The Godfathers of New Music in Scotland - celebrating 50 podcasts

The plan for the 50th episode of my podcast was to do something different, as well as passing on some vital information to struggling bands. The problem with getting 2 people that talk/write about music for a living is that they can be difficult to shut up.

I'm not complaining, because I think Episode 50 is a cracking listen, but the proposed format went out the window pretty much as soon as Billy Sloan started talking!

I was sat there with my list of possible questions, but to be honest, apart from the start and finish… it was pretty much a case of letting Billy and Vic Galloway get on with it.

It's certainly made me think that perhaps I need to rethink the whole outlook of Jim Gellatly's New Music. There was so much more that I wanted to cover with these guys, that I'm seriously considering giving the podcast a bit more of an "industry" slant… talking about "how to get the most out of the music industry" rather than just playing my favourite new tracks in any given week. I like the idea of getting guests in on a more regular basis, and there's certainly unfinished business with Billy & Vic.

Mind you, the chance to play the new music in the podcast is probably too precious for me to sacrifice while I'm doing a more mainstream show on the radio…

I suppose the answer is to find myself a radio show somewhere where I can play a lot of the stuff that I play on the podcast… can't see that happening in the current climate of radio networking and cutbacks unfortunately.

Meanwhile, enjoy episode 50!

Jim Gellatly's New Music available at iTunes & Radio Magnetic.

Homecoming Live - The Final Fling

My comments in The Scottish Sun about the forthcoming Homecoming Live gigs seem to have ruffled a few feathers, with people assuming that I was either misquoted, or my comments were taken out of context.

Full story here.

Actually I'm pretty sure I said everything credited to me, and given the information I had at the time, I was pretty comfortable about that. Bearing in mind I'm over 40 myself, comments that the gig would attract mostly over 40s certainly weren't intended as a slur on the event...

I was actually fully supportive of what's being attempted, but the truth is that now I'm actually having reservations.

At first it seemed like a brilliant idea to have one final massive event to round off the homecoming year, linking it in with St Andrew's Weekend (though not quite sure when St Andrew's Day became a whole weekend, but any excuse to party on longer!). I knew that a couple of the halls at the SECC were to be used for the "Final Fling" gig(s), but it was only seeing the ad in the Sunday papers yesterday that I realised the 2 gigs (with a 3rd at the Clyde Auditorium still to be announced apparently) were actually separate gigs.

I'd got it into my head that you'd be able to wander from one hall to the other and see performances from stars of the past, present and future, but that's not the case. In Hall 4 (seated) of the SECC you have Deacon Blue, Lloyd Cole, Hue & Cry, Midge Ure, The Bluebells, James Grant, Kevin McDermott and Tommy Reilly celebrating "the golden era of Scottish music", while in Hall 3 (standing) it's a line up including "those who have inspired some of the biggest acts in the world, and who demonstrate the enormous influence Scotland has had on shaping the international music scene plus the hottest up and coming Scottish talent". For that, read The Vaselines, Idlewild, The View, King Creosote and The Law (with more to be announced).

It seems to me that we now have 2 pretty special live music events clashing with each other, but both part of the same celebration of Scottish music. How wonderful it would have been to introduce fans of The View for instance to the rich heritage on offer in the other hall... and indeed for fans of the "blasts from the past" to see that the future of music is in safe hands.

Of course the Hall 4 show is a bit more mainstream musically, and I'm sure the thinking is the Hall 3 show will attract a more alternative crowd.... but I'm sure I'm not the only person who'd like to see Lloyd Cole (one of the first acts I ever saw live, 20+ years ago) and The Vaselines, or indeed any combination of acts playing the rival gigs...

I think the line-up for both gigs isn't bad, but it would have been much better if the gigs had been on different nights.

Homecoming Live - The Final Fling: tickets available from http://www.gigsinscotland.com/

Hello, Good Evening And Welcome

Well I've finally decided to do a blog, as if all the social networking I do on Facebook, Myspace and Twitter isn't enough... I have a Bebo account as well, but a really feel out of my depth in Beboland, and far too old for it, especially since half my 11 year old daughter's friends seem to have linked up with me there. As you can understand, that makes me slightly uneasy.

Not quite sure how I'm going use this. No doubt it'll bcome another excuse for me to plug my radio shows, podcasts and gigs... but I do that elsewhere anyway. Twitter's become my favourite place for blatent self-promotion of late, and I like the idea of having to say something in just 140 characters. Facebook meanwhile's become a bit clogged up with all the apps. I mean, Mafia Wars? What's that all about?

I suppose I might use this blog to rave about the latest sounds that are exciting me, or the trials and tribulations of supporting Dundee FC.

In terms of tunes I'm getting excited about right now, I'd say Grum's 'Heartbeats'. He's Scottish, but based in Leeds, and I first heard him on Huw Stephens' show on Radio One. Grum's going to be hailed as the next Calvin Harris once the mainstream press get hold of him, until the "next Grum" comes along, in much the same way as Calvin Harris was once the "next Mylo". Shouldn't Mylo be releasing something new by now by the way?



I've been loving Edinburgh hip hop act Young Fathers for some time now, so delighted that they've been given a leg up by Simian Mobile Disco. Young Fathers fature on 'Turn Up The Dial', one of the stand-out tracks on SMD's new album 'Temporary Pleasure'.

In terms of guitly pleasures, Mini Viva's 'Left My Heart In Tokyo' is a bit of a pop gem. I'd rather like Grum to get on board that one with a nice dirty remix.