After a slow start I’ve finally, slightly reluctantly, got into the Edinburgh Festival spirit. Although I enjoyed covering shows as a reviewer for the Edinburgh Evening News many moons ago, I have to admit I also have mixed feelings about it – after all the huge influx of tourists and increased pedestrian and road traffic is an almighty hassle for residents who are working and trying to get on with their lives (of quiet desperation – or is that just me).

However a lot of this is just bitterness because every time I’ve gone out during the festival I’ve had a brilliant laugh, an it’s most likely that my mixed feelings are just based on my jealousy of all the lucky swines who are prancing around for  month getting boozed up while I have to get up for work.

Because of this I never really get round to sitting down and planning to attend any fringe shows, but if the opportunity comes up through a friend I’m more than happy to go along to something. And it’s hard to beat boozing outside, shaking random celebrities’ hands and telling them ‘I love your work’ (at the weekend I drunkenly accosted the bloke from the Gadget Show and renowned luvvy Alan Cumming both of whom were very friendly, if slightly terrified) and taking advantage of the extended opening hours (5am!) at least once during August.

BROKEN RECORDS & BART FROM EAGLEOWL AT LACH’S ANTIHOOT

As usual I’m more attracted to the music stuff that’s happening – the only actual show I’ve been to so far was Lach’s Antihoot on Saturday night – again it was unexpected, I’d been at the cinema and got a text from Dylan who told me Bart from eagleowl was playing. As the Antihoot only starts at half past midnight and goes on to 3, I couldn’t resist hopping on a nightbus after seeing the film at Ocean Terminal  (Inception – which I thought was very good indeed).

The antihoot is on at the Gilded Balloon Nightclub at Teviot (tickets), which was packed and really buzzing, and as well as Bart’s short but sinister song which I think was called ‘Don’t Put That in Your Mouth’ or something similarly suggestive (the video below was suspiciously similar),  the guys from Broken Records played a couple of songs from their new album, both of which sounded great.

We were also treated to an extract from the late night Fringe comedy show ‘Lesbian Bathhouse’ which featured some surprisingly raunchy wet t-shirt action, and other treats included an inspired monologue about vans by the bizarre comedian Paul Foot, a brilliant RnB parody by ‘HP’s mate whose name escapes me’ who has sadly not recorded any of his songs yet but MUST (Pub Grub is a classic) – and a really varied selection of stand-up and songs, most of which was very good, some of which was amusing for all the wrong reasons, but which ultimately led to an extremely entertaining night.

FAMOUS DRUNK & THE DEVIL’S BUTTERMILKERS DO LACH’S ANTIHOOT

Being a masochist, and despite being stressed to the max every time I attempt to play live (and never learning that if I actually practiced the guitar it might make it less traumatic) I’ve signed up to play the antihoot next Saturday night. Having played the Sidewalk Café in New York where the antihoot has been for years, I couldn’t really not take part when Lach brought it to Edinburgh. My friend Iain and I are playing as ‘Famous Drunk’ – and then he and his lovely lady Aileen will be taking to the stage as ‘The Devil’s Buttermilkers’ (you might guess the connection if you’ve been reading the blog recently!).

WITHERED HAND,  STEVE MASON & RETREAT!

I’m also hoping to go and see my favourite Edinburgh-based songwriter Withered Hand and the legend that is Steve Mason (The Beta Band/King Biscuit Time/Black Affair) who are playing as part of the Edge Festival. Also, hotly tipped locals The Last Battle are supporting Mr Hand, and I’ve not had a chance to see them yet so that would also be a good reason to go.

Then the following weekend is the return of the wonderful Retreat! Festival which has a stellar line up of Edinburgh’s best bands (including that bloke Withered Hand again).  I can’t overstate the importance of promoters like Bart and Emily from Retreat!, and Tallah from the Antihoot for making sure the best local acts are involved in the festival this year more than ever before, and actually convincing me to leave the house – not an easy task.

Free Retreat! Sampler:

Photo by Dylan Matthews, taken from Song, By Toad session (click for link)

This is the first in a new series of interviews with people who are doing great things creatively both locally and hopefully a little bit further afield too. First up we have the ridiculously likeable Bart from eagleowl, the stunning Edinburgh band whose music has genuinely moved me to tears on more than one occasion.

Bart. You’re in a band called eagleowl. You’ve got a new EP out called ‘Into the Fold’ which is already getting a bunch of good reviews. It is of course, beautiful and literally made me cry 3 times. Cos I am a girly boy, or a complete wuss. Are you trying to make people cry? Why, why are you trying to make people cry?

That’s really touching. People have said that before – not often, granted – but a few people have said that certain songs on certain occasions have moved them to tears. It’s quite a compliment. I think to have someone cry – to have that level of unreserved emotional response – is hugely flattering. It feels more genuine, since its almost involuntary. Obviously we don’t set out with the intention of making people cry, but I think the songs are intended to instill at least some kind of emotional response or involvement from people.

And you’re launching the EP this weekend with gigs in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Given the emotional quality of your music, I find at your gigs I often start daydreaming about a litany of lost loves and remembering a bittersweet combination of events in my life, like the day my dog died crossed with the day I got my first Bontempi keyboard. is there anything I can do to emotionally prepare for this trauma prior to the gig?

Oh my, I really don’t know. We’re not really as miserable as we appear, honest. We’ve been discussing playing a show in animal costumes at some point. I think it’d help lighten the mood.

I asked you to do the first ever ‘Creative Types’ interview because like a great number of people I admire, you’re multi-talented. Not only have you played in every band in Edinburgh ™ but you also promote excellent gigs under the name The Gentle Invasion’ and if I’m not wrong design gig posters and the like. Do you have any advice for other creative types on (a) how to fit it all in, and (b) how to stay motivated and focused. (Ok, I say other people but really I desperately need this advice myself.)

I’m not sure if I’m the best person to give advice. But I think just stay focused, and remind yourself why you’re doing it in the first place. Be sure you’re in it for the right reasons. Don’t be put off by one bad show or one bad review or whatever. As to how to fit it all in – I’ve really no idea. Make sure you have a very understanding partner. I think that’s a key factor.

You did a really great interview with Ewen over at the Steinberg Principle about how good the local scene is at the moment but what are your thoughts on spreading the word beyond Scotland? I know people like Marc Riley are doing a good job, but is it difficult to break out beyond that? I really think you guys deserve to be heard by as many people as possible.

We’ve been talking about that a lot recently. I think we’re planning to try and do more English shows this year and play in more cities outside Edinburgh and outside Scotland. There does seem to be fewer and fewer outlets for smaller bands at the moment, and I do think that a lot of the National press does have a distinctly English bias. But I think that will come from them being London-based. It ‘s only natural, I guess, but no less frustrating.

I feel that the internet is becoming more and more important in giving the smaller bands a voice. The current rash of new bands in Scotland over the last couple of years seems to have coincided with a lot of new music blogs starting up as well. And with less and less space being devoted to smaller releases in the National press, it’s really nice that sites like Drowned in Sound are giving those releases the attention they deserve.

Also, is that enough if most people aren’t willing to pay for music? What do you think musicians should be aiming at these days? (I know this is a tough question)

Oh my. It’s a conundrum. With our releases we try and make sure that we do everything to ensure it’s nicely packaged. With the shift towards downloads, to ask someone to fork out for a hard copy you have to make sure it’s an attractive item in itself, asides fro the musical content. I think the rules are changing and there’s been this huge shift in the industry, and everyone’s still not sure how to deal with that. Time will tell, I suppose.

Thanks to Bart for taking the time to answer these daft questions with such honesty. Don’t forget to check out eagleowl’s new EP ‘Into The Fold’ – (you can hear the song No Conjunction on April’s podcast). It’s being launched with two gigs this weekend:

30th April at the Roxy Room, Edinburgh

1st May at the Flying Duck, Glasgow

Also, check out their recent session for Song, By Toad at which Dylan Matthews took the excellent photo above.

April’s slightly belated podcast features:

1. Bury Parts 1 & 3 from The Fall’s superb new album Your Future, Our Clutter, out today on Domino Records

2. Lemonade by CocoRosie plus the chance to win two tickets to their gig in Glasgow on May 12th at the Classic Grand (listen for instructions on how to enter (it’s really easy)!)

3. The King of Doublespeak by Debutant (check out their Ltd double A-side 7″ with Conquering Animal Sounds via Gerry Loves Records)

4. No Conjunction by the fabulous eagleowl (pre-order their new EP Into The Fold here and buy tickets for their launch gig on Friday in Edinburgh here)

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The wind is battering the windows, whistling through the doors and buzzing through the nooks and crannies of my ancient old tenement flat. It’s winter alright.

I’m playing the new single by eagleowl, Sleep The Winter. It’s achingly sad, like standing on the windswept petrol-perfumed deck of a ferry and seeing a beautiful coastline of a country you never wanted to leave fading into the distance. 

Today is unofficial ‘Sleep The Winter’ day. Almost all my favourite Scottish music blogs are very excited about this release and rightly so. As well as making amazing music, eagleowl are lovely people and the slow, sure beating heart of Edinburgh’s alternative scene. The addition of this band to any bill makes it a special night. 

They are launching the single with a gig at the Bowery on 11th December and the 13th Note on the 14th itself.

In the meantime, check out their last EP, For The Thoughts You Never Had on Bandcamp (you choose what to pay)

More info:

www.eagleowlattack.co.uk

www.kilterschmilter.co.uk