Somewhere on the borders of indie rock and folk music sits Scottish singer M. John Henry. From his Bandcamp site: “…founder of the band De Rosa. Between 2006-2016 De Rosa released three critically acclaimed albums on the Chemikal Underground and Rock Action labels. Henry released his first solo LP in 2011, Continue Reading
Scotland
Various Artists – Daily Reckless: Diary Of A Nobody feat. Ivor Cutler
In a country known for its eccentric musicians, Scotland’s Ivor Cutler truly stands out for his unique creativity, and I say this with the utmost affection. This album is reportedly the soundtrack to a long-forgotten film by director Ken Russell, featuring music composed by Ivor and narrated by Bryan Pringle. Continue Reading
Fletina – Environments & Mechanisms
The only information I can pass on about today’s band, Fletina, is that they recorded their album in Scotland. That’s it, folks. However, because I trust the taste of my friends at Mahorka Records, I gave the release a chance. The ‘music’ strikes a good balance between field recordings and Continue Reading
Bryan Day+Ernesto Díaz-Infante – Untitled Currents
Ernesto Díaz-Infante is a favorite on this blog, so any release of his is welcome, but Bryan Day is a new name for me. He is an instrument maker and improvisational musician who also runs Public Eyesore Records. This collaboration is quite dark, bordering on a cacophonous take reminding me Continue Reading
The New Human – Proximity Mantra
The New Human is, as far as I am concerned, the new standard bearer for fresh music in the IDM genre. If you like groups like Boards of Canada, and of course, Aphex Twin, this is going to pique your interest. From the Bricolage Records Bandcamp site: “For our next Continue Reading
We Came From The North – We Came From The North
We Came From The North are a post-rock band out of Scotland who actually blend metal and instrumental rock into something both listenable and intensive.
Rose McDowall – Our Twisted Love EP
It’s amazing to think that this EP is the latest (and hopefully not last) artifact released by former Strawberry Switchblade front-woman Rose McDowell. She had been active singing with groups like Current 93 and her own project, Sorrow, for many years, and this EP continues on that dark and eerie Continue Reading
Brìghde Chaimbeul – Carry Them With Us
A big and hearty thanks goes out to my dear friend and brother in music, Hubert, for turning me on to this album. Brìghde Chaimbeul plays smallpipes, a wonderful instrument criminally neglected in comparison to its more famous cousin, the Highland pipes. These smallpipes have a more ethereal sound to Continue Reading
Strawberry Switchblade – 1982 4-Piece Demo
Strawberry Switchblade were my first musical crush, and perhaps the most charmingly twee band I heard during the 1980s and there was a lot of competition in those days. This EP from 40 (!!) years ago sounds as fresh as their eponymous debut album, but the sound is far rawer, Continue Reading
Big Hogg – Pageant Of Beasts
Bigg Hogg are a Scottish progressive rock band who remind me of old Canterbury Bands like Caravan and Soft Machine. Really mellow and charming prog.