Kowalskiy Singles Club #2

Welcome to the second meeting of the Kowalskiy Singles Club.  Before we see how our singles got on last time round (we're not really though), I have a new batch waiting to win you over.  Hopefully one of these beauties will float your boat.  If so, then click on the cover art and get "downloading"...

The Boat Ride by Weather Barn

"If you like your guitars loud and chunky plus harmonies that the Wilson brother's might admire, then check out 'The Boat Ride' on iTunes from 28th March. Two and half minutes of non-stop-Scottish-pop awaits you." - Steve Morris (Weather Barn)

And here was me expecting some sort of "The (Boat) Ride of your life" comment!  Anyway, if this tickles your fancy, then you can get a hold of this cracking single at the end of the month.  I can't recommend Weather Barn highly enough.  

Things That Make Me Angry by Shambles Miller

"Politically-minded beard enthusiast and linguist seeks like-minded individual(s) with GSOH and SI for drunken nights setting the world to rights and resulting grumpy hangovers over a glass of Irn Bru. ACA.“ - Campbell "Shambles" Miller

Mr. Miller has put this track from his recent EP up on Strummerville. Show some love... it's free!  Plus, I'm sure it's what Joe would have wanted. (N.B. this is pure speculation.)

Holes In The Snow by Cities and Skylines

"Tall, large built masterpiece seeks beautiful high flyer to enjoy stunning views and walks in the park." - Cities and Skylines

So if you're into your tall, large built masterpieces and you're a beautiful high flier, then this is a match made in heaven!  This introductory single came out back in January on Ignite Records.  So if what they say "ignites" ... I'll stop now, just click on the cover art.  

Valentine's Day by Findlay Napier & the Bar Room Mountaineers

"Stood up? Locked out? Kept awake by amorous neighbours? Never fear. Let hope rise from the ashes of your Valentine's Day failures. S, M, GSOH, ISO-W/E F, WAA" - Findlay Napier
Someone else up on their lonely-hearts lingo I see!  I'm maybe a wee bit late featuring this one, but once again, the man behind Hazy Recollections has come up trumps.  Fingers crossed your Valentine's Day went a wee bit better.

Falter Discover by This Silent Forest

"Musicians (Band, classical and electronic) Mid twenties, seek long term friends (male and female) to enjoy spending long walks through woodland areas, the great outdoors, adventure sports, gigs, theatre and cooking. Must enjoy a mix of pop, rock, acoustic and classical music genres." - This Silent Forest
Just released on Monday, this is the great debut from Glasgow's singer/songwriter-led folky 7-piece.  If you're intrigued then get downloading!

Say It Ain't So - Battle For 2nd Place

"I Hate Myself Yet I Love the new Battle for 2nd Place single …
Bitter, unsuccessful 30-something loser wallowing in an unending sea of despair and loneliness looking for 24-year-old needy leech-like hanger-on to abuse with dull stories, tired sex and obscure Nirvana bootlegs." - Dave 'Chorr' Orr' (Battle For 2nd Place)
Sigh... if only I was 2 years younger!  Ah well, if you're into that sort of thing, click on the cover art and have a wee listen.  Dull stories and tired sex is but a click away!

Sneak @ Pivo Pivo

Gig-goers of Scotland.. the good folk at Pivo Pivo in Glasgow cordially invite you to Sneak, their new monthly night of live music with a wee bit of a twist.  Well, three twists actually, or as they say, a "trio of delectable musical treats".  In the run-up to the night, each of the three bands on the bill will pop into Pivo Pivo and record a stripped-back performance which will appear online to whet your appetite.  Then, at the gig, the venue will be redecorated to the headliners exacting demands... "props, projections, backdrops, The Chippendales, wharrrrrevaah!".  To cap things off, as well as that, each gig will be filmed, the headline act interviewed and a wee documentary will be made and given to the bands to do with however they see fit.  Oh, and photos and a live audio recording of their set too... I think that's covered it all.

It all kicks off at the end of the month with the first headline act Le Reno Amps.  For a 'sneak' preview keep an eye out over here!

Upcoming Gigs

24^th Feb - Le Reno Amps with support from Male Pattern Band and Rose Parade

31^st Mar - Pensioner

28^th Apr - Weather Barn

Kowalskiy's Eleven for 2011

Happy New Year folks!  I said I wouldn't do this after my half-arsed attempt last year, but I suppose there's no harm in sharing my eleven tips for the year with you.  Besides, it gives me a chance to try out the playlist widget below!  There's a few familiar names in there that are no strangers to the Kowalskiy blog, and a few getting their first mention.  Either way, keep a look out for them in the year ahead.  In no particular order, they are...

Rachel Sermanni [MySpace][Twitter]
Indian Red Lopez [MySpace][Twitter]
Dear Mountaineer [MySpace][Twitter]
Trapped Mice [MySpace][Twitter]
Johnny Reb [MySpace][Soundcloud]

Rose Parade [MySpace][Twitter]
Weather Barn [MySpace][Twitter]
The Son(s) [Soundcloud][Twitter]
White Heath [MySpace][Twitter]
The Ramisco Maki Maki Rocking Horse [Website][Twitter]
King Post Kitsch [Website][Twitter]

...Weather Barn!

Say hello to East Coast purveyors of catchy, countrified Shins-esque indie, Weather Barn. Their debut single Park Hands was released earlier this month on Kittiwake Records and is an absolute cracker! Here's bassist Steve Morris to fill you in on a few of the details...

Kowalskiy: Who are Weather Barn?
Steve: Weather Barn is myself on bass, my brother Matt on guitar and lead vox, Daryl Rankin on guitar and Iain Dallas on drums. We're an indie rock band from Aberdeen, Scotland. Each of us have been in bands before, but Weather Barn is a totally new project, so it's a pretty exciting time for all of us.

Kowalskiy: You have just released debut single Park Hands. What can we expect from it?
Steve: That song has a little bit of everything in it! When Matt first wrote and demo'd it, it sounded really country! But after we jammed it and fleshed it out with the band, it really became an indie-pop tune. Matt's lyrics to Park Hands are full of humour and frustration so it's a good track to get everyone riled up. We recorded it with Stuart Macleod, who has previously worked with artists such as Amy Macdonald and The Dykeenies, in Glasgow.

Kowalskiy: And what can we expect from the band in the future?
Steve: Touring as much as possible, for the rest of time! We've spent a lot of time getting the new band ready and rehearsing non stop, so it'll be good to play to people around the country. We will be recording for another single sometime soon, but for now we are just looking forward to hitting the road. Its easy to get carried away making plans for the years ahead, but at the moment it feels more fun to just take it as it comes! There are so many cracking bands in Scotland at the moment. We want to play shows with them all!

On the back of Park Hands, I'm sure there'll be bands queuing up to play with Weather Barn too! Park Hands can be bought from the band's bandcamp page as a 3-track CD or 2-track download. I like it. I like it a lot!