Kowalskiy's Free Monthly 5-track Scottish EP #29

Time now for the 29^th of these free monthly EPs.  I hadn't noticed, but there's been a few wee themes developing recently... my artwork is making less and less sense, there's been a few more cover versions than usual, and I've been including a fair amount of previously-released singles to give them a well-deserved extra plug.  So, I hope you've been enjoying that wee mix of tracks, because this EP is no different.   We even have a repeat offender who you may remember from last month...

1.  Saint Death - El Metro (Hot off the press!!  This beauty was recorded last week and mixed last night.  Hope you all appreciate the lengths these guys went to for you!)

"El Metro by Saint Death. a post-rock instrumental roar from the grimy suburbs of Glasgow. This track was created for this months Kowalskiy release; for even more melodic whitenoise like this, go to Saint Death or facebook.com/saintdeathmusic.  Thanks for listening." - Ivan (Saint Death)

2.  Plum - Smile (Early Version) (This is an early version of the lovely Plum's new single which is out on the 19^th of November.  Hopefully this will keep you entertained until that's out, along with it's Teklo collaboration B-side.)

"Smile was an important track from the start. The subject matter of the track is really dark, so I needed the production to match that. The earlier version was sadder than the final, but I really wanted it to have a lot of aggression. At the same time, I wanted the vocals to remain fairly passive. I sampled a music box to capture the childlike nostalgia to give it a creepier edge, and the early version used strings and samples from a crowd at a comedy gig. I worked with Ben Phaze (www.tunnelsounds.com) on drum production for the earlier version, using some of his field recordings from the London Underground. We used to work together quite a lot when I lived in London, and used to play together under the band Plaze (Plum & Phaze). He's not only a great producer, but an accomplished DJ too, having masterminded the Beat Feast Collective. I like the clumsy chopped vocals being very static, but when I got the chance to work with Kyle MacKenzie (Dirty Disco/El Hatred) I grabbed it with both hands. Kyle is an incredible producer, and we chatted through a few ideas, and he had some fantastic ideas for co-production, so I'm really really pleased with the final result. This is the heaviest track on the album, but it suits the track perfectly." - Shona Maguire a.k.a. Plum

3.  Thank You So Nice - Hurry Home Tonight (A cracking non-album track from their recent debut album sessions... that make sense?!)

"This was one of the first songs we recorded during the sessions for our album Make Friends Not Money and I guess you could call it a rarity as it didn't make the cd and we've only played it live once, I think. We tend to refer to it as 'the 50s song' even though it's probably nothing like a 50s song. I've been listening to the 50s doo wop band the Flamingos lately and they have a song called 'Hurry Home Baby', so from now on I can pretend the track's real title is a reference to that." - Alex Hendrikson (Thank You So Nice)

4.  yaya club - House Of The Rising Sun (Touch of deja vu here... yes, he's back for a second month in a row with another sublime cover... this time, Darren takes on The Animals' classic.)

"Recently I conducted an experiment to see what happens when you don't drink or smoke for a whole month. On the seventh day, I found out that you get bored so I decided to record some acoustic tunes. This one here is an Animals cover, after which I went out for white russians." - Darren Vincent a.k.a. yaya club

5.  White Heath - In A Glasshouse (This BEHEMOTH of a track was released by the wonderful White Heath earlier this year.  It's well overdue a extra plug!)

"You can explore the world of the song further at glasshouse.whiteheathmusic.com and see White Heath live on the 16^th November at Broadcast, Glasgow in support of Bwani Junction; the 30th November at Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh; the 21^st December at King Tut's Wah Wah Tent, Glasgow." - White Heath

How's about that!?  Hope you all enjoy it.  A huge thanks to each of the artists involved in this month's EP.  All you have to do to get your FREE copy is to click the artwork above, or here if you can't be arsed scrolling back up.  While you're there, there's another 28 there crying out to be downloaded for FREE.

Now to get cracking on December's EP.   If you fancy making my life that wee bit easier, and contributing a track to one of these, then send me a wee email (kowalskiy2@gmail.com) and we'll see what we can do!  

Kowalskiy's Free Monthly 5-track Scottish EP #28

See... told you this EP would be on time!  This month's offering sees another five of the finest artists and bands in this wonderful country side-by-side in musical harmony.  And that sentence is why I never send out any PR about these EPs.  Anyhoo, here's the five artists in question, and what they each had to say about their track... apart from one shy lot for whom I've been at my paraphrasing best!

1.  Plastic Animals - Waking Hours (Rescued from the cutting room floor, this little beauty is from Edinburgh's Plastic Animals Automaton EP recording sessions.  The EP will be re-released soon on the Strange Fish Records label.)

"The track is called "Waking Hours" and it's from the cutting room floor of the recording session we did for our most recent EP "Automaton". It's a bit more synth-y and "space pop"-y than our usual stuff but hopefully you'll like it ok! Cheers." - Dave Wark (Plastic Animals)

2.  Poor Things - Pat Nevin Indie Disco (A cracking homage to their hometown... and a nod to Scotland's favourite, music-loving, diminutive No. 11.)

"This song is basically a homage to our hometown Perth, and to friends we've lost touch with. It's semi-fictional; I've been dabbling in short-stories (they're really hard) and I'd written this brief tale about a teenage guy who starts hanging out with 'a new crowd', (mostly out of inevitable sexual curiosity) but in doing so he ditches this girl who he's been friends with for years. So when I say 'semi-fictional', I had a friend like that who I don't see any more, and I started thinking about it recently and what a shame it is.   I played around with it a lot, and compressed it into this song - through the reference to Cocteau Twins I thought it would be funny to call it after Pat Nevin who famously got permission to leave a pre-season friendly at half time to go and see some Cherry Coloured Funk. What a bro." - Craig Angus (Poor Things)

3.  Kitty The Lion - Duck! (Goose!  This fun-filled gem was your for free earlier this year for a retweet or a 'Like'.  Now, it's yours for even less than that.  It's also proof that my paraphrasing is crap!)

"We've just found out we've got funding to record our album!! Yayyy! Also planning a wee winter tour. Why don't we just put Duck! on it?" - Kitty The Lion

4.  yaya club - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (Recorded just last night in his converted-wardrobe-vocals-studio, here's yaya club's cover of The Band's Americana classic.  Get Darren's latest double A-side here for free!)

"I'm a big fan of The Band.  Levon Helm is my beard idol, and my favourite ever farmer." - Darren Vincent a.k.a. yaya club

5.  Eugene Twist - Halloween Drama Queen (Acoustic Demo) (A brand, spanking acoustic newbie from Mr. Twist.  'Tis fairly awesome if you ask me!  As is his debut album...)

"Mid - October hopefully validates this unleashing of new song 'Halloween Drama Queen'. Acoustic demo recorded at the Old Hairdressers, Glasgow. Dedicated to the unfortunate thousands each year who find themselves at the mercy of a strange and growing phenomenon - getting dumped on Halloween." - Eugene Twist

And with that, I'm done for another month.  A huge thanks to each of the artists involved in this month's EP.  I hope you all enjoy it!  All you have to do to get your FREE copy is to click the artwork above, or here if you can't be arsed scrolling back up.  While you're there, there's another 27 there crying out to be downloaded for FREE.

Now to get cracking on November's EP.   If you fancy making my life that wee bit easier, and contributing a track to one of these, then send me a wee email (kowalskiy2@gmail.com) and we'll see what we can do!  

Kowalskiy Singles Club #18

Time for me to play matchmaker and try to set you up with another handful of hopeless romantics.  If you like the sound of any of them, then click on the artwork and let the good times rock 'n' roll.  Two puns is plenty this time 'round!  Here you go...

Here We Go/Cameraman by The Spook School

"Lonely band of mixed heights seek tolerant individuals for unexpected nudity. Must have been naked at least once before in life. Holding hands is optional and back rubs will be expected. Must have own car or at least a young person's railcard. However, we are prepared to settle for second best." - The Spook School

The Spook School have a new single out!!!  Today in fact.  Happy days!  You can get your download by clicking the artwork, or buy the 7" vinyl over on Cloudberry Records.

Sometimes/These Eyes Of Mine by Yaya Club

"Do you sometimes find yourself reminiscing in front of an open hearth with a teary eye and a fistful of single malt?  And have you ever climbed a hill in the pouring rain, just because the view helps you remember?  Then look no further:  Old-fashioned country gent seeks old-fashioned country lady for long talks and even longer walks.  Must look good in denim dungarees and a straw hat." - Darren Vincent a.k.a. Yaya Club

Can't say I've ever found myself doing any of those.  I do however, look dashing in a pair of dungarees if I don't say so myself.  This is one of those pay-what-you-like efforts from Yaya Club, and a great one at that!   

Get Some Scars by Lux Lisbon

"Melancholic, wistful, see-saw swaying melody stuck in the past SEEKS - 4 sad souls joined in emphatic harmony to sing it's uplifting affecting refrain, and dance to it's serious yet elusive groove. MUST BE - big hearted without being loud, simple without being insipid. MUST LIKE - protests against a musical age known for robotic technological banality and pretending that, yes, it's all going to be alright after all. Oh, and the ill-fated middle Lisbon sister from the 1999 Sofia Copolla film 'Virgin Suicides'." - Lux Lisbon

Lux Lisbon aren't strictly Scottish... in fact, they're not Scottish at all.  But when someone emails you saying they were put onto you by their friend scrawling "Kowalskiy" onto a beer mat one night, how could you not have a wee listen?!  Thankfully I did, cos this is great... FREE too!

Covers by Arran Arctic

"Misery guts seeks tortured soul mate to share king-sized double (mustn't hog the covers!). Enjoys wistfully caressing harps and pretending to be Joanna Newsom... and playing with torches in dark rooms. Call me! www.arranarctic.com" - Arran Southall

Arran Arctic is back!  It's been a while ol' chum.  This is Covers, the first single from his new, upcoming album Like Lovers.  Ooh, that rhymes!  He's a clever man that Arran, even if he is a misery guts!

Napoleon Loves Josephine by We Are The Physics

"Four lonely sociopaths seek new host for parasitic lifestyle. Must be willing to alter name, appearance and gender as required. Good sense of humour unnecessary. Must enjoy long walks on the beach, movies, mutual manipulation and the ability to administer and receive emotional abuse over a period of many years. Bearded, lion-esque light entertainment TV presenters need not apply." - We Are The Physics

My rekindled love affair with We Are The Physics continues.  This is the third single to be taken from the four lonely sociopath's second album Your Friend, The Atom. With any luck, we'll be hearing a bit more from them about that album soon... I've said too much!

It Doesn't Even Have To Be You by How To Swim

"Fun-loving miseryguts WLTM similar, different, or anything for protracted period of co-existence." - Gregor Barclay (How To Swim)

Completing the lonely-hearted half-dozen are another firm favourite of mine, How To Swim.  Short but sweet from our second misery guts of the day.  It's the lead single from new album Niagarama and is yours to download on a name-your-price by clicking the artwork.

Coastal Skid Spy Wok v17.0

Time for the latest notcast now.  I'll level with you... I've not really paid much attention to the recent goings-on on SoundCloud this week.  So, instead of the usual, this weekend the notcast will have more of a Thistly twist.  This time next Saturday, down in Dunbar, Thistly Fest 2012 will be well under way with one of the finest line-ups there is going.  So here's my pick of the acts...

First up, the organisers also made good use of SoundCloud and ran a competition to pick the final two acts for the festivities.  In the end, the lovely Yaya Club and Cafe Disco (who are just as lovely) triumphed.  Both great choices if you ask me.  So here's Darren Vincent, a.k.a. Yaya Club to kick us off.

   Cold Night, Be Kind by Yaya Club

Darren's also put up this video to accompany the track.  Next up, is Glasgow's Cafe Disco with their brilliant Terra Nova.  If my snooping has served me right, they'll be playing the acoustic stage.  If you're planning on heading to the festival... best check for yourselves though.

   Terra Nova by Cafe Disco

As well as these two, there's a whole host of amazing Scottish bands on show.  None more amazing than the band of the hour, Meursault.  Their new album Something For The Weakened is their best yet.  Gone may be 'computer guy' and with him, their unique glitchy, electro (just don't call them electro-folk) side, but that's not stopped Mr. Pennycook from producing one of Scotland's finest albums in years!  Here's lead single Flittin' to prove my point.

   Flittin' by Meursault (courtesy of Song, by Toad)

Be sure to get a hold of the single and/or album over at Song, by Toad Records on CD or vinyl.  As well as Meursault, Edinburgh bands FOUND, Capitals and Woodenbox will also be gracing Belhaven Farm with their presence.  All of whom are firm favourites at Kowalskiy HQ, but I guess I don't seem to feature FOUND as much as the others... so here's one from them... Anti-Climb Paint from their album Factorycraft.

   Anti-Climb Paint by FOUND

...which you can buy here.  You should also head over here to find out more about #UNRAVEL... possibly one of the most intriguing gigs of the year!  Should probably mention though that Woodenbox have a superb new EP out called The Vanishing Act, and Capitals have new single All These Years out too. 

Last track now from the fantastic Kitty The Lion.  You can get hold of their recent single Duck! over on iTunes, and while you're there I'd recommend you get hold of the others too.  You'll be happier for it!

   Lion in the Bed by Kitty The Lion

So that's just a taste of what to expect if you're off to Thistly Fest.  All the info is over here including the full line-up.   Good food, good cider, and great music... what more could you ask for?!   You can still get tickets over here if it tickles your fancy!

Kowalskiy SIngles Club #15

And now for the return of your favourite, infrequent delve into the country's musical singles market.  We're nearing the 100^th single don't you know!  Not yet though, maybe next time 'round.  Until then, here's another batch of singles looking to tickle your ivories, pluck your strings or God-willing, maybe even blow your trumpet!  What you get up to once you've clicked the artwork and followed these links is entirely up to you!  Take it away singletons...

Knife Gang Shop Raid by Naked Strangers

"Five dedicated nudists seek likeminded strangers for induction into mystical eastern sex-pact. Knowledge of local dogging spots a must. Do you enjoy love under bridges, fumbling on buses, knitted lingerie and consensual human sacrifice to a higher cause? Then please, get in touch." - Mark Stockl (Naked Strangers)

Apparently that ad's been in the local papers for a while with no success.  So, if you're up for meeting some Naked Strangers for a touch of NSA fumbling and sacrificial happenings, then this is the track for you.  It's the first of a trilogy of tracks this lot will be releasing.  I've heard them all.  They get better and better!

Let's Make Money by Thank You So Nice

"Two socially awkward history anoraks seek equally awkward significant others with a penchant for discussing French critical theory. One hyper multi-lingual hourglass with a penchant for dress-up seeks pie chef. In all cases troubadours need not apply." - TYSN

What a lovely polite bunch Thank You So Nice sound.  Their tracks do too you'll be glad to know.  This FREE three-track download was recorded at Swanfield Studios and is out now.  Non-troubadours click the artwork for your copy.   

Ivory And/Geraniums on a Spit by North American War

"Ivor and Gerry, bored couple, 45, recently split /made single (we were singing in different keys). Petite, slim, good fit for all u players. Ivor's feedback just wasn't having Gerry's la-la-la's. On the flip side failure 2 harmonise begs the question: Are U the 1 to take us for a spin? ;-) faster please!" - Anna (North American War)

Now that all sounds a bit swingerish doesn't it??  North American War  released their debut EP through Winning Sperm Party a while back.  This is the follow-up double A-side for all those willing to take them for a spin!

She Can't Take It by Sacre Noir

"Film Noir / David Lynch fan seeks similar. Must not be afraid of twisted clowns or broken dolls, dark spaces or catchy riffs. Single & ready to rock your world – based in Edinburgh, but willing to travel. Don’t believe the hype “She Can’t Take It” – find out for yourself!" - Carrie Beattie (Sacre Noir)

It's not often you hear the words "Female fronted dark electronica" around these parts.  This lot are based in Edinburgh and they have an album out later this month if this tickles your fancy.  Here's the video to go with it!

Trespassers by The State Broadcasters

"Suffer from seasonal affective disorder? Looking for love? Trying to quit smoking? Let State Broadcasters help you. We'll warm your heart and tickle your nose until you fall head over heels in love with us. We already love you, yes, yes we do." - Graeme Black (The State Broadcasters)

And they're back!  If, like me, you loved their debut album The Ship And The Iceberg, then this will be right up your street.  They're the most recent addition to the Olive Grove roster and if this is anything to go by, that's quite a coup!  It's out for FREE on the 11^th  of June.  The launch gig is at The Captain's (Rest) on the 14^th June with Randolph's Leap and "special guests".  Intriguing...

TOGETHER APART by PET

"Two is company but three is a small business! Yup let's get serious and have a threesome! Bring a pen!" - PET

This is the fourth time that one fifth of my tips for 2012 have been on here.  Talk about playing the field... this mob love being single.  It's another impressive beast, fit to soundtrack the filthiest of threesomes! Out to download soon.  Watch this space!

Lover's Eyes / These Nights by The Sunset Clause

"16 strings and 2 sticks looking to find someone who don't see nothing wrong with a little bump 'n' grind. We don't like to boast, but we can all catch Haribo in our mouths and one of us can grow a real moustache." - Michael McFadyen (The Sunset Clause)

Please note, other kids-and-grown-ups-beloved gummy sweets are available.  As for these two songs, they're two of the best I've heard this year.  Kudos to The Pop Cop for drawing my attention to them.  This is the debut double A-side.  Expect to hear a whole lot more!

An Ode To JJ/Fat Man's Chin by Yaya Club

"Self-confessed Woody Allen look-a-like seeks fan of quirky self-deprication for heavy petting and possible earjobs. Must not have a sense of humour." - Darren Vincent (Yaya Club)

No sooner had I noticed the announcement from the Kircudbright Tape Club, clicked the link and had a listen, than I get an email from Darren. Spooky!  This "lo-fi-quirk-folk-pop" gem is FREE to download so get clicking the artwork. 

Michael (We Really Should Go) by Ravena

"Four self-loathing Scottish lads seek the company of someone new. Desperately lacking the confidence of some of our more handsome friends, but we don't really talk about that. Love for clumsy dancing preferred. Mutual lamp fetish a must." - Noel McMonagle (Ravena)

Could you be something new?  If so, what are you waiting for!  Click on the artwork and get your hands on this 3-track FREE single.  I mentioned this before, but it's a very impressive debut from this Glasgow quartet. More of the same please lads!