new songs in Folkspace

Two new demos are up on our myspace page. 'The Fable' (I used to arbitralily listen to the advice of elders. Their constant use of hand-me-down cliches felt like testaments in stone. I'm now wiser, and consequently realise my stupidity but it's too late anyway) and 'People Steal Things From You' (My message to someone else in concern for their health by resorting to the above and some bad jokes. I'm not any wiser).

We put down the main vocals and the harmonies on PSTFY last Monday. Still to redo the dodgy guide vocal on The Fable but the rest of the stuff on there more than makes up for it.

Hope you enjoy.
The Gadgee x

They loved colour and they let it show

Thanks to those who clapped, tapped their feet and cheered at the gig on Friday night. It's either a sign of our genius or stupidity that a lot of people picked up on the krautgrass version of 'Das Fable' as their favourite of the night. It always feels worth it when people come up afterwards and say nice stuff.

For the first time I feel as though the album is making headway. We had Verity in from Delta Mainlineat newly-refurbished Red Button studios putting down some organ and piano on The Fable, and some piano on People Steal Things From You. I had that hairs-on-the-back-of-your-neck feeling when the piano went down on The Fable. Completely transformed the song and energised the album's progress. We are getting there.

We'll also be playing with Lucky Luke in September at friend Andy & Chris' night, Pop Theory where we'll be pulling out all the stops to rise like a well-worked loaf from a 3-piece into something more elaborate for the night. Feeling good about the songs this week.

It will go without saying to the few that read this diary of sorts that current listening is Barret, The Madcap Laughs and the compilation Opel. Without reverting to faux poetry seen around may other sites and obituaries I'll dispense with the "shine on you crazy diamond" crap, although there's a good piece by Vicious-victim Nick Kent in the Guardian today. It took me a while to get Syd Barret's solo stuff but when I did it was completely rewarding. I'll compare him to Vincent Van Gogh. Finally seen some of his Arley and Saint Remey work at an exhibition in Dean Gallery. I love them both.

There will be a lot of banjos!

"....our favourite Sufjan Stevens meets Dylan going 'twang' band, The Folk featuring The Gadgee...."

We're playing this Friday 7th July at the Swamp Bar, Caledonian Backpackers, Queensferry Street, Edinburgh. Doors at 8:30pm, cost is £5 and we're on around 9:15 ken. Also on the bill are The Stantons (featuring the two girl banjo-attack of Blueflint) and Porch Song Anthology.

Unfortunately our first open air gig has been cancelled. Was to be at Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy but the Pond Society have beaten Sonik Youth Music Project in convincing the local councillors what constitutes all-round entertainment. Hopefully see some of you on Friday though. There will be a lot of banjos!

Current cultural stimuli:

The Wedding Present Hit Parade Vols. 1 & 2 (this brings back memories of another hot summer and a hot summer job...not the glue factory one though)
Orange Juice - Falling and Laughing, Dying Day, Upwards and Onwards
Kes on DVD (school football teams)
Rough Trade Indie Pop Vol.1 (where it all started.....to go wrong)
The Flaming Lips - The W.A.N.D. (we got the power back!)
the Van Gogh exhibition at Dean Gallery and wearing a very geeky indie cagoule.

Prince Iain (and You Should Always Keep In Touch With Your Friends)

First of all thanks to those who came and saw us at Cabaret Voltaire last week. I think even Clive Tildsley could have predicted the result here. A low turnout at a home game. Some improvised banjo feedback with krautrock rythm section being the gigs only highlight. In fact at practice we've been doing krautrock versions of our banjo songs on the, em, banjo. Band favourite is a re-working of The Fable called Das Fable sung in a Klinsmanesque accent ya!
We were recording over the weekend and have drums down for People Steal Things From You, Tradesman's Lovesong and some lovely marching band drums on Hooligan Choir. We're also hoping to record some organ and cello with Verity from Delta Mainline pretty soon. I suppose the main achievement is getting this album done. There's a few near-complete new songs too, but these might only get a live showing in the near future whilst the patchwork quilt is fashioned.

Current influences: The Wedding Present - Tommy and Hit Parade, The Pendulums, Ian Hamilton Findlay - Nuclear Sail, Norah and William Montgomerie - The Folk Tales of Scotland, walking from Portobello Beach to Musselburgh Harbour, and old postcards of my home town and where I stay now.

European Folklore v American Films

The solo gig at the Path Tavern last week went really well. Surprising, because when I walked in to do a soundcheck that never happened I got charged a pound! All going to a great cause though; Sonik Youth Music Project.

Other acts included Beep Beep Ping!, Stonedyke, Orange Fridge (aka The Jobbies) and Ambulances. I thought I was going down like a chocolate submarine it was so quiet. As it turned out a lot of the Sonik Youthers were really appreciative and approached me after the set and said nice Fife things. I played some banjo songs and a couple on my new electric too. There will hopefully be a festival date in July back in KDY. Here's a set list

Patron Saint of Saints
The Holy Ghost
Francis Bacon Would Approve
Tradesman's Lovesong
The Fable
The Gadgee's Dream.

We're playing on Tuesday 13th June at Cabaret Voltaire with Jeremy Warmsley. Tickets are £5, but being a non-profit collective at the moment you can get tickets from us for £2 prior to the gig. The usual meeting place is Tron Tavern prior to the doors opening. Probably an early start for all you World Cup addicts.

Fife's Got Everything

I'm playing a solo set in Kirkcaldy this Friday. Drnt Drum social at the Path Tavern with the mental Thee Headbaddies and others. Organised for the benefit of those attending the Sonik Youth Music Project and their friends, so very a worthwhile cause. As the great man said, "Fife's Got Everything".
To make up for this selfish act I've included a couple of mugshots of a couple of mugs from the Shit Trinket gig last week. Highlight of the night being the indie'er-than-thou dancing at the end; replete with ill-fitting yellow cardigan with large repeated red rose design.

Not for all the Russian Caravan Tea in China

A quick reminder about the gig on Thursday. Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh 9pm 'till late with Glen or Glenda and Damn Shames.

Here's a photo too, of the Tigerfest gig. We're now advertising in shop windaes for other musicians. After this gig it's back to recording drums again. Two of the songs have had to be re-done from scratch as a result of attempting to put down 7 guide tracks in 3 hours and lots of coffee a while back. We ended up with songs that were twice as fast as they should be. I don't know how we didn't notice straight away; but Hooligan Choir sounded like it should be played by The Locust! I think we'll also get new song Tradesman's Lovesong down for the album too.

I'll quickly mention Pop Theory, which is an indie club with live bands on every month in Edinburgh run by a friend of mine Andy.

Hope to see some of you at the gig on Thursday.

Love Plus One

The tigerfest gig has been and gone now. Only our second gig this year so far but here's details of our next voyage on the flyers done by the Shit Trinket guys. We played Tradesman's Love Song live for the first time and people said nice things about it like, "braw!".

The Folk have agreed to look for a fourth full-time member. Keyboards, singing, and other more crazy stuff. We mixed up the banjo and guitar songs at the gig which was good, but someone else would make the set a bit more consistent. Hoping to be in Glasgow soon, so we'll keep you posted.

I'm off to see Popup, Owsley Sunshine, Jim Noir and the excellent Nut Bros. at seperate gigs this month. Speak soon and here's the setlist for the Tigerfest gig -

Patron Saint of Saints
Francis Bacon Would Approve
People Steal Things From You
Hooligan Choir
The Fable
Tradesman's Lovesong
The Gadgee's Dream.

You can now download Francis Bacon Would Approve on Folkspace with some lovely keyboards from Chelsea Cargill.

Run away, turn away (or taxi for the Taxi Club)

The Gadgee's back! Re-energised, re-evaluated, re-restored, re-repeated and re-retarded to home life after an excellent trip away. No more daylight saving.

The gap left from deleting all those stressful normal thoughts of life (job, bills, job....eh job) brought about some nostalgia. I'm not sure why that is and don't read too much into a couple of funny conversations about Jimmy Somerville, but top of the playlist is Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy. A simple tale of escape from a family, peers, and town that can't accept wee Jimmy's "lifestyle choices". Accepted into the charts and record-buyers at the time this song would be utterly controversial these days. Says a lot really. A. Classic. Pop. Song.

It appealed to me as a "goth" in my home town. A goth wasn't really a "goth". In the mid-80's you had two distinct social groups of teenagers where I lived; Goths and Casuals. Much the same way as in the late-70's where you were only allowed to be a punk, a skinhead or a mod.... as long as you liked two-tone. Goths where I came from may have worn black jeans, but there was strictly no baking powder or mothballs; just paisley shirts and cardigans with a second-hand raincoat if you were really cool for dancing during the 15 minute alternative set at the Red House on a Friday night in Coupar Angus.

The nostalgia was also brought on by recent reunions with old friends and I'm now listening to some hellishly unfashionable classics (House of Love, long-time favourites The Wedding Present andMy Drug Hell's - Girl At The Bus Stop). Things come full-circle though and Billy Bragg seems back "in". I'm listening to his first two albums a lot and may see him live next month. Anyway, this is all kind of what The Gadgee's Dream is about.

We may have another gig in May. We'll update the myspace account as and when.

Jammy Tears

Sad news on the radio today.
Ivor Cutler died, at his home, yesterday.
The final tale from a Scotch Sittiing Room.

Gig with Monica Queen coming up in May as part of Tigerfest. First saw Thrum play a very long time ago during my Fresher's Week at the venue Napier University had on King Stables Road. Then saw her with B & S at QM when that all-day festival got moved there (what was it called again?) because of rain from Kelvingrove park. Jesus, even that was a long time ago! Then more recently supporting B & S at the Usher Hall and a previous Baby Tiger night.

Hopefully the first in a line of gigs in May including something in Glasgow.

Cabaret Voltaire (a*se/elbow)

Thanks to everyone who came along to the Cabaret Voltaire gig. The set went well, despite not playing live for donkeys, and Ash from Saint Jude’s Infirmary came and helped out on a couple of songs again, so many thanks to her.

There was a bit of confusion regarding the name of the band which resulted in two people who enquired at the doors being told that, no, there wasn’t a band called The Folk playing that night. Quite clever really.

To clear it up we’re called The Folk (featuring The Gadgee). The Folk part is the actual band or collective which may get involved in other musical projects over time. I know Liam was talking of getting a Krautrock thing off the ground at some point, he’s recording other people and it’s really up to him what the name The Folk gets attached to. The Gadgee is me, obviously. The reason we’re playing as The Folk (featuring The Gadgee) is that we are playing the songs I write at the moment, albeit those songs have been whipped into shape by all three of us.

Anyway, it’s just as well we turned up to play, whatever we’re called, because we brought a decent crowd along and it was good to meet people who’ve heard of us and seen us live since the first gig at the hall in the Forest Café (see many early posts). Apologies to those who tuned in, turned up, and got turned away. We’ll make sure it never happens again. The photo is the only graphic evidence of the gig that shows all three of us, the fault of our live photographer on the night who was so distracted by the music that she only got the camera out on the last song. Sacked!

Still recording at the moment, then its holiday time for Bobby and myself. Before that we hope to have some gigs announced for May. We may even be venturing out of the well-charted waters of the Leith Canal!

The Folk (featuring The Gadgee) would approve

Hello. We've got a myspace account now.

See you at the gig. Looking forward to playing with the Witchitaw Linemen Alphas.

A couple of other things. Saw Saint Judes Infirmary play an in-store at Avalanche on Saturday and very good it was too. Their album is now out and it's called 'Happy Healthy Lucky Month'. It's on SL records. Liam recorded and produced some of it, sang on it, Bobby helped them out too, and I went along for about 20 minutes one day and added vocals to Church of John Coltrane. For that we've been kindly added to the sleeve notes, although I'm now in danger of giving away my true identity.

Hamish Henderson is proof that you can survive being brought up in Blairgowrie, being a bi-sexual at Cambridge, arresting a German paratroop commander and become all but banned from BBC Scotland for political beliefs as well as write poetry, songs, books and bring to attention some very worthy traditional singers and storytellers (like Belle Stewart). I think I served him in the Royal Hotel once. Certainly remember him kicking about the town and being impressed (with these working class eyes at least), by his old school demeanour and plus-fours. I've been dong a little research recently about the local folklore and songs of my place of birth. Read about the man here.

Dr. Landy Tour 2006

Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh on Thursday 16th February. 7 to 11. £5 or online here.

The Folk (featuring The Gadgee)
Delta Mainline
Earnest Cox

This is an early gig because there's a club on later which you've got free entry into if you buy a ticket for the gig and want to hear Stuart Braithwaite (Mogwai if you didn't know) dj Public Image by PiL. If we get our act together before the night The Folk might start looking like a collective rather that a triumvirate. I'm having to beat kind offers off with a sh*tty stick all of a sudden! Get there early to avoid dissafolkment ah!

Merry Folkin' Christmas & a Gadgee New Year

Here's my compilation for the holidays -

Amerie - 1 Thing
The Beatles - And Your Bird Can Sing
Orange Juice - Louise Louise
The Termites - Do The Rock Steady
Paul Giovanni - Gently Johnny
Paul McCartney - Jet
Big Star - September Gurls
Buff Medways - Unable To See The Good
Cocteau Twins - Sugar Hiccup
Levon & The Hawks - The Stones That I Throw (Will Free All Men)
Devendra Banhart - Cripple Crow
Prince Buster - Wreck A Pum Pum
Scott Walker - Montague Terrace
The Boggs - How Long
Futureheads - Decent Days And Nights
Nobody & Mystic Chords of Memory - Coyote's Song (When You Hear It Too)
Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats
Television - Marquee Moon
Neil Young - Country Girl (I Think You're Pretty)
Arcade Fire - Rebellion

Folky Christmas & a Gadgee New Year xxxx

Blissed out red Folk boat

The last recording session before Christmas is happening this weekend. We've a couple of new songs too; The Fable is the banjo-folk epic I was talking about in the last blog and comes in at a ridiculous 7 minutes! Acceptable though because most of the others barely breach the 3 minute warning. Another guitar tune (I like to balance it up) at the moment is called Tradesman's Love Song. I'll try and get a demo of the first one up soon.

As per Bobby's update on The Folk website, we had Chelsea come in and rehearse with us. Some lovely accordion to accompany some of the banjo songs, and keyboards as well.

I was at All Tomorrow's Parties last weekend and will mention Cocorosie, Acid Mother's Temple, Damo Suzuki, Michael Rother (Neu!) and Les Savy Fav. All saviours of a rather metal-heavy ATP. I also recommend Nobody & Mystic Chords of Memory for some beats and psychedelia, Jose Gonzalez who's got a song on an advert on the telly likes, Vashti Bunyan's Just Another Diamond Day and two bands I've seen in Edinburgh which I've really liked; Music and Movement and the excellent Owsley Sunshine.

I'll be at the SL records night at the Bongo Club on Thursday 15th where Saint Jude's Infirmary will be playing. A quick mention too to Delta Mainline. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please support us next year and come and see us play live, talk to us, ask to join us and buy our album that's barely started yet.

Cloudbusting

Thank you to all who came along to the Baby Tiger John Peel Tribute night last week. A great excercise in what I would call a blanket campaign of zero publicity and input.

Bobby is playing with The Red Well (Fence Records) in Glasgow tonight (Tuesday 18th October), Liam is on holiday and I'm in such a pensive mood I'm taking photos of myself with a camcorder. The recording of the album has reached a small impasse and in the meantime I'm writing some more songs including a folk-epic about myspace and new stationery.

I'll mention some other musical stuff encountered last week. Sufjan Stevens at Oran Mor and Jandek, Jo-Jo, Black Boned Angel and Up-Tight at the Install Festival. First was amazing, second was interesting. Especially Jo-Jo a solo Japanese performer with just a Gibson SG, some effects pedals and a Roland amp. Ending with him grabbing the neck of his guitar and screaming at it while it screamed at him. Brilliant to see Sufjan Stevens with full band and his new album put into clever context on the stage.

I'll keep you updated with album news and a possible Christmas performance soon. Check out Bobby's thoughts about the Peel thing in general on The Folk blog.

There is nothing like a dame.

Caledonian Backpackers on Thursday 13th October. Doors 8:30pm.

Deadenstereo
The Gadgee
fourteenhours
Lee Patterson
Damon Thomson

This is a John Peel tribute night with the above acts performing acoustic songs. When I was listening to Peel in the 80's and early 90's (sporadically)he really wasn't playing much acoustic stuff other than the odd African band or new Billy Bragg release.

For me it's a chance to play solo to the wrong crowd. Another Baby Tiger promoted event which is alright by me. They're certainly not treating it as an exuse to be all edgy, angular and assymetrical and pretend they've been the biggest Peel fans since Gang of Four's first release. Neither am I. I would however have liked the thought that he would have been into this shambolically amatuerish and non-trendy blog and maybe even like someone playing to indie crowds with a banjo. If I've got enough time I'll try and work out an old Ronnie Barker musical sketch so I can get in with the Edinburgh cutie-retro-comic scene. I'm on at 10:30.

Positively 4th Street

"You see me on the street
You always act surprised
You say, "How are you?" "Good luck"
But you don't mean it"

Let's just leave it at that. Thanks to you all of you who came along to support and watch us at the Baby Tiger night on Friday. A really good crowd, just a shame we were on first as the crowd got bigger and we were the best band that night. We tried out People Steal Things From You for the first time as a band and it sounded good. Stuart McHugh put a little comment about us in his Jockblog. I feel a little confused about this alt-folk label as there seems to be two definite parts of the live set; the "folky" stuff on banjo then the electric guitar stuff but I'm reassured by some people that it sounds continuous. Anyway, I admire the indie-shift Stuart puts in on Jockrock. Moderating the messageboard is not an enviable task unless you find scrolling through little cu*ts in bands' messages about how sh*t other bands are an enviable task.

Prattling on a bit here so two more things. Went to see King Creosote do an in-store at Fopp, Rose Street on Monday afternoon and bought his new album KC Rules OK on the strength of his performance despite harsh lighting, mobiles, cash tills and security beepers. A really nice gig. Finally, Acne Vulgaris meant cancelling the photo session this week so here's a quick photo of my Gold Tone banjo.

The Shakin' Stevens This Generation Deserves Ist Nicht Tot!

The Shakin' Stevens This Generation Deserves Ist Nicht Tot! That's true.

Here is the line-up for this Friday's gig at the Swamp Bar:

The Folk 9.15 pm
The Sundowns 10.10 pm
The Zephyrs 11.05 pm

We started recording the album last weekend. The guide tracks are down for 8 songs and next weekend we'll be doing drums and maybe getting photographs taken in Grannie's Gowns. Just a three-piece again on Friday but with no gigs planned in the near future, and with recording being the priority, we'll have a chance to bring more people into The Folk. It'll still be a total racket though!. Manifesto: play the Goodies Theme after every set, like lots of stuff.

If you can make it, go and see Saint Jude's Infirmary supporting the elegantly rock n' roll Holy Gollightly on Saturday night at Cabaret Voltaire. I'll be at a wedding that night but I'll still be dancing to as much Headcoats/Headcoatees that the bride and groom let me away with.

Gigs Reunited

Friday 16th September at Caledonian Backpackers.

Baby Tiger presents:
The Zephyrs
The Folk (featuring The Gadgee)
and The Sundowns.

Doors are at 8:30 and it's £4.

The Zephyrs are long-lost friends of mine. They're about to release their fourth album, BRIGHT YELLOW FLOWERS ON A DARK DOUBLE BED on Acuarela records.

We are about to start the recording of our first album this weekend. If I was clever I would give you a "working title" for it. But I don't. Actually I do now; it's the "No Working Title" album. Eh, no. That's crap. I'm looking forward to getting started and our hunt for other people has been fairly successful. We'll be hoping to embelish the live sound too which means we can add some more songs to the live set that aren't possible at the moment including my favourite called Oceola; a tribute to Oceola Staples.