'I think I really lost my ability to be proud of myself, and proud of what I was doing. But with this one, man, I'm really proud of it.'
The return of Constant Follower. OTR Edinburgh is go. And is Wee Studio in the Outer Hebrides offering the most picturesque sound job in the UK?
🎧 NEW PODCAST: Constant Follower
(Photo: Kevin Linnett)
Constant Follower is just a week away from releasing his third album, The Smile You Send Out Returns To You. His first two long plays both made it onto the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) SAY Awards shortlists. Critical acclaim followed, and he speaks gratefully about the support he has received from Help Musicians and Creative Scotland to take this project to new levels. He is excited about the presence of Seabass Vinyl in Scotland, calling it the best pressing plant in Europe. You can feel the warmth he has about all those who have participated in the album's creation radiate. To speak with Stephen is to be inspired, to feel joy in music, to get caught up in the excitement of doing. Yet this episode of the podcast goes beyond the success story and his talent. It also, in his words, tells a story of how music helped him heal. Heal from brutal violence, the substance abuse that followed, years of mental health and life challenges, the unforgiving nature of society to the helping hand that offered a new chapter out, the rippling effects on those around, and the sheer beauty that has come out of it in song, friendship and love. If the podcast is powerful across all ranges of emotion, consider it a companion for the new album out this month on the label Last Night From Glasgow. Storytelling, creativity and beauty which from cover to grove has fused together into a perfect circle of song. Mesmerising.
Album of the month: The Smile You Send Out Returns To You, LNFG.
MUSIC
🎵 The legendary Neil Young has teased a full UK, Europe and North America tour following confirmation he will headline Glastonbury this year. NME.
🎵 Pulp have announced they’ll play Glasgow OVO Hydro on Saturday, June 7.
🎵 Brace yourself for a new Bon Ivor album dropping on April 11. Relevant.
🎵 David Scott of The Pearlfishers is to play in Bellshill next Friday say promoters Bellbeat Music Group. They also have BMX Bandits there on May 30.
🗞 NEWS
🎵 Congratulations to SMIA’s Robert Kilpatrick on being named a new patron with Music Venue Trust supporting grassroots venues across the UK. Full story via SMIA.
🎵 UK Music are urging people to back their campaign against changes in copyright law with regards to AI and music ahead of a government consultation due to close next week. More here.
🎵 The List has published The Guide to Scotland’s Festivals 2025 available now.
🎵 What’s billed as Scotland’s biggest record fair is talking place in Glasgow on Saturday. VIP Record Fairs.
FESTIVALS
🎪 Fringe by the Sea have unveiled Air, The Boomtown Rats and The Bluebells among their first acts for the Aug 1 - Aug 10 event. Details at its website.
🎪 A huge number of acts has been revealed for Knockengorroch Festival including Kinnaris Quintet, Mima Merrow and Dub Pistols.
🎪 Near (ish) neighbours Fresh Ayr Folk Festival have unveiled their first wave of acts which includes Malin Lewis Trio and Sonder.
🎪 The first drop of performers for Kelburn Garden Party’s 15th edition is out now with Shooglenifty, Jamz Supernova and The Allergies.
🎪 Idlewild, Talisk and Craig Charles kick-off the Elephant Session’s Black Isle Calling.
🏗 Govan Music Festival also returns on Wed, 26 to Sat, 29 March. Creative Scotland.
🇳🇴 NORWAY
🇳🇴 Norwegian band Orbits are back with a brand new single. Broken Glass out on February 28. Lars Horntveth (Jaga Jazzist), producer Erlend Mokkelbost and vocalist Natalie Sandtorv (Neon Ion) have created a piece described as beginning with simple jazz beats and synths, guided by Sandtorv's smooth, almost scat-like delivery before layer after layer is added to with pedal steel, Hammond organ, saxophone and sweeping strings making this a full-band epic 70s funk workout.
🇳🇴 Anna of the North has released her new single Nesten narkoman. Meantime hit track Lovers continues to soar on Spotify.
🇳🇴 Moyka is hitting the road in Norway plus Stockholm and Copenhagen. Dates here.
🇳🇴 Bergen based singer songwriter Sei Selina has released her new EP ‘Consider Me Venus’.
🎵 Meanwhile Faroese artist Ester Skála releases her pink pop latest ‘Become’ on Feb 21 ahead of supporting Danish pop legends Aqua in Tórshavn on March 8.
🤝 OPPORTUNITIES
🟣 A big day this weekend for aspiring 16 to 25 year olds who are looking to break into the music industry thanks to an all day conference from Off The Record taking place in Edinburgh. Covering everything from digitally releasing your own music to organising gigs, an introduction to sync, and just how to get started, it will take place from 10:45am at the Pleasance Caberet Bar until 6pm. Tickets are available here. Those on a jam packed panel are featured on their Insta page.
🎶 Applications are open now for this year’s MMF & YouTube Music’s 2025 Accelerator Programme for Music Managers.
🎶 The Great Escape 2025 has opened up applications to play on May 14 - 17 in Brighton. Details and form here.
🎶 WestFest 2025 has issued a call for participants. Deadlines are looming so check out the details here.
🎶 HebCelt have opened up sponsorship packages for business hoping to be a part of the award winning festival. More here.
🎶 Organisers of the Royal National Mòd are calling on entries for this year’s event in Lochaber taking place from October 10 - 18. Categories and details here.
VACANCIES
✅ Could this be one of the best jobs in the Scottish UK music scene right now? Wee Studio on the Isle of Lewis are hiring a Sound Technician / Music Producer for a 12 month graduate placement in Ness in the Outer Hebrides.
✅ Regular Music are advertising for a Marketing Manager to work on their projects including Summer Nights and Castle Concerts. CD: Feb 28. Details.
PLAYLISTS
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