Coastal Skid Spy Wok... with Jo & Scott

The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed my lack of notcast last Sunday. The reasons for that were two-fold. First up, I was busy watching Andy Murray becoming Roger Federer's bitch... again, and secondly, I forgot to 'Reply-All' when sending some questions to the mysterious Jo & Scott mentioned in the blog title. That's Jo Schornikow of The Shivers fame and Brooklyn NYC's finest lo-fi artist Scott Rudd. They're both over here playing a few festivals, including next weekend's Away Game up on the Isle of Eigg. While they're here, they've been recruited by Peenko to play his latest gig alongside the mighty Mitchell Museum.   So, I thought I'd get them to tell you all about it, let you hear a few of their tracks, and hear what's tickling their fancy recently.  First up, here's one of Jo's brilliant solo efforts which you can download for free!

   Bird's Nest by Jo Schornikow (courtesy of Blank Tape Music)

I can't mention Jo and not talk about how great The Shivers' album More.  Anything Fence Records bring out is always gonna be pretty special, and this is no different.  You can get your copy from those Fifers over here.  Right, back to the topic at hand.  Before we hear from Jo and Scott, here's some Bullshit Love from the man himself.  'Tis also free!

   Bullshit Love by Scott Rudd

A few not-so-probing questions now.  Here goes...

Kowalskiy: First up, how'd the idea to do this gig come about?

Scott: It was really Jo's idea. I believe it stemmed from an offer The Shivers got to play the Away Game for Fence Records. Keith couldn't make it due to other commitments and Jo had a bunch of great solo stuff that was ready to be released to the world - we built the tour around that.

Jo: We basically booked the tour around the Fence Away Game Festival, the Imploding Inevitable Festival (which was amazing) and the Cloudspotting Festival. We have been very lucky to be helped by some amazing people and promoters along the way to get the rest of the gigs.

Kowalskiy: What are you most looking forward to about the gig, and your trip to Scotland in general?

Jo:  Oatcakes & King Creosote. In that order.

Scott: Have heard wonderful things about Scotland and the people. Looking forward to making new friends! (talk to me Scottish ladies! No really - I'm lonely ... And sad... Pathetic really. Haha!)

Kowalskiy: What can folk here expect from your live show?

Scott: My music is pretty sad and very personal. Hopefully people can relate to the songs and what I'm singing about though. But depending on my mood I'll either be really quiet or really loud between songs. Well have to see.

Jo:  Just to be wowed, generally. It's like an Olympics opening ceremony. But better. Bigger budget. Larger tech crew. More pyrotechnics trickery. It's a laser light spectacular.

Kowalskiy: That's promising a lot!  Last one... what gives you the shivers?

Scott: Depends how u define shivers! I'll let Jo answer that one.

Jo:  UK SUMMER.

Says it all!  Before I go on, I would just like to state for the record, that I would never, ever, put King Creosote before an oatcake.  NEVER!  Right, onto their song choices now.  Scott first this time.  He went for this one, simply saying "check out the album - it's unbelievable".  He might be on to something there!

   Funeral Song by Siskiyou (courtesy of Constellation Records)

As for Jo she went for these "words harmonies and weirdness. I love listening to my friends sing".  Here's Don't Be Cruel by Los Angeles' RACES from their Year Of The Witch LP.

   Don't Be Cruel by RACES

So that's that.  If you're away to Eigg for Away Game... I hate you!  If not, or even if you are, they you can see Jo and Scott at The Captain's in Glasgow on Wednesday supporting mitchell museum.  Speaking of which, here's Scott's pick from their SoundCloud.  "Great stuff!  Sound a lot like Animal Collective. Gonna listen to more!!!"  His words, not mine.  Though I do of course agree.  Enjoy!

   Morning! (The Old Bear Remix) by mitchell museum

Coastal Skid Spy Wok v2.0

Such was the euphoria which accompanied my first notcast (which boils down to a comment from a Dutchman, several retweets and Mr Son(s) saying some very nice words),  I thought I'd make it something of a feature on Kowalskiy.  Maybe once a week.  I might even go as far as putting it up on the same day each week.  Sunday good for you?  Great, let's make it Sunday then.  Sorted!

For those who missed v1.0 and are thinking "what the f**k is this all about?", here at Kowalskiy the "P" word isn't used.  We don't like the "P" word.   I don't wanna sit listening to someone babble on about what tracks they like with the odd bit of banter thrown in.  You're not John Peel or... eh... who's a popular radio DJ these days... ah yeah!  You're not Fearne Cotton.  No Sir-ee!  And if I do like one of the tracks, I sure as hell want a link to click there and then to go buy it.   Granted, this is kinda like all that albeit with ignorable banter and physical links.

So shall we get on with v2.0 then?  As with the first one of these, I'd like to kick things off with what I'll call 'Kowalskiy's Apology Korner' or KAK for short.  Though this track is far from  it!  Things have been hectic of late so I wasn't able to give this album the attention it deserves... 'til now.  Well, that's if this can be classed as 'deserved attention'.  Either way, the ultra-lo-fi debut from Randolph's Leap entitled The Curse of the Haunted Headphones is great.  Go get it here.  But first, here's a wee taster.

   The Nonsense In My Soul by Randolph's Leap (via Peenko)

Last week on SoundCloud saw the triumphant reawakening of mitchell museum with a new demo called Glasshouse from their second album.  As they never made this EMBEDDABLE(!!!), you'll just have to go over here to have a listen.  In the meantime, here's their "last song" which went up all of 7 months ago.  Last song, eh guys?!  Attention seeking b*****ds!

   Bring out the claws, the claws are out. by mitchellmuseum

Welcome back guys!  OK, so who's next?  Well, we have one of Stirling's finest, Brazil Exists.  Their Hermit EP had, until now, slipped under my radar, but it is bloody good!  I'll let you make your own mind up though.  The timing may be suspect, but here's Happy New Year to help you do just that.

Happy New Year by Brazil Exists

Those last two are FREE to download by the way.  Now... to someone who's about to release his first EP under a new moniker.  Rainbow Fisher's debut By The Sea EP is out on the 18^th of March, a couple of days after he, or maybe even they (I should do some digging), launch it at The 13^th Note with Kowalskiy-favourites Adopted As Holograph and Little Fire.  This is the folky standout Benone.

   Benone by Rainbow Fisher

On the 18^th, look yonder!  How many's that?  Geez, four already!  OK, two more then I'm offski.  The penultimate track is one I've been listening to for what seems like an age.  About this time last year, Glasgow's Partwindpartwolf leaked four demos onto their SoundCloud and got this blogger a bit too excited.  They've recently been snapped up by new Glasgow label Comets And Cartwheels so hopefully we'll be getting some sort of release soon.  Until then, one track remains online, the sublime Deep South.

   Deep South by Partwindpartwolf

"How do you top that?" I hear you cry.  Well, you can't really.  But I'll end things off this week with something every bit as mind-blowingly-amazing.  If you're a regular around these parts, you'll know my love for this band knows no bounds.  They're releasing their third single on the 19^th of this month and then they'll be taking their stunning brand of dark cello pop around the country with Where We Lay Our Heads.  They are Letters.  They are brilliant.  And this is The Halfway House.  See you next week folks.  Enjoy!

   The Halfway House by Letters

Kowalskiy Singles Club #5

You know the score by now, it's time for me to play matchmaker once again with all the 'singles' out there.  Before we see how our singles got on last time round, lets have a look at the new batch of hopefuls.  If any of them hit the right notes with you, then click on the cover art and get better acquainted.  Happy downloading...

Eternal Optimist by Maydays

"Eternal optimist seeks bi polar pessimist for life balance and weekends spent sky diving and paint drying. Looking for long term but willing to concede it might never happen. Empty glass preferred to avert current spillage crisis." - Darren (Maydays)

Originally released in May, this is a cracking single from Maydays.  So if you're looking for long term commitment and weekends in watching paint dry, this may be the match for you!  Take my word for it though, it's a lot more exciting than they're letting on.  Plus it's FREE!

White Picket Fence by Foxgang

"Song seeks a person that understands the fact that we could have been lovers; someone with different Television. You were right there? We were right there too." - Joe (Foxgang)

Another FREEbie this one.  It's part of the second compilation by Krakow-based record label Loose Wires and in true Foxgang fashion, it's fantastic!    

What They Built by mitchell museum

"Spacey Junk-pop WLTM Doe-eyed VGL Record Label Executive with GSOH for LWITP, HH, B/D and long term financial security. We are OTS and would like to experiment with you.  Must have a love of Pink Floyd, home haircuts and board games. Soldering skills a definite plus. ACA.  NUWT" - Kris (mitchel museum)

You may be too late to get this single in the done-to-death mini-keyboard format, but you can still get it in the more obscure emm-pee-three one.  Mark my words, it'll never take off!  Anyway, as always, this is a belter from the guys!  You can hear the B-side, a cover of MIA's Paper Planes over here.

She's Gone by Ed Muirhead

"Harmonious, lovelorn cynic-on-the-rebound seeks simple-minded music-lover to pick three chords and make a song... Enjoys tea and biscuits, sunshine and clouds... GSOH essential." - Ed Muirhead

This one's a FREE track from Tattie Records' debut release, Mr. Muirhead's own album Cage For The Clouds.  We all enjoy some tea, biscuits and sunshine... maybe the clouds is pushing it a bit though.   It's a lovely wee song, and once again it's FREE so give it a go.  Comes with a nice wee handwritten animation too.

What you Building? by PET

"Heavy feather pop contortionists seek un-feeble minded ear acrobats. Will not bend over backwards for just anyone. BSOH required" - Matthew (PET)

A brilliant wee single here from Edinburgh's heavy feather pop contortionist trailblazers!  Guaranteed to float your boat, providing you have a BSOH.  It's a name-your-price one so have a listen first then make your mind up. 

Climb/Don't Want To Hear It by New Town Triptych

"Confindent, loyal and tenacious lonely heart seeks like-minded music appreciator for long walks on the beach. No challenge too great, no mountain too high, together we'll get there. In it for the long haul this time, no more disappointments. Strings attached ;) " - Stephen (New Town Triptych)

Their debut EP 'Just How You Designed' was awesome, this follow up single is just as good.  Lovely, acoustic, folky pop for all to enjoy.  It can be yours for two measly US dollars!

mitchell museum - The Peters Port Memorial Service

When mitchell museum released their debut single "Warning Bells" in the middle of June, I broke with tradition and declared it my first (and probably last) single-of-the-week. When your blogging is as sporadic as mine, a weekly commitment like that is not really a good idea. Earlier this month saw the release of their hotly-anticipated first album "The Peters Port Memorial Service". Now, I'm not one for this whole album-of-the-week thing but.....

The album is, as anticipated, pretty amazing! Think of it as a Glaswegian take on Death Cab for Cutie covering Wolf Parade, and you just about scratch the surface. That being said, "The Peters Port Memorial Service" easily trumps anything those two bands have released in recent years!

Three tracks immediately stand out. "Mission 1", last years cassette-single "Tiger Heartbeat" and of course, "Warning Bells". To be honest though, you'd be hard pushed to find a song which doesn't have Potential Hit written all over it. It's a thoroughly addictive wee so-and-so!

The album is available from Amazon MP3, iTunes or for the vinyl lovers out there, on 12" direct from the band here.

Upcoming Gigs
30^th July - Pin Up Nights Festival @ The Flying Duck, Glasgow
11^th Aug - Edge Festival @ Electric Circus, Edinburgh

Mitchell Museum - Warning Bells

I'm not one for doing the whole 'single-of-the-week' thing. I'm far too disorganised and my blogging is a bit sporadic for that kinda commitment. That being said, you'd be very hard pushed to find a better one this week than the new (and proper debut) single by Glasgow's Mitchell Museum. Out today, "Warning Bells" is bloody good, though I wouldn't expect anything less from Cammie, Kris, Dougie and Raindeer.

You can get your hands on 6 free remixes of the single from their bandcamp page. Here's the pick of the bunch from fellow Scots We Were Promised Jetpacks:

If you like what you hear, then the single itself can be bought from the links here, which also includes the cracking video. Keep your eyes peeled for their debut album "The Peters Port Memorial Service" which is released on 12th July.

Upcoming Gigs
3rd July - Kelburn Castle Garden Party, Ayrshire
9th July - T in the Park, Balado
18th July - The Latitude Festival, Suffolk
24th July - The Wickerman Festival, Dumfries

Peenko vs. Aye Tunes: This Friday!

By now I'm sure you're all aware of the wee shindig at The Captain's Rest on Friday night. If not, then here's the gist....

Scottish music bloggers Peenko and Aye Tunes have teamed and persuaded three of Scotland's finest up-and-coming bands to play for them for the inaugural Peenko vs. Aye Tunes gig. On the bill are Campfires In Winter, Mitchell Museum and headliners Kid Canaveral.

Tickets are £4 in advance (you may need to be quick though) or £5 on the door.

Head over to Aye Tunes for some info on how you can get your hands on some freebies from the three bands in question.

Best of luck guys!