God damn baby you drink like Hemingway - sobering thoughts with Girl in Red
It may be a catchy tune to sing along with but for its creator, there's a confessional and liberating meaning being back on the music wagon
“Last year I ended up in a really bad place with addiction, ED and depression that almost killed me,” reveals Girl In Red - aka Marie Ulven - in a searingly honest post on shared with her 3 million closest friends on her Instagram account at the launch of her single ‘Hemingway’.
She added: “I’m releasing a song called Hemingway and it tells a part of that story. Thank you for all the love you have been sending my way since I opened up about all of this. It’s my favorite song so far.”
It is trademark Girl In Red.
Serotonin, the song she originally recorded for social media before it blew up into her debut If I Could Make It Go Quiet album, included a recording with her therapist as she first sought treatment for what she described as “self destructive tendancies”.
More recently ‘Confession’ released earlier this year hints at more self examination to come.
Having seen her perform to a packed out Spektrum Arena in Oslo last year, or anyone who saw her circle of death shenanigans at Glastonbury, will know full well the star quality she already has among fans, as she wrestles with her inner challenges.
But that star may be about to rise further.
She’a about to open for Olivia Rodrigo at Hyde Park in London before touring in South America and Mexico.
Despite the hectic schedule she’s also been making her acting debut in the film Low Expectations, playing character ‘Maja’ - an artist forced back to her hometown after enduring years of intense success leading her to breaking point.
According to her website the last planned tour date for the year is in August where she also headlines Øya Festival.
In Oslo, Norway.
MUSIC
🎵 It anyone doubts the power of music, go check out Amy Macdonald’s reaction to her latest single being played on the radio on her Stories before it disappears. Little wonder she’s one of Scotland’s best loved performers. In the meantime you can pre-save her new album ‘Is This What You’ve Been Waiting For?’ ahead of its 11 July release.
🎵 I’m utterly hooked on a sneak preview I’ve had of ‘1995’ - the genuinely brilliant new radio friendly song coming from The Tumbling Souls. Read more about the track in this article here or listen to frontman Willie Campbell chatting in my latest podcast.
🎵 Friend of the podcast Constant Follower has been asked to support Teenage Fanclub for their Summer Nights set at Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow nn 31 July. Look out for dates too in Birmingham, London and Manchester in October.
🎵 Elephant Sessions have announced new gigs in Aberdeen (22 Dec), Edinburgh (23 Dec) and Stirling (27 Dec) supported by a solo set from Beluga Lagoon. Their current tour listings are here.
🎵 Mike McKenzie has a full band show planned fror Sneak Pete’s in Edinburgh in 4 July. He’a also supporting Chris Helm at the Hug and Pint in Glasgow on 7 June, and part of The Paper Factory Hidden Doors in 13 June.
🎵 While Siobhan Wilson has gigs at Stereo in Glasgow and Cab Vol in Edinburgh this November.
🗞️ This article from the Daily Record about a Reddit post might spark some debate. Favourite Scottish musicians of all time?
📻 Someone who knows a thing or two about popular opinion among Scotland’s music fans is, of course, BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Get It On’ presenter Bryan Burnett who is taking a break after sharing the news he is to receive treatment for a rare cancer. Wishing him good and a swift recovery, and best wishes to Grant Stott who will be watching shop in the meantime.
FESTIVALS
🎪 Fringe by the Sea has unveiled its full line-up including Air, Ezra Collective Hamish Hawk, Sandi Thom, Rory Stewart, Irvine Welsh and much more.
🎪 This weekend welcomes in The Reeling back for another year at Rouken Glen Park. Laura Wilkie & Ian Carr, Ryan Young, Sian, Talisk and Rura are on the bill. So too chart toppers Tide Lines.
🎪 Also this weekend, the Meadows Festival in Edinburgh celebrates its 50th year. Congratulations to everyone who has been involved. Acts today include Laura Silverstone, Fidra, along with Conscious Route & The Collective.
🎪 HebCelt Festival have announced comic con group OH!CON are joining the line-up for next month’s event, including a cosplay competition, STEM events and more.
🎪 And yay! for The Gathering - coming back again on 30 May 2026. Early bird tickets available until 1 July.
NORWAY
🇳🇴 It’s been a while since we caught Tuvaband play at The Mash House in Edinburgh, so its great to see her back with another new track, ‘Galloping Chest’, taken from her upcoming new album ‘Seven Ways of Floating’. One of those tunes you can’t help but think will get picked up for TV along the way. Bold, thoughtful, bound together by a finger strumming beat. Our Record of the Week.
🇳🇴 Norwegian jazz supergroup Orbits are releasing their debut album Blood Red Sky on 29 August. Orbits offer up alternative rock, indie, and jazz to create a sound described as ”innovative and captivating”.
🇳🇴 TRNSMT bound Sigrid has so far debuted five new songs so far on her most recent festival appearances. Fan accounts have the clips.
🇳🇴 Talking of friends of the podcast, Sara Fjeldvær also has a new track out today with ‘Going Home’. Better still, she has a solo show happening on Vier.Live this coming Wednesday to showcase her third album. Go watch - I saw her in Glasgow last year and she was magnificent. Here’s a wee chat we did in October.
🇳🇴 Watch out for new music from Skaar coming on June 13 - ‘Missing Out’. Fingers cross we might see her in Scotland again soon too?
🏳️🌈 Metteson, meantime, will be at Oslo Pride on 28 June, fresh from releasing his latest track ‘Hunger’.
🇳🇴 And very best wishes to A-ha’s Morten Harket who has revealed he is living with Parkinson’s Disease in this powerful article.
OPPORTUNITIES
⏰ A reminder that artists aged between 16 and 25 have until Sunday to apply for the Off The Record Showcase from the SMIA. Info here.
🎤 Monday is the deadline for excellent BBC Alba x Belladrum Talent Search. Details.
🎼 UHI NWH Uist are accepting applications for a £1000 scholarship to support off island students looking to relocate to Uist to study trad music. Background.
🤝 TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) is looking for a Digital Marketing & Communications Officer. Thanks to Hands Up For Trad’s Simon Thoumire for sharing details in their Opportunities for Musicians email.
🏆 Speaking of which, the deadline is fast approaching to enter the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2026 awards. Any singer or instrumentalist aged between 18 and 27 can apply and be in the chance of winning the title, an additional recording session with BBC Radio Scotland, a performance at the Scots Trad Music Awards and one year’s membership of Musicians’ Union.
Entries close 29 June.
🤝 4pm on Thursday is closing date for a Marketing Manager vacancy with Regular Music. Thanks SMIA for sharing details.
🤝 Meanwhile SEALL on Skye are looking for an Events Co-ordinator. Deadline for applications is Friday, June 13.
EVENTS
🏳️🌈 There’s a Networking event for LGBT+ Musicians happening in Glasgow this coming Thursday with the Musicians’ Union.
PODCASTS
🎧 This chat from The Louis Theroux Podcast with Little Simz is worth a listen.
TELLYBOX
📺 Watch out for Skerryvore XX - the band’s live massive concert held at Floors Castle last weekend - being aired on BBC Alba on Saturday, 7 June at 7pm. You can also still listen to Daniel chat with me for the Good Stuff In Between podcast.
📺 If you’ve not had a chance, there’s still a chance to catch documentary When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain - an illuminating and surprising watch..
📺 Later … with Jools Holland on Sunday has Kae Tempest, Sugababes, Wolf Alice, Obongjayar, Donegal’s George Houston and folk legend Peggy Seeger.
FEATURED PLAYLISTS
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