As Matthew so sweetly wrote the other day, Vic will be passing on his Radio 1 show to Ally McCrae soon, but he will continue to bring us the best in new music each week on Radio Scotland and his pick of Scottish bands on tour here on Dear Scotland. This week – Trembling Bells.

Trembling Bells in the Netherlands
by Vic Galloway

Originally formed by free-jazz, folkie, improvisor Alex Neilson, a singing drummer who has played with many different music projects over the last few years, Trembling Bells are Glasgow-based band specialising in psychedelic, alt-folk that brings to mind Fairport Convention, The Incredible String Band, Sandy Denny, Pentangle and others.

With members of Lucky Luke and The Pendulums in the line-up, it’s the swooping, shrill, heartfelt vocals of lead-singer Lavinia Blackwall that lend the songs an unearthly, esoteric feel. With English folk, country and 60’s rock being channeled, they have so far released the 2 albums, ‘Carbeth’ and ‘Abandoned Love’ both on London’s Honest Jon’s Records.

Trembling Bells play ‘Le Guess Who Festival’ in Utrecht with Sleigh Bells, Broken Social Scene, Field Music and many more. If you’re in the Netherlands or visiting on holiday or for work, this looks like a great event. I wish I was heading along…

Check out Vic on BBC Radio every week:


Monday Night 8.05pm-10pm, BBC Radio Scotland

Vic has live sessions and new material from the best alternative artists.


Wednesday Night Midnight-2am, BBC Radio 1 in Scotland
Vic has Capitals in Session

Follow Vic on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vicgalloway and at www.myspace.com/vicgallowayr1

Download Trembling Bells’s album in the Dear Scotland Shop:

Trembling Bells with Bonnie Prince Billy

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB35Ojl_prg

Scotland on Tour this week

[scotlandontour_thisweek startdate=”20101122″ enddate=”20101128″]

Photo Credit: Stuart Reidman