then this song alone proves he has absolutely nothing to worry about!

And that pretty much goes for the rest of the album too.  Watch For The Sharks, perhaps my favourite track, is an ode to the ups-and downs of gigging, chock-full of tambourines, handclaps and a singalong refrain, all accompanied by Paul's superb acoustic guitar which is the staple throughout this quality album.  

The aptly-titled Beatclub Chancer, though not about his old band, serves as a wee reminder of what we've been missing since their demise.  To be honest though, on the strength of this album, it's clear there's a lot more to look forward to in the future.  Now, all they've got to do is come back up here and gig.  Sir, this is a very good album indeed!

Kowalskiy's Free Monthly 5-track Scottish EP #7

 

When I sent 5 emails out back in July to bands pitching this EP lark, I didn't imagine for one second that it'd take off, let alone that that first EP would be out less than a week later!  The fact that it's still going strong into 2011 is in no small part down to everyone out there who has downloaded one, or in some cases, all, of them, everyone who has helped spread the word, and of course, all the bands who have been kind enough to contribute.  Thanks to everyone!  

Anyway, without much ado, it's time for Kowalskiy's Free Monthly 5-track Scottish EP #7.  Here's the five acts that have each contributed a song.  Cheers folks!

1. Amy Duncan - Always A Way (from her beautiful, recent album!)

"Always A Way is from Amy's 3rd album, (a collaboration with Scottish poet David Paton) Potential-Space ~ "a hypnotic fusion of city and country and indeed of the past and the present. Never raucous or forced, this is the ideal album to chill out with of an evening" according to Bluesbunny" - Amy Duncan

2. eagleowl - Laughter (live) (live version of their B-side to Sleep The Winter, recorded at Homegame 2009)

"This is a track that was recorded by Radio Magnetic at Homegame 2009. I remember we were on quite early on the Saturday afternoon , so it's probably the most hungover I've ever been when playing a show. Thankfully, Clarissa has lead vocals on this track." - Bart Owl (eagleowl)

3. The Colourful Band - Poetry And Cigarettes (a sneaky peek of their new material)

"The Colourful Band has been the name that I've written and performed under (both solo and plus friends) for the past 3 years, so this song is me basically describing the onset of an Edinburgh winter as someone who is slowly getting used to being on their own again. It is the single from, and first song on "Postcards from Paris", the recordings from 2010.

I like to think it as being straight and direct, has 3 chords in an open tuning which allows me to play the riff and strum. I rehearsed it last week with Jon, Steve and Dave as a 4 piece, and it really builds when there are drums and a full band. But for now this recording is just me on guitar and vocal, and Gav on bass. I hope you enjoy this one. " - Ian McKelvie (The Colourful Band)

4. Lonely Tourist  - Too Old For Clubbing (a track from the former Beatclubber's new Bristol-based project's debut album!)

"Too Old For Clubbing from Lonely Tourist's first album Sir I Am A Good Man out 24^th Jan 2011...on Tourist Info Records.   On iTunes etc. CDs from http://lonelytourist.bandcamp.com/." - Paul Tierney (Lonely Tourist)

5. Lovers Turn To Monsters - I Don't Love You (an amazing cover of My Chemical Romance!)

"I do a lot of covers, usually to please myself. But a lot of the time I do it with the hope to open people's eyes to other song writers, who's skills they may have over looked. Usually by having a go at re-invention. So the song comes across in a different manner, aimed at a different audience. So with that in mind here's me trying my hardest to make emo heroes My Chemical Romance sound like a lo-fi indie folk band." - Kyle Wood (Lovers Turn To Monsters)

The EP is now up for free download over on my bandcamp page, along with those that have gone before it.  Enjoy!

Time to get cracking on EP #8 which will be out on 16^th February.   If there's any bands out there who fancy making my life that wee bit easier and want to volunteer a track for one of these EPs, then send me a wee email.

Peenko's Friday Freebies feat. Kowalskiy! March Roundup

Anyone aware of Peenko and his Friday Freebies, may know that recently he kindly offered me a wee weekly slot. My 'Komplimentary Korner' has been going for a while now so here's a recap of its first month!

Week #1 - Yusuf Azak has two EPs: "Gazelle" and "Light Procession" up on his website for you to download free of charge obviously.

Week #2 - Fanfarlo offered their 3-track US Radio Sessions EP up for download in exchange for your email address.

Week #3 - Former Odeon Beatclub frontman Paul Tierney is now Lonely Tourist down in Bristol. He's offering you 3 free mp3s if you send him a nice email.

Week #4 - A double helping this week with Ohbijou's 8-track Third Floor Session and a live mp3 from Conquering Animal Sound up for grabs.

The first two were strictly before I was officially offered the gig but they are worth repeating anyway. How Peenko manages to get half a dozen (and sometimes more) freebies each week is beyond me. The man is a machine!!


Yes, the acronymisation is unfortunate! Suggestions are welcomed.